Jhar Jailya : Molla Sagar’s new documentary on the riders of the sea

By Jamil Mahmud, April 8, 2009

Independent filmmaker Molla Sagar's new documentary "Jhar Jailya" (Natives of Tornado) premiered on April 6 at the Shawkat Osman Auditoium, Central Public Library.

The young filmmaker, who has so far made critically-acclaimed documentaries such as "Shironamhin 23 July," "Chalo Mon Natok Dekhtey Jai" and "Dudh Koyla" on crucial issues, this time highlights the hard-knock lives of the fishermen communities living in the coastal areas. 
According to the documentary, among 50 million inhabitants of the coastal areas in Bangladesh, nearly 20 million are somehow related to the fishing business. Of them, 1.2 million randomly stay in the deep sea with dreams of getting a big catch. Thousands of them often face the intolerable cruelty of the sea as monsoon storms appear without warning. The approximately 40-minute documentary narrates the plight of these fishermen -- many of who remain missing forever and very few survive.

Sagar uses several newspaper cuttings and TV footage throughout the documentary. His clever use of radio transmission as the background commentary points to the weakness of our radio warning system. When the fishermen stay in the deep-sea, radio transmission is the lone source of communication with the mainland. Unfortunately radio often fails to guide and save them.The other major issue addressed in the documentary is the constant pressures from the boat-owners and 'mahajan,' who force the fishermen to go out to the sea even during the perilous times of April to June when monsoon storms frequent the weather. Sagar's documentary conveys the message that if the authorities fulfil some basic needs of the fishermen such as ensuring life jackets and IDs for everyone and guide them with authentic weather forecast then it would be possible to save many lives and identify the missing ones.Coast Trust and Life Bangladesh are the producers, while Sagar himself is the editor and cinematographer of the film.

After the screening, a discussion was held at the venue. Filmmaker and teacher Manzare Hasin Murad, Executive Director of Coast Trust Rezaul Karim and Human Rights activist Dr. Hamida Hossain spoke on the film. Dr. Tofael Ahmed, adviser, Coast Trust was the moderator of the discussion.In association with Manusher Jonno Foundation, Coast Trust was the organiser of the event.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net

Guiding the nation through good times and bad

Four literary icons honoured by ‘Alokito Nagori’

By The Daily Star / April 8, 2009

From the turbulent times when the nation started realising the need to form a sovereign country, through the Liberation War and numerous movements against tyranny, socio-cultural crises, to the contemporary volatile days -- these personalities, whose literary careers have enriched our literature and educated, enlightened many, have been guiding the nation as lighthouses. Literary icons -- National Professor Kabir Chowdhury, Professor Zillur Rahman Siddiqui, Professor Emeritus Anisuzzaman and Hasan Azizul Haque -- were honoured by cultural organisation 'Alokito Nagori' on April 6. The event was held at Bengal Shilpalay Cafe.

The occasion was a collective celebration of the honourees' birthdays. All four were born in the month of February. "Though we've been trying to hold this programme since February, due to unavoidable circumstances, the celebration had to be shelved," said Aminur Rahman Rana, chief executive officer of Alokito Nagori.    KEEP READING>>>>>

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net

ICE Today-Aqua Paints Interior Design Award 2009 announced

By Mridul Mamun / April 8, 2009

Five interior design projects have won best awards in two categories at the ICE Today-Aqua Paints Interior Design Award 2009 gala held at the Westin Dhaka on April 4, says a press release. Three commendation awards were also conferred in these two categories.

Winner in the Residential category is Afsana Luqman and Khalid Ahmed Khan of Neoformation Architects. The commendation prize in the category went to Sheikh Ahsan Ullah Mojumder for the project Architects Residence.Winner in the Residential category is Afsana Luqman and Khalid Ahmed Khan of Neoformation Architects. The commendation prize in the category went to Sheikh Ahsan Ullah Mojumder for the project Architects Residence.

The Non-Residential category had four sub-categories and in the Office category the best award went to Rakibul Hasan and Ehsanul Alam for the project Asian Tiger Capital Partners. Of the two Office commendation awards, one was given out to Nitee Mahbub for the project Lawyer's Chamber and the other to Mohammad Foyez Ullah and Md. Didarul Islam Bhuiyan for the project Volumezero Ltd.

The Best Restaurant Award in the Non-Residential category went to Rajon Das for designing Woondal and the Best Showroom Award was given to Mahmudul Anwar Riyaad and Wares Ul Ambia of DWM4 Architects for the project Aarong, Wari, Dhaka.

The last award of the Non-Residential category, the Nokia Others award, went to Salahuddin Ahmed, Samiul Huda, Md. Osman Goni and Masudul Islam of Arobin Arch for the project Winners Gallery.

Source: Press Release.

A complete insight into Nazrul and his works

NSSP to launch a CD on National Poet

By Mainul Hassan / April 8, 2009

Nazrul Sangeet Shilpi Parishad (NSSP), in association with Prime Bank Limited, is launching a CD on our National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. The announcement was made yesterday at a press conference held at National Press Club. 

Sujit Mustafa, joint secretary, NSSP; M.A. Mannan, general secretary, NSSP; Nazrul artiste and vice president, NSSP, Shaheen Samad; managing director of Prime Bank Ltd, M Ehsanul Haque, and others were present at the conference.Titled “Nazrul the Poet” the CD will contain a complete biography of Nazrul, compilation of his works and more. Divided into segments -- biography, literary contribution, image gallery and more -- the CD aims at providing an enthusiast with a complete idea of Nazrul and his works.

The biography section includes a comprehensive account of Nazrul's life. The literature section contains information on Nazrul's contribution to Bengali literature and culture. Image gallery contains rare photographs of the poet. A collection of nearly 70 selected Nazrul Sangeet rendered by renowned singers, including two songs recorded by the poet himself -- “Pashan-er bhangaley ghum” and “Ghumaitey dao sranto Robirey” (an elegy for Tagore). Some rare and exclusive video footage of the poet have also been included in the CD. Among other songs are English versions of two Nazrul Sangeet -- "Bagichaye bulbuli tui" and "Chal chal chal" (both rendered by John Thorpe).At the press conference NSSP also announced the launch of its new website www.nazrulssp.org. The website will be running soon.

The CD, sponsored by Prime Bank Ltd, will be launched on April 10 at a colourful programme at National Theatre Stage, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net

Nafisa Ali on the political trail

Pallab Bhattacharya, New Delhi

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Recall Ruth Labadoor, the daughter of a British army officer on the run with her mother after the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny, in veteran director Shyam Benegal's acclaimed movie “Junoon,” starring Shashi Kapoor, Shabana Azmi and Naseeruddin Shah? 

Well, one more chapter has been added to the eventful career of social activist and occasional actress Nafisa Ali, who made her big screen debut in Benegal's 1978 film, as she decided to enter electoral politics for the second time in her life.A former Miss India, Nafisa, 52, has been declared the candidate of Samajwadi Party, headed by Mulayam Singh Yadav, for the prestigious Lucknow parliamentary seat in India's most populous state of Uttar Pradesh for the coming general elections.The Samajwadi Party chose her in place of Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt who was the party's first choice but barred by the Supreme Court from contesting the elections in view of his conviction for possession of illegal arms.

This is the second time Nafisa, daughter of well-known photographer Ahmed Ali, is in electoral contest, having unsuccessfully fought as a candidate of Congress party against Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee in South Kolkata Lok Sabha constituency in the previous general elections in 2004.Nafisa was a national swimming champion between 1972 and 1974 and was crowned Miss India in 1976. She finished runners up in Miss International contest in 1977.

It is not that Nafisa's tryst with the silver screen ended with “Junoon.” She also acted in some other movies like “Tum Karo Vada” and “Kshatriya” (both in 1993), “Major Saab” with Amitabh Bachchan in 1998, “Bewafa” (2005), Madhur Bhandarkar's “Life in a Metro” in 2007 and “Shoot on Sight” in 2008. She has also acted in a Malayalam movie opposite Kerala's top star Mamootty. But she is remembered most for "Junoon" in which she plays the role of a British girl on whom Shashi Kapoor has a crush despite being married (the role of Kapoor's wife played by Shabana Azmi). Married to a retired Sikh army officer, she is associated with Action India, an NGO working to generate awareness on HIV/AIDS. 

It was not clear if Congress would put up a candidate against Nafisa in Lucknow and BJP too has not yet announced its nominee for the constituency which was won by its tallest leader and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2004.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net

Malaika Arora Khan unveils Yummiez food products

By Bollywood Hungama News Network

April 08, 2009

Malaika Arora Khan unveils Yummiez food products.

Source: http://www.bollywood.com

Aamir-SRK's Historic Press Conference!

By Bollywood Hungama / April 08, 2009

It was truly a historic occasion as Aamir and Shahrukh Khan came together on one platform to support the cause of the Producers-Distributors' fight for equal share from the Multiplexes. Be the first to watch footage from this happening event. Must watch!

Source: http://www.bollywood.com

No movies with my dad, please: Sonam Kapoor

By IANS / Mumbai, April 8, 2009

Those who want to see Sonam Kapoor and her dad Anil Kapoor together on screen will have to wait for a long time. The "Delhi 6" girl thinks Kapoor senior looks far younger than his age to play a conventional father in a Bollywood flick.

The buzz around tinsel town is that there's a pivotal role in Anil's home production - of Sonam's father - that he was supposed to play. But Anil is not doing the film titled "Ayesha".

"Do you really think he looks like my Dad? No! He doesn't. He looks far younger than his age. And that's why I wouldn't want him to play my father. The role in 'Ayesha' that you're mentioning didn't suit him. My dad can't play the conventional father," Sonam, who has acted in "Saawariya" and "Delhi 6", told IANS.

Earlier, Anil had been offered a role in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's "Delhi 6" with Sonam, but both father and daughter decided against it. In fact, Sonam was more against the idea of their coming together than Anil.

"And that's how it remains even now. I really feel we wouldn't look like father and daughter on screen. We'd rather wait for a while until I'm older because my father isn't going to oblige (by looking older)," said the 23-year-old actress.

When pointed out that some of Anil's leading ladies are about Sonam's age, she said: "That's right and my father looks very well-matched with all his co-stars. He's quite something. And now after 'Slumdog Millionaire' he has entered another innings in his career. His career keeps getting re-invented. I'm afraid he has set impossible standards for me."

Source: http://www.bollywood.com

Jackman's wife turned down Mick Jagger for him

Agencies / Apr 08, 2009

Hugh Jackman may be one of Hollywood's sexiest men today, but his wife Deborrah Lee Furness turned down a date with rock legend Mick Jagger to be with him while he was still a struggling actor. The Australian actor fell for Furness almost a decade his senior while they were working together for the TV series 'Corelli' in 1995. The 'X-Men' star finally arranged to spend an evening with her at a dinner party but the date was nearly broken when the 'Rolling Stones' frontman, Jagger tried to persuade the blonde to go out with him instead, reported ‘Contactmusic’. 

"I decided to have a dinner party and invite her with about 10 people. But before the crepes could be served, Deb's mobile phone rings. It's a very famous friend of hers who says, 'Deb, I'm outside Hugh's house in a limo with Mick Jagger and Mick says, 'Come down, let's party'," recalls Jackman. 

"I say, 'Go with Mick.' But she gets on the phone and says, 'You tell Mick I'm having dinner with Hugh Jackman,' and hangs up. I went, 'Wow, that's pretty cool,' and confessed my crush, and then she said she had a crush on me, too!" added the 40-year-old actor who has been married to Furness for 12 years now.

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

Lindsay Lohan bursts into tears over split from Ronson

By ANI / Apr 08, 2009

Hollywood actress Lindsay Lohan burst into tears while discussing her heartbreaking split from her lesbian lover Samantha Ronson. 

Lohan, who was dumped by Ronson, said that it was the worst phase of her life. "It's absolute hell. The worst night of my life," ‘Us’ Weekly quoted her as saying. 

Meanwhile, it has also been reported that Ronson has got her house locks changed, and her mother is trying to obtain a restraining order from the police in a bid to keep Lohan out of Ronson’s life. 

"I'm not a bad person and this is what happens. I was raised to treat people well, and I'm so tired of this drama,” Lohan said. 

She also revealed that she was saddened by the way she had been receiving the flak for her wild behavior, and her failed relationship with Ronson. 

"Everyone's turned on me. I'm a f--king 22-year-old girl who's in love. I felt like I was in Mean Girls, but worse: Mean Girls was a movie," she said. 

Lohan also laughed off claims that each time Ronson tried to split from her she threatened to kill herself. 

"I'm just really hurt! The whole situation is sick,” she said.

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

Remastered Beatles finally coming Sept. 9

By Greg Kot | Tribune critic / April 8, 2009

In what could be a prelude to making the Beatles catalog available as digital files at online stores, the band's entire collection of compact discs will be digitally remastered for the first time in two decades and re-released Sept. 9.

The Beatles' Apple Corps Ltd. and EMI Music made the joint announcement Tuesday. The CDs will be released with new liner notes and photos, and will be embedded for a limited period with a brief digital documentary film about each album. Two new Beatles CD boxed sets, one in mono and one in stereo, will also be released.The release date will coincide with the debut of "The Beatles: Rock Band" video game, the band's first foray into digital music.

For many Beatles fans, much of the anticipation regarding the back catalog has centered on when and how it would become available as high-quality digital downloads. In separate interviews with the Tribune two years ago, Paul McCartney and Yoko Ono said there would be a digital rollout of the Beatles catalog "soon" but would not give a specific date.With Tuesday's announcement, that conversion appears to be a little closer to reality, though in typical Beatles fashion, "no further information [is] available at this time."  MORE>>>>>

Source: http://www.chicagotribune.com

Kal Penn takes a job with White House

Actor Kal Penn takes a job with White House

By Los Angeles Times / April 8, 2009

Kal Penn, known for his role as a stoned underachiever in the "Harold & Kumar" movies, is putting aside the doobie -- and his role as Dr. Kutner on Fox's "House" -- in exchange for a new job at the White House. 

The actor has been hired as an associate director at the Office of Public Liaison, where he will help the Obama administration connect with arts and entertainment groups as well as the Asian and Pacific Islander communities, according to an Associated Press report. Entertainment Weekly broke the story Tuesday in an interview on its website in which Penn stated that he will "do outreach with the American public and with different organizations." "House" viewers were shocked when his Kutner character committed suicide on Monday night's episode, to write him off the show. 

Penn was a vocal supporter of Obama during his presidential campaign. The actor was one of the speakers at Obama's inaugural concert at the Lincoln Memorial. He also participated in various rallies for the candidate on the campaign trail. Recently, the actor taught a course in Asian Americans and the media at the University of Pennsylvania.

Source: http://www.latimes.com