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What vision did AnDes start off with?
   Before ’95, I was a freelance artist, doing mainly graphic designing. I formed AnDes because I wanted a company of my own. There was no specific aim.
   Tell me about the advertising part of your operations.
   We started off with advertising. The designing came later on. We make advertisements for UNICEF, the World Bank, Kollol, et cetera. We’re using all sorts of media. It’s a full fledged production house. At the moment we are also doing PR work.
   What was the designing industry like when you started off?
   Back then, none of the designing was computerized. Screen printing was relatively rare. There weren’t many designers around at all (Aarong being among the few outlets for designer clothing), certainly nowhere near as many as there are now.
   Do your designs go abroad?
   No, but this is what we hope to achieve next. We have been appointed as the regional representative for Bridal Asia in Bangladesh.
   What are your ambitions for the future?
   Well, after ten years of AnDes, I feel that life has just started. I am looking forward to more fashion shows, more designing and expanding.
   Where do your designs get all of these different scripts from?
   Every time I go to a new country, I pick up its script. The characters I use are all real, they actually mean something or other.
   What has been your greatest achievement so far?
   I feel I have been able to create my own world here; my singing, my karate and everything else I do. I feel this is my greatest achievement.

The Islamic Republic of Iran will take the initiative to make a film on the life of Bangladesh’s national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.
   Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia was informed about this by the visiting Iranian Minister for Culture and Islamic Guidance, Ahmed Masjid Jamei, when he called on her at her office this afternoon.
   ‘The life of Nazrul Islam was very colourful. It could be portrayed in a cinema and we will take the initiative to make a film on his life’, the Iranian Minister told Begum Zia.
   Earlier, the Prime Minister showed her keen interests on learning that the Iranian authorities will translate the literary works of Bangladesh’s national poet in their own language to popularise those to their people.
   The visiting minister informed that the Iranian Cultural Centre in Dhaka has already translated some of the works of poet Nazrul Islam.
   The Iranian Minister is visiting Bangladesh with an official delegation to enhance cooperation in culture, education and tourism sectors between the two countries. The visit has yielded formation of a joint commission on cultural affairs, training of journalists and increase in the number of scholarships for students, the Prime Minister was informed.
   Begum Zia referred to the Bangladeshi nationals working in Iran and proposed that more manpower, including doctors and engineers be recruited from here.
   The Iranian Minister appreciated the success of the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia in improving the echo system in Bangladesh and development in other sectors. The success of
   Bangladesh in the environmental field was discussed in Iranian cabinet as a model to be followed, he said.
   The distinguished visitor conveyed the best wishes of Iranian President Mohammad Khatami and invited Begum Zia to the function to declare the Iranian city of Ispahan as the ‘Cultural Capital of Asia’ in 2006.
   Begum Zia also requested the Iranian Minister to convey her greetings to President Khatami.
   State Minister for Cultural Affairs Selima Rahman and Iranian Ambassador to Bangladesh Mohammad Beheshti Monfared were present, among others, during the meeting.

Hollywood star Cameron Diaz, has sued a US tabloid for more than 10 million dollars over a story that accused her of cheating on her famous boyfriend Justin Timberlake, documents showed Thursday.
   The National Enquirer published a cover story in its May 23 issue under the headline ‘Cameron Caught Cheating’ that said Diaz kissed Shane Nickerson, a television producer who works on Diaz’s unscripted show, ‘Trippin’, outside a Los Angeles recording studio.
   According to a complaint filed Wednesday in a court in Los Angeles’s Santa Monica district, Diaz ––one of Hollywood’s top earning actresses–– said the tabloid had turned an innocent event into a scandalous accusation.
   The Enquirer transformed an ‘innocent, insignificant and non- memorable occurrence involving co-workers and friends, (in) to a sensationalistic, scandalous and accusatory story which was completely false’, the complaint said.
   The National Enquirer said it would not back down from its story. ‘We stand behind our reporting and will defend the suit aggressively in court’, said spokesman Stu Zakim.
   According to Diaz’s suit she, Nickerson and some other co-workers walked out of the sound studio together and stopped briefly to say goodbye on May 4, the day the actress claims the photos for the story were shot.
   After briefly hugging each co-worker, Diaz left, the suit states.
   ‘She and Nickerson did not engage in any kissing or making out in front of Oracle studio or behind the bushes’, according to the complaint. ‘It never happened’.
   The 32-year-old Diaz and Nickerson, who claim they were denied a retraction and apology by the paper, are each asking for more than 10 million dollars in damages.

Aud Lise Norheim, the Ambassador of Norway to Bangladesh will inaugurate today an eleven day painting exhibition titled ‘Paintings 2005’ by 14 contemporary artists of
   the Dhaka Art Circle at 5:00pm at the Saju Art Gallery in Gulshan 2.
   The artists are Abu Taher, Samsul Islam Nizami, Golam Sarwar, Samarjit Roy Chowdhury, Mohammed Mohsin, Pranesh Mondal, Syed Enayet Hossain, Anwarul Haque, Rezaul Karim, Biren Shome, Swapan Chowdhury, Abdus Shakoor, Chandra Shekhar Dey and Rafi Haque.
   The exhibition will remain open for all until June 14.

G Series has released Ranger Manush on VCD. The play is planned, scripted and directed by Selim Al Din, Masum Reza and Salahuddin Lobhlu respectively.
   Different roles are played by Salahuddin Lobhlu, Tania Ahmed, Wahida Mallick Jali, Bonya Mirza, ATM Shamsuzzaman, Hassan, Samu Chowdhury, Rahmat Ali, Fazlur Rahman Babu, Rashid Harun and others.

8:00pm-9:00pm, Discovery
   The state of Uttar Pradesh in North India is a land where India’s checkered history is still alive in its myriad of architectural marvels.
   It is a melting pot of a variety of cultures, traditions, beliefs and customs.
   This is the land of the exquisite wonder and marvel, the Taj Mahal.
   Discover India takes its viewers through the exotic
   city of Agra flaunting its
   beautiful monument right in the heart of the city — The Taj Mahal.

The Rock plays Beck, a bounty hunter on one last mission to bring back his mob boss' errant son. Travis. from the Brazilian rainforest.
   Travis, comically played by Sean William Scott (American Pie). is treasure hunting for a priceless Indian artifact also sought by corrupt, slave-driving, goldmine owner Hatcher (Walken, Catch Me if You Can).
   It's at this mining town, El Dorado, that Beck runs into Mariana — a bartender and rebel leader fighting against the evil Hatcher.
   Beck's attempts to retrieve Travis wind up with them both lost in the jungle and pursued by Hatcher. Cue hair raising action scenes with lots of comedy thrown in - all interestingly gun-free. Beck prefers to sort out his opponents, kung fu style.
   Following "The Scorpion King", this is further proof that The Rock can cut the mustard as 21st century heir to Schwarzenegger's action throne.
   Walken, meanwhile, excels in the kind of eccentric evil role we have come to expect from him. A rollicking, fun-filled adventure not to be missed.
   WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE
   HBO
   9:30pm
   Starring
   The Rock, Seann William Scott, Christopher Walken
   Genre: Action/Adventure