Anuv Jain concert: Musicians deliver, organisers disappoint
Despite the initial delay, the crowd remained eager.
5d ago
Hatirpool Sessions Live: connecting with the youth through music
Heartfelt lyrics, eccentric compositions and most importantly, a sense of universality make them the sensation that they are.
1w ago
‘Jaatishawr’: Capturing the eeriness of Bengali thrillers
To be precise, "Jaatishawr" is a thriller created well. It revolves around an ancestral house in the countryside. The region has an old temple, a place the locals consider to be cursed
‘Drishyam 2’: A sequel worth the wait
The ensemble cast of Ajay Devgn, Akshaye Khanna and Tabu among others is the key to the brilliant execution of the movie.
‘Mohanagar 2’: a gritty masterpiece
Often, most series end up being disappointing with new seasons, “Mohanagar” seems like a breath of fresh air. The cinematography, along with the right background scores, create a perfect ambience for a thriller. The ensemble cast consisting of Afsana Mini, Sarker Raunak Ripon among others deliver very convincing and enthralling performances.
10 years of ‘Goynar Baksho’: the triage of female narratives
The power of female enterprises has often been talked about in academic and political circles. We see a beautiful representation of the fact that in dire economic conditions, women's entrepreneurial efforts can change the lot of an entire family.
Hoichoi's ‘Celeb Adda’ celebrates the noboborsho essence
Subhashree Ganguly, Anirban Chakrabarti, Madhumita Sarcar, Angana Roy, Mosharraf Karim and Anirban Bhattacharya discuss their experiences of Pohela Baishakh on this program.
‘Cunk on Earth’: A mockumentary you can't miss
After being premiered on BBC Two in September 2022, and released on Netflix in January 2023, the British mockumentary television series, "Cunk on Earth" has taken the internet by storm.
Mrinal Sen’s 'Chalchitra' : class confrontation that transcends time
Kolkata, its streets, markets and homesteads almost appear as characters in the movie. That cinema is a document of a time is a thought that comes to one’s mind repeatedly while watching the movie.
Revisiting Iconic Movies on Bangladesh's Great Liberation War
The unity and vigour with which our people fought back indeed are needed to combat the challenges of tomorrow.
Evergreen Bangla songs that celebrate love
Music is a mystery. We often don't know what they are hinting at. More often than not, mystical praises sound similar to romantic quests. Philosophy entangles with layers of love and life, and music is the medium that captures all that. Let’s look at some of the most timeless Bangla songs that celebrate love.
The OG’s of YouTube: Where are they now?
What was it like to start as a content-maker when the practice was relatively uncommon? How did the scene start and expand? And more importantly, which platforms have they moved on to, in order to enhance their talents?
I love the people of Bangladesh, eager to work here: Ritwick Chakraborty
"Staying in the cinema bubble brings a monotonicity in discussions. I mix with different kinds of people. My real life is not very glamorous, and I enjoy it thoroughly"
‘The Romantics’: Dissecting the heart of Yash Raj Films
Building legacy and continuation is central to YRF. From making a world-class studio to normalising casting directors, the conglomerate has had exceptional impact.
Five Bangla films that show what love is
This Valentine's Day, grab a cup of tea and your loved one and immerse in the movies suggested below.
‘Amar Bhashar Chalachchitra 1429’- An affordable ride into Bengali films
Iconic movies like "Golapi Ekhon Traine", "Hawa", "Behula", "Manikbabur Megh", ‘"Once Upon a Time in Calcutta", "Banchharamer Bagan" have been screened so far. Like every year, the festival has received huge response from audiences and has had houseful shows since day one.
Telling tales of vulnerability - A conversation with Aseer Arman
In a society where vulnerability is shunned and sensitivity is considered inept for youths, Aseer Arman brings out tales of love, life and pain in a way that celebrates everything beautiful and ugly about coming of age. The Daily Star sits down to talk to him about his musical philosophy, works and more.
Anjan Dutt: A story of music and films
It is indeed, a task most difficult, to pen down Anjan Dutt.. From writing songs to singing them, from directing movies to acting in them, there’s nothing he hasn’t done. In the span of his decades long career, his works have been a constant companion of Bengalis around the globe. On the occasion of his 70th birthday this January 19, let’s reminisce, in celebration of the life and works of this extremely prolific, versatile artist.
Mrinal Sen’s ‘Padatik’: Of revolution and change
As the buzz surrounding the upcoming film “Padatik” continues to mount, now is the right time to revisit the original 1973 “Padatik”.
5 Farhan Akhtar Movies You Can’t Miss
Be it his soul touching performance in “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara” or the dramatic remake of Amitabh Bachchan's “Don”, Farhan Akhtar is undoubtedly Bollywood’s versatile genius. Today marks the birthday of the actor-director and musician extraordinaire and to commemorate; here are 5 of his movies that you cannot miss at all!
‘Mumbai Mafia: Police vs The Underworld’ -Revisiting Mumbai’s tumultuous era
‘Mumbai Mafia: Police vs The Underworld’ started streaming on Netflix this week. Introducing '90s Mumbai, the organized crime capital of India, the documentary underpins how Mumbai's organized crime structure evolved into a reign of the mafias and what drove the state apparatus to desperation. The crazy world of destitute boys turned gangsters, insiders turned informants, police interrogations and all sorts of crimes is aptly captured in this documentary. Real policemen, criminals and journalists talk about the tumultuous times.
‘Double XL’: All bodies are beautiful
For a long time, Bollywood has lacked proper representation for people of all backgrounds, identities and body types. However, now a new wave of movies is changing this stifling absence. Satramm Ramani's "Double XL" is indeed one such breath of fresh air. Sonakshi Sinha and Huma Qureshi play the characters of two plus-sized women navigating professional and personal lives in this movie. All women know the stress of looking a certain way and the fear of body shaming. This infused shame is almost palpable in the characters, and as they shed that, the reinvigoration is transmitted to the audience.
'The Kerala Story': Absence of integrity in filmmaking
The screen lights up to a burkha–clad woman claiming that she is now Fatima, her previous identity being Shalini Unnikrishnan, indicating a case of forced conversion.
Anirban Bhattacharya, Chanchal dissect the art of acting
Before dropping Part 2 of “Karagar”, Anirban Bhattacharya and Chanchal Chowdhury sat down for a discussion.
The price of freedom: Reminiscing ‘Joyjatra’
"Joyjatra" begins in a remote village. Even though the Liberation War is already underway, there is a sense of denial regarding the looming danger.
'Qala': Dissecting the artist behind the art
A complicated mother-daughter relationship, an artist's personal and professional lives, morality and mental health--deeply interesting issues come together to form the brilliant mix that is "Qala".
A drizzle of ‘November Rain’
On November 4, Guns N’ Roses released a new version of their hit song, “November Rain”, resyncing it with the original music-video, paired with a 50-piece orchestra.
Shah Rukh, Deepika: An on-screen duo for the ages
Only recently, viewers saw the release of the trailer for Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming movie, “Pathaan”. Since the trailers release, many Bollywood fans are excited at the prospect of what the film will have in store, particularly because it casts Deepika Padukone opposite SRK.
15 Years of ‘Jab We Met’: How ‘Geet’ redefined the female protagonist
In early 2007, writer-director Imtiaz Ali began working on his second film, casting the then real-life couple Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor in their fourth film together. Viewed as an underdog during its making by many, even Kareena herself, the movie went on to not only surprise everyone, but also to set a precedence in terms of quality. Today, even after 15 years, the movie is immensely popular and loved. Sensitively crafted characters, picturesque cinematography, hilarious dialogues and amazing music have earned it a space in our hearts and minds, like no other Bollywood movie.
10 Years of ‘English Vinglish’
In October 2012, Bollywood witnessed the cinematic comeback of one its greatest stars ever, Sridevi, in the film "English Vinglish”. The immense commercial and critical success of the movie was remarkable in more ways than one, and was pivotal in the way woman-centric cinemas were viewed in South Asia’s film industry. ...
Leading charts and stealing hearts
Now, be it TikTok reels or YouTube shorts, her song "Teka Pakhi" from the Chorki Original film "Dui Diner Duniya" is all the rage.
Remembering the freedom fighter turned filmmaker, Chashi Nazrul Islam
Can you imagine Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in a movie? That is exactly what happened in 1973, on the set of the movie "Sangram". The man behind this unimaginable feat was one of the finest directors of Bangladesh, Chashi Nazrul Islam.
‘Foreigners Only’: Nuhash Humayun reminds us of our colonised roots
A dark comedy, with artistic value and a brilliant satirical take on the social fabric of formerly colonised countries, "Foreigners Only" is yet another masterpiece by Nuhash Humayun.
Dhak: A historic Bengali instrument on the cusp of being endangered
The Dhak is the epitome of quintessential Bengali music, but how are the Dhakis—the ones who have kept this art form alive for generations—actually doing?
A failed portrait of Marilyn Monroe?
Ever since the teaser for Andrew Dominik's "Blonde" was released, it received a lot of publicity. The film is based on a novel of the same name, and is a fictionalised take on the life and career of the illusive American actress, Marilyn Monroe.
The fault in some socio-political films
“Sherdil: The Pilibhit Saga”, released in June, is indeed a breath of fresh air from the other recent projects of Srijit. It is based on the character Gangaram, a village chief, who offers to sacrifice his life for his villagers. When the harvests at the village are bad for consecutive years, and he fails to attain any government scheme to support his starving people, he hatches a plot.
Celebrating Durga Puja with on-screen favourites
Mahalya has arrived once again, bringing with it the spirituality and festivity that many of us love and cherish. And while the festivities alone are joyous enough for us to celebrate the holiday, it would be even more delightful to watch a few good movies that captivate the essence of the occasion.
Hatirpool Sessions: When friendship and music come together
A group of friends talking, laughing and creating music. A room filled with beautiful doodles in the background, and books scattered all around. This is the setting for Hatirpool Sessions.
5 South Asian films highlighting women in sports
Recently, all of Bangladesh is celebrating the success of our tigresses at the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Women’s Championship this year. However, for South Asian women, choosing sports as a profession is rarely encouraged.
Ginsberg, Dylan, Bhowmik’s anti-war pleas still relevant today
Fifty-one years ago, in this very month of September, Allen Ginsberg visited the Jessore Road. Upon his return to America, he would write the anti-war poem “September on Jessore Road”, which would be monumental in shifting the opinions of Americans to oppose the support of Pakistan in the Liberation War.
‘O Sajna’: Neha Kakkar’s rendition induces mixed reactions
Yesterday, the teaser for Neha Kakkar’s latest song, "O Sajna", was released. The song premiered in its entirety earlier today (September 19). “O Sajna” is a rendition of the song “Maine Payal Hai Chhankai” by Falguni Pathak from 1999.
BBC’s 'Royal Family': A documentary or propaganda?
After the Second World War, Europe went through a phase of modernisation, with the royal family becoming increasingly irrelevant to the common man. In order to sweeten and modernise their image, Lord Brabourne suggested using the new medium of television.
From 'Monsoon Wedding' to 'Highway': The Repressed World of Child Abuse
From Mira Nair’s “Monsoon Wedding” to Imtiaz Ali’s “Highway”, the chronicle of Hindi cinema mainly was linear with similar kinds of stories, songs, making and melodramatic extravaganza. Nevertheless, it is high time that the country, which is to date wrapped up with archaic societal injustice, discrimination and backdated familial norms, realises the importance of telling stories that had not been heard before.
Remembering the Samurai of Filmmaking, Akira Kurosawa
Today marks the 112th birthday of the enigmatic filmmaker, Akira Kurosawa. His love for films made him work prolifically, directing thirty films over the span of five decades.
‘Delhi Crime’ season 2: Revisiting the dark underbelly of Delhi
Delhi is a city with massive economic disparities, coupled with a population that is too large and a police force that is understaffed, one can only wonder what will happen when a series of murders start to take place throughout the city? This conundrum is explored in season two of “Delhi Crime”, through a brilliant cast, captured in the dark colour palettes and ominous music that resonates the gore amidst the bustle of Delhi.
The world of Rituparno Ghosh
Yesterday, August 31, marked the birthday of legendary filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh. Through his writing and direction Ritu took the audience to a world where the clouds deliver messages of gloom, where the separation of lovers is mourned, and where boundaries of gender roles crumble.
Chorki’s ‘Bandhobi’: A social commentary on migrant workers in Korea
Right from the beginning, Chorki, the online streaming service, has stood out for its distinct choice of content. This week, it added the Bengali dubbed version of “Bandhobi”, a 2009 South Korean independent film, which stars Bangladeshi actor Mahbub Alam. “Bandhobi” is written and directed by indie darling, Dong-il Shin, and showcases an unusual friendship between a rebellious teenage girl and a migrant worker in Korea.
‘Sampurna’: Marriage does not equal consent
In a part of the world where women are told that marriages should be the centre of their lives, the web-series “Sampurna” offers a distinct take on the topic. The series, directed by Sayantan Ghoshal, is available on the Hoichoi app and website.
June 2, 2023
Anuv Jain concert: Musicians deliver, organisers disappoint
Despite the initial delay, the crowd remained eager.
May 28, 2023
Hatirpool Sessions Live: connecting with the youth through music
Heartfelt lyrics, eccentric compositions and most importantly, a sense of universality make them the sensation that they are.
April 28, 2023
‘Jaatishawr’: Capturing the eeriness of Bengali thrillers
To be precise, "Jaatishawr" is a thriller created well. It revolves around an ancestral house in the countryside. The region has an old temple, a place the locals consider to be cursed
April 27, 2023
‘Drishyam 2’: A sequel worth the wait
The ensemble cast of Ajay Devgn, Akshaye Khanna and Tabu among others is the key to the brilliant execution of the movie.
April 21, 2023
‘Mohanagar 2’: a gritty masterpiece
Often, most series end up being disappointing with new seasons, “Mohanagar” seems like a breath of fresh air. The cinematography, along with the right background scores, create a perfect ambience for a thriller. The ensemble cast consisting of Afsana Mini, Sarker Raunak Ripon among others deliver very convincing and enthralling performances.
April 17, 2023
10 years of ‘Goynar Baksho’: the triage of female narratives
The power of female enterprises has often been talked about in academic and political circles. We see a beautiful representation of the fact that in dire economic conditions, women's entrepreneurial efforts can change the lot of an entire family.
April 13, 2023
Hoichoi's ‘Celeb Adda’ celebrates the noboborsho essence
Subhashree Ganguly, Anirban Chakrabarti, Madhumita Sarcar, Angana Roy, Mosharraf Karim and Anirban Bhattacharya discuss their experiences of Pohela Baishakh on this program.
March 31, 2023
‘Cunk on Earth’: A mockumentary you can't miss
After being premiered on BBC Two in September 2022, and released on Netflix in January 2023, the British mockumentary television series, "Cunk on Earth" has taken the internet by storm.
March 30, 2023
Mrinal Sen’s 'Chalchitra' : class confrontation that transcends time
Kolkata, its streets, markets and homesteads almost appear as characters in the movie. That cinema is a document of a time is a thought that comes to one’s mind repeatedly while watching the movie.
March 26, 2023
Revisiting Iconic Movies on Bangladesh's Great Liberation War
The unity and vigour with which our people fought back indeed are needed to combat the challenges of tomorrow.
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