Defining moments in Bangladeshi media

Another year comes to pass. A year punctuated with ups and downs in the media. Looking back in time, we take a glimpse at the significant incidents, trends and performers, directors, productions making impact on the media in 2010.
A year of weddings: 2010 was a year of weddings. Many popular faces in the media tied the knot, including Srabonti; Bonna Mirza; Badhon; Tisha and Farooki; Tania Hossain and Debashish Bishwas, among others.
The most talked about wedding: Filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki and actress Tisha's long-term relationship resulted in marriage in July, 2010. The marriage of TV stars Prova and Apurba was also one of the most talked about events of the year. The two eloped earlier this year to get married.
The new mothers: Richie Solaiman experienced the bliss of motherhood for the first time this year. Another popular TV actress Runa Khan also became a mother.
Producers' dilemma after channel 1 gets shut down: On April 21 this year, Channel 1 was suddenly shut down, causing immense woe to producers who had invested significant amounts of money in TV plays. Many of the sufferers were also forced to hold protests against the move. Bangladesh Television Producers' Association and the actors stood by the producers through these trying times.
Most talked about model: No fresh faces made impact on the screen this year. Lux-Channel i Superstars also failed to live up to the hype that surrounded them. Newcomer Bithi however was the sole bright star, earning much praise for her appearance in Amitabh Reza's Grameenphone ad.
Secret exile: Moushumi Biswas had it all -- fame, professionalism, TV plays that won plaudits. But at year's end, leaving a trail of rumours, she secretly left the country, much to the dismay of many directors.
From the small to the silver screen: The trend of small screen actors making their mark in the world of movies continued in 2010. Chanchal Chowdhury appeared in “Moner Manush”, along with many TV performances. Anisur Rahman Milon also joined filmdom through “Shoa Chaan Pakhi”. Tarin also moved to the silver screen with “Kajoler Dinratri”.
Transformations: Shamim Zaman, AKM Hasan and Mosharraf Karim -- all known names from the TV screen -- revealed their singing prowess, lending their voice to an audio album. Chanchal Chowdhury and Fazlur Rahman Babu were among other TV stars who gave song renditions this year.
The artiste crisis: Despite the entry of new channels every year, the scarcity of performers continued in 2010. In the mad dash of producing more and more TV serials and plays, new faces failed to make their mark. The audience had to stick to the same stars, only in different roles.
Boishakhi TV in a new avatar: Boishakhi Television was launched a couple of years ago. This year, a new management stepped in to restructure its looks; which eventually managed to gain much popularity.
Rumours: The media is always rife with rumours and 2010 was no exception. Tinni was the centre of much gossip throughout the year, while at the tail end of 2010, Nova became the subject of attention.
Monopoly of “Ittadi”: One of the most popular and longest running TV shows in Bangladesh, “Ittadi” continued to dominate the scene. “Ananda-Mela” managed to come out of its old shell, but failed to pose any threat to the popularity of “Ittadi”.
From actor to playwright: Bipasha Hayat made a few appearances in TV dramas of late. But this year, behind the scenes, she was busy writing plays for television, as well as hosting a show named “Medhabi Desher Mukh”.
The headache called re-run: Most of the channels aired re-runs throughout the year, much to the irritation of viewers. It was unfortunate for the producers and directors as well, as they are paid only once for the productions.
The absence of Dilara Zaman: Veteran actress Dilara Zaman has been lighting up the TV screen for a long time now, deftly portraying supporting roles in numerous dramas. However, the future will not see her, as she left for the US this year.
From directors to actors: Animesh Aich, Sumon Anwar and SA Haq Alik are well known for their skills behind the camera. But in 2010, Animesh starred in a couple of dramas himself, including a role opposite Joya Ahsan. Sumon Anwar also made his acting debut. SA Haq Alik is seen sporadically in TV dramas; in 2010 he appeared in two plays.
Nirmalendu Guun as an actor: Late poet Abdul Mannan Syed used to feature in TV plays, while poet Al Mahmud also appeared in TV dramas for a short while. Nirmalendu Guun followed in their stride. After appearing in a TV commercial, he also starred in an ATN Bangla drama which was written by Anisul Haq.
Talked about actors: Through many ups and downs in the year, the actors who always held the attention of the people were Mosharraf Karim, Mahfuz Ahmed, Joya Ahsan, Zahid Hasan, Chanchal Chowdhury, Mir Sabbir, Anisur Rahman Milon, Arefin Shuvo, Bindu, Tisha, Sajal, Farhana Mili, Sumaiya Shimu, Fazlur Rahman Babu and Apurba. Anisur Rahman Milon featured in 19 serials this year. Mosharraf Karim was also a frequent face on the screen, as almost a dozen of his serials were aired. Arefin Shuvo collected praise for his role as the 'Kujo Master'. In addition to proving his directorial skills, Mahfuz Ahmed also showed his mettle as an actor in the drama “Choloman Chhobi”.
Holding the director's palette, names like Afsana Mimi, Salahuddin Lavlu, Animesh Aich, Chayanika Chowdhury, Nurul Alam Atik and Mezbaur Rahman Sumon also came up frequently through the year.
Popular playwright: Amid a sea of short dramas and serials, most new playwrights seemed to drown in 2010. Brindabon Das seemed to be the only one consistent with his skills, catching media attention throughout the year.
Most talked about plays: From hundreds of popular TV plays of the year, selecting only the best of the best is a difficult job. However, the plays that have enjoyed popularity are “Lilaboti”, “Choita Pagol”, “Uposhonghar”, “Lolita”, “Je Jibon Foring-er”, “Choloman Chhobi”, “Dhulo-bali”, “Bhindeshi Taara”, “Toilakto Baash”, “Maya aar Mrittur Golpo”, “Amra Shomudro Dekhte Giyechhilam”, “Shunno Manob”, “Pitri-daey”, “Shei Shob Manushera Ei Shomoye”, “Launch-bala”, “Biborto”, “Paliye Giye Biye”, '”Protishodh Porbo”, “Kataa”, “Hatti-matim-tim”, “Thhik-Thhikana”, “Prokritistho”, “Tin Geda”, “Dhulor Manush Manusher Ghran”, “Highway”, “Rubiks Cube”, “Joley Bhasha Padmo”, “Kobi o Jontor Montor”, “Shapla Studio”, “Service Holder”, “Aloker Ei Jhorna-dhara”, “Chhai-ful Artish”, “Nokkhotro Othoba Nirjonotar Golpo”, “Violin”, “Thhataru”, “Amar Kothati Furalo” and “Load-shedding”.