The New Nation - Internet Edition

Event: Preema’s solo exhibition continues

Entertainment Report

The 10th solo painting exhibition of artist Nazia Andaleeb Preema titled 'Labyrinth of Abstraction' was inaugurated at La Galerie of Alliance Franchaise in Dhanmondi in the city on July 3.

Eminent artist Aminul Islam was present as chief guest at the inauguration, while renowned art critic Hasnat Abdul Hye presented his astute analysis on Preema's works.

Artist Nazia Andaleeb Preema has participated in more than 50 prestigious group expositions round the world including five Asian Art Biennales, Tashkand biennale and has nine successful solo exhibitions in home and abroad along with a virtual show in 2003.

She also has participated a number of international workshops and residences. She is one of the important contemporary artist's in Bangladesh art scenario today.

The exhibition will end on July 16. The gallery remains open from 9:00am to 12:00 noon and 5:00pm to 8:00pm everyday and 5:00pm to 8:00pm on Saturday.

Bollywood: Ekta and Tusshar have a huge fight

Entertainment Desk

Everything is not well between Ekta and Tusshar Kapoor. We hear the czarina of Indian television had a huge argument with Tusshar over the publicity designs of Balaji Films' upcoming film C-Company. The entire publicity campaign was designed by Kapoor jr. Apparently, when Tusshar brought the designs to the office for Ekta's approval, she rejected them but Tusshar stood his ground as well and insisted that they were fine. What initially started as a difference of opinion ended up in a heated argument.

Some insiders claim the duo did not speak for two days after that and when the things came to a standstill Ekta agreed to meet Tusshar again after ensuring that he incorporates some of her suggestions.

C-Company, directed by Sachin Yardi, stars Tusshar Kapoor (as a crime reporter) and Raima Sen and Mahesh Bhatt, Karan Johar and Sanjay Dutt have important cameos in the film.

Celebrity News:Mita Noor crosses 40, but…

Entertainment Desk

Actress Mita Noor has crossed 40 years. But her style and behaviour say another thing. she wants to express that her old is still 20. Recently, there was a talking with Mita with one of the teenage actress, the actress asked "Aunty, how have you maintain your figure?"

It was said that Mita could not be satisfied with the words of the teenager. She looked beside her for seeing that how many people have heard the words. Smiling she asked to the teenage actress, "Who's drama are you performing now?"

The little actress understood well that Mita was trying to avoid her question. With the formal dress, anybody will say that her age is still 20; it would be really tough to believe that she have crossed 40. In fact, there is no available works in her hand. Now the producers and directors do not call her.

Music: ABBA foursome make rare appearance

Stockholm, Agencies

All four members of super group ABBA appeared together on Friday at the Swedish premiere of the film 'Mamma Mia!,' delighting fans with their first public showing for years.

Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Anni-Frid Lyngstad - known as Frida - and Agnetha Faltskog walked down the red carpet at a Stockholm movie theatre to the cheers of several thousand fans.

The movie follows 'Mamma Mia!' the musical, which toured worldwide and features 22 ABBA songs, including 'Dancing Queen,' 'Take a Chance on Me' and 'The Winner Takes It All.'

The foursome, who shot to fame when they won the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest, last performed together in public in 1986, although there were reports they sang together at a private birthday party for a friend in 1999.

They were once reported to have been offered $1 billion to reunite for a concert tour.

At the film premiere, Agnetha and Frida embraced with actress Meryl Streep, posing for pictures before the three did a dance together. Moments later, all four band members appeared on the theatre balcony.

They stood together with Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and other members of the Mamma Mia! cast.

At news conferences, Streep, Brosnan and Firth enthused about ABBA's music while discussing the challenges of singing and wearing figure-hugging Spandex costumes for their roles. "Once I started singing I kind of rather enjoyed it," Brosnan, better known for James Bond films than musicals, said. "The Spandex was a bit of a challenge and the boots were. But I had the time of my life making this movie."

Singing Ability

Co-star Firth, star of two "Bridget Jones's Diary" films, said the most frightening aspects of the film were also the most motivating.

"There's an old Miles Davis quote which I've always cherished, which is 'Don't play what you know, play what you don't know'," Firth said.

Ulvaeus had high praise for the actors' vocal abilities. "Most of them don't think they can sing, but they can, I assure you."

The Spandex outfits were a different matter.

"You're going to get bulges that you didn't want and not really developments you did want," said Firth, who performed as Mr Darcy in the BBC mini-series of 'Pride and Prejudice.'

Streep said she had been excited by the prospect of singing since she had performed in high school musicals such as 'Oklahoma!.'

"That was my beginning so it was kind of like coming home to the thing that I loved very, very much," she said.

Asked to name her favourite ABBA song, Streep said:

"I couldn't say. I honestly don't have a favourite song. It's like saying which of your children is your favourite, which of your movies is your favourite. I don't think of it in sports terms like that."

Music: Singer Shakira joins Live Nation

BBC Online

Pop star Shakira has signed a deal with global concert promoter Live Nation, her US spokesman has confirmed.

It gives the company rights to all the Columbian singer's music-related projects - including new albums, tours, merchandise, websites and films.

The 31-year-old, who has had hits with Hips Don't Lie and Beautiful Liar, follows Madonna, U2 and Jay-Z, who have signed similar deals with the firm.

US reports say the deal is worth between $70m and $100m (£35m to £50m).

Shakira still had two studio albums and a greatest hits collection to deliver under her old contract with Sony BMG. Neither Shakira's spokesman nor Live Nation could confirm whether she would still have to fulfil this deal.

However, the touring element and other aspects of the Live Nation agreement will begin immediately.

Her signing comes only a few days after Live Nation's chairman, Michael Cohl, stepped down after a dispute over the company's strategy of signing high-profile artists to similar '360-degree' deals.

Shakira has sold over 50 million albums worldwide and had four top 10 UK hits. Earlier this year business magazine Forbes listed her as the fourth richest female musician in the world banking $38m (£19.2m) between June 2006 and June 2007. Only Madonna, Barbra Streisand and Celine Dion were ranked ahead of the singer.