Bangladeshi Models

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina called on filmmakers Saturday to produce at least one children's film every year : PM to filmmakers

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina called on filmmakers Saturday to produce at least one children’s film every year. Hasina made the call as she inaugurated the Third Children’s Film Festival at Osmani Memorial auditorium. The festival, being held every year since 2008, hosted by the Children’s Film Society will run from Jan 23 to Jan 29.

Festival director Morshedul Islam said the event aims at acquainting children with different cultures through creative films from home and abroad. The festival will screen 243 films from 50 countries at 12 venues in Dhaka. Admission is free for children. Festival advisory council chairman Mustafa Monwar demanded construction of a national children’s film complex that educate children to on many subjects. The opening session was addressed among others by information minister Abul Kalam, Children’s Film Society president Zafar Iqbal and information secretary Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury.

The prime minister inaugurating the event said more than half of the population was below 18 but children’s film is almost entirely neglected. “Children should get priority as spectators and there is no valid reason for not making films for them,” she said. Hasina said, history, tradition, liberation war, culture, customs and behaviour and values could easily be etched into the young impressionable minds of children. “Film is a very powerful art medium, which could be properly used for the benefit of children with appropriate initiatives,” she said.

The prime minister also urged the film makers to use films as tools for fighting different social maladies like terrorism and militancy. “Make such films which can help children develop human qualities.” “A good film teaches a man how to love the country and how to transform himself into a good person,” said the prime minister. Taking a swipe at the filmmakers, Hasina said, “Instead of wasting money, you should work together to mould children’s characters for the future.”

The prime minister also called on them to instil patriotism among children so that they can serve the nation better in future. “A memorable character can etch itself into the minds of children for a lifetime,” she said, adding that the children of Bangladesh are showing their true potential at home and abroad. Hasina assured the filmmakers all-out assistance for children’s films. “The government used to fund only three films before. But now it will finance five films of which two can be for children.”

Samaresh Majumdar's epic novel "Garbhodharini" comes to TV

The story of four friends that took Bengali readers by storm and continues to fascinate generations is now coming to TV. A mega-serial titled “”, an adaptation of Samaresh Majumdar’s hugely popular novel, goes on air on January 6 at 8:15 pm on Channel 1.

“Garbhodharini” narrates the adventures of Joyita, Shudip, Anondo and Kollan who, despite their dissimilar backgrounds, have similar ideologies about the flaws of the society. Joyita comes from an affluent family that made its fortune by means of her father’s corrupt practices. Similarly, Shudip’s father is a dubious lawyer; his mother is paraplegic. Anondo’s mother is his best friend; his father lost his life for political reasons.

Kollan is a brilliant student, but his family is hard up. These four are unhappy with the state of the society, with their surroundings and want to change things. They plan to bomb selected areas, not to hurt anyone but with the intention of bringing various shady activities to everyone’s attention. Their actions infuriate influential figures involved, and soon the authorities pursue the perpetrators. The rebellious quartet dodge the police and take refuge in a secluded area.

The entire initiative to bring the novel to the small screen was undertaken by Shankha Dasgupta, director of the serial. “I chose ‘Garbhodharini’ because when I read it, I felt like it demanded to be made into a film or serial,” says Dasgupta. The author agreed to Dasgupta’s proposal under the condition that he would write the script himself. Seventy-two episodes (each 22-minute long) of the serial are jointly produced by Top of Mind and Prionty. The cast includes Tisha, Hillol, Shajol, Shahriar Shubho, Saberi Alam, Pijush Bandyopadhyay, Mahmudul Islam Mithu, Shamima Naznin, Jayonto Chattyopadhyay, Chitralekha Guho and others. “Garbhodharini” will be aired every Wednesday and Thursday at 8:15pm.

Riaz and Tina first worked together in the dance show

Riaz and Tina first worked together in the dance show “Goalini Binodon Bichitra”. Subsequently they appeared as anchors on the musical talent hunt “Shah Cement Nirman Taroka”. On screen they are a star couple, but what about off screen? The Daily Star explores the conjugal lives of the two.

Everyone knew Riaz as a “hero” of the big screen. So did Tina. Back then Tina was a model, anchor as well as a connoisseur of classical dance. Tina was the first to come across him at a restaurant. The first time Riaz saw Tina was three years back, at his friend’s office in Dhanmondi where they were discussing an upcoming dance show (“Goalini Binodon Bichitra”). In Riaz’s words, “There was this girl, really childish and carefree. And I noticed her in the crowd. Later, my friend told me that she would be dancing with me on the show.”

After that the two met many times and spent hours talking over the phone. And over the years they gradually discovered the special connection between them. On December 18, 2007 they tied the knot. Although Riaz is a celebrated actor, most of his fans are unaware that he began his career as a pilot. At the moment he is also an entrepreneur. Presently he is occupied with his business concern, which is promoting a new product. “Within a year, I hope to settle down in my business. After that I am thinking about returning to my acting career. That may happen in late 2010, or early 2010. Let’s wait and see,” says Riaz.

Tina was more into hosting shows since she was a child. In fact the first show she anchored was a cartoon show: “Mon Cherry Tom and Jerry”. She has been modelling for around seven/eight years. She also teaches at BAFA in Uttara. When she is not busy, Tina visits Riaz at work. “Those are times when I can put a stop to my monotonous office work. She would come and use the computer to play Farmville or something, and I would just pack everything and watch her,” says Riaz.

How do you plan special days? “We don’t plan ahead,” Riaz says. “We love to go on vacations, attend parties, or movies; at times we just stay in, or go out to have ice-cream.” In a lighter vein, he adds, “At dead of night, sometime around 3am, Tina suddenly felt like having ice-cream. Now what could be done as all the shops were closed? Well, we took the car and set out in search of ice-cream. Not one ice-cream shop was open in sight. Later we went to the airport. That was a relief since they had ice-cream at the airport. The problem was that we had to buy tickets to get in. One of the people recognised me and helped us get some ice-cream.” “These impulsive moments keep the relationship interesting,” says a smiling Tina.