The Magnificent Four
Colors set up close with Chanchal Chowdhury, Nabila, Kona and Imran – winners of this year’s Meril-Prothom Alo Awards
Nabila: best actress award for her memorable rise in Aynabaji
Nabila began her career as a television presenter and model. But it is her role in “Aynabaji” that established her as an accomplished actor. Since then, she has been much sought-after actress for various projects. Recently, she was honored with the Meril-Prothom Alo award for best actress.
“I want to continue working in films. If the script appeals to me, I will consider taking up the offer. I want to take my acting career seriously and that’s why I shall only make good films,” the actress shared.
Like all viewers, she is lying in wait for a good script to come by, Nabila said adding that: “I am waiting for something good that appeal to me and all the viewers.”
Along with offers in film, Nabila is also receiving a plethora of offers from the small screen. However, “I do not want to act in TV plays,” she says.
However, the artist is keeping herself occupied as a presenter. Ekushey TV is airing a programme titled “Ek Dish Dui Cook”, with Nabila as host. Four episodes have been aired so far from a total of 13 episodes.
“The show is truly innovative,” commented Nabila, “each episode features a celebrity who spontaneously visits a family at their home, creating great surprise.”
Kona: The prima donna of music industry
Popular singer Kona is a household name among music lovers of the country. Albums apart, she is now busy with TV programmes, live performances, playbacks and jingles.
“I view music as an inseparable part of my life, just like my limbs are to the body. Music gives me energy to work in full swing. Music is my first love,” Kona said.
About her daily life, the most popular singer said she is occupied with TV programmes, playbacks and jingles at the moment.
About career, she said she has no regrets with her career; she wanted to be an artiste since her childhood.
“I can’t think of anything other than music when I perform on stage. However, when I’m not performing, I am just a very ordinary girl.”
About fans and favourite medium, she said she has taken part in stage shows, TV programmes and playbacks. Of them, stage shows are my favourite. But performing on TV is something I also enjoy a lot. Alongside, social media, like Facebook is also my favourite medium.
About sports, Kona said she does watch football on occasion, her favourite sport is cricket. She doesn’t support any team, but her entire family supports Argentina.
Chanchal Chowdhury: finds his miche in silver screen
Chanchal Chowdhury was born and raised in Kamarhaat village, Pabna district. He came to Dhaka for studies and made a name for himself as an actor.
The star, however, has not forgotten his roots and returns each year to his village during Durga Puja.
This year is no different. Chanchal will spend a week at his village home during the festivities, and has already cleared out his shooting schedule. “With Eid and Puja so closely spaced this year, I’ve finally got a decent break at home,” said the actor.
In the Kamarhaat village, five houses privately arrange Puja festivities on a grand scale. Big celebrations are held at Chanchal’s sister’s house and their maternal uncle’s home. The actor says, “Our village is very small. We make all the preparations for Puja.”
Childhood Puja celebrations meant the joyous anticipation of wearing brand new attire, says Chanchal. The actor says the feeling of elation reached its peak during his school days. The entire year was a wait for Durga Puja, he adds.
However, such feverish excitement has faded with age, and been replaced by the excitement of a reunion of relatives and close friends during celebrations.
Chanchal says his village is secular, with both Muslims visiting Hindu houses during Puja, and Hindus sharing the joys of Eid with their Muslim friends. The communal harmony has always made Kamarhaat a special place for Chanchal.
Chanchal also mentioned a commendable effort by his father during Durga Puja. His father sets up a pavilion where the destitute can come and receive free medical attention from his wife and brother and his spouse — all of them are doctors.
The service is offered for free during all the Puja days and his father supervises the exercise and hands out free medicine. Both Hindu and Muslim villagers are welcome to receive medical attention.
Imran: New music sensation
Imran came into the spotlight by claiming the first runner-up podium in the first ever ‘Channel I Shera Konthho’ in 2008. In the ranks of 80,000 contestants, Imran climbed the ladder with his singing talents and won Taka 7 lakh and the love of thousands as the first runner-up.
Imran has also gathered experience as a playback singer, lending his voice for seven films so far, four of which have already been released. He says it was a great achievement for him to work alongside a singer like Sabina Yasmin for a playback performance.
There is a plan to keep working on playbacks in the future, the singer adds.
Imran’s goal is to become a successful music composer and work to establish a strong niche for himself in the music arena.
Imran has had a close link with music since his early years. When he was in class 4, he began taking his first music lessons from Ustad Shyamol Biswas.
The ustad taught him classical music and later met Ranjit Kumar Mondol, who tutored him in the skills of Nazrul Sangeet and also classical music.
Finally it was the turn of Shahjahan Kabir to add the final touches, as he taught Imran the voice modulation for Adhunik songs.
Imran’s mother provided the main inspiration, as she could not pursue her interest in music due to various reasons. Family support was also there throughout everything, Imran says.
Music is his love and he doesn’t wish to spend a single second without it.
