Veteran Bollywood actress Hema Malini says she would like to pass on the title of “Dream Girl” to former beauty queen Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.Hema said if she had to select a “Dream Girl” among today’s actresses, she would definitely go for Aishwarya.“All actresses are more than a dream girl today…they are very high and way above it. Each and every girl is very beautiful. They all have made name for themselves, especially Aishwarya. I will give the title to her,” Hema said.On a lighter note, the 62-year-old actress said that Aishwarya will have to pay me a crore for the precious label I have carried with dignity Read the full story

Pop star Madonna is the latest female celebrity whose life story has become the subject of a comic book in the US.Bluewater Productions, creators of the Female Force comics series, said the 32-page publication would show key moments in her life.It would explain how she had become “the phenomenon she remains to this day”, the company’s Jason Schultz said.Michelle Obama, Sarah Palin and Baroness Thatcher have previously featured in the comics.”A visual medium provides perspective that is not only accessible but more relatable to the average person without losing any of the information involved,” Mr Read the full story

Lighting up the stage and screen
In conversation with Nazneen Chumki
Nazneen Chumki is a popular face on both TV and the stage. Her versatility has won her a national award for her acting skills. Not just that she is an upcoming screenwriter as well. Her performance as the protagonist in the monodrama, “Sitar Agniporikkha” has attracted much attention.The tested actress recently revealed many aspects of her life and career to The Daily Star (TDS):TDS: You perform solo in “Sitar Agniporikkha”. How is it working out for you?Chumki: To be honest, I’m extremely excited and also nervous about the play. Earlier I played several roles in a single play, but this is the first time I have Read the full story

Four years into her marriage with actor Abhishek Bachchan, Bollywood beauty Aishwarya Rai is expecting. The news about 38-year-old Aishwarya’s pregnancy was broken by her father-in-law and actor Amitabh Bachchan on social networking site Twitter on Tuesday night.Amitabh’s tweet was: “News News News. I’m going to become grandfather. Aishwarya expecting. So happy and thrilled!!” The test to determine her pregnancy was done at a hospital in Mumbai’s Andheri locality. The cyber world is full of congratulatory messages for Aishwarya and Abhishek.Bollywood had been rife with speculation about Read the full story

Suborna Mustafa made her directorial debut long ago. The late actor Golam Mustafa, her father, also acted under her direction. Her highly acclaimed screenplay based on Rabindranath Tagore’s short story, “Shamapti”, earned her the reputation of a playwright.Her directorial skills were evident through an ntv production, aired four years back. The serial is currently being re-telecast on ntv. However, Suborna is now co-directing (with Badrul Anam Soud) a new drama serial, titled “Komol Bibir Atithishala O Kana Sirajuddoula”. She is also enacting the character of Komol Bibi in the serial. Disclosing her take Read the full story

Internationally renowned Bangladeshi diva Runa Laila recently noted that while reality shows have become very popular and developed tremendously in India, it is not the same in Bangladesh because the market might be limited.The singer, who was in Kolkata as a judge on “Singing Star”, a reality show aired on the Bengali channel Rupasi Bangla, said that singing talents like Shreya Ghosal and Sunidhi Chauhan are the products of reality shows.On the controversy of featuring children in reality shows, Runa Laila said, “It can be a great platform for the little ones. But one has to remember that to establish oneself as a singer Read the full story

Bollywood Romance
Can Lady Gaga conquer India
With her choreographed routines, colourful costumes and catchy tunes, she has many trademark Bollywood characteristics.Lady Gaga, who has millions of fans around the world, is trying to expand her reach in one of the world’s largest consumer bases — India.In a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, she spoke of her ambitions.“The reason I’m going to India now is because I can,” she says. “I didn’t have the money or the resources before to travel and bring all of my things with me and reach an entire new territory of fans.”It is a fanbase, which could prove extremely lucrative, if she’s able to capture it.With a growing economy, and a population Read the full story

“Poush Faguner Pala”, the mega serial directed by Afsana Mimi, is set to hit the 100-episode landmark on June 21. Cast and crew of the serial gathered at the ATN Bangla office last Tuesday to mark the occasion through a press briefing. Afsana Mimi, Syed Hasan Imam, Masud Ali Khan, Arun Chowdhury, Tushar Khan, Tropa Majumdar, Sohana Saba, Sanjida Pritee, Afroza Banu, Putul, Saju Khadem, Jyotsna Bishwash, Shamim Shahed were few of the faces that lit up the programme.ATN Bangla chairman Dr. Mahfuzur Rahman, Nowazesh Ali Khan and Shamsul Huda were also present as representatives of the TV channel. Dr. Mahfuzur Rahman Read the full story

Ten years ago, Aamir Khan’s life changed in a way he could have never imagined. It was when his debut production “Lagaan” hit the screens.It was also when quite a few things changed for Bollywood. “Lagaan” broke practically all the rules so much that veteran poet, lyricist and scriptwriter Javed Akhtar did everything but physically restrain Aamir from making the movie.Ten years since it first released, Aamir and his production house have gone from strength to strength. He has never delivered a single flop in these many years and neither has his Aamir Khan Productions.During a recent interview Aamir looked back at the movie: What would you Read the full story