Shankha Dasgupta’s debut feature film "Priyo Maloti" has been honoured with the Audience Award at the 8th London Bengali Film Festival.

The eighth edition of the London Bengali Film Festival (LBFF) will officially kick off from April 22-27 this year.

Following the release of their enchanting nikah ceremony pictures, Mehazabien Chowdhury and Adnan Al Rajeev have now shared glimpses of their joyous holud celebration. Surrounded by close friends and family, the couple enjoyed a vibrant pre-wedding event filled with laughter, love, and beautiful traditions.

The Monsoon Revolution Film Production Workshop has officially been launched under the initiative of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, with the vision of decentralising the filmmaking industry and nurturing new talent from across the country. The workshop aims to create opportunities for aspiring filmmakers beyond Dhaka, empowering them with hands-on training in storytelling, cinematography, production, editing, and the application of technology in filmmaking.

A defining moment in his decade-long career, Shahjahan Shamrat made an unforgettable impact with his portrayal of Razzak in Shankha Dasgupta’s “Priyo Maloti”. Adding his own charm to the character of an empathetic friend, his on-screen persona brought life to the bond of friendship and communal harmony, making the audience emotional.

Today, faculty members and students from Dhaka International University (DIU) are set to attend a special screening of “Priyo Maloti”, featuring Mehazabien Chowdhury, at Star Cineplex’s SKS Tower in Dhaka. The university has reserved a hall for the 7:45pm show. 

Star Cineplex has released a ranking of the most-viewed films in theatres this week, with “Priyo Maloti” leading the list of local releases.

This year, an estimated 50 Bangladeshi films have been released. Among these, only a handful have achieved commercial success. Then again, despite not performing well at the box office, other cinematic aspects like actors, actresses, and film songs have managed to remain at the centre of discussions throughout the year.

On December 20, “Priyo Maloti” graced 20 cinema halls nationwide. Featuring Mehazabien Chowdhury in the titular role of Maloti Rani Das, the film marks a significant milestone for both the actress and its director, Shankha Dasgupta, as their silver screen debut.

Director Dasgupta, making his cinematic debut with this film, remarked, “This is just the first show. The feedback has been positive so far, and I hope it continues. I urge everyone to come and watch ‘Priyo Maloti’—it tells your story.”  

Today, four movies, both local and international, are hitting theatres nationwide. Among the Bangladeshi releases are “Priyo Maloti” and “Makorshar Jall”, while Cineplex audiences can also enjoy the Hollywood titles “Kraven the Hunter” and “Mufasa: The Lion King.”

"Priyo Maloti", directed by Shankha Dasgupta, is a story deeply rooted in the lives of ordinary people. "It’s our story, the story of our lives. It’s completely original. The audience will get to experience a film with a fresh, authentic narrative," Mehazabien explained. "There is always a demand for good stories, and this film delivers just that."

The film has received a “U” grade censor certificate, deeming it suitable for audiences of all ages. “Priyo Maloti” has already been showcased at the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) and the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), earning official selections and widespread acclaim. Despite its deeply local context, the film’s themes resonate universally, allowing international audiences to connect with its story and characters.

Mehazabien Chowdhury is set to make her much-anticipated silver screen debut with “Priyo Maloti”, directed by Shankha Dasgupta. Inspired by true events, the film explores the life of Maloti Rani Das, a woman navigating life’s challenges alongside her husband, Palash Kumar Das.

"Priyo Maloti", starring Mehazabien Chowdhury, has been officially selected for the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), one of Asia's oldest and most prestigious festivals.

Hosted by Aisha Khan, the event brought together talented filmmakers and artistes excelling in the OTT space. Notable attendees included Shihab Shaheen, Shahnaz Sumi, Priyontee Urbee, Syed Ahmed Shawki, Shankha Dasgupta, Raka Noshin Nower, Pulak Aneel, Elita Karim, Mofassal Hossen Alif, and Chorki Content Head Anindo Banerjee.

At the outset of the anti-discrimination student movement, only a few artistes voiced their support. Among those who did was actress Safa Kabir, who felt a sense of duty and stepped out of her comfort zone to ask, “Why are these kids being beaten on the roads?” She also suggested that these students are young and need to be dealt with love, not aggression, leaving her message to the protestors, “Dear students, I’m with you all.”

Working with Shankha Dasgupta for the first time was a delightful experience, as shared by Mehazabien. "I have watched Shankha da’s work before, and he is a brilliant storyteller. The entire team was quite cooperative, and it is really a good thing that none of the looks from the film were leaked before the official announcement."

Today marks the birthday of one of the most talented and beloved actresses in the showbiz industry—Mehazabien Chowdhury. To celebrate the special occasion, The OTT platform Chorki has arranged a birthday bash, teasing a significant announcement beforehand.

Prominent actress Bonna Mirza has recently commented on the misrepresentation of female characters in regional and Indian films, connoting the recent wave of criticism faced by the Sandeep Reddy Vanga film “Animal”.