What do they think about the rampant vulgarism in the filmdom? How do they take it? Yes, we are talking about the star of the Showbiz. Though the allegations of vulgarism and obscenity point finger only to them they seem completely unaware of it. On the other hand, most of the artistes blamed the director for it. Let’s have a look what they really think about it.

Manna

Though it is often alleged that Manna is one of the reasons for the prevailing situation in the filmdom he denied any involvement with it.“ I khow there are complains against Bengali movies but we are not at all responsible for this,” Manna said. However, Manna has blamed the directors and the producers for this mischievous act “We just do what we are being asked to by the director,” He said. “It is impossible for us to know how the shot was being taken by the director,” he further said. However, Manna has asked all the concerned authorities to take stern action against such practices.

Popy

“It is the directors and the producers who are responsible,” popy echoed the voice of her fellow colleagues. She alleged that directors often compel the artistes to appear in scantly outfits against which they could not do anything. “The general people do not know this and they blame us for our appearance,” she said further. Meanwhile popy agreed on the point that such practice should be stopped immediately to save the showbiz from its degeneration. She asked all the concerned to initiate further steps in this regard.

Mousumi

Mousumi however, did not fail to take the responsibility. She also blamed the social degradation for the current situation prevailing in the movie arena. “We cannot avoid the role of film artistes in this regard,” Mousumi said “The producers and the directors are also responsible,” she added further.

In her opinion, the censor board should be more careful while giving certificate to a movie. She also stressed the need for constant monitoring system to ensure that the cinema hall owners are not showing obscene films.

“ A combined effort is needed,” she opined. She has also asked the audience to boycott vulgar movies and raise a movement against its production.

Munmun

Though it is Munmun who is the main accused for the prevailing trend in the celluloid

She denied any involvement of her into this controversial matter. “Some people are spreading wrong information about me to harm my career,” said Munmun. “The movies of our country perfectly all right,”She claimed. “ I cannot see anything wrong in it,”an innocent (!) Munmun said. While asked about her controversial appearance

In a few movies she denied commenting on it.

ETV Changes movie time

ETV has stared to broadcast documentary films on Monday at noon instead of Bengali feature films. And from now on, it will air the Bengali film at * pm on every Monday. ETV has taken this decision following protests from the cinema hall owners of the country who have been alleging that ETV has taken all their viewers. Prof. ATM Jaahirul Huq, Chairman of University Grants Commission (UGC)< was this week’s guest in ‘Sarasari”. The condition pf the public universities in Bangladesh are miserable. As a result private universities have emerged. UGC is an influential body in higher Education. Prof. Huq expressed his dissatisfaction at the standard of education in private universities. However he failed to say anything about various irregularities prevailing in the education sector. Ali could have asked him questions on teachers’ politics at the University level.

The recent crisis in the US Presidential Election result has became the focal event for the news channels like CNN and BBC. This crisis has been going on for almost a month. Both BTV and ETV could have capitalized on this situation with a comprehensive program for a lot of Bangladeshi viewers who are finding it difficult to understand the voting system of USA.

ETV gave a proper coverage to the maritime disaster in Chittagong ort this week with interesting footages of the burning ship. Abed khan is the anchor of ‘protibedon’ in ETV. He is doing a fine job. This week he focused on the recent controversial remarks made by Pakistani deputy High commissioner Irfan Raja.

.GOOD news for ARTISTS

From the third week of January 2001 AD, the 14^th National Art Exhibition will be held at the Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka. The best artiste will get Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Award 2000 along with Taka fifty thousand as prize money. The three best entries will get Taka ten thousand each. There will be twelve other prizes besides nine others being offered by various organizations.

Those above 22 years of age should submit photos (5x7``) or slide (55 mm) of five of age their works done in 1999-2000. Those that where done earlier or submitted before shall not be accepted. Sculptors should be 5x5x4 feet and prints with frames should not exceed 5x5 feet in size.

These should be submitted by 12 December to the fine Arts Department of shilpakala Academy, Dhaka the decision of the selection committee is final.

Gulshan Receive Art Award

Artist Gulshan Hossain received “Honorable Mention” award in the 26^th International Miniature Art show 2001, which will be held in January 2001 in Florida, USA She was also an award nominee (receive Distinction Short List) in the 5^th International Miniature Art Biennial 2000, held in August 2000,in Quebec, Canada.