Joya on Cannes and recent ventures

She wins National Award for her brilliant performance in the Liberation War-based film 'Guerrilla'

 One of the most celebrated actresses of recent times Joya Ahsan has been invited to walk the red carpet of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival to begin from May 15.

This news brought the nation glory and at times certainly adds another feather in Joya’s cap.

The National Award winning actress for her brilliant performance in the Liberation War based film “Guerrilla” expressed her reaction after receiving the official letter from Cannes to Dhaka Tribune.

“I feel absolutely surprised and honoured after being invited at the prestigious festival. At a time, it’s a big responsibility as I am going to represent my country at the huge platform. So, I’m a bit nervous too,” said Joya.

When are you going to fly?

“Well, the date has not been finalised yet. But it should be the mid of next month.” 

What is making you most thrilled about going to Cannes?

“It’s the great movies to be screened at the festival. The Cannes selects the best movies from all around the world. And I’m so excited that I’ll get the opportunity to watch those. Here at home, I cannot manage my schedule to watch all the movies I want. Many things distract me from watching the quality films. Besides, the platform will also provide me a grand opportunity to mingle with the big names of the world cinema. It’s also equally thrilling.”

What about your upcoming film Purno Doirgho Prem Kahini starring Shakib Khan?

“Well, the shooting has been finished. Now the film is in the dubbing phase. The experience was completely different from that of the movies I have done earlier. It’s a completely mainstream FDC based movie. And I enjoyed the experience.”

Would you like to act in more such kind of films?

I have not yet chalked out any long time plan but right now I’m enjoying the change in my career. Actually I am experimenting myself as an actor in the mainstream film industry. And I also want to contribute to the sector as it is in a dilapidated situation when the viewers have given up going to cinema. If I can at least draw my fans to the cinema halls, I’ll be satisfied.”  

Joya has an illustrious career of about 15 years. She first appeared in the industry as a model of a TV commercial and won the hearts of millions very shortly. Her performance in small screen made her a star of such a height that very few actresses could achieve. She made her debut silver screen in Nurul Alam Atique’s movie Dubshatar released in 2011. Her performance in recently released Chorabali also made huge  wave.

Mehjabin’s dreams come true

Model turned actress Mehjabin’s dreams come true. She is appearing on the silver screen, which is a long cherished desire of the small screen actress.

Mehjabin is acting the titular character in Swapan Ahmed’s film Porobashini.

 ‘As I don’t have any other pressure on me at the moment, I will invest all my energy on Porobashini’, Mehjabin, who recently sat for her A level examinations, said.

‘Even though I did modeling and acting on small screen, I had entered the entertainment industry with the dreams to work for the big screen’, she added.

After a fairly long wait, she got the opportunity to act for a Bangla film releasing in the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha. 

Swapan Ahmed’s Porobashini is a science fiction, in which Mehjabin is paired with another small screen actor Nirab.

In the film, Mehjabin will appear in several dance scenes, which is a popular formula of Dhallywood to make movies work among the audience.  ‘I have been learning dance from a very tender age, which I hope will help’, she said.  

She has just finished a romantic comedy drama named Mehbuba, where she played the titular character who has two admirers. It had been produced by Limon Ahmed and directed by Rudro Ahmed. Mehjabin says in this drama, greed and love had been presented with a humorous approach. Eventually, positive changes in human characters are shown in this romantic comedy. ‘I enjoyed acting in this drama, I hope viewers will like my performance,’ she said.

Recently she has worked in a commercial for a giant mobile operator. ‘For the past two years they were trying to make this commercial but things didn’t click. This time it did and I am happy to be a part of the success story’, Mehjabin said. While in conversation with New Age Mehjabin has confirmed that she has completed a TVC for ‘world hand wash day’.

In 2009, Mehjabin Chowdhuri had won the beauty pageant of ‘Lux Channel-i Superstar’ while competing against 10 thousands contestants. The rest is history; she has been a popular face on TV commercials and dramas since then.

She first appeared on Iftekhar Ahmed Fahmi’s teleplay Tumi Thako Shindhupare paired with the renowned small screen actor Mahfuz Ahmed.

She became a household name acting in one after another popular teleplays including ‘Majhe Majhe Tobu Dekhapai’, ‘Call center’, ‘Meye Shudhu Tomar Jonno’, and ‘Hasho Unlimited’.

NewAge

“I want to stick to acting”::Prasun Azad

Among thousands of contestants in the 2012 edition of Lux Channel i Superstar competition, Prasun Azad, from Mymensingh’s Fulpur, stood in a class of her own, and claimed a spot in the top ten. As the pageant progressed, she strengthened her claim and emerged as the first runner up in the final round.

In the following months, Prasun has been busy working in TV dramas, along with acting in a film. Asked about her goals, Prasun answers that she intends to do work that will be remembered by the audience for many years to come.

Although she is serious about her work in the media, Prasun started her journey in this direction just to kindle an interest. She says, “I enjoyed this show for a long time before signing up myself. My dreams began back then.”

Most of her recent TV works are in one-hour-shorts and tele-films. “I’m not working in serials at the moment, but I would be interested in a suitable role in a good serial,” Prasun adds.

She has recently appeared in two episodes of the serial “Great Mistake”. “The drama ‘Great Mistake’ features a different story in each episode. My work has been in accordance with that,” says Prasun.

Prasun has also finished shooting for Sazzad Sumon’s new drama “Notun Balika”, as well as playing the eponymous role in Toufiqur Rahman’s one-hour-short “Ananya”.

Prasun Azad’s first TV drama was Animesh Aich’s “Ekti Mrityur Shopno”, which got much positive feedback from the audience. She also managed to grab the attention of many directors through her performance.

Prasun says she is enjoying her latest work in “Mukhosher Meye”, a TV play by Azad Kalam.

She has earned much praise for her portrayal of a Birangona in the Channel 24 drama “Chithhi”, written by Bipasha Hayat and directed by Tauquir Ahmed.

She has also made her debut on the silver screen with the movie “Feel My Love,” where she plays an RJ.

Although she grabbed her place in the spotlight through Lux Channel i Superstar, Prasun participated as a contestant in the singing section of Notun Kuri. The star however adds the caveat, “I don’t sing any more; I want to stick to acting. I don’t have any dreams besides the world of acting.”

BD Lux superstar Raha committed suicide

Sumaya Azgar Raha

Promising model cum TV actress and also Lux superstar, Sumaya Azgar Raha committed suicide in her residence in the city’s Mohammadpur area.

According to her family sources, Raha was found dead in her own residence at Japan Garden City in the city on Saturday morning.

Raha was buried at Azimpur graveyard on Saturday noon without informing media. They also confirmed that she was found hanged in her bedroom.

Raha, who completed her graduation from Lalmatia Mohila College, was the third runner-up in 2007 Lux Channel i Superstar contest. Along with a very remarkable career as a ramp model she acted in many well-known plays.

Raha lastly performed in drama serial “University,” which is being aired on Maasranga TV now. She firstly acted in drama serial “Jol Torongo” directed by the late Humayun Ahmed. She also played a vital role in Ananta Jalil’s movie “Khoj-The search.”

Raha also worked in TV plays such as “Swapnobaaj,” “Putul Khela,” “Patigonit,” “Uchchotoro Sharirik Bigyan,” “Lucky 13,” “Din Bodoler Pala,” “Coming Soon,” “Jimmi” and “Joto Chini Toto Mishti.”

Recently Raha wrote about herself in Facebook that she wants to become a good actress. She left her parents and a young brother.

Stars said about Suchitra Sen

The whole of India has been stunned into silence with the departing of Suchitra Sen. Every star, starlets from both Bollywod and Tollywood has tweeted their tributes. Even India’s prime minister mourned her demise.

Let us have a look at the stars’ feelings about the Wonderful star.

Manmahan Singh

Sen had carved a special niche in the hearts of millions of Indians through her graceful cinematic presence. She was one of the first Indian artistes to win an international award at Moscow in 1963. Sen's versatility and range of performances, in a career spanning nearly three decades, mark a unique contribution to Indian cinema, and to Bengali films in particular.

Amitabh Bachhan

Suchitra Sen, that great talent from Bengal passes away. She was grace, beauty and talent personified. Enigmatic and reclusive, she brought about a certain pathos in her roles which was so endearing. Her pairings with another iconic great. Uttam Kumar, from Bengal is what legends are made of. Prayers and condolences

Supriya Devi

Rama Di and Uttam Kumar is the most romantic couple ever. No one looked so good with Uttam Kumar other than her. Rama Di is my all time favorite. Not because of her acting or her looks, but because Suchitra Sen, as a person is extraordinary.

Madhavi Mukherjee

I thought she will return home. I can’t even imagine Suchitra Sen is no more.

Mousumi Chatyapadhay

I cannot stop thinking about her dazzling smile. I’ve never seen a star as popular as she is.

Mithun Chakrabarti

To me, Suchitra Sen was the number one actress. I’ve seen ‘Harano Sur’ 14 times and ‘Saptapadi’ 11 times. Her acting has a different kind of aura.

Gautam Ghosh

Lost one of my favorite Bengali persons. If she would make a come back, I would love to shoot movie with her. The chance is now gone. The romantisism she created has changed these days. During her time everyone would go to the theters. She will live in our hearts like the movie “Smritutuku Thak”

Aparna Sen

No other artist is even close to her talents, I saw her shooting ‘Uttar Falguni’, I understood then what an amazing actess she is.

Sridevi

Actor par excellence, a divine beauty, a legend, an icon who will inspire generations to come. RIP Suchitra Sen.

Madhuri Dixit

RIP Suchitra Sen. Indian cinema will miss you.

Madhur Bhandarkar

Suchitra Sen will always be remembered for her remarkable performances in ‘Devdas’, ‘Aandhi’, ‘Mamta’ and immense contribution to Bengali cinema. RIP.

Mamata announces gun salute for legendary actress Suchitra Sen

Legendary actress Suchitra Sen, one of the leading lights of the golden age of Bengali cinema, died of a heart attack in Kolkata's Belle Vue Clinic today. She was 82. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced a gun salute at the actress' funeral. Ms Sen's last rites will be held in Kolkata's Keoratola crematorium later today.

The actress had been in hospital since December 23, being treated for a respiratory tract infection. She was dependent on oxygen support and grown very weak over the last few days. Ms Sen began her career with the unreleased Bengali film Shesh Kothai in 1952 and is known to Hindi film audiences for her roles in Bimal Roy's Devdas (1955) and Gulzar's Aandhi (1975). With actor Uttam Kumar, she made up one-half of Bengali cinema's most beloved screen couple, delivering hit films such as Harano Sur, Sagarika, Chaowa Paowa and Agnipariksha.

Suchitra Sen most acclaimed performances were in the Bengali films Dweep Jele Jaai (1959), in which she played a psychiatric nurse involved with a male patient, and Uttar Falguni (1963), in which she played the double roles of a courtesan and her lawyer daughter. Ms Sen was also the first Indian actress to be awarded at an international film festival, winning Best Actress for Saptapadi at the Moscow Film Festival in 1963.

Source: Ndtv