Today's Star Showbiz brings you an inside look at Agnee, the movie. Therefore, today's 'Living with the stars' is all about Agnee as well. But, unlike every living with the stars write up which takes a critical look at showbiz productions, this time, what I am about to write needs to be received with an open mind. Agnee is definitely a step forward in Bangladesh's movie industry, for the sole reason that it has dared to do what is not commonly seen in mainstream movies – bringing a female character to the silver screen as the lead character, as the protagonist. And, given how audiences have thronged cinema halls in the first two weeks of the movie's release, it is evident that the Bangladesh audience is ready for films that push the envelope and break out of the norm, presenting fresh stories that do not depend on a fixed formula. But, that being said, where Agnee takes a bold step forward in one area, it stays confined to the traditional approach in every other area of the film, such as use of songs and dialogues. Perhaps it is good to rock the boat slowly, or else risk capsizing it!
On 21st February 2014, for the first time ever in Bangladesh, Sara Afreen's and Kamar Ahmad Simon's creative documentary 'Shunte Ki Pao!' was released at Star Cineplex (Bashundhara City), and cineplex definitely deserves applause. I think the inclusion of diverse genres and documentaries is a strong positive step in Bangladesh, and will encourage many filmmakers who produce experimental films. I think this positive trend should be continued; in off peak time slots working around the commercially successful movies. Before Shunte Ki Pao!, no Bangladeshi documentary has ever been released at a cinema hall before. The documentary, called, has received 9 international awards already! Shunte Ki Pao! is yet another step forward in Bangladesh world of show business, and is definitely worth a watch!
The recent display of irresponsibility by Yash Raj Films in the film 'Gunday' has left us dumbfounded. The phrase 'work of fiction' should not be misused by filmmakers to portray whatever they want on films to benefit their story, especially when the story revolves so closely around real facts. In writing fiction, script writers do not have the right to misconstrue historical facts to the benefit of their story at the expense of the emotions of millions of people. In the last issue of Star Showbiz, we published a review of Gunday and appreciated it for its high production values and good acting, but its misrepresentation of facts surrounding the Liberation War of 1971 was overlooked in the review and for this, we apologize to our readers. Although the movie has been well received by the Indian audience, its deliberate distortion of facts has marred its international image.