The New Nation - Internet Edition

Dance workshop concludes

Entertainment Report

A 15-day dance workshop arranged by noted dancers Shibli Mohammad and Shameem Ara Nipa, in association with Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) concluded on May 21.

The comprehensive workshop, conducted by Shibli and Nipa, started on May 6; around 200 participants from all over the country were selected to participate. The closing programme was held at the National Theatre Stage of the Shilpakala Academy.

The programme, hosted by Ferdausi Lina, was divided into two segments - a discussion followed by dance performances by participants. Md Sharful Alam, Secretary to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs was the chief guest.

Bhuiyan Shafiqul Islam, Director General of Shilpakala Academy, Nazrul Haque, Director of the Training Department of the Academy, Shibli and Nipa spoke at the programme.

Belayet, a participant from Faridpur, and Happy from Dhaka, were also invited on stage to share their experience at the workshop.

Both of them expressed their gratitude towards everyone who made the event possible and specially thanked the instructors, Nipa and Shibli, for teaching them the importance of discipline. Certificates were handed to the participants after the speeches.

In the second half of the programme, the artistes presented dances performances choreographed by Nipa and Shibli. Starting with 'guru bandana,' the dancers performed 'Jibon tori' and Tagore's 'Khoro baayu boye bege.' The 'Kathak' compositions were performed with detailed footwork and gestures. Accompanied by tabla and harmonium, the young artistes presented different 'mudras' and of 'Kathak.' Shibli briefed on the uniqueness of the dance form in between the performances.

The highlight of the evening was Nazrul's 'Durgom giri.' Decked in shades of red, black and khaki, the artistes presented a dramatic and power-packed performance, enhanced further by the vibrant orange background. The stage was set ablaze as the dancers glided in and out; the performance was greeted with thunderous applause.

The last session of the programme was called 'Pathshala,' where all the participants gathered on stage one last time to display whatever they had learned at the workshop.

BFFS announces winners of Film Awards ’06

Entertainment Report

Bangladesh Federation of Film Societies (BFFS) announced the winners of 'BFFS Film Award 2006' recently.

Tareque Masud's digital film 'Ontarjatra' was selected as the best film.

A five-member jury that included Mustafa Monwar (as chairman), Syed Bazle Hossain, Masihuddin Shaker, Nasiruddin Yousuff and Sajedul Awal selected the winners in nine categories.

The winners are - 'Ontorjatra' (Best Film), Abu Sayeed for 'Nirontor' (Best Director), Riaz for 'Khelaghar' (Best Actor), Shabnur for 'Nirontor' (Best Actress), 'Bostro Balika' (Best Documentary), Humayun Ahmed for 'Nandita Narokey' (Best Scriptwriter), L Apu Rosario for 'Khelaghar' (Best Cinematographer), Harold Rashid and Buno for 'Ontarjatra' (Best Music Direction) and Catherine Masud for 'Ontarjatra' (Best Editing).

Cinematographer Afzal Hossain Chowdhury has been selected for the lifetime achievement for his contribution to film. BFFS will arrange a programme to hand over the prizes among the winners soon.

BFFS also formed a five-member committee for 'BFFS Film Award 2007' with Syed Bazle Hossain as its chairman.

'Indiana Jones’ earns $56 million in first two days at box office

Entertainment Desk

He may be older, but Indiana Jones is still finding box office treasure. Paramount's "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," the fourth film in the action-adventure series starring Harrison Ford, earned $56 million in its first two days, Media By Numbers president Paul Dergarabedian said.

After earning $25 million in its Thursday debut, the Steven Spielberg-directed movie brought in another $31 million Friday.

"These are very solid numbers, no question about it. The fact that earnings went up on the second day is a good sign," Dergarabedian said. "Whether it's on pace to beat "Pirates'" numbers from last Memorial Day remains to be seen."

Last year, "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" set the record for a Memorial Day weekend opening, earning $153 million including Thursday night preview grosses.

"Indiana Jones" will need a strong weekend finish to top the year's biggest hit so far, "Iron Man," which pulled in $98.6 million domestically in its first weekend.

Dev Anand to build Bollywood studios in Scotland

Picturesque Scotland may soon host the first permanent Bollywood studios in Europe.

With its picture-postcard lakes, rivers, mountains and hills, the province is a particular favourite of Bollywood veteran Dev Anand, who is planning to shoot his next film in Scotland, a newspaper reported Saturday.

Dev told The Times he is looking for an office and studio on the outskirts of Inverness, the main town on the northern reaches of Scotland that is known as the Highlands.

He said the Highlands would become a permanent hub for the Indian film industry, adding: "I discovered Scotland for Bollywood when I went there 10 years ago. Others will follow me.

"Scotland is beautiful even when it rains," he said.

Eight Bollywood films were shot in Scotland between 2000 and 2003, after Dev wrote the script for 'Main Solah Baras Ki' in the small Scottish town of Pitlochry in 1998.

Dev, who considers Edinburgh, Scotland, to be the prettiest city in the world, plans to film a romance in the Highlands early next year.

The veteran actor-director told The Times the main characters in the film will be a father and his son, and that he is scouring Britain for an "innocent-looking 18- or 19-year-old" to play the other lead part. Scotland is known in Britain for its multi-ethnic society, love of culture and hospitality. - Zeenews

Steamy roles are not a Taboo

Taboo

Entertainment Desk

Contrary to popular belief Tabu doesn't take her serious actress image too seriously. Though she does seem to enjoy her 'choosy' tag in Bollywood, when it comes to her home turf the actress has a different image altogether among her fans.

Her last release Idhi Sangathi, in which she played a normal housewife, was marketed with her sexy stills from the song she did with hero Abbas.

And now her new film opposite Balakrishna Pandurangadu, is all set for release on May 28. But what is getting the attention of trade is her Naa Intlo Oka Roju the dubbed Telugu version of one of her old Hindi films Hawa (2003) in which she has acted very glamorously.

The movie also has a daring shower scene, which is sure to be lapped by the fans of the Hyderabad born actress.

Back in Bollywood, she may have been turning down plum offers like Shoebite and Billoo Barber but she is certainly in no mood to saying goodbye to Hindi films. The latest is that she has signed a light-hearted comedy film titled Seasons Greetings. The film has Tabu playing a woman trying to be happy on her own after her husband deserts her. So demure or steamy, Tabu remains as enigmatic as ever for her fans all over India.