The New Nation - Internet Edition

Entertainment Report

The second round of Channel-i Sera Kantha started yesterday at the Sports Zone at Mohakhali in the city.

A total of 82 contestants including 11 expatriate Bangladeshi will appear before a 16-member jury comprising Subir Nandi, Kanak Chanpa and Abida Sultana.

The organisers have grouped the entries into five categories and 16 contestants will perform each day. 'We will select 10 contestants from each group and this is how we will get best 50 contestants', said Impress Telefilm managing director Faridur Reza Sagar at a briefing at its premises at Tejgaon on Monday. 'World famous singers -- Runa Laila and Sabina Yasmin- - will judge the contestants from the third round which will begin with the best 50 contestants', he said.

'Among the 11 expatriate contestants, 3 have already flown to Dhaka while the rest are on their way', he added.

The best singers will be given special awards and will get a chance to perform in concerts at home and abroad, said the organisers. With a view to finding out the hidden talents in music the channel has launched the competition both at home and abroad.

Earlier, about 90,000 contestants from home and abroad registered to compete in the competition. The organisers held the primary round of the competition in seven zones -- Dhaka, Dhaka Metro, Rajshahi, Khulna, Chittagong, Barisal and Sylhet.