The New Nation - Internet Edition

Fund raising for ailing poet Samudra Gupta Painting, photography exhibition and film screening

Entertainment Report

Students of the Institute of Fine Arts of Dhaka University have arranged a fundraiser for the ailing poet Samudra Gupta.

Gupta is suffering from gallbladder cancer and is currently admitted to Square Hospital. Painting and photography exhibitions are on at the IFA premises. A film screening began at the Institute of Fine Arts Auditorium from May 27.

The students of 14th batch of the Fine Arts arranged the painting exhibition at the IFA premises from May 21. The exhibition includes watercolour paintings by students. One of the organisers, Nahid Hasan Topu - a student of the Department of Crafts - informed that by May 26, TK 38,000 has been collected from sales of the paintings, which is not sufficient for the treatment of Gupta.

Shopno Samudra, a student of the Department of Ceramics and daughter of Samudra Gupta, urges everyone to come forward to save her father's life.

The film screening began with a show of Satyajit Ray's 'Hirak Rajar Deshey.' Eminent film personality Soovas Dutt and noted poet Nimalendu Goon were present at the inaugural session. Thirty one films including 'Colour of Paradise,' 'Children of Heaven,' 'Life is Beautiful,' 'Daruchini Dwip,' 'Aguner Parashmoni,' 'Antar Mahal,' 'Taxi,' 'Mr and Mrs Iyer,' 'Pink Panther,' 'Malena' and 'Herbert' will be screened till June 4. Tickets are worth Tk 30 each. With the help of the web-based photography organisation www.bangladeshi- photographers.com, a five-day photography exhibition titled "Samudra Gupta Aid Photography Exhibition" has begun at the IFA premises from May 29. Fifty photos taken by native and expatriate photographers are on display. The photography exhibition is open everyday from 11 am to 7 pm and will continue till June 2. Prices of the photographs range from TK 1000 to 1500.

Shilpa Shetty’s turn to deliver a slap

Entertainment Desk

For a certain scene in Sunny Deol-directed 'The Man,' Shilpa Shetty had to slap her co-star Sudhanshu Pandey. And if the latter is to be believed, the actress was very reluctant to do so.

"It was an emotional scene where I was supposed to console her and she was required to slap me in a fit of rage. But Shilpa was so reluctant and scared. She had to be literally convinced to slap me to get the shot right," Sudhanshu, a singer, model and actor, said.

Sudhanshu said that he had to ultimately hold her hand and make her slap him to be more comfortable with the shot. "It was funny as she still couldn't do it. But since she had no option, she did it very lightly," he quipped.

The actor, who featured in Sanjay Gupta's film 'Dus Kahaniyaan,' was in the capital to attend the launch of an All Sports Bar.

Year 2008 has proved to be lucky for Sudhanshu, who became a father for the second time earlier this month and also has some big banner films lined up for release.

Talking about his forthcoming projects, Sudhanshu said, "Alibaug,' 'The Man' and 'Singh is King' are in the pipeline and I am really excited."

Sudhanshu, a former member of the music group Band of Boys, has sung in Sanjay Gupta's 'Alibaug,' where he plays a business tycoon.

"Yes, I have sung in 'Alibaug.' It was Sanjay (Gupta) who dragged me into it and the experience was fantastic," he said, making it clear that he would never get associated with a music band, however.

The actor, who calls himself a 'simple, focussed and a family man,' is looking for a name for his newborn son. 'It has become difficult to decide on a good name.'

Casting couch? No way, people are afraid of me : Rimii Sen

Entertainment Desk

After being appreciated for her remarkable performance in Johnny Gaddaar, Shubhomitra Sen, Rimii Sen, would now be seen playing her career's first double role in Rakesh Sarang's 'Horn Ok Please.’

Rimii talks about her experience doing a double role and also shares why she hasn't yet been involved in casting couch.

Q. What is your character in your film "Horn OK Please"?

A. I am playing double role in the film. In one of them I am paired against Nana Patekar while another one against Muzammil. Both the characters are quit similar.

Q. This is your first film in a double role, how difficult was it to portray both the characters?

A. The only difference I found was in the body language of both the characters. Otherwise the two characters were almost alike.

Q. What was it that made you accept this film?

A. I really found the story to be quiet interesting and different. That's the reason, I couldn't say no to Rakeshji after hearing the script.

Q. How did you accept your roles in the initial stage of your career?

A. Earlier I did not give much importance to roles. I only used to see the banner, who is the hero and the director.

Because at that time I thought I won't get recognized if I do experimental films. So I looked for big banners with good star cast.

Q. So, what kind of film's you like to do now?

A. I would like to work in thriller kind of films. But unfortunately, as of yet no such film have come to me.

Q. Are you doing any Bengali film?

A. As of now I am not doing any Bengali film. But in future if something good comes up then I will definitely do it.

Q. Have you ever faced the situation of casting couch?

A. No I have never fallen into such situations ever because I am very straight forward person and say anything on one's face. People are afraid of me due to my nature.

Q. How many times do you make your producers run after you to say 'ok' for a film?

A. I don't make any one run; rather I look for signing films because I like working and keep myself busy. If I like the script, I will sign the film immediately and if I don't understand the character or something, then, I generally take two to three days to sign a film.

Q. Any plans on commercial ads?

A. I am waiting for some nice offer. If nice offer, good product combined with a good amount comes up, then I will definitely be doing ads.

Q. What about "Dhoom" the film? Why did you opt out of the next series of Dhoom?

A. I opted out of Dhoom because I am tired of doing guest appearances. I don't want to be seen as furniture in films.

Q. Your other projects…

A. I am doing Santosh Gidvani's Shagird. I don't have much role in the film but I liked the idea of the film, so wanted to be a part of the film. I am playing a journalist in it.

'Bhalo Achhi Bhalo Theko’ premiered

Entertainment Report

The premiere of a 13-episode drama serial 'Bhalo Achhi Bhalo Thheko’ was held on Sunday at the Radius Centre at Gulshan in the city.

The play, scripted and directed by Anisul Haque and Abul Haya respectively, focuses on some important issues regarding the use of Baby Zinc dispersible tablet.

The medicine holds the potential to save the lives of thousands of children per year in Bangladesh.

To enlighten the rural and slum communities on diarrhoea preventive medication, production house Dhansiri produced the play.

The drama has been made for ICDDR,B's SUZY project in order to sentient mass people.

The plot of the play is constructed through a pure love story of Sakhina, a health worker and Raju Miah. The messages concerning child health mostly pass through their conversations.

The play stars Chanchal Choudhury, Badhon, Shahiduzzaman Selim, Challenger, and Dr Izazul Islam.

The serial will be aired every Tuesday at 7:30pm on Bangladesh Television.

Mahurrat of 'Nijhum Aranya’ held

Entertainment Report

The inauguration of a full-length feature film 'Nijhum Aranya’ was held at the Star Cineplex at the Bashundhara city in Dhaka on Tuesday.

The film was scripted and directed by Mahbub Jamil and Mushfiqur Rahman Gulzar respectively while Impress Telefilm Limited will produce it.

“We will begin shooting of the film soon,” said the organisers at the inauguration.

'We always try to make quality films…this time we selected a story based on the tale of a freedom fighter', said Impress Telefilm Limited managing director Faridur Reza Sagar. Bangladesh Film Development Corporation managing director ANM Badrul Amin also spoke on the occasion.

Two newcomers Badhon and Sajal will take their bow on silver screen with Nijhum Aranya. Ilias Kanchan and Champa will also perform in the film after a long break.

With both the debutants showing a lot of promise, the organisers feel that the film should do well. 'I can proudly say that we as a team have tried to accomplish something, said the director.