Culture & Entertainment

MNA Culture & Entertainment Desk: Sanayee Mahbob was admitted to the ICU on Friday afternoon as her condition worsened due to coronavirus. She was diagnosed with the deadly virus on Thursday and undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Chattogram Shahina Afroz Mishti, Sanayee’s elder sister-in-law, confirmed the information, saying, “Sanayee was tested coronavirus positive. She was later admitted to the hospital as her condition deteriorated. But this morning, when her condition started getting worse, she was taken to ICU.” Earlier, Sanayee herself confirmed the news of being infected with coronavirus on Thursday. “I had corona symptoms two weeks ago. ...

MNA Culture & Entertainment Desk: The 8th death anniversary of celebrated playwright, writer and filmmaker Humayun Ahmed is being observed today (Sunday). Family members of the prominent writer and his fans are observing the day through scaled-out programmes this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, including offering special prayers at the writer’s graveyard at Nuhash Palli in Gazipur. Different television channels are airing various programmes highlighting the life and works of the wordsmith. Humayun Ahmed was born in Netrakona’s Mohanganj on November 13, 1948. The writer died of cancer at a hospital in New York on July 19, 2012. He ...

MNA Culture & Entertainment Desk: A High Court bench passed an order on Wednesday asking all concerned to remove objectionable contents and scenes from web series on the internet within a week. The High Court of Justice M Enayetur Rahim directed removal of objectionable scenes from web series on the internet within a week after hearing a writ petition. Advocate Tanvir Ahmed appeared for the writ petition in the court. “I saw a report on a Bangladeshi web series on a private TV channel on June 6. Angered and dissatisfied after watching it, a legal notice was sent to the ...

MNA Culture & Entertainment Desk: Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan and wife Gauri Khan have offered their personal office space as a quarantine facility to Mumbai’s civic body, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The BMC took to social media to thank the Khans. Earlier this week, Shah Rukh Khan’s companies announced several initiatives to support the Indian government’s bid to contain Covid-19, including donating to the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situation (PM-CARES), and Maharashtra chief minister’s Relief Fund. The amount being pledged by the actor and his companies has not been disclosed. From the beginning of ...

MNA Culture & Entertainment Desk: It seems hard to believe, but Monica Bellucci — who has spent four decades in the limelight as a model and actress — says she suffers from stage fight. Now appearing on stage in Paris, incarnating opera singer Maria Callas, the Italian diva confesses experiencing pure ‘terror’. ‘It is not that I was afraid of theatre, I am still afraid of theatre. I tremble,’ the 55-year-old told AFP. ‘Going on stage is almost a kind of violence that I put myself through.’ Bellucci is playing the 20th-century opera star in a month-long show entitled: ‘Maria ...

MNA Culture & Entertainment Desk: The cast of Friends is to reunite for a one-off special, more than 15 years since the show ended. The episode will air on the HBO Max streaming service, which launches in May. A date is yet to be announced. Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer will all appear. Perry posted on Instagram: “It’s happening” with a photo of the cast from the 1990s. The rest of the cast then started sharing the same post. Friends aired from 1994 until 2004. The final show was watched by 52.5 ...

MNA Culture & Entertainment Desk: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday distributed the prestigious Ekushey Padak-2020 among 20 eminent personalities and an organization in recognition of their contributions to various fields. The Prime Minister handed over the Ekushey Padak, the second highest civilian award in Bangladesh, to the awardees or their family members at a function organized by the Cultural Affairs Ministry at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the city. Aminul Islam Badsha (posthumous) was given the award for his role in the Language Movement. Begum Dalia Nowshin, Shankar Roy and Mita Haque were recognised for their contributions to music ...

MNA Culture & Entertainment Desk: Veteran Indian Bengali actor and former Trinamool Congress MP Tapas Paul died of cardiac arrest early Tuesday. He was 61. Paul, who had gone to Mumbai to visit his daughter, complained of chest pain at the Mumbai airport during his return to Kolkata and was rushed to a hospital in Juhu but died at around 4:00am, hindustantimes reported quoting his family. He had been suffering from heart ailments and been to hospitals several times for treatment during the past two years. Paul, a two-term MP from Krishnanagar and MLA from Alipore, is survived by his ...

MNA Business Desk: Standard Chartered Bank organized an exclusive magical entertainment show recently on the occasion of its winter carnival. Almost three thousand bank employees and their family members enjoyed the programme held at new venue Chefs Table of United Ground last Friday, said a press release. Standard Chartered Bank’s CEO Mr. Naser Ezaz Bijoy joined the event as chief guest and Mr. Sazidul Islam from Sky Tracker was present at the family day event as special guest. Main attraction of that event was Solo Magic and Illusion Show. Aliraj, the magic icon of Bangladesh, enthralled the audience through eye-catching ...

MNA Culture & Entertainment Desk: Actor Jon Voight reveals what makes his daughter Angelina Jolie a great mom. While attending the seventh annual Gold Meets Golden – pre-Golden Globes gala – on Saturday in Beverly Hills, the winner of four Golden Globe Awards told People, “She loves her kids; she’s always involved with them, always concerned for them. She monitors everything… She’s great.” Angelina shares six kids with ex Brad Pitt – Maddox, 18, Pax, 15, Zahara, 14, Shiloh, 13, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 11. Sharing details about his grandchildren, Jon said, “They all have something special, and what ...

MNA Culture & Entertainment Desk: The Pride of India made headlines after the first look of the film released last month. Starring Ajay Devgn, Sanjay Dutt and Sonakshi Sinha. Tthe film is set in the times of unrest during the Indo-Pak war of 1971. The film also starred Parineeti Chopra who was to play a spy in the film and unfortunately, the actress had to opt out of this war drama. Exiting the project because of other work commitments like The Girl on the Train and the Saina Nehwal biopic, Parineeti could not give the film enough time. The role ...

MNA Culture & Entertainment Desk: There are always terrific movies, because there are still filmmakers who believe in making the most of the medium. The mechanics of how movies get to us is a bigger issue than ever: Specifically, how much effort are most of us willing to expend to see a movie on the big screen, the canvas filmmakers who are serious about their craft continue to believe in—and want to work in? That drama will continue to unfold. But for now, here are 10 films—plus a clutch of very honorable honorable mentions—that remind us what movies, at their ...

MNA Culture & Entertainment Desk: Miss Universe Bangladesh 2019 Shirin Akhter Shela has left Dhaka for the USA on November 28 to participate in the 68th edition of the Miss Universe competition. Miss Universe 2019 will be held on December 8, 2019 at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia in the United States. Women from more than 90 countries will compete for the crown of Miss Universe. Miss Universe 2018, Catriona Gray from the Philippines, will crown the new Miss Universe at the end of the program. Bangladesh is participating in Miss Universe for the first time. Shirin Akhter Shela ...

MNA Culture & Entertainment Desk: Arab film and TV star and World Food Programme (WFP) Goodwill Ambassador Hend Sabry visited the Rohingya families in the refugee camps of Bangladesh to show that suffering has no borders and humanity has no boundaries. Sabry, mother of two girls, visited the world’s largest refugee camp on Thursday where over one million Rohingyas have sought sanctuary. “I met inspiring women who have become heads of their households and are doing their best for their children in one of humanity’s most difficult circumstances. They have lost so much but remain hopeful and looking forward to ...

MNA Culture & Entertainment Desk: Singer Selena Gomez recently shut down all speculations of reconciliation after she was captured with ex-boyfriend Samuel Krost. The ‘Lose You to Love Me’ singer took to Instagram on Wednesday to shut down any theories pertaining to her relationship status and confirmed that she is waiting for the perfect timing. “I’m not dating anyone,” she wrote. “I’ve been single for two years. I’m on God’s timing, not mine.” The 27-year-old singer has been open about her relationship status as of late, and she recently revealed that she’s in a great place and ready for love ...

MNA Culture & Entertainment Desk: Actress Rose McGowan has filed a lawsuit against Harvey Weinstein, his ex-lawyers and a private intelligence agency, accusing them of trying to silence her. McGowan was one of the first people to accuse Mr Weinstein of rape in 2017. She claims Mr Weinstein and his team conspired to discredit her after they heard she was writing a book. The movie mogul is currently awaiting trial and denies all allegations of non-consensual sex. Ms McGowan claims she was raped by Mr Weinstein in a hotel room during a business meeting at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival, ...

MNA Culture & Entertainment Desk: Lady Gaga is recovering after falling off the stage while dancing with a fan at a concert. During her Las Vegas show Thursday night, the pop star invited a fan onstage who picked her up and lost balance. Both plunged to the floor as a result. Moments after the fall, Gaga was back onstage with the fan and told him: “You promise me you’re not gonna be sad about that, right?” He responded: “I promise.” Several fans posted video of the fall and Gaga’s return to the stage on social media, reports the Associated Press. ...

MNA Culture & Entertainment Desk: US actor Zoe Kravitz will play Catwoman in the new Batman film starring Robert Pattinson, a Warner Bros. source told AFP on Monday. Kravitz, who recently starred in HBO’s hit TV drama Big Little Lies and is the daughter of rock musician Lenny Kravitz, will portray the whip-wielding cat burglar who is both Batman’s foe and love interest in the comics. She follows A-listers such as Halle Berry, Anne Hathaway and Michelle Pfeiffer in portraying Catwoman — alter ego Selina Kyle — in The Batman, which is due for release in 2021. Kravitz, 30, has ...

MNA Culture & Entertainment Desk: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has inaugurated the commercial transmission of all local private television channels using the feed of country’s first communication satellite Bangabandhu-I (BS-I). The Prime Minister inaugurated the service while addressing a function on the occasion at a city hotel on Wednesday. With its inauguration, the country’s broadcast industry is going to enter a new era as the BS-I will save a huge amount of foreign currency to be paid by local TVs as rent. Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud spoke on the occasion as the special guest with Posts and Telecommunications Minister ...

MNA Culture & Entertainment Desk: Salma Hayek says she refrains from using social media to comment on problems in her native Mexico because she wants to protect the country’s image. During an appearance Tuesday to promote her Netflix series “Monarca” on a family’s tequila empire, the actress was asked why she doesn’t use her social media presence to draw more attention to Mexico’s ills. Hayek said she doesn’t believe a post on her Instagram account can change things because most of her followers don’t live in Mexico, the Associated Press reported. At the same time, she added, a critical post ...

MNA Culture & Entertainment Desk: Joaquin Phoenix is having a hard time defining the Joker, but then again, he doesn’t really want to. The actor spent eight months exploring how a struggling stand-up comedian named Arthur Fleck becomes Batman’s antagonist, the villain with a chilling laugh and a love of chaos. Preparing for the role involved losing quite a bit of weight, studying personality disorders and practicing the laugh over and over again, reports AP. ″(It’s) very difficult to distill into a soundbite,” Phoenix said Saturday in advance of the world premiere of “Joker” at the Venice International Film Festival. ...

MNA Culture & Entertainment Desk: Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss will return in a fourth installment of sci-fi franchise The Matrix, with Reeves reprising his lead role as hacker Neo. Matrix co-creator Lana Wachowski will write, direct and produce the film, a third sequel to the original 1999 hit. Ms Wachowski celebrated The Matrix’s return, saying many of the ideas it explores are “even more relevant now”. The first three films in the franchise earned more than $1.6bn (£1.3bn) at the global box office. Warner Bros Pictures Group chairman Toby Emmerich announced the new film on Tuesday, saying the studio ...

MNA Culture & Entertainment Desk: With a simple “We do,” Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson announced his wedding to his longtime girlfriend on Instagram. A photo of the movie star and Lauren Hashian was posted on the social media site. Both were wearing white, and they were standing overlooking the ocean. The post said the date of their apparent nuptials was Sunday, in Hawaii. Johnson’s representative did not immediately return calls asking for comment. The couple have been dating for several years and have two young daughters. Johnson also has a teenage daughter from a previous marriage. Johnson has a lot ...

MNA Culture & Entertainment Desk: Disney’s live-action remake of the animated film Mulan is facing calls for a boycott, after its star voiced support for Hong Kong’s police force. Chinese actress Liu Yifei, a naturalised US citizen, reposted a viral pro-police comment on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The territory has been convulsed by sometimes violent pro-democracy protests over the past 10 weeks. Rights groups and the UN have accused the police of a heavy handed response, according to a BBC report. Ms Liu had shared a Weibo post from the government-run Beijing newspaper People’s Daily that read (in Chinese): ...

MNA Culture & Entertainment Desk: Sonakshi Sinha has been neck deep in promotions of her latest release ‘Khandaani Shafakhana’. The actress, who plays the character of Baby Bedi in her latest offering, is pretty guarded about her love life and prefers to keep it private. Sonakshi doesn’t speak much about her personal life even during her interactions with the media. In the past couple of months, a number of her colleagues like Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra, Sonam Kapoor and Anushka Sharma have taken the leap and tied the knot. When Sonakshi was quizzed if she’s looking for her Mr Right ...

MNA Culture & Entertainment Desk: Marvel has announced a bumper crop of 10 new superhero movies at Comic Con. Marvel studios president Kevin Feige, flanked by dozens of Hollywood stars, revealed the post-Avengers roster of films to a stunned hall in San Diego. Many attendees at world’s largest pop-culture fan convention had camped out to reserve a seat for the event. One major surprise was the announcement of Oscar winner Mahershala Ali as Blade the vampire hunter, a role played by Wesley Snipes in the 1998 film. There was rapturous applause and screams as Ali took to the stage to ...

MNA Culture & Entertainment Desk: Mariah Carey married music executive Tommy in 1993 when she was only 23 and he 43. They divorced in 1998. According to People.com, the 49-year-old opened up about her marriage to Cosmopolitan in its August issue, saying she felt like a ‘prisoner’ back then. “There was no freedom for me as a human being,” said Mariah, adding, “You might want to picture a child bride. There was a conscious effort to keep me as this all-American, whatever that means, girl. It was almost like being a prisoner,” Carey explained to Cosmopolitan. Their relationship, which began ...