The New Nation - Internet Edition

Documentary: The Road to Kansat to be screened on Oct 9

Entertainment Report

The inaugural screening of a documentary film The Road to Kansat made by Tareque and Catherine Masud at 4:00pm at the Shawkat Osman Auditorium of the Central Public Library on October 9.

The documentary, made over the past two years, is painstaking reconstruction of the events surrounding the historic non-violent struggle for fair access to electricity in the township of Kansat in Rajshahi. The Kansat movement lasted for nine months, starting in September 2005 and ending in April 2006, when the then government capitalised to the citizen's demands. The film, which combines interviews with the movement leaders and archrival footage of key events, was made with support from Manusher Jonno, the Asia Foundation and BLAST. On the occasion of the film's premier, Kansat movement leader Golam Rabbani will be present as chief guest, while other guests and activists will be also there.

Therefore, a special screening of the film to be held on October 10 at 4:00pm at the British Council Auditorium followed by a brief discussion with eminent guests.

Synopsis of The Road to Kansat:

Over a nine-month period between September 2005 and April 2006, an extraordinary people's movement took place in the town of Kansat in Rajshahi. What began as a small-scale attempt to reform the local electricity administration evolved into a full-blown mass struggle for justice and an end to corruption? Women played a central role in this movement, which was unique in its non-violent character, even in the face of overwhelming and deadly by the authorities. "The Road to Kansat' is an attempt to explore the history of the Kansat movement, and its positive legacy in the continuing struggle for justice and democracy.

Bollywood: Hot Priyanka, Kangana equal to big buck

Even before Fashion has arrived at theatres, it has already recovered close to half of its costs through endorsements. Budgeted at Rs.17-18 crores, the film has seen brand endorsements worth Rs. 7-8 crores from Lenovo, Sunsilk, Reebok and Kimaya amongst others.

Says a highly placed official attached to the film's production house, "We have managed to cut some great deals with the leading brands from the world of fashion (obviously), laptops, hair care and footwear & apparels.

They have been prominently placed in Fashion and we have made sure that they don't obscure the basic flow of the film."

How profitable has the venture been? "It is a profitable deal for us as well as the brands", confidently says the source, "Fashion is a much hyped film and the kind of class it caters to, the brands can well expect quite a few eyeballs for them from the high end consumers.

They understand that Bhandarkar Entertainment is a name to reckon with and it would be mutually beneficial for all the parties to gain from the deal."

Talking about the huge expectations that audience has in general from Fashion, Madhur commented, "This is my biggest project till date and though I am a experimental filmmaker, my movies do well at the box office too.

It has been such an exciting journey during last 9 months that I have hardly sat down and deliberated on the expectations front. Even today, I am neck deep into the post-production of Fashion.

It is hardly a few days to go for the 29th October release of the film and I am keeping my fingers crossed that the film is liked by one and all."

- SantaBanta.Com

TV Gossip: Char Kinnori on Rtv tonight

Entertainment Report

Special TV gossip 'Char Kinnori' to be aired on Rtv at 9:10pm today. Farhana Sharmin Shuchi has produced the show. Country's four renowned artistes Baby Naznin, Shakila Jafar, Kanak Chanpa and Fahmida Nabi will be present at the show. A conversational session with the artistes to be presented in the show. The whole programme will be a picnic mood. Therefore, songs of those artistes with music videos will be also presented at the show.

TV Show: Sonalu Phool on ATN Bangla

Entertainment Report

The fifth episode of drama serial 'Sonalu Phool' to be aired on ATN Bangla at 8:00pm today.

Kazi Shahidul Islam has scripted the drama and Ashraful Alam Ripon has directed it.

Sumaiya Shimu, Apurbo Majumder, Hillol, Moin Ahmed, Khaleda Akhter Kalpana, Maunata, Shishir Kona, Shahriar, among others, performed in the serial.

Story of Sonalu Phool:

Once a deceased body was found in an abandoned pond and local residents identified it as the body of top terror Nazim. As a result, journalists went to Dipabali, young wife of Nazim. Of the journalists Mahbub Mizan, reporter of daily Nobokal, was there. Mahbub Mizan took an interview of Dipabali and made a human story. He submitted the story to the office to publish it. But there was confusion in Mahbub Mizan's minds. While talking with Dipabali he found that previous day of the killing Nazim wanted to take his wife to Katmandu. But Dipabali did not want to go there.

TV Watch: Ntv airs Kichhu kotha kichhu gaan tonight

Entertainment Report

Musical programme 'Kichhu kotha kichhu gaan' to be aired on Ntv at 8:50pm today. Mostafa Kamal Syed and Md Mozakker have planned the show. Md Mozakker is the producer of the programme.

The programme is based on songs and lyrics between 30's and 90's.

In the programme, two artistes present songs on the requests from the audience. Besides the participant artistes take part in discussion.

Artistes Rezwana Chowdhury Bonya and Mohiuzzaman Chowdhury Moina will be present as today's episode's guests.

Fashion News: Paris designers pull out the stops

AP, Paris

Paris designers sought a balance between showmanship and substance in their ready-to-wear displays on Saturday, as the fashion industry seeks new revenue sources to make up for the millions in Wall Street bonuses that have gone up in smoke.

With Western economies mired in a financial crisis, all eyes are turning to Brazil, Russia, India and China - the so-called BRIC economies, with an expanding middle class that is developing an appetite for luxury. To capture these markets, brands must first spend thousands of dollars on high-profile catwalk shows that will generate acres of press coverage. "Companies are hedging their bets by making certain that their sales are going up in the new markets," said Hilary Alexander, fashion editor of Britain's Daily Telegraph. "The Russian clients, the Indian clients, the Middle Eastern clients - they want glamour, they want pizzazz."

French luxury brand Hermes pulled out the stops, opening its Far West-themed show with a rare catwalk appearance by 1990s supermodels Naomi Campbell and Stephanie Seymour - but these cowgirls were like nothing you've seen in Texas.