Laltip music launched thru concert
To mark the music launch of Laltip, a Bangladesh-France joint movie venture, Impress Telefilm Ltd, in association with Samsung Electronics, arranged a grand concert at Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club Ground on 25 December.
Titled Laltip Samsung Music Blast, the concert featured unveiling of Laltip’s audio album, its promotional activities and performances by James, Fuad, Tapash, Kona, Mila and Ayub Bachchu, among others.
The launching ceremony of Laltip was attended, among others, by Faridur Reza Sagar, managing director of Channel i and Impress Telefilm Ltd; Shykh Seraj, its director and head of news; Kyoung Lee, managing director of Samsung Electronics Bangladesh branch, and Swapan Ahmed, director of Laltip.
Anchored by Apu Mahfuz, the concert was opened with screening the promo of Laltip which was followed by an eye-catching sight of light works.
Tapash and Fuad jointly took the stage first and rendered Ai shohore. Lead actors of Laltip, Emon and Kushum Shikdar appeared on the stage next and performed Bheshey Jai, a film song.
Renowned singer Syed Abdul Hadi came afterwards with a patriotic number Ai prithibite. His performance was followed by a dance recital by Emon and Kushum Shikdar on Kothao chhile na tumi, another film song. They also performed a few songs of Laltip including Lal tuktuk and Dure dure thaka mane, among others.
But, the James-fans were eagerly waiting for their Guru to take the stage. An applauding sound was heard from the audience when James took the stage with Fuad. Bhola mon, a song of Laltip, was rendered jointly by both of them.
The event reached a different height when James with his band Nagarbaul started rendering his popular Hindi and Bangla numbers.
Later in the evening, the music enthusiasts also enjoyed performances by Ayub Bachchu with his band LRB, Fuad and Friends and Mila.
A highlight of the concert will be aired on 6 January at 5:30pm on Channel i.
Written and directed by Swapan Ahmed, the much-hyped film Laltip is now having its final touch to be released soon. The film has been shot in three different countries including Bangladesh, Thailand and France.
The plot of the film revolves around two Bangladeshi emigrants in France, their love and life.
Featuring Emon and Kushum Shikdar in lead roles, Laltip also includes popular French actors Daniel Cramer, Gerrard Dopado, Deborah Newman, Natalie Francesci and Leuna.
The rest of the Bangladeshi cast includes ATM Shamsuzzaman, Shahidul Alam Sachchu, Sohel Khan, Mishu and Konal.
Fuad, Ebrar Tipu and Arfin Rumey have composed tunes for the movie, while a composition was also done by three times Oscar winner late music director Maurice Jarre.
News Source: The Daily Sun
Bindu : From glam to de-glam
In a career spanning four years, Bindu has already witnessed a lot of success. She is acting in several TV serials. Her journey in the media started with winning the “Lux Channel i Superstar” contest.
“I want to be recognised as a deft actress, and that's what I'm working on at the moment,” she said.
Some of the serials featuring Bindu that are currently on air are: “Hawai Mithai”, “Ikarus-er Dana”, “Pother Dabi”, “Kalo Chaya”, “Akasher Niche Manush”. When asked about them, Bindu commented, “They are all quite different from each other, I really enjoy working in them.”
Speaking of characters that stand out, Bindu said, “In 'Kalo Chhaya', aired on Masranga Television, I had to put on very dark makeup. I could hardly recognise myself. I play the role of a Christian girl in 'Pother Dabi', which is an adaptation of a novel by Sharatchandra Chattopadhyay. In 'Hawai Mithai', I portray a rural girl.”
Bindu added, “Many predicted that I couldn't pull off deglamourised roles. I took that as a challenge. I'm happy that the viewers are noticing my efforts.”
Bindu has not restricted herself to TV; she has also ventured into movies. Her first film was “Daruchini Dwip” by Tauquir Ahmed. She also acted in “Jaago” and “Piriter Dokandari”. At present, she is working on “Ei Toh Prem” by Sohel Arman. The film also features Shakib Khan. “Ami Tomar Mon-er Bhetor -- a song from the film -- has already gained popularity.
Some of Bindu's popular TV serials include “Makbul Bibartan”, “Chhotobela”, “Breaking News”, “Ekmutho Roddur”, “Chhobir Deshe”, “Kobitar Deshe”, “Lilaboti”, “Amar Kothati Furalo” and “Bhalobashi Ashchorjo Meghdol” etc.
Recently, she acted in “Iti, Tomar Bon” -- written by Anisul Haque and directed by Himel Ashraf. “My role had some really moving dialogues, it would definitely be on the list of my favourites,” she said.
Alongside her work, she has also kept her education steady. She is currently completing her BBA at Jahangirnagar University.
News Source: The Daily Star
Ondho Nirangom’ to be released tomorrow
Private satellite channel Ekushey Television produced first movie “Ondho Nirangom” is set to be released tomorrow at Star Cineplex in the city’s Bashundhara Complex.
The movie was directed by Hasibur Reza Kollol, while its story was also written by him.
The movie was directed by Hasibur Reza Kollol, while its story was also written by him.
The cast includes Rokeya Prachi, Joyonto Chantterjee, Sanjib Ahmed, Reetu A Sattar, Fakhruzzaman Chowdhury, Aminur Rahman Bachchu, Shihab Parvez, Imdad Fakir, Lovely Fakirani, AFM Moniruzzaman Shipu, M Curtis, Magali Laviratti, Timothi McCain, Anusheh Anadil, Shafi Mondal, Munna, Towfiq Tofi, Dolly, among others, in the movie.
Story of the movie based on the lifestyle and its surrounding context of Fakir Lalon Shah.
Story of the movie based on the lifestyle and its surrounding context of Fakir Lalon Shah.
News Source: The New Nation
An anchored actor
Chandni has a full plate these days, with regular appearances as a dancer, model and actor in TV plays and the silver screen. She also hosts programmes on dance from time to time.
File Photo
Chandni, the winner of a National Awards for her performance in films, is giving her best to TV plays and dance at the moment.
In an informal chat with The Daily Star (TDS), the artiste recently gave a ringside view of her busy career:
Why are you a less frequent face on TV than your contemporaries?
Chandni: It's my preference to do less work to stay closer to the audience. A few good performances can earn more love from the audience. You see it's quality that matters and not quantity. I don't want every channel to air my dramas simultaneously. And also that I prefer not to work in mega serials. If it's for only 26 episodes, I would gladly accept it. One-hour dramas or telefilms are even better. Maybe this is the reason I'm less frequent on the mini screen.
You've also been awarded a National Award for your acting on the silver screen.
Chandni: Yes. I won an award for my work as Jamila in the film “Lalshalu”. I also acted in “Dukhai” and “Joyjatra”.
What is your view on commercial movies?
Chandni: I have no intention to work in commercial films. I want to keep doing movies like the ones I've done before.
Why do you choose unique roles more often?
Chandni: I am drawn towards such challenging roles. I try my best to maintain a variety in my works. However, it is up to the viewers to judge how much of a success I am. But I like performing in unique roles such as that of a blind woman, prostitute, working woman, acid victim or drug-addict.
Tell us more about your notable works.
Chandni: I have to mention “Cherag”, which received much praise. Other memorable works include “Labonnyo Probha”, “Muniya”, “Bondhuboreshu”, “Bondhon”, “Shukhi Rani” and “Piri Bodol”.
Any memorable experiences on the career front?
Chandni: I acted in a serial titled “Gunin”, an adaptation of a story by Dr. Ashraf Siddiqui. I acted as the daughter of a snake charmer in the drama. It was a frightful experience since I am afraid of snakes but gradually I shed my fears and played with the reptiles. I also acted in the role of a prostitute in another TV play. Both were a great experience for me.
Have you quit dancing?
Chandni: Dancing is my first and final love. I can quit everything, but not dance. I wish to set up a school for dancing in the future.
Tell us about your current projects.
Chandni: I'm doing two serials titled “Long March” and “Putul Khela”, both of which are being aired. I'll also start working on another serial titled “Bijoy”. I also did a serial named “Dhaka to Sonargaon”, while there are plans of doing a few more one-hour plays soon.
News Source: The Daily Star
Bindu eyes movie role in 2012
Bindu did not accept any offer to act in new Bangla feature films in the last one and a half years.
Asked about her absence from the silver screen for a long period, the actress said, “In fact, there is no reason for not working on Bangla feature film in recent times. Truth to be told, I have been very busy with a film.”
It is expected that Bindu might be seen in a Bangla feature film in 2012.
“I have a plan to work on a Bangla feature film next year. The offers are there. I am just taking my time to decide,” she said.
Currently, four drama serials featuring Bindu are being aired on different TV channels. The serials are Pather Daabi, Kaalo Chhaya, Icarus-er Dana and Akasher Nichey.
“Recently, I have been busy with the shooting of these drama serials, so I can hardly spare time to act in a film,” Bindu added.
Despite her busy schedule, Bindu acted in telefilm Nilimaar Neel Roud. Directed by Nargis Akhter, the telefilm has been made on the occasion of the International Women’s Day. The telefilm will go on air on a private TV channel.
News Source: The Daily Sun
Amaar Bondhu Rashed in DVD format
Popular film director Morshedul Islam’s Amaar Bondhu Rashed is now available in DVD format. The DVD of the movie was launched at a programme held at the auditorium of Dance and Music Department of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on 17 December.
Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs Hedayetullah Al Mamoon was the chief guest at the programme.
Faridur Reza Sagar, managing director of Impress Telefilm Ltd and Channel i, Morshedul Islam and AKM Arifur Rahman, chairman of Laser Vision Ltd were also present at the event.
The story of Amar Bondhu Rashed is based on a novel of Muhammad Zafar Iqbal which comes with the same title.
The movie narrates the story of a boy named Rashed who appears at the school one day during the Liberation War in 1971. The teacher in the class gives him the name, Rashed. Rashed starts motivating his classmates about the Liberation War. One day the Pakistani occupation forces attack the town. Rashed and his friends come forward to help the freedom fighters. And thus, the story of the movie moves forward.
The movie features Arman Pervez Murad, Humaira Himu, Gazi Rakayet, Pijush Bandyopadhyay, Wahida Mallick Jolly and Enamul Haque in lead roles.
News Source: The Daily Sun
Ex-couple Bipasha Basu, John Abraham ready to get married!
It’s been more than months Bollywood’s hottest couple John Abraham and Bipasha Basu has ended their almost a decade old relationship and parted ways with mutual understanding and now it’s been seen that both John and Bipasha now has moved on in their life and now there is nothing left between them and the proof for this is that there is been also news that they both have found their love interest.
Recently, John Abraham was seen at movie theatre with a new girl, Priya Marwah, a banker, John met her in London. And John has expressed his desire to get married soon, probably early next year John will get engaged with his new lady love.
Bipasha Basu is also in the race to settle down soon. Recently at event Bipasha said, “She is ready to tie the knot, just need to find a handsome man with good sense of humor.”
There was a rumor making around that Bips is dating to her Dum Maro Dum co-star Rana Daggubati, but Bipasha refused to comment on it.
I'm ordinary and ignorant - Amitabh Bachchan
He is the man whose presence adds fanfare to events, weightage to social messages, and, of course, to the cast of a film! But cinema icon Amitabh Bachchan believes he is not qualified enough to give an opinion and talk about every issue in the country.
"Suddenly many invitations to inaugurate book releases, conferences, chief guests at important events!! I am not qualified for them! My profession does not give me the obvious authority to be the most knowledgeable and justified endorser of various entities!" the veteran actor posted on Twitter.
"...And age does not necessarily indicate mature insight and vision, despite the grey and the glasses... I am still ordinary and ignorant," he added.
Amitabh promotes causes like eradication of polio, and is a tourism ambassador of Gujarat. On the global platform, he is considered to be an ambassador of Bollywood, seen as one of India's soft power. However, Big B does not find it feasible for him to talk about anything and everything, just because he is a popular star.
"Kind words and gentle demeanour shall not always translate to impressive epithets .. certain basics need to be in place...Being a host on a TV show or an appreciated artist in film, does not become justified qualification, for every other responsibility!
"Gravest fallacy - just because you work in a public domain, does not mean wisdom and wealth of acumen in all walks! So a regret in attendance is then construed as ill behaved arrogance...or undeserved ego...," he posted further.
The 69-year-old veteran was last seen as the host of the fifth season of game show " Kaun Banega Crorepati".
He had two releases this year -- "Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap" and " Aarakshan".
- Times of India
Five Reasons why we love Salman Khan
As Salman Khan celebrates his 46th birthday on 27th December, we list down five reasons why we absolutely adore this cutesy bad boy of Bollywood.
1 His 'I give a damn attitude' Be it his complex relationships, failed films, off screen legal battles, bad press...Salman Khan takes it all with a pinch of salt. If you happen to catch him while he is relaxing, away from the camera, you will find him riding a bicycle in his shorts! At times it becomes important to be disconnected from the outside world and just be who you are without being apologetic about it. He does not defend himself; react to any allegations raised against him. He takes the high road and we like it.
2 That chiselled perfect body Salman Khan is the reason why heroes decided to 'get into shape' on camera. He was the reason why men wanted to look fit and handsome. He has never been into short term 'six pack abs workout' for a film but rigorous round the year gymming which is highly inspirational for his fans.
3 Wears his heart on his sleeve Salman will always call a spade a spade. If you like it, like it or leave it. 'Dabangg' in real life too, the actor is anything but diplomatic. As per hearsay, he is open about wanting to do 'hit' films over 'good' films. Be it his short-temper, humour or sarcasm...everything is no holds barred. Actors generally prefer to hide their illnesses but Salman was open about the trigeminal neuralgia, a nerve disorder that he had been suffering from. What you see is what you get. He rarely likes to flaunt his generosity too.
4 Never discusses his women Extremely popular with the ladies, though the news of his alleged 'violent behaviour' has been flashed in print before, the actor gives all the respect he can to his ex's by not discussing them in his interviews or washing dirty linen in public. We have not seen him get too touchy-feely with his female co-stars on camera, which helps him earn those extra brownie points on 'decency' from the elderly. The actor is also Bollywood's most sought after eligible bachelor who refuses to settle down!
5 Films, style, dialogues: The ultimate Trend setter What ever Salman does becomes a rage. Be it his biceps, dialogues, dressing, songs, hair, glasses, jeans! He caters to all the age groups, strata of society. From kids to the elderly...everyone likes Salman bhai whether he acts well or doesn't. We like him because he is Salman Khan.
- Times of India
Veena Malik goes missing
Pakistani actor Veena Malik seems to have gone missing. Friends and colleagues claim she was last seen shooting for a film, 'Mumbai 135 km', on Mumbai's Aarey Milk Colony Road around 5.30am on Friday. Nobody has complained to the police yet.
The film's director Hemant Madhukar told TOI, "Veena was shooting with us from 6pm to 6am for the last 15 days. From Thursday evening to the time she disappeared from the movie sets, Veena seemed distracted and upset."
Around 5.30am, she was advised to go to her vanity van. "I told her we would call her once the shot was ready. When my assistant went to the van, she was not there," said Madhukar. The production team sent a car daily to pick up and drop Veena. On Friday morning, she didn't use the car. "I know there was a car waiting for her for nearly three hours. Maybe she took the car but I am not sure," said Madhukar.
Veena hit headlines recently after a nude shoot for a magazine cover. She though denied participating in the shoot after a controversy broke out in Pakistan.
On Friday morning, Veena sent Madhukar an SMS saying she was unwell. "I waz really not well I have a high fever for the last so many days n waz little upset coz of some personal reasons (sic)," the SMS read. Since then, her phone has been found switched off.
Madhukar denied this was a publicity stunt. "Initially, I did feel that way but I got a call from a cop from Aarey Milk Colony police station asking me about Veena," he said.
There are rumours that Veena's disappearance could be a stunt for a TV show she is doing. "There could be issues with her work permit in India," said an actor who didn't want to be identified.
Her manager Prateik Mehta said, "We don't need to do any stunt at all. I will file a police complaint very soon. I was waiting for her lawyer to return to India."
- Times of India
For me, lovemaking is no big deal - Bipasha Basu
For Bipasha Basu, this could be the perfect instance of life coming full circle. The former model, who started her film career 10 years ago with Abbas-Mustan's Ajnabee, will now be seen in the director duo's upcoming film Players.
The actress talks about her career, the rumours surrounding her and explains why she is paranoid about kissing on screen.
A decade ago, you made your debut with Abbas-Mustan's Ajnabee. Now, Players is your third film with them. Have they been instrumental in shaping your career?
I wouldn't have been an actress if it wasn't for Abbas-Mustan. They respected me and gave me good treatment in my debut film Ajnabee.
We have a sense of understanding and over the years, we have developed a lot of trust. I am sure that whenever they cast me they are going to give me a character which is memorable. They always know how to get the best out of me.
You have redefined glamour with your new bikini look in the film. Filmmakers are still exploring the glamorous side of Bipasha Basu.
I like to be in sync with my characters. I can do films like Aakrosh and Lamhaa as convincingly as I did the bikini scene in Players.
I am flexible and don't shy away from anything.
A film like Players can have a bikini scene because it is a very swift thriller, somewhat on the lines of James Bond films. I think wearing a bikini just for the sake of wearing it is a waste.
In my earlier film Dum Maaro Dum, director Rohan Sippy asked me to wear a bikini. I declined because I didn't think it was in sync with my character.
Why did you agree to wear a bikini for Abbas-Mustan?
We are talking about sexy films and I think Abbas-Mustan make sexy films which are way ahead of their time. They are very bold and they have a sense of style and fashion. They shoot it very stylishly so it never looks vulgar.
There is a fine line between looking vulgar and looking sexy and when you are with Abbas-Mustan, you are surely going to be in safe hands.
It is said that you had to really go through the grind to get the look right.
When you are wearing a bikini, it is going to be on celluloid for the rest of your life and you don't want to embarrass yourself.
I am shooting for my second fitness DVD in April and I will soon be coming out with my third DVD, which is going to be about beach body workout. My trainer and I have made a scientific routine of six weeks to acquire a beach body.
We did six weeks of training with proper diet, and let me tell you, I hate dieting. I can hit the gym at any time but I cannot diet.
You are doing Raaz 3 with Emraan Hashmi who is known to be a serial kisser!
Why do you want to scare me (Smiles)? I am going to start shooting for the film from January and it's like a bomb on my head which will explode at any time.
Raaz 3 is going to be one of my most challenging roles.
You had refused to work with Emraan Hashmi earlier because you had problems with his appearance.
I did not refuse to work with Emraan. It's just that I couldn't work with him. He was really young and I have seen him when he was 18 years old as an assistant director on Raaz.
When we were approached for a film, I looked way older than him because of my weight. Today I look younger than I looked then. I also have to be convinced that I should look good with whoever I pair up with on-screen.
rediff.com
Twitter Made Easy For You
During the first Dhaka Tweet up we discussed why there are not many Bangladeshis Tweeting. First of all only Citycell offers sms based tweeting. Technically users of other mobile operators can send sms to any of these three long codes (UK, Germany, Finland) as sms costs the same for local and international (BDT 2). But that is still costly for some as there are not many viable package sms options. So people with smartphones with Twitter apps use Twitter. It can also be used directly in mobile browser (like me )- people rarely know this although many of the recent phones are internet enabled and Twitter does not take much bandwidth.
I think people need to start using it and they will get the hang of it soon and it will be popular in Bangladesh. Here is a guide Titled "Twitter tips, tricks and Tweets" written by Paul McFedris which will help the new enthusiasts:
I think people need to start using it and they will get the hang of it soon and it will be popular in Bangladesh. Here is a guide Titled "Twitter tips, tricks and Tweets" written by Paul McFedris which will help the new enthusiasts:
Boom brings few benefits to islanders
While a recent boost in income for thousands of islanders living near Bangladesh's northern border district of Kurigram has transformed mud huts into concrete homes, overall conditions are still dangerously precarious for most, say locals and aid workers.
"People still die because of lack of care all the time," Mohammad Hashem Ali, 65, of Baalerhaat village, told IRIN. "There are too many to count. The people of Baalerhaat village stopped counting a long time ago."
The cattle-smuggling business between India - where cows are regarded as sacred among Hindus - and Bangladesh has increased at the border near Narayanpur union, a community of 32,000 people.
As the Indian government has increased security elsewhere along the 4,000km border to tackle crime, Narayanpur farmers - spared the increased vigilance until now - have seen an increase in cattle smuggling, doubling their typical monthly income in only one night of business, said locals.
When sold in Bangladesh, a cow can fetch up to four times its price in India.
More than half the villagers are involved in the cattle trade, either as buyers or looking after the cows, said local researcher, Liton Chowdhury, who has examined the impact of smuggling on lives and livelihoods in the north.
Traders earn on average about US$400 a month, while labourers earn about $100 - more than twice what they earned before smuggling activities peaked, he added.
"The impact of this [boon] has been felt. Before there were never any concrete houses on the chars [islands] but now the ones who have made the most money have built [houses]... Some are sending their children to Nageshwari [town] to study. There has been a general improvement in their lifestyle, but not in the actual [quality of life]," said Chowdhury.
Accessing the nearest hospital still means a four-hour journey for many villagers, most of it via slow dinghies to the nearest mainland pier dozens of kilometres away.
"My nephew Sirajul died on the boat on his way to the hospital. He only had appendicitis. He started complaining about stomach pains at night, but it's easier to get a boat in the morning so we waited until then," said Mohammad Nojor Ali, also of Baalerhaat. "He was only 13."
Out of reach
The union of Narayanpur is a collection of temporary river islands formed by deposits of sand and silt from Himalayan rivers meandering towards the Bay of Bengal.
Farmers say the land is difficult to farm, prone to erosion and routinely submerged by flooding.
Unlike ordinary islands, this land is not connected to the earth's crust. Based on weather and erosion upstream, the islands can disappear completely within a few years, displacing entire hamlets.
There are an estimated 600,000 people living on such islands throughout Bangladesh.
Based on the most recent Global Hunger Index, nationwide 5 percent of children die before they reach five years old, while another 41 percent in this age group are underweight, giving rise to the country's "alarming" status.
It is even worse in the islands, say health and aid workers.
According to a 2010 survey by one of the few NGOs working in the islands, Chars Livelihood Programme (CLP), 14 percent of children under five suffered from acute malnutrition, close to the emergency threshold of 15 percent as set by the World Health Organization.
In recent years, the rate of diarrhoea in the chars has been more than double that of the mainland, according to the local NGO, Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee.
"People still die because of lack of care all the time," Mohammad Hashem Ali, 65, of Baalerhaat village, told IRIN. "There are too many to count. The people of Baalerhaat village stopped counting a long time ago."
The cattle-smuggling business between India - where cows are regarded as sacred among Hindus - and Bangladesh has increased at the border near Narayanpur union, a community of 32,000 people.
As the Indian government has increased security elsewhere along the 4,000km border to tackle crime, Narayanpur farmers - spared the increased vigilance until now - have seen an increase in cattle smuggling, doubling their typical monthly income in only one night of business, said locals.
When sold in Bangladesh, a cow can fetch up to four times its price in India.
More than half the villagers are involved in the cattle trade, either as buyers or looking after the cows, said local researcher, Liton Chowdhury, who has examined the impact of smuggling on lives and livelihoods in the north.
Traders earn on average about US$400 a month, while labourers earn about $100 - more than twice what they earned before smuggling activities peaked, he added.
"The impact of this [boon] has been felt. Before there were never any concrete houses on the chars [islands] but now the ones who have made the most money have built [houses]... Some are sending their children to Nageshwari [town] to study. There has been a general improvement in their lifestyle, but not in the actual [quality of life]," said Chowdhury.
Accessing the nearest hospital still means a four-hour journey for many villagers, most of it via slow dinghies to the nearest mainland pier dozens of kilometres away.
"My nephew Sirajul died on the boat on his way to the hospital. He only had appendicitis. He started complaining about stomach pains at night, but it's easier to get a boat in the morning so we waited until then," said Mohammad Nojor Ali, also of Baalerhaat. "He was only 13."
Out of reach
The union of Narayanpur is a collection of temporary river islands formed by deposits of sand and silt from Himalayan rivers meandering towards the Bay of Bengal.
Farmers say the land is difficult to farm, prone to erosion and routinely submerged by flooding.
Unlike ordinary islands, this land is not connected to the earth's crust. Based on weather and erosion upstream, the islands can disappear completely within a few years, displacing entire hamlets.
There are an estimated 600,000 people living on such islands throughout Bangladesh.
Based on the most recent Global Hunger Index, nationwide 5 percent of children die before they reach five years old, while another 41 percent in this age group are underweight, giving rise to the country's "alarming" status.
It is even worse in the islands, say health and aid workers.
According to a 2010 survey by one of the few NGOs working in the islands, Chars Livelihood Programme (CLP), 14 percent of children under five suffered from acute malnutrition, close to the emergency threshold of 15 percent as set by the World Health Organization.
In recent years, the rate of diarrhoea in the chars has been more than double that of the mainland, according to the local NGO, Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee.
 |
| Islanders enriched by cattle smuggling trade straw for tin in Narayanpur union |
It sends a mobile clinic by boat to the islands once every 15 days with a paramedic and health workers.
"Malnutrition is the biggest problem here. It's not that the people [of Narayanpur] don't have the money to change this, but there are no education centres or health workers here, so their knowledge of diet, hygiene, and sanitation is really poor," said Moqsudur Rahman Ronju, a doctor at the nearest public health centre in Nageshwari town, about 30km from the mainland pier.
Access
From the mainland pier it takes almost three hours by boat to reach the island where Mohammad Hanif, chairman of the local administrative authority, lives. It takes another hour's walk to reach his house.
"About 20, 25 days ago, a woman died here giving birth," Hanif said. "After the birth there was a leakage in her placenta. The [untrained] midwife tried to help her but couldn't. They were trying to take her to the hospital but while waiting for the boat she died."
Boats ferry people between selected drop-off points on the islands and the mainland regularly during the day for Bangladeshi Taka 25 (35 US cents).
At night the process gets more complicated.
A boat-owner must first be found, and prices up to $17 - the equivalent of a month's income for the poorer residents of Narayanpur - must be negotiated for the emergency ride. The passenger then must still get from the pier to the hospital or health centre, another 30km.
When IRIN made the return trip from Hanif's island, the boat's motor gave out several times; according to the boatman, this is common.
An uncertain future
Connecting the island to the mainland will be a huge undertaking, said Hanif. But meanwhile, he is looking for a solution closer to home.
"There is space to build a mini-hospital in Narayanpur," he said. "This would benefit 60,000-65,000 people, not just people of my union but also neighbouring chars, which are even worse off."
However, the supply of cows from India recently has dried up, according to local traders, and the new houses are the only sign of Narayanpur's recent border boon.
Border killings mount despite no-shooting decree
The death toll at the Bangladesh-India border continues to mount three months after the Indian government instructed its border security forces to stop shooting civilians suspected of being undocumented migrants or a threat to national security, say local residents.
NGOs have denounced the border killings as extrajudicial.
NGOs have denounced the border killings as extrajudicial.
Bangladeshi brothers Anis Ahmed (L) and Shohir Jamal (R). Shohir is standing on the border between the two countries, with Bangladesh located on the right side of the photo. Anis is on the Indian side
The abuse continues, according to Bangladeshi human rights NGO, Odhikar, which accuses India's border security force (BSF) of circumventing the recent no-shooting decree with beatings, stonings or poisoning.
However, the First Secretary of the Indian embassy in Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka, told IRIN that any killings had been linked to border crime.
"The BSF does not attack civilians. This is not happening any more. Only in a few cases, they have acted in self-defence," said Manoj Kumar Mohapatra.
Some 347 Bangladeshis and 164 Indians have been killed by Indian forces since 2006, when the Indian government built the wall, according to BSF.
Mohammad Baten, the latest man allegedly killed by the BSF - the 24th this year - was reportedly beaten to death, according to Bangladesh's border security.
The 4,000km fence has been dubbed the "Great Wall of India" by international media, while locals simply know it as the "wall of death".
India's government built the wall to restrict movement of "illegal immigrants, smugglers and suspected Islamic militants", according to officials quoted in local media.
Farmers corralled by the barbed wire find it increasingly difficult to lead ordinary lives.
"They have surrounded the people of Bangladesh on three sides with barbed wire," said Adilur Rahman, secretary of Odhikar. "It's like the Berlin Wall. You have brothers, even husbands and wives, separated on both sides."
Distant neighbours
"When they turn [the floodlights] on, the night becomes day here," says nine-year-old Anis Ahmed.
The barbed wire is visible from Ahmed's house at the border near the village of Amgaon in Bangladesh's Dinajpur District. Ahmed and his 11-year-old cousin, Shohir Jamal, work on their family's farm every day. Their crops grow right up to what is known as the zero point of the border, where Bangladeshi and Indian soil meets.
On this particular day, Ahmed and Jamal walked towards the border while two guards monitored them with binoculars.
"We go up to the fence all the time," they told IRIN. Wary adults lingered behind, warning them not to go further.
Ahmed and Jamal work on their farm side by side with Indian farmers, who cross the border to work on their land.
"The Indian farmers never speak to us," says Ahmed, "If they do, the BSF yells at them. If we try to talk to them, they don't pay any attention to us. They are worried that the BSF will accuse them of being smugglers, or helping illegal immigrants."
Suspicion
There is mistrust on the Bangladeshi side of the border too. "At night we put our cows inside the house and lock up all the animals," said Jamal.
Against the backdrop of border crimes, villagers become suspicious, according to a local primary school teacher, Jalal Ahmed.
"Everyone else thinks we're all smugglers here, so our people have to deal with that prejudice. And there are [actual] criminals here, not just cattle smugglers but a lot of drugs are smuggled here too," he said. "It's very bad for our society, for our children."
Felani Khatun, 15, an undocumented Bangladeshi immigrant in India, was shot while climbing the wall to cross back home on 7 January this year. A photo of her lifeless body hanging from the barbed wire sparked widespread uproar in Bangladeshi media.
Nur Islam, Khatun's father, had successfully climbed over the fence seconds before Felani was shot.
"There was no shout, no warning," he told IRIN. "I don't understand why they didn't shout anything. I saw them. They just got up and shot. And my girl cried out."
Invisible hazard” of groundwater depletion
Experts warn rapid depletion of Bangladesh’s underground water table could jeopardize food and water security for millions throughout the country and also endanger the biodiversity of one of the world’s largest mangrove forests within the next two decades.
“We have been drawing groundwater recklessly. Since 2004 groundwater in Bangladesh has not been recharging,” said Eftekhar Alam of the Bangladesh agricultural development corporation, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Agriculture.
Groundwater, unlike surface water such as ponds, lakes and rivers, is located in water tables beneath the ground which are recharged by seepage from rainfall; groundwater forms about 20 percent of the earth’s freshwater supply.
Groundwater, unlike surface water such as ponds, lakes and rivers, is located in water tables beneath the ground which are recharged by seepage from rainfall; groundwater forms about 20 percent of the earth’s freshwater supply.
In the past the Bangladeshi government and researchers have promoted use of groundwater for irrigation to combat seasonal food insecurity among farmers who were otherwise dependent on the timing of monsoon rains for their harvest.
Dry season irrigation provided by groundwater is used for 80 percent of Boro rice cultivation - also known as winter rice - which made up almost 60 percent of the country’s annual grain production in 2007-2008.
During the peak of the dry season from March to April, 63 percent of the country’s irrigation comes from groundwater extraction by shallow tube wells, said Alam.
Overreliance
Overemphasizing groundwater extraction has created its own problems, he added.
Excessive reliance on groundwater versus surface water has been blamed for a 2010 water shortage in Dhaka city when troops had to guard water pumps to ration use.
Alam’s studies show Bangladesh’s groundwater is being extracted at the rate of 53 billion cubic metres a year, while it is only being recharged by 50 billion cubic metres. He and other experts say this will have two worrying long-term consequences.
First, shallow tube wells which typically go no deeper than 20m into the ground (used throughout the country by farmers and the general population for small-scale irrigation and drinking) will start to go dry as water levels fall below the depth the tube wells are able to reach.
Second, as the groundwater level drops below sea level there will be saltwater intrusion, with water from the Indian Ocean moving in to fill the underground vacuum.
According to Alam, the area nationwide where shallow tube-wells go completely dry during the peak of the dry season from March-April has increased by 45 percent from 6,664sqkm in 2004 to 9,638sqkm in 2010.
But it is the impact of salination that most concerns him.
“Dhaka’s underground will be fully swamped with saline water. When people break the earth for water, all they will find is saltwater. Fifty million throughout the country will be affected,” he told IRIN, basing his estimate on the numbers of people who live in areas that may be affected, including the population of Dhaka where 97 percent of water demands are met by groundwater.
“The entire ecosystem and biodiversity of southern Bangladesh will be threatened,” he concluded.
Southern Bangladesh is home to the Sundarbans the world’s largest mangrove forest and a UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site.
“If the situation is not controlled this will happen within one or two decades,” Alam added.
Invisible hazard
Groundwater is replenished by rainfall, and, to a lesser extent, river seepage. Forecasts are bleak said Umme Kulsum Navera, a lecturer at the Bangladesh university of engineering and technology in Dhaka.
“Our rivers are drying up too. And our models show [at] that point rainfall will increase. This means that there will be a lot of rainfall within a short time, then no rain for a long time. This does not recharge groundwater, as the rain will mostly flow overland,” she told IRIN.
“This will eventually lead to a lot of problems for irrigation in the future,” she added.
“Bangladesh faces natural disasters like floods, cyclones, and storm surges regularly,” noted Alam. “These hazards are visible. But [groundwater depletion] is invisible and happening beneath the surface of the earth.”
Bangladeshi Minister of Agriculture Matia Chowdhury has suggested growing fewer water-consuming crops and developing saline-tolerant rice varieties in response to the looming emergency.
Alam proposes maximizing use of surface water by digging canals and dredging rivers.
Navera said few farmers are aware of how excessive current groundwater withdrawal will present problems in the future. “They know that there will be no water in the winter, they know that much.”
BBC Bangla anniversary debate on Channel i focuses on freedom of information
Bangladesh’s rapidly changing media scene will be in the focus of the special BBC Bangla programme to be broadcast on Channel i, marking the 70th anniversary of BBC Bangla in the year of the 40th anniversary of Bangladesh’s independence.
Produced by BBC Bangla in collaboration with Channel i and moderated by BBC Bangla Editor, Sabir Mustafa, the programme, Freedom of information in the internet age, will debate issues raised by the spread of television and advent of social media.
The debate panel will include: Adviser to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, H T Imam; Editor of News Today, Reazuddin Ahmed; and Abu Saeed Khan, Secretary General of AMTOB, the Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh. An invited audience of some 200 people will ask the questions.
Sabir Mustafa will moderate the debate, asking about the challenges facing the traditional and new media: “These challenges are coming from the social media revolution which has opened up new avenues to exchange information and debate. They are also coming from governments and other regulatory bodies which seek to restrict the freedom of the established media through legislation and to restrict the use of social media.”
The pre-recorded hour-long debate will be followed by an hour-long live studio discussion during which BBC Bangla presenter, Akbar Hossain, and studio guests – photographer and blogger Shahidul Alam of Drik, and leading journalist and former president of National Press Club, Shawkat Mahmud – will discuss comments on the topic, texted by viewers using the short code 16262.
The panel debate will be broadcast by Channel i at 7.50pm Bangladesh time on Thursday 22 December, and at 8pm on Saturday 24 December on BBC 100 FM in Dhaka and on shortwave 12035kHz and 9800kHz. The live discussion will go on air on Channel i at 7.50pm Bangladesh time on Friday 23 December.
The debate panel will include: Adviser to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, H T Imam; Editor of News Today, Reazuddin Ahmed; and Abu Saeed Khan, Secretary General of AMTOB, the Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh. An invited audience of some 200 people will ask the questions.
Sabir Mustafa will moderate the debate, asking about the challenges facing the traditional and new media: “These challenges are coming from the social media revolution which has opened up new avenues to exchange information and debate. They are also coming from governments and other regulatory bodies which seek to restrict the freedom of the established media through legislation and to restrict the use of social media.”
The pre-recorded hour-long debate will be followed by an hour-long live studio discussion during which BBC Bangla presenter, Akbar Hossain, and studio guests – photographer and blogger Shahidul Alam of Drik, and leading journalist and former president of National Press Club, Shawkat Mahmud – will discuss comments on the topic, texted by viewers using the short code 16262.
The panel debate will be broadcast by Channel i at 7.50pm Bangladesh time on Thursday 22 December, and at 8pm on Saturday 24 December on BBC 100 FM in Dhaka and on shortwave 12035kHz and 9800kHz. The live discussion will go on air on Channel i at 7.50pm Bangladesh time on Friday 23 December.
Alamgir and Diti again…
Once popular film couple, Alamgir and Diti will be appeared in the silver screen again on the Victory Day after a long span of years.
They will be seen performing together in the movie ‘Hridoy Bhanga Dhew,’ which will be released tomorrow at several cinema halls across the country.
Renowned filmmaker Gazi Mazharul Anwar directed the movie while promising film actors Ananta and Barsha have played the key roles of this movie.
Diti who is now staying in Canada with her son and daughter expressed her feelings about the movie over telephone saying, “As it’s a movie of Gazi bhai, I have nothing to say about it. But while performing in this movie, it seemed that I have performed in a good movie with a good story after a long time.”
Alamgir said, “The story of this movie is really interesting. I think the viewers will surely like it.”
Meanwhile, Alamgir and Diti became a film couple for the first time in the movie ‘Samar,’ which was also directed by Gazi Mazharul Anwar.
Later, they performed together in ‘Amorshongi’ by Alamgir Kumkum, ‘Sukher Ghore Duksher Agun’ by Sohanur Rahman Sohan, ‘Shwami-Stri’ by Subhash Datta and ‘Matir Thikana’ by Shah Alam Kiron.
Later, they performed together in ‘Amorshongi’ by Alamgir Kumkum, ‘Sukher Ghore Duksher Agun’ by Sohanur Rahman Sohan, ‘Shwami-Stri’ by Subhash Datta and ‘Matir Thikana’ by Shah Alam Kiron.
The couple, however, is now performing in a movie titled ‘Bichar Ami Korbo’ under the direction of FI Manik.
News Source: The New Nation
Bipasha basu - For me, lovemaking is no big deal
For Bipasha Basu, this could be the perfect instance of life coming full circle. The former model, who started her film career 10 years ago with Abbas-Mustan's Ajnabee, will now be seen in the director duo's upcoming film Players.
The actress talks about her career, the rumours surrounding her and explains why she is paranoid about kissing on screen.
A decade ago, you made your debut with Abbas-Mustan's Ajnabee. Now, Players is your third film with them. Have they been instrumental in shaping your career?
I wouldn't have been an actress if it wasn't for Abbas-Mustan. They respected me and gave me good treatment in my debut film Ajnabee.
We have a sense of understanding and over the years, we have developed a lot of trust. I am sure that whenever they cast me they are going to give me a character which is memorable. They always know how to get the best out of me.
You have redefined glamour with your new bikini look in the film. Filmmakers are still exploring the glamorous side of Bipasha Basu.
I like to be in sync with my characters. I can do films like Aakrosh and Lamhaa as convincingly as I did the bikini scene in Players.
I am flexible and don't shy away from anything.
A film like Players can have a bikini scene because it is a very swift thriller, somewhat on the lines of James Bond films. I think wearing a bikini just for the sake of wearing it is a waste.
In my earlier film Dum Maaro Dum, director Rohan Sippy asked me to wear a bikini. I declined because I didn't think it was in sync with my character.
Why did you agree to wear a bikini for Abbas-Mustan?
We are talking about sexy films and I think Abbas-Mustan make sexy films which are way ahead of their time. They are very bold and they have a sense of style and fashion. They shoot it very stylishly so it never looks vulgar.
There is a fine line between looking vulgar and looking sexy and when you are with Abbas-Mustan, you are surely going to be in safe hands.
It is said that you had to really go through the grind to get the look right.
When you are wearing a bikini, it is going to be on celluloid for the rest of your life and you don't want to embarrass yourself.
I am shooting for my second fitness DVD in April and I will soon be coming out with my third DVD, which is going to be about beach body workout. My trainer and I have made a scientific routine of six weeks to acquire a beach body.
We did six weeks of training with proper diet, and let me tell you, I hate dieting. I can hit the gym at any time but I cannot diet.
You are doing Raaz 3 with Emraan Hashmi who is known to be a serial kisser!
Why do you want to scare me (Smiles)? I am going to start shooting for the film from January and it's like a bomb on my head which will explode at any time.
Raaz 3 is going to be one of my most challenging roles.
You had refused to work with Emraan Hashmi earlier because you had problems with his appearance.
I did not refuse to work with Emraan. It's just that I couldn't work with him. He was really young and I have seen him when he was 18 years old as an assistant director on Raaz.
When we were approached for a film, I looked way older than him because of my weight. Today I look younger than I looked then. I also have to be convinced that I should look good with whoever I pair up with on-screen.
Sonakshi Sinha - I Don't Want to Marry an Actor
So far, you have only done films with senior actors like Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar. Why haven’t you signed films with contemporaries like Ranbir Kapoor, Imran Khan or Ranveer Singh?
I don’t know why everyone asks me this question. I don’t know. Isn’t it great that I’m working with all the current superstars? I have no complaints. Ranbir, Imran and Ranveer are already busy doing other films. It would be impossible for me to wait for them to finish. I already have six films on hand and only then can I think of working with them.
I don’t know why everyone asks me this question. I don’t know. Isn’t it great that I’m working with all the current superstars? I have no complaints. Ranbir, Imran and Ranveer are already busy doing other films. It would be impossible for me to wait for them to finish. I already have six films on hand and only then can I think of working with them.
Now that you’re busy with your career, are you still in touch with your first co-star Salman Khan?
Yes I am. We have been family friends and we do meet at family functions like birthdays and anniversaries. At times I do consult him. He is busy with his projects and I’m busy with mine but soon we are going to work together again.
Yes I am. We have been family friends and we do meet at family functions like birthdays and anniversaries. At times I do consult him. He is busy with his projects and I’m busy with mine but soon we are going to work together again.
You’re working with two totally opposite actors in Salman and Akshay. One is a morning person and one is not. Which one do you
prefer?
That’s such a tricky question. Not being a morning person, I would like to start my day a little later.
prefer?
That’s such a tricky question. Not being a morning person, I would like to start my day a little later.
Is it a coincidence that both the directors you’re working with, Shirish Kunder and Prabhu Deva, have a strong association with Salman?
It is indeed a coincidence. I guess I was at the right place at the right time. Dabangg doing well was one of the biggest factors for me getting these projects.
It is indeed a coincidence. I guess I was at the right place at the right time. Dabangg doing well was one of the biggest factors for me getting these projects.
What is your equation with Zarine Khan? The buzz is the two of you fought at Salman’s party.
I don’t have an equation with her. I barely go out, I keep to myself and my closest friends are not from the film industry. In my free time, I hang out with them. I don’t know where these stories come from. I guess when people want to read about you they write about you. Somehow I don’t mind it as I’d rather people write about me than ignore me.
I don’t have an equation with her. I barely go out, I keep to myself and my closest friends are not from the film industry. In my free time, I hang out with them. I don’t know where these stories come from. I guess when people want to read about you they write about you. Somehow I don’t mind it as I’d rather people write about me than ignore me.
So how do you deal with negative stories?
I don’t. I’ve stopped reading newspapers and watching all the gossip channels. I go out with my friends and do my work, that’s it.
I don’t. I’ve stopped reading newspapers and watching all the gossip channels. I go out with my friends and do my work, that’s it.
At our last photo shoot you refused to talk to a TV channel.
They had gotten personal with me with their stories. However nice you are to people, they go out and put out stories about you.
They had gotten personal with me with their stories. However nice you are to people, they go out and put out stories about you.
But is boycotting a news channel the right way of going about things?
I don’t know if it’s the right way. I’m too new to know if that is right or wrong but that is my way of dealing with it.
I don’t know if it’s the right way. I’m too new to know if that is right or wrong but that is my way of dealing with it.
Ranveer Singh and you have been making headlines lately. How true are those stories?
I have only met him at award functions. We are acquaintances. We have done a shoot together but I have no idea where these stories are coming from.
I have only met him at award functions. We are acquaintances. We have done a shoot together but I have no idea where these stories are coming from.
Is Ranveer’s behaviour over the top?
I am mellow, so compared to me he is over the top.
I am mellow, so compared to me he is over the top.
He’s being touted as the next big thing.
He could be and I’d be very happy if he is. But it’s unfair to pinpoint one person. I wouldn’t like being singled out.
He could be and I’d be very happy if he is. But it’s unfair to pinpoint one person. I wouldn’t like being singled out.
So the rumours linking the two of you aren’t true? Can there be smoke without fire?
When I was asked which newcomer I’d like to work with, I said Ranveer. That was misconstrued as I like him and would like to date him. Let me make it clear that all I want to do is work with him.
When I was asked which newcomer I’d like to work with, I said Ranveer. That was misconstrued as I like him and would like to date him. Let me make it clear that all I want to do is work with him.
So if you were offered a great script with Ranveer and an average one with Salman which one would you choose?
Wow. I don’t know. Why are you putting me in a spot? I will have to get there to know what I would do.
Wow. I don’t know. Why are you putting me in a spot? I will have to get there to know what I would do.
When Arbaaz Khan and Abhinav Singh Kashyap fell out over Dabangg 2 what stand did you take?
I really didn’t need to take a stand. I had different equations with both of them. I knew Arbaaz before I knew Abhinav. Also, Abhinav is my first director. Abhinav is like a friend and elder brother. It never came to a point where I had to choose between the two.
I really didn’t need to take a stand. I had different equations with both of them. I knew Arbaaz before I knew Abhinav. Also, Abhinav is my first director. Abhinav is like a friend and elder brother. It never came to a point where I had to choose between the two.
Do you think it’s harder for a girl in the industry to talk about her relationship status?
Yes. Our society is biased. It’s okay for a guy to do it but not a girl. That’s very wrong. People gossip more about a woman than a man.
Yes. Our society is biased. It’s okay for a guy to do it but not a girl. That’s very wrong. People gossip more about a woman than a man.
You have a lot of endorsements for someone who is just one film old. Don’t you fear overexposure?
It’s very simple and logical. Dabangg was released in September 2010 and my next release is going to be in 2012. If you’re out of sight, you’re out of mind. So I’m taking on endorsements and stage shows to stay in the public eye. I have stopped reacting to what people say and write about me because that keeps me in public memory. It also feels nice that I’m one film old and yet big brands are confident I can sell their products.
It’s very simple and logical. Dabangg was released in September 2010 and my next release is going to be in 2012. If you’re out of sight, you’re out of mind. So I’m taking on endorsements and stage shows to stay in the public eye. I have stopped reacting to what people say and write about me because that keeps me in public memory. It also feels nice that I’m one film old and yet big brands are confident I can sell their products.
Would you ever settle down with an actor?
I don’t want to marry an actor. I am an actor and a star daughter. I want the outside perspectives now. I’d rather be with someone who doesn’t belong to the industry.
I don’t want to marry an actor. I am an actor and a star daughter. I want the outside perspectives now. I’d rather be with someone who doesn’t belong to the industry.
Aamir Khan names son after Maulana Azad
Bollywood couple Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao have named their newborn son Azad Rao Khan after scholar and freedom fighter Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Aamir's "great grand uncle".
"Hey guys, most excited to share with y'all that we have finally chosen a name for our baby boy...Azad. Azad Rao Khan. I left the final choice to Kiran, and she has named him after my great grand uncle Maulana Azad, the great freedom fighter, whom the family is most proud of," Aamir revealed on social networking site Facebook.
"Azad means free or liberated. We want to thank everyone for their warm wishes and blessings, and needless to say we are absolutely overjoyed and feel most blessed. Much love," added the actor-producer.
Aamir-Kiran's son was born Dec 1 through IVF to a surrogate mother at a private clinic in Mumbai. The couple resorted to IVF due to medical complications.
This is Kiran's first baby, but Aamir has a son, Junaid, and a daughter, Ira, from his first wife Reena.
Aamir ended his 15-year-old marriage with Reena in 2002, and during the shooting of Ashutosh Gowariker's "Lagaan", he and the film's assistant director Kiran ended up together.
They tied the knot in 2005.
In 2009, Kiran got pregnant, but she had a miscarriage. However, the duo now feel "blessed" with the newborn.
Aamir Khan - This baby is specially dear to us
Actor Aamir Khan may have been secretive and superstitious about his little bundle of joy that was born on December 1.
However, the actor now thinks its time to be magnanimous and share his happiness and news with the media whole-heartedly as he expresses his unparalleled joy in a personalised letter to the media.
He wrote: It gives us the greatest joy to share with you the good news of the birth of our baby boy. This baby is especially dear to us because he was born to us after a long wait and some difficulty. Due to medical complications, we were advised to have a baby through IVF-Surrogacy, and we feel very grateful to the Almighty that all has gone well.
We are humbled by the greatness of God, the miracles of science and the kindness and love of our families and friends in being there for us while respecting our privacy. We seek your good wishes and blessings for our child.
The letter was hand delivered to media-offices along with a box of chocolates, a sign to join in the celebrations.
We wish Aamir Khan, Kiran Rao and the newborn Khan much love and happiness.
Sameera Reddy weds Madhavan
Sameera Reddy has been plagued by pictures after someone reported her "marriage" on the sets of her Tamil flick Vettai. Says Sam, "My character and Madhavan's get wed in the film.
But some silly reports are saying I have actually got married. And it's starting to spread. They have 'quoted' me saying I am getting married to some businessman.
Really? Where is the boyfriend? Though Maddy makes a super make-believe husband! Shooting with Maddy was fun because by now, he is quite comfortable with getting married so many times! He's like the new dulha in demand," she laughs.
Check out Stars Homepage
Check out Stars Homepage
-The Times of India.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)