Shafin Ahmed, unanimously regarded as Bangladesh’s one of the most popular and iconic band artists and former frontman of the legendary Bangladeshi band Miles, has passed away at age 63.

The popular Bangladeshi rock bassist, singer-songwriter, and record producer breathed his last while on life support in a hospital in Virginia, United States, on Wednesday (local time) due to heart and kidney failure, according to the Bangladesh Band Music Fans Community (BBMFC).

Born on February 14, 1961, in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, to the subcontinent’s pioneering music artists Kamal Dasgupta and Feroza Begum, Shafin Ahmed joined the Bangladeshi rock band Miles in 1979.

Alongside his brother and another iconic Bangladeshi music artist, Hamin Ahmed, he performed in Miles first as an acoustic guitarist and later became the band’s lead singer and bassist in 1991.

After moving to Dhaka during childhood, Shafin Ahmed began his musical career at the age of nine by taking lessons about Nazrul Sangeet, courtesy of his iconic parents. He was exposed to Western musical influences since he studied in England, along with his elder brother Hamin Ahmed, after completing his schooling at the St Joseph Higher Secondary School in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Continuing with Miles as the vocalist, songwriter, composer, and bass guitarist from 1979, Shafin Ahmed first left the band in 2009. He rejoined in 2014 and continued till 2017, left for the second time, and rejoined for his final run with the band in 2018, after permanently leaving the band in 2021.

Despite his creative disputes with his bandmates at Miles, Shafin Ahmed performed and collaborated on every album of the band, starting with Miles (1982) and progressing to A Step Farther (1986), Protisruti (the band’s maiden Bengali album, 1991), Prottasha (1993), Prottoy (1996), Proyash (1997), Probaho (2000), Protiddhoni (2006), Proticchobi (2015), and Proborton (2016). After leaving Miles in 2009, he formed his own band, Rhythm of Life, in 2010, which continued till 2014.

Shafin Ahmed simultaneously made his place in the country’s music industry as one of its most popular and iconic singers, courtesy of his popular songs, including ‘Aj Jonmodin Tomar’, which is often considered as the anthem of birthday celebrations in the country. Written and composed by eminent music producer Prince Mahmud, the song was first featured in Prince’s mixed album Daag Theke Jay (2004).

As the frontman of Miles, Shafin Ahmed is also acclaimed for many popular and superhit tracks, including ‘Phiriye Dao’, ‘Dhiki Dhiki’, ‘Neela’, ‘Chad Tara Surjo’,”Ki Jaadu’, ‘Jani Tumi’ and more.

He also released several solo albums, including Tomakey (1987), Pagla Ghonti (1998), Chobi Ar Sritigulo (1999), Best of Shafin Ahmed (2001), Kotodin Dekhina Tomay (2006), Virus (2006), Harano Shukh (2007), My Love Songs (2010), and Mone Pore Aj (Nazrul Songs, as a tribute to his mother Feroza Begum, 2016).

Besides his successful musical career, Shafin Ahmed also took part in the nation’s politics and even contested at the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) in 2019 for the mayor position from the Jatiya Party.

Following its successful Eid-Ul-Azha release in Bangladesh, the Dhallywood blockbuster “Toofan,” starring megastar Shakib Khan, has generated significant buzz among expatriate audiences after its global debut.

Directed by Raihan Rafi, the film premiered in over 100 theaters across 15 countries last Friday, excluding India, where it was also slated for the same release date. “Toofan” hit theaters in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, Sweden, Spain, France, Portugal, Netherlands, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Bahrain.

Shree Venkatesh Films (SVF), the film’s Indian producer, later announced that “Toofan” would release in India on July 5, a week after its international release, a detail confirmed by renowned Bollywood critic Taran Adarsh. The delay is speculated to be due to the recent cricket fervor from the T20 World Cup, where India triumphed, and possibly because the film might be released in multiple Indian languages besides Bangla.

In the US, “Toofan” is showing in 22 theaters across 12 states, including two in New York City, for a week. Bioscope Films, handling distribution in the US and Canada, announced plans to screen the film in at least 40 more US cities starting July 12.

BongOz Films, responsible for distribution in Australia and New Zealand, reported over 3,000 tickets sold within the first week, with additional shows on the way.

Starring an ensemble cast led by Shakib Khan, “Toofan” debuted in Bangladesh on June 17 and is currently playing in 129 theaters, including Star Cineplex, Modhumita, Blockbuster Cinemas, and Lion Cinemas. Within just 10 days of its release, the movie has reportedly earned Tk25 crore, breaking several records at major cineplexes nationwide.

Like every year, television channels, OTT platforms, and production houses in Bangladesh are gearing up for week-long festivities. One of the largest parts of the entertainment bonanza of the Eid-ul-Fitr 2023 is the Bengali Eid Natoks, telefilms, and web series. This year too, Bengali dramas performed by renowned artists are lined up to entertain the viewers during the Eid holidays. Let’s have a look.

Priyo Poribar
Like every year, the popular TV actor Apurba features in several upcoming Eid projects including Priyo Poribar.

In Priyo Poribar, Apurba plays the role of an elderly patriarch of a middle-class family. The storyline shows how a family-head deals with his growing children, and changing times. The struggle of a father to hold onto his family makes up the premise of the telefilm. Veteran actress Tarin will be seen alongside Apurba in the lead role.

With the story by Mezbah Uddin Sumon, the telefilm is directed by Rubel Hasan. The telefilm will be available on Club 11 Entertainment’s official YouTube channel.

Shubhashini
Shubhashini is another project of Apurba this Eid ul Fitr. Keya Payel also stars in this drama. The story follows a quintessential romance between two different people who came across each other by chance.

Shubhashini has been directed by Syed Shakil with the story from Mezbah Uddin Sumon. In addition to Apurba and Keya Payel, viewers will see Dilara Zaman, Samanta Shimu, and Khalequzzaman in supporting roles.

The telefilm will be broadcasted on Maasranga TV.

Irsha
Following Shubhashini, viewers will see another Apurba–Payel pair up in Irsha. This is a story of two couples constantly finding each other’s opposition. Yet the storyline will show how the couple overcame the crisis and stayed together.

Irsha is directed by Syed Shakil while the script is written by Mezbah Uddin Sumon. The telefilm will be available this Eid ul Fitr on CMV Entertainment’s official YouTube channel.

Eid Salami
Jovan and Samira Khan Mahi are pairing up for a rom-com Eid telefilm named Eid Salami. The telefilm is produced by Shahed Ali Pappu and will be directed by Rafat Mozumder Rinku. It is based on the story by Jobaed Ahsan.

The telefilm will be available this Eid on CMV Entertainment’s official YouTube channel.

Nithar Kolahol
Nazia Haq Orsha made a terrific comeback to small screens last year. This year too, she has a few projects lined up for Eid. Yash Rohan also stars in this drama. The story follows Yash who is a photographer and Orsha whom he’s head over heels for.

The story of the telefilm has been developed by Asaduzzaman Sohag with direction from Subrata Sanjib.

Nithar Kolahol will be broadcasted on NTV on the 4th day of Eid.

Doi Fuchka
Doi Fuchka is presented under the banner of Impress Telefilms and Channel i. Like every year, they are introducing two newcomers Khairul Basar and Sadia Ayman in this coming-of-age romantic telefilm.

The telefilm has been scripted by Maruf Hossain Sajib with direction from L R Sohel. Doi Fuchka will be broadcasted on Channel-I this Eid.

Doa
Musfiq Farhan is back this Eid with a gangster romance telefilm titled Doa. The telefilm will also star Tanjin Tisha in the lead role.

Doa will portray the story of a local delinquent to get the girl of his dreams. The telefilm will be offered under the banner of Sultan Entertainment. The screenplay of Doa has been developed by Dayal Saha and directed by Mahmudur Rahman Heme.

The telefilm will be available on Sultan Entertainment’s official YouTube channel.

Kodombone Bristy
Kodombone Bristy stars Apurba and Sabila Nur in lead roles. This social drama centers around the couple after their marriage. Due to disabilities, Parul starring Sabila Nur cannot keep up with the house chores. This causes Parul to get severely taunted by her in-laws.

In the face of all the adversaries, Apurba is there to support her. No matter what, the two are determined to make it work and find a forever peaceful life for themselves.

Kodombone Bristy is written by Nasir Khan with direction from Masriqul Alam. The telefilm will be broadcasted on the 4th day of Eid on Channel i.

Mohanagar 2
And finally, the most exciting release for Eid ul Fitr 2023 comes from Hoichoi. After the massive success of Mohanagar 1, people were eagerly waiting for season two. What OC Harun conjures up this time is in everyone’s mind.

Thankfully, the popular Bengali OTT platform Hoichoi has greenlit the series to premiere on the platform this Eid. The main cast including Mosharrof Karim, Fazlur Rahman Babu, Afsana Mimi, and Shamol Mawla all are reprising their roles in season 2.

Ashfaque Nipun is also back with the story, screenplay, and direction for the second season. The series will premiere on 20th April on the official Hoichoi App.