The shooting of all the three films will start from August. On the subject of signing three commercial films simultaneously, Shahed says, "The directors are extremely talented and the stories are interesting. I am eager to work in films with good scripts."

A regular actor of TV plays, Shahed feels, "After a bout of typhoid, which made me homebound for weeks, I could not even attend the Showbiz Award held in New York and New Jersey recently. I was a little frustrated but these films have restored my enthusiasm."

July 28 marks the first City Cell Channel i Music Award 2004, titled Takdum Takdum Bajai Bangladesher Dhol. Talented singers will be awarded in 17 different categories, including a special award titled Lifetime Achievement Award. The categories include best Tagore, Nazrul, folk, spiritual, modern, pop and classical singers, classical instrumentalist, music director, lyricist, music video, soundtrack, band and best debut singers (male and female category).

The organisers initiated the programme by inviting recommendations from the production houses. Subsequently, the production houses sent the organisers copies of audio albums of a certain standard released in 2004. The selection has been made through three steps: primary, secondary and final. A jury board comprising popular and eminent musicians has chosen the names for final selection. The award giving ceremony will be telecast on Channel i on August 12 at 7:50pm.

Sharful Alam's new album
The new audio album by Tagore singer Sharful Alam, titled Antarey Nirbak Banhi, will be released soon. A second venture by the singer, the album is a collection of 13 Tagore songs that include some songs that are not widely heard. The songs are Jodi tarey nai chini go she ki, Shunil shagorer shyamol kinarey, Tumi robey nirobey, Keno je mon bholey and Amar ei poth chawatey anando. Under the banner of Soundtech, Ahmed Farid and Manindra Roy have done the music arrangements for the album. The singer offers a new approach to instrumental back-ups and singing styles which, he hopes, will be appreciated by the listeners.

TV play Sharam goes on air
Sharam, a play will be aired on Channel i today. The play marks the directorial debut of Chanchala Chonchu who is also the script writer.

Chanchala displays spark as an actress and writer. In the woman-oriented play she has given a new dimension to the story and dialogue. The plot unfolds as an aristocratic woman takes on the responsibility of bringing about a change in society. The performers are Bannya Mirza, Shams Shumon, Sabiha Zaman, Mostafizur Rahman Babu, Chanchola Chonchu, Pijush Bandyopadhay and others.

Closeup 1 fever catches on in Dhaka
The selection round of musical talent hunt, Closeup 1 -- Tomakei Khujche Bangladesh began in Dhaka at the Biam Auditorium, new Eskaton on July 17 and continued till July 20. The audition round began on July 10. Through the talent hunt, Unilever Bangladesh with ntv as media partner, has been scouting for singing talent throughout the country.

The 7,000 hopefuls who have registered from Dhaka participated in the round. Those who have endured the intense competition in the audition, attended the selection round. Most of the selected ones have proved that they could be the next singing sensation of the nation.

The next round will begin shortly after the audition and selection rounds are over in Dhaka. As the contest proceeds, the number of contestants will narrow down until the organisers find the top singing talent that Bangladesh is searching for.

The talent search is getting a tremendous response from the people, said the organisers. According to the participants, such talent hunts will not only encourage the aspiring singers but also help in the discovery of genuine talents from all over the country. As one of the participants said, "This is really a great opportunity for us to prove our talent. Hopefully, the finalist will be able to make waves in the country's music scene.'

During the audition and selection rounds, the venue has been thronged with the hopefuls. Many participants queued up in front of the check post to get their registration cards while some were busy practicing before facing the selection panel. Tension built up in the Biam Auditorium as participants awaited their selection.

There were 11 judging panels in the audition round and the judges included 22 renowned personalities from the field of music. In addition to the judges, the viewers will also participate in the joint selection process by casting their votes through sms.

The primary selection round programme will be telecast on ntv on July 29 at 8.50pm. 240 are selected for the final round in Dhaka.