Racy pace

Mostofa Sarwar Farooki

The cinema scene in the county was racy last year, with the release of around 52 movies. One earned international fame, while an actress participated in the Cannes Film Festival. An actor remained at the peak of popularity, while another made it to foreign films.
A look in at the country's celluloid figures who took large strides in 2013:

Overseas Honour: Director Mostofa Sarwar Farooki's film “Television” received a number of noteworthy awards, including Netpac Award and Asia Pacific Screen Award. “Television” also won the award for best film in Rome. The acclaimed movie was released in South Korea and was selected to represent Bangladesh at the Oscars.
Director Kamar Ahmed Simon's film "Shunte Ki Pao!" continued to shine, circuiting a number of international film festivals, and winning the prestigious Grand Prix at the Cinema Du Reel. Simon also won the Asian Pitch late in the year for his new project.

Jaya

Jaya holds forth:  Jaya's Tollywood film “Abarto” was released in 2013. She participated in the Cannes Film Festival in France. She also attended the Big Picture Summit-13 in New Delhi as the lone Bangladeshi celebrity. Her first commercial movie was released countrywide at the end of the year; she also signed up for the film “Zero Degree”.

Shakib Khan still on top: Shakib Khan has secured top ranking in the industry over the last few years. This year was no different, with the release of nine films, most of them box office hits. Of them, “Debdas” made great business. While he debuted as a film producer, he also appeared as a model in a TVC for the first time. Shooting for the film “Dhaka to Bombay” took him to Mumbai.

Ananta Jalil

Jalil cements foothold: Ananta Jalil's film “Nishartho Bhalobasa” received much appreciation. His film was also released in UK. Bollywood artistes Jackie Shroff and Bipasha Basu signed up for his new project “Most Welcome 2”.

Other remarkable events:
Humayun Ahmed and Tareque Masud's films featured at several festivals. Moushumi was appointed as goodwill ambassador of Unicef.
The film, “Nekkaborer Mahaprain” featuring famed writer Nirmalendu Guun received censor certificate.
Sahnur also acted in the film “Apaharan”, a Bangladesh-India production. Nipun worked in the Kolkata film “Parichoye” with Prosenjit.
Meanwhile, Shimla acted in a film in Kolkata with Bollywood actor Govinda as co-artist.
Bapparaj made his debut as a film director.
Director Amit Ashraf's debut “Udhao” was critically acclaimed.
Lux Superstar Momo signed up for a film after a long hiatus of six years. National Film Award winner director Sahnewaz Kakoli began shooting for her upcoming movie “Nodijon”.

Ferdous was very busy in Kolkata films. Apart from this, he acted in a film with Moushumi and Shabnur. He also performed in another movie based on the story of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.
Amin Khan was busy acting in TV plays.
Of the heroines, Bobby was praised for her outstanding performance in the film “Dehorokkhi”.
Four movies of upcoming actress Mahi were released.
Although a few films of Apu Biswas were released, her “My Name Is Khan” and “Debdas” went down particularly well with the audience.
Arefin Shubho's “Bhalobasha Zindabad” was one of the most popular films of 2013.
National Film Award winner Misha Shaodagar made his debut as a TV host.
Former Dhallywood heartthrob Shabnoor became a proud mother.
The uncrowned king of filmdom Anwar Hossain passed away.