After completing 15 years country’s popular satellite channel Rtv has stepped in to 16th year today. With the slogan ‘For Today and Tomorrow’ Rtv has begun its journey as the fifth private television channel on 26th December 2005. In its long journey Rtv has decorated its programs and news by giving preference to the viewers’ choices. In return it has gained huge love from the spectators. The channel has moved forward with the target of meeting viewers’ demand. Rtv has taken the top position with its new programs, dramas, talk shows, reality shows, award programs and different trend of news. Rtv news first unearthed appointment scandal in the railway division. The ‘black cat’ comes out of the bag in the interview of the then driver of the APS of the concerned minister. But fire incident in Rtv building on February 26, 2007 hampered the rhythm. The disaster again occurred in 2014 but the popular channel has never missed its track of target. Talk shows like ‘Gol Tebil’, ‘Kemon Bangladesh Chai’, ‘Aj Patrikay’ and apart from popular programs ‘Star Awards’, ‘Alokito Nari Padak’ have taken it into unique height. The channel has also introduced ‘Islamic Talent Hunt’ program. Centering Eid Days and other events it broadcasts popular and different types of dramas. As well as success there are few challenges. It this period of covid-19 pandemic Rtv staffs have not stopped. Risking their lives they have travelled from one part to another of the country to meet the demand of the spectators. To protect themselves during the hard days of the ongoing pandemic Rtv workers have made the television screen active by dividing them into some groups and by working from homes. From the point of responsibility in the field of practicing songs Rtv organized new reality show ‘Bengal Cement Banglar Gayen’. On the eve of the founding anniversary of Rtv its Chief Executive Officer Syed Ashik Rahman said, at first I congratulate all the viewers, advertising agencies, technicians and cable operators. With all out efforts we have stepped into 16th year passing the last 15 years. We always are careful about people’s choice. Centering the founding anniversary and the New Year we have taken special arrangements of programs from December 25 to 31. ‘Bou Kotha Kou’ will be the new attraction with sweet and sour relation of bride and mother in law. Besides there are serials ‘Off the Record’ and ‘Twin Village’ and other arrangements. We have always given priority to the newness. We have proven our dedication through the programs of ‘Music Station’, ‘Folk Station, ‘Folk Studio’ and ‘Banglar Gayen’. With these programs new musicians are flourishing in the lime light and we are maintaining care for the music arena. When covid-19 pandemic spread across the globe we took the decision to make people conscious apart from making people entertained. We also emphasized on treatment. Then we have begun two treatment and suggestion based  programs ‘Corona Help Line’ and ‘Ei Muhurte Bangladesh’. We have also put emphasize on consciousness of people and treatment regarding covid-19. As we are beside the spectators so they are staying beside us. They are watching Rtv. I believe they will remain beside us in the coming days. AH 

Bangladesh has announced the most prestigious National Film Awards-2019. The information ministry on Thursday announced the names and published the gazette mentioning the names of award winners of the year 2019. Renowned actor-actress Sohel Rana and Kohinoor Akter Suchanda are going to get the awards of lifetime achievements jointly. ‘No Dorai’ and ‘Fagun Haway’ have been selected as the best film. Renowned actor Tarique Anam Khan has won the award of best actor for his role in the film ‘Abar Basanta’. Sunerah Binte Kamal has been selected for the award of best actress for her role in the film ‘No Dorai’. Zahid Hasan is going to get the award of best villain for his performance in the film ‘Sapludu’. Afrin Akter and Naimur Rahman Apon have been selected as the best child artist for their role in the films ‘Jodi Ekdin’ and ‘Kalo Megher Vela’ respectively. The government formed the jury board to provide the National Film Awards-2019. According to the rules and regulations the board recommended the names of award winners after evaluating the films released in the year. The names of the National Awards Winners have been announced based on that. AH

Aly Zaker, a valiant freedom fighter, Ekushey award-winning cultural personality and noted actor, died of old-age complications at a hospital in the capital today (Friday). He was 76. Aly Zaker breathed his last around 6.40am while he was undergoing treatment at the United Hospital in the city. He is survived by wife, one son, a daughter and a host of relatives and admirers. Aly Zaker had been suffering from cancer and various old-age complications. He was also found COVID-19 positive after his sample test on November 16. Earlier on November 17, he was admitted to Bangladesh Specialized Hospital due to cardiac problem. “His body was taken to liberation war museum at 11am for paying last tribute and he will be buried at Banani graveyard with state honour following a Namaj-E-Janaza after Asr prayers today,” said Sammilito Sangskrit Jote President Golam Kuddus. President M Abdul Hamid, Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haq and State Minister for Cultural Affairs K M Khalid have expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of Aly Zaker. Aly Zaker was born on November 6 in 1944 in Chattogram. He was the third among four siblings, and spent his early childhood in Kushtia and Madaripur. His father was a high-ranking government official who transferred every few years. He studied at Notre Dame College and graduated from the University of Dhaka. Aly Zaker served as a freedom fighter in the Liberation War. He was in Sector 8 with Major General Manzoor. In 1972, Aly Zaker joined Aranyak Natya Dal. His first stage appearance was taken place with performance in a drama of ‘Kabor’ written by Munier Chowdhury. Later, he joined Nagorik Natya Sampradaya, where his most memorable work — “Dewan Gazir Kissa”, “Nurul Din-er Shara Jibon”, “Macbeth” and “Galileo”, among many others — came. Aly Zaker directed plays like “Baki Itihash”, “Bidogdho Romonikul”, “Toilo Sankat”, “Ei Nishiddho Polli Te” and “Ocholayoton”, among others. On television, he is known for classics like “Aaj Robibar” and “Bohubrihi”. Aly Zaker married eminent theatre personality Sara Zaker in 1975 and they have a son Iresh Zaker and daughter Sriya Sharbojoya. He was one of the trustees in the Liberation War Museum in Dhaka. Aly Zaker was the Chairman of Asiatic Society. He was the recipient of Ekushey Padak, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Award, Bangabandhu Award, Munier Chowdhury Award, Naren Biswas Award, among other accolades. Source: BSS AH

Soumitra Chatterjee, one of India's most celebrated actors, died at a private hospital in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata on Sunday, after contracting Covid last month. He was 85. "We declare with heavy heart that Shri Soumitra Chattopadhyay breathed his last at 12.15 pm (IST) at Belle Vue Clinic today (15 November 2020). We pay our homage to his soul,"  the hospital said in an official statement. Chatterjee had been undergoing treatment at the hospital since October 6 after testing positive for coronavirus a day before. Though his condition initially improved after receiving plasma therapy, it started worsening as days passed. Chatterjee was the favourite of India's Oscar-winning filmmaker Satyajit Ray. He made his debut with Ray's Apur Sansar (Apu's Family) in 1959. He went on to act in 14 more of Ray's films, including masterpieces like Devi, Charulata, Ghare Baire and Feluda, the detective. "Satyajit Ray made me what I am today. Had the director not been a great artist like Satyajit Ray, I wouldn't have been able to perform so well," Chatterjee had said in an interview. The actor's last big film was Sanjhbati in 2019. Apart from acting, he also directed and acted in plays and penned poetry. In 2001, he had turned down a state award for best actor to protest against what he called the "bias" of the awards committee. Chatterjee got India's top film honour, Dadasaheb Phalke Award, in 2012. He also won three National Awards and the Legion of Honour by France, the European country's top civilian award. In 1989, Satyajit Ray got the same award. Source: UNB AH

The Information Ministry has given permission to all concerned to screen films in the country’s cinema halls from October 16. The ministry on Wednesday issued a circular permitting all concerned authorities to open the cinema halls keeping at least half of the number of seats in the cinema halls vacant, ensuring proper hygiene and social distancing during the prevailing COVID 19 situation, said an official handout in the capital. Earlier, Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud told a delegation of filmdom that he would discuss the issue of opening the cinema halls with the Prime Minister. Source: BSS AH