• Dhaka Tue, 24 DECEMBER 2024,
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BPL Music Fest: Ticket Prices Drop to BDT 500
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's Remark on Bangladesh
A charity concert titled "Echoes of Revolution" was organized by a platform named "Spirits of July" to support the families of those killed and injured in the student-led protests of July-August. The event's main attraction was the legendary South Asian singer Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. The Pakistani artist performed on Dhaka's stage without any remuneration. On Saturday (December 21), around 10 pm, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan took to the stage at the Army Stadium, where the audience warmly welcomed him. As soon as he stepped onto the stage, he addressed the crowd in Bangla, saying, "Assalamu Alaikum, Bangladesh, I love you." After exchanging greetings with the massive crowd at the Army Stadium, he began with the song "Tu Na Jaane Aas Paas Hai Khuda." He then performed his popular songs one after another. The stadium was packed with fans, who were mesmerized by his music. It seemed as though everyone was enchanted by his melodious tunes. Alongside Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, popular local bands like Artcell, Chirkutt, Aftermath, and Silsila performed at the concert. Additionally, rap artists Shezan and Hannan entertained the audience with their performances. It is worth mentioning that Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's popularity is global. He is the son of Ustad Farrukh Fateh Ali Khan and the nephew of Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. As the grandson of the legendary Qawwali artist Fateh Ali Khan, he was connected to music from an early age. Initially, he sang devotional Sufi songs as a Muslim artist. Later, he also started singing for Bollywood films. His first Bengali song, "Tomari Naam Lekha," written by Bangladeshi lyricist Robiul Awal, earned him significant praise in Bangladesh.
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan Arrives in Bangladesh to Join "Echoes of Revolution"
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Legendary Musician Ustad Zakir Hussain Dies at 73
Nikhil Divorced Nusrat, Fell in Love Again
In 2019, Nusrat Jahan, the popular actress from West Bengal tied the knot in a dream wedding with Nikhil Jain in Bodrum, Turkey. The event was a global spectacle. However, their marriage faced turbulence within a year and ended in separation. Post their split, Nikhil Jain, Nusrat Jahan's ex-husband, is reportedly in a happy relationship with actress Souraseni. Speculations about their romance have been circulating since last year. After keeping their relationship under wraps for a long time, the couple made their bond public on Nikhil's birthday. From attending a friend's engagement ceremony together to driving through the city streets, Souraseni has been a constant companion to Nikhil. Industry insiders frequently whisper about their budding romance, although neither Nikhil nor Souraseni has officially commented on the matter. Their relationship appears to have evolved from a professional partnership to a personal one. Souraseni's social media posts on Nikhil's birthday hinted at their close bond. Now, their romance is gradually coming to light. Recently, the duo was spotted together at a friend's engagement ceremony. Additionally, Souraseni has been seen partying with Nikhil and even riding in his luxurious red car. Their chemistry seems to be growing stronger day by day. On Nikhil's birthday, Souraseni posted several pictures and wrote, "Let this cycle of arguments and reconciliations continue. Happy Birthday, NJ." Since then, Nikhil and Souraseni have been seen together frequently. Earlier, they were spotted watching a game at Eden Gardens. It's worth mentioning that legal marriage never occurred between Nikhil and Nusrat, which explains why their union was referred to as a live-in relationship. Meanwhile, Nusrat Jahan is happily settled with Yash Dasgupta, with whom she shares a son. On the other hand, Nikhil seems to have found his footing in life, focusing on his business and embracing a new chapter with Souraseni.
Why Was ‘Pushpa 2’ Not Released in Bengali?
The Telugu blockbuster Pushpa 2: The Rule has taken the global box office by storm, raking in nearly ₹1,500 crores within just nine days. Packed with action, twists, romance, and surprises, the film has fans raving and is already being hailed as the best of the year—possibly on its way to becoming one of the most successful films of all time. The plan was to release Pushpa 2 not only in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam but also in Bengali. Trailers and songs in Bengali were released before its theatrical debut, featuring voiceovers by renowned artists like Shreya and others. But despite all the preparations, the Bengali version never saw the light of day. The big question remains: why was Pushpa 2 not released in Bengali after everything was ready? Reports suggest that the Bengali dubbing was completed by December 2, with a team of top-tier voice artists from Kolkata and screenplay adaptation by renowned poet Srijato. Some artists even faced health challenges due to the workload and tight deadlines. The film was scheduled to release in theaters on December 5, with extensive preparations in place. However, when the Bengali-dubbed version failed to release, it left the dubbing artists particularly frustrated. Cinema hall owners claim that Bengali audiences prefer watching Hindi films over Bengali-dubbed versions, making it less viable for them. Releasing a film in an additional language also demands extra resources, both in terms of labor and marketing. Additionally, some groups within India allegedly oppose the dubbing of South Indian films in Bengali, citing concerns about disrupting the local market. As a result, Pushpa 2's Bengali release was shelved at the last moment, raising doubts about whether future big-budget films will even consider Bengali versions. Neither the film’s director nor the producers have commented on the issue yet. Fans, however, remain hopeful that if not in theaters, they might eventually get to watch the Bengali-dubbed version on OTT platforms, featuring South Indian superstars Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna.
US Bans Visas for Georgians Accused of Undermining Democracy
The United States has denied visas to about 20 people accused of "undermining democracy in Georgia," the State Department said late on Thursday. "We are committed to seeing that senior officials responsible for or complicit in undermining democracy will be subject to visa restrictions," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement. The department did not name the individuals who would be barred from receiving US visas, but it said sitting ministers and members of parliament were among them, as well as law enforcement and security officials. Protests in Georgia The Black Sea country has been in turmoil since the ruling Georgian Dream party claimed victory in parliamentary elections in October. Hundreds of people have been arrested in Georgia since nightly protests erupted nearly two weeks ago against the ruling party's decision to delay the former Soviet republic's longstanding goal of joining the European Union. "The United States strongly condemns the Georgian Dream party's ongoing, brutal, and unjustified violence against Georgian citizens, including protesters, members of the media, human rights activists, and opposition figures," the State Department said. It added the department was "preparing additional actions, including sanctions, to hold to account those who undermine democracy in Georgia." Escalation feared before the presidential election More unrest is expected on the streets of Georgia's cities on Saturday when Georgian Dream is expected to tighten its grip on power by appointing far-right former soccer star Mikheil Kavelashvili to replace pro-Western President Salome Zurabishvili, who has refused to step down. Zurabishvili has supported the opposition's allegations of electoral fraud and declared the newly elected parliament and government "illegitimate." She has also vowed to remain in office until Georgian Dream organizes new parliamentary elections.  It remains unclear how the government will respond to Zurabishvili's refusal to step down. She is a popular figure among the protesters, and many have expressed their willingness to defend her against any attempt to evict her from the presidential palace.
Poet Helal Hafiz Passes Away
Helal Hafiz, a Poet of love and rebellion, passed away on Friday (December 13) afternoon.  He was taken to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital where doctors declared him dead. He was 76 years old. The news of his death was confirmed by Udichi's Konkan Nag Kabir. BSMMU authorities stated that around 2:30 pm on Friday, Helal Hafiz fell in the bathroom of Super Home in Shahbagh, Dhaka, causing bleeding. He was rushed to BSMMU Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. It has been reported that Helal Hafiz had been suffering from glaucoma for a long time along with kidney complications, diabetes, and neurological disorders. Helal Hafiz was born on October 7, 1948 in Netrokona. His first poetry collection: Je Jole Agun Jole (The Water That Burns), was published in 1986. The book has been printed over 33 times to date. In addition to his writing, Helal Hafiz worked as a journalist for a long time with various newspapers, including Daily Jugantor. After the publication of his first poetry collection in 1986, he rose to the pinnacle of popularity. During the anti-authoritarian movement in the country, the lines from Helal Hafiz's poem Nishiddho Sampadokiyo (Banned Editorial) — "Ekhon Joubon Jar, Michhiley Jabar Tar Shreshtho Shomoy" (Now is the prime time for those in their youth to join the procession) — became rallying cries, slogans, and cherished words among poetry lovers. In 2013, he received the Bangla Academy Award. Before that, he was honored with the Khalekdad Chowdhury Award and several other recognitions.
South Indian Superstar Allu Arjun Arrested
South Indian actor Allu Arjun was arrested on Friday in connection with a stampede incident at a theatre during the Pushpa-2 premiere more than a week ago. The incident claimed the life of Revathi, a 35-year-old woman, on December 4. Her son is still undergoing treatment. On that day, Revathi attended the premiere of Pushpa 2 at the Sandhya Theater in Hyderabad with her son. When Allu Arjun arrived at the cinema hall, fans rushed to catch a glimpse of him, causing chaos. In the ensuing stampede, Revathi tragically died of asphyxiation. Her 8-year-old son was admitted to the hospital in critical condition. Several others were also injured in the crowd. Following the incident, Revathi's family filed a case at the Chikkadpally Police Station. They accused the theater authorities, event organizers, and Allu Arjun himself of negligence.  Allegations were also made against the actor's security team for failing to control the crowd. On that day, a large number of fans had gathered at the theater for the screening of Pushpa 2. The situation became uncontrollable when Allu Arjun arrived, and many were injured in the stampede. Eyewitnesses claimed that the actor's security team failed to manage the crowd effectively. After the incident, Allu Arjun expressed his condolences in a video message, saying, "I still can't believe what happened. When I heard about it, I couldn't keep my composure. I am deeply saddened." He added, "My announcement of financial aid of ₹25 lakh is merely a way to support the grieving family. I do not wish to cause them further discomfort. They need time to recover from this tragedy. This loss is irreplaceable. Once they are ready, I will meet them personally and stand by them for any help they need." Note: Pushpa 2 has been breaking records at the global box office since its release, reaching the ₹1,050 crore milestone. Indian cinema trade analysts believe the Allu Arjun-Rashmika Mandanna pair will continue to attract audiences in its second week, potentially crossing ₹1,700 crore in earnings.