Laily Mojnu

Movie star Purnima is acting as Laily and Apurbo as Mojnu in world popular love story and ancient romantic folk story ‘Laily Mojnu’.

Besides writing the screenplay Aranna Anwar will also make it. According to director, by now talks have been finalized with Purnima and Apurbo.

Both of them agreed. Now the work on screenplay is going on. Keeping in line with schedule of Apurbo and Purnima shooting should start from first week of coming August. Creator’s sources also informed, although previously two Bangla movies were made on Laily-Mojnu this is the first time it is being created in shape of a drama or telefilm.

However 7-8 years ago a drama was announced to be made with Kayes Chowdhury Joy and Kusum Sikder but it was never made. On the matter of Laily Mojnu Aranna Anwar says, it is a strange matter. Not a single TV drama had been made on Laily-Mojnu. Several dramas could have been made in different ways.

So I want to make this out of that thought. I will try to make Laily Mojnu with modern touch. The story will be same just presentation will be changed. You can say we want to gift Laily-Mojnu of this generation and this city through Purnima and Apurba. And it will be created in movie style. Hopefully TV viewers will enjoy it freshly.

About acting in Majfuj Aich Jacky produced Laily Mojnu Purnima said, if this character could have been done in movie then it would have been even better. But from what I can understand this telefilm will be created with shadow of movie. And Laily is such a character that there is nothing new to say about it.

It is such a romantic story that it will last for centuries, I am really happy to be a small part of a this kind of history making. And acting in role of Mojnu, Apurbo said, what can I say. It’s Mojnu after all. Who does not want to be Mojnu? And if that’s an opportunity comes to be real Mojnu then there is no doubt. Let me finish work first. Hopefully after that I will be known as Mojnu.

It’s not a crime to ask 40 lakh for an album: Mila

Mila is really talked about among new generation singers. Two songs ‘Rupobane Nache Komor Dulaiya’ and ‘Bapuram Shapure’ from her album ‘Chapter-2’ are superhit.

Recently she has become model for Britol Bisquit. She is really busy with audio, video and stage. She came back after America tour. Here is an interview with Mila.

There is buzz all around about your marriage, groom is music director Fuad. Is this true?

Various types of rumors are spread about me. Marriage rumor is latest one. Fuad bhai is my respected music director. I cannot think of anything else. Right now I am at a turning point of my career. I will think about marriage after five years. I want to say something clearly that I will not marry anyone from media. Even if I love someone it will not be anyone from media.

Recently you put 40 lakh price tag for your third album from a company. Is it reasonable?

This is music market. My album is a product. I earn bread by doing music business. I can bargain with any company. They will buy the album with 40 lakh. And there is a misconception here. Everybody is thinking that I asked 40 lakh only for audio album. Nobody is talking about companies which with audio albums earn 3-4 times on video albums; I asked 40 lakh for both audio and video album.

What is the name of the third album? Who is the music director? How is it going to be?

Name of my third album is ‘Re/define’. As usual this album is Fuad featuring Mila. This album is a bit different from previous albums. But my audience will get what they want.

How was second America tour?

This time I went to America to take part in Dhaliwood award show. I did not know that immigrant Bangladeshis there like my songs so much. I was extremely happy to see their excitement about me. This time in America I did something amazing. I shot few music videos from new album in different locations of America. That will please my fans.

Your first solo ‘Fele Asha’ and ‘Chapter-2’ second solo album’s few songs became hit after release of video album. How important is the role of music video behind an album’s success?

It is true that ‘Fele Asha’ album’s ‘ Mela’, ‘Chera Paal’ and ‘Chapter-2’ album’s ‘Rupbane Nache Komor Dulaiya’ and ‘Bapuram Shapure’ became superhit after the release of videos. These songs are just about listening but also about seeing something. All around the world now famous artists’ audio/video are release together. Video CDs are more important than video CDs; because if video is bought then fans can listen and see their favorite artist simultaneously.

You are rather discussed more in make up, get up, style or fashion more than music. What do you think?

Look, it is normal that an artist would have own style. In whole world artists are the icons. I have not started being stylish after becoming artist. I am like this since childhood. My parents have no son. That is why they used to dress me up like a boy. I always used to wear pants, t-shirts or keep short hair like boys. Since childhood there is less feminine side inside me.

On stage you dance while singing like Britney and Madonna. From Bangladesh perspective how suitable is it?

My stage performance is like my songs. My fans also like it. Or else my albums would not have been hit. The demand for my music videos is at peak because fans accepted my performance with my songs more. I experience some kind of different feel when I get up on stage. I forget all painful memories in life. I feel if I am put on stage while dying then I will live.

Is Fuad going to direct music in all your albums?

Apart from Fuad bhai I worked with Bappa Mazumdar, Balam, Fuad Ibne Rabbi. With Fuad bhai’s music direction my album ‘Chapter-2’ became superhit. That is why he is doing the third album. I am interested to work with all talented music directors of new generation.

When will third album ‘Re/define’ will come to market?

The album work is at last stages. The company has been finalized. The album will come soon.

Many believe that Mila will not last long. What’s your opinion?

I did not come with sudden wave that I will go back with it. I started my journey from main roots of music. Since I came this far with singing, I can go long way ahead. But there are ups and downs in career. Somebody will come who is better than me. I am working with honesty. If Allah is not angry at me then no one can harm me.

Recently you have become model for Britol biscuit. How does it feel as a model?

In this commercial my ‘Rupoban’ song was used. Public liked this song. As a result people also liked the commercial. I think viewers liked me as a model.

How are you enjoying time after becoming popular?

I am like old times. Like old times I go to footpaths to eat chotpoti. I come out of house with dress that was on inside. Hang out with friends. Do not bother if someone recognizes me or not. I have two lives. One is personal and other professional. I never mix these two up.

Monpura’s 100 days

With piles of doubts in head on 13th February acclaimed actor-director Giasuddin Salim’s first film ‘Monpura’ was released. As this film was made with small screen actors many movie specialists thought it wouldn’t be able to attract audience. But that opinion was crushed on the first week of movie’s release.

Salim’s creative style, Bangla romantic story and strong organizational work after release got ‘Monpura’ to cross over last 25 years of movie success history. It’s been 100 days since Monpura’s continuous success countrywide from day one of its release. So naturally its creator will be happy about all this.

How do you feel about exactly 100 days of success? Salim says, of course I am happy. There is no reason to be sad. But it is true that there is a lot of pressure, day after day hall owners from distant corners of country come asking for Monpura.

I have to discuss with them, have to buy and sell, still giving every effort to prevent piracy, and also slowly getting familiar with this new world called film. I am learning a lot, because drama was a really known place like my family.

And movie means all of Bangladesh. As in I am going across one Bangladesh with Monpura. It is a really hard work that cannot be expressed with words. And about the feeling of completing 100 days I would say this much, when I started making the film since then I had a plan and dream that country’s hall averse people would again come back to halls together.

Perhaps everybody dreams of this, especially the ones who made or are making new movies. I got to grasp dream in last 100 days. I believe that Monpura will pursue more 500 cinema halls of the country in next 200 days. It has only been 200 halls.

It is not a dream, I can clearly see it. In the meantime besides planning for Monpura’s 200 days Giazuddin Salim started to work on a new movie. After unexpected sky high success of first movie Salim’s plans regarding new movie are shaping into unimaginable form. It has been said that possible name of the movie is ‘Kajol Rekha’.

On the matter Salim informed, the story of the movie is complete. But before finalizing its name and actors, he completely refused to open his mouth about it. After Monpura with whom and what kind of movie will this creator make- to satisfy the mass curiosity about this in media and viewers some possible information has been given.

He said, with the new movie we want to go back to a moment thousand years back. For this along with scripting lots of research and meetings have been done about its location, set design, clothes and filming. We are looking for new faces as actor and actress for this movie. There is a good possibility that Prova will be in heroine’s role.

Although he could not give full guarantee about Prova Salim said, in this movie Humayun Faridi is coming in a special character. Moreover Chanchal-Mili will also be present. But in the movie this couple will appear more like guest roles. With loads of confidence from first movie this creator is going ahead with an unimaginable arrangement for his second movie; the shooting of which will start from the beginning of next year.

Eva Rahman Photo Gallery

A New Eva Rahman

In her 5 year career 10 albums got released. She also sang in plays and movies. She sang to Bappi Lahiri’s tuned and composed Hindi song. In the end her 10th album was released called “Moner Na Bola Kotha” in Ayub Bacchu’s tune and composition.

Five years ago her journey started with album “Moner Chotto Ghore”

Tenth album “Moner Na Bola Kotha” got released. What is the experience this time?

It feels really good. I am continuously learning, trying to perfect classical. I started my journey with music director Mannan Mohammad. Gradually I earned the experience of working with Rajesh, S. I. Tutul , Ayub Bacchu. In between I sang to the tune of renowned music director of subcontinent Bappi Lahiri. Working with different music director I got the opportunity to learn a lot.

Tell us something about “Moner Na Bola Kotha” in Ayub Bacchu’s tune and music.

Every song of this album really matches with the title. Whatever I could not say or do in previous nine albums, it was possible here. Ten songs are of ten different touches. It is a matter of luck to sing to Ayub Bacchu’s tune and music. I am his fan since childhood. Working on my album was a challenge for Bacchi Bhai. He created something new selflessly. In this album fans of every type of music will find a new Eva.

Which song of the album you liked most?

In this album Bacchu Bhai gave an amazing tune. With soft background music he composed a song titled ‘Bangladesh’. The lyric of the song is ‘মাগো যুগে যুগে এই মাটির বুকে কতো রাত জেগে হয় ভোর’. The song was added in the end of documentary on Freedom Fighting directed by ATN Bangla’s Chairman. The strange thing is, the war took place in 1971. In spite of that the song blended really well with documentary in 2009.

When you started five years ago, did you think back then that tenth album will come out?

At the beginning I had no confidence. I started learning to sing since I was 5/6 years old. Did not have practice for long time. After marriage inspired by my husband ATN Chairman Dr. Mahfujur Rahman I started again; had to digest many criticisms on this. Then I took up a challenge inside. Slowly started to build myself up. The more people criticize the more I express my confidence. Now many praise my singing.

Most of the critics raise questions about your singing talent. How confident are you about yourself?

Only because I have talent it’s slowly getting expressed. If it was possible to be an artist or sing without talent then every channel owners’ wives would become artists. Since the very start severe criticisms about me have been taking place. If they listen to my tenth album then all of their criticisms will stop. I did not become an artist out of hobby. And I do not want to be an artist by competing. I sing for self satisfaction.

What sort of criticisms do you hear more?

Strange criticisms have been done about me. Why I sing with saree on, why I am not wearing modern dresses, why my songs are not telecasted in any channel except ATN, etc. Perhaps the critics do not that everything is done according to my liking.

But they do show you more in ATN.

But now you can see me less. In fact every artist’s channel is ATN. If they show me a lot then I call up and shut the transmission.

Out of ten albums in which album you were satisfied singing?

To be honest full pleasure does not come from any album. It feels like a mistake remained.

Your album “Ishq Diwana” with Bappi Lahiri’s tune and music became popular. You even sang with him on same stage. What is your feeling?

Most probably Allah is really pleased with me. I got many things without even asking. He is a human being of big quality. I was not able to sing infront of him. During recoding in Kolkata he gave me strength by saying, just imagine that everyone is family member, you are singing in the drawing room. Then I started singing comfortably.

In a year two of your solo albums come out. Is there a reason behind it?

My albums come out centered around two eids. With songs of my solo album one hour program is telecasted in two eids. The sponsor money for this program was raised to maximum of 55 lakh. And my fans look forward to these programs in two eids.

What are the albums coming out ahead?

A solo album is getting worked on with Rajesh’s tune. Moreover in Ayub Bacchu’s tune two more solo albums will come. Bacchu Bhai is taking time and working on something different.

Who do you listen to in Bangladesh?

Songs of Runa Laila, Sabina Yasmin and Samina Chowdhury are always played at my home. Sabina apa has such a voice that it does not require music. Besides that I listen to Shubir Nandi, Andrew Kishor and Lucky Akhondo.

A lot of change can be heard in your voice now. How is it possible?

This change first comes in Rajesh’s tune. Then more change comes in tunes S. I. Tutul and Ayub Bacchu. Besides I am learning something new from Ostaad Shamsul Huda. So fans will get some more improvements.

For every album you have a music video. Are you doing this by plan?

Every solo album of mine has DVD. The work on DVD is done according to my plans. Like Moner Kotha Na Bola, Ishq Diwana, Moner Tulite Aki, Montori, all these DVDs were under my plan. I enjoy doing this work.

Are you doing anything else besides singing?

I am working as a producer in ATN Bangla. I direct programs on special days. I produced a play called “Halkhata” on Boishakh. A series program on Kazi Nazrul is run on ATN. I am enjoying these works.

Nisa Photo Gallery

I do not want to be a superstar: Nisa

Nisa is acting in the drama 'Choto Choto Koshto' directed by directed by Abul Wahab Pasha. She was a controversial actress in the Gulshan Avenue drama serial as well. Here is a short interview with Nisa, who talks about her current status.

Which drama of your is on air now?

I have two dramas at present, one is Choto Choto Koshto in ATN Bangla and another is in Banglavision (Nima Rahman's Gulshan Avenue).

How is the response of both the dramas?

Both the drama is getting a good viewership. Even though choto choto sopno is aired late night, the reponse is a bit less but the plot is beautiful. I have acted in this drama a few days ago. My character is a village girl who came to Dhaka. The family I live with ,I become involved with them in many activities.
And in Gulshan Avenue, I am a bad girl who is drug addicted and quite ardent. I am also a bit disrespectful and always get what I want. I have big eyes and red lipstic on my lips. The character's name is Zara. I am getting a huge response for it. When I come out in the streets a lot of people say-"isnt that Zara?".

Which road is your character in Gulshan Avenue taking?

My character is not takng drugs anymore. I am in love with Apurbo. I do not know what happens infront.

What new works are you doing now?

I am working in two new drama serials. One is Taher Shipon's 'Diba ratri khola thakey' and another is Lutfur Nahar Mousumi's 'Himalaye din ratri'. I am also having talks for some new works.

Can we see you in shows too?

Yes I am working as an anchor in a Channel 1 show related to sinema called Cine Town. Apart from this I am also anchor of Boishakhi Live - Ruplabonno

Tell us about your roots.

When my age was four, I started learnign dance from BAFA Children's Academy. I am still learning dance. I came to media world through my dance. My father was an artist and his name is Mohammad Shafi. He used to act as well. Mother used to act a bit as well as sing. I came to media world through their inspiration.

I came to the drama serial line back in 1993 with the Humayun Ahmed's serial ' Sobuj Shathi' . After that I worked for BTV a few times too. 'Sporsher Baire, Megh bolechey jabo jabo, Sada sari lal par, Ghurey Daranor sopno etc.

Who are you learning dance from at present?

I am learning with Anisul Islam Hiru. Apart from this, I also learn with Shahidul Islam Khokon, Sohel Rahman, Kartik Sinha, Kobirul Islam Roton.

What is the competition in your profession?

A lot. There is no scope of a break.

What are your future thoughts.?

Whichever sector I work in I want to be good and not really a superstar. At least people who work with me should say that I am doing a good job. I do not want to work a lot but I want to work so that the audience remember me a bit.

Are you married?

No not yet I am going to marry whenever God wishes.

Do you want to work in cinema?

If I get a good work in cinema, I will definitely do it. I had worked in the movie Daruchini Dip. If it is like this, I do not have any problem working for cinema.

Tell us where you study

I am at present doing my third year honors in English from Shiddheswari Girl's College.