TBT REPORT

The Lux Channel i Superstar competition has long been a launching pad for some of Bangladesh’s most recognised female celebrities. Notable names such as Zakia Bari Mamo, Azmeri Haque Badhan, Bidya Sinha Mim, and Mehazabien Chowdhury all began their careers through this renowned reality show. After a seven-year break, Lux Superstar is making a comeback, with the registration process already underway.

The show first premiered in 2005, with Shanarei Devi Shanu crowned the winner of the debut season. In the following years, the platform introduced several now-prominent stars to the spotlight, including Mamo, Afsan Ara Bindu, Badhan, Mim, Mehazabien, and Mousumi Hamid. Participation in the show proved to be a turning point for many, propelling them into successful careers across television, film, and advertising.

Although Lux Superstar ran consistently until 2010, the show experienced irregularity afterward. It briefly returned in 2012 following a one-year pause, only to go on another two-year hiatus. After the 2014 season, the break extended to four years. The last competition was held in 2018, where Mim Mantasha was declared the winner. Since then, the show has remained dormant until this year.

The reality show’s official registration opened on May 6. Aspiring female contestants between 18 and 27 years old are eligible to apply. Interested participants can register by completing a form through a link posted on the Lux Bangladesh Facebook page.

However, reflecting changing trends and shifting industry needs, the competition has adopted a new format. In addition to judging acting and styling skills, the selection criteria now include an assessment of participants’ content creation capabilities.

This year’s edition brings on board a high-profile team that includes acclaimed actress Jaya Ahsan, popular star Mehazabien Chowdhury, and noted filmmaker Raihan Rafi. This announcement was made through a promotional video released on Lux’s official Facebook page.

In that video, Mehazabien reflects on her own experience, saying, “When I registered for Lux Superstar back in 2009, I was honestly quite nervous. It was a huge platform, and presenting myself before so many influential figures felt daunting. But it’s this very platform that gave me the confidence to reach where I am today. I’ll be supporting the contestants this time, from start to finish.”

The promotional video also includes appearances by other familiar faces such as Bidya Sinha Mim, Ishrat Zaheen, Mumtaheena Chowdhury Toya, and Neelanjona Neela.

The organisers have stated that further details regarding the competition will be revealed shortly during an upcoming press briefing.