Apurba Visits Albion Art Gallery at Invitation of Mohammad Ullah

House No. 55 on Lake Drive Road in Uttara, Dhaka, is a familiar location for television and film professionals. Known as “Anandabari,” the shooting house has hosted many of Bangladesh’s leading actors, including Nayak Raj Razzak, Bobita, Moushumi, Purnima, Popy, Abul Hayat, Afzal Hossain, Suborna Mustafa, Dilara Zaman, Dolly Zahur, Apurba and Nisho. Mohammad Ullah has been overseeing the shooting house for the past 18 years. 

On December 16, 2024, however, the premises took on a new identity as the Albion Art Gallery. The gallery features works by renowned artists including Monirul Islam, Jamal Uddin Ahmed, Kuntal Barai, Manzur Rashid, Mr Mahin, Farida Yasmin, Ali Panju, Moniruzzaman, Rinkon, Asha Akter Boka and Monira Alam. Their paintings are displayed throughout the interior and exterior of the premises and are also available for purchase at affordable prices. 

Albion Art Gallery also operates as a coffee shop and restaurant. Visitors can enjoy coffee alongside a variety of dishes, including Italian-style pizzas, steaks, burgers, urban wraps, European breakfasts, European rice meals, smoothies, milkshakes and grilled seafood with egg preparations. Mohammad Ullah and popular actor Apurba have been close friends for nearly two decades. 

Apurba has shot numerous productions at Anandabari, where the two friends have often spent time together between shoots. Last Thursday afternoon, Ullah formally invited Apurba to visit the art gallery. Meanwhile, the third floor of the building has recently resumed operations as a shooting house under the name Anandabari. Apurba arrived at the gallery directly from a shoot for SR Majumder. 

He toured the gallery, viewed paintings by various artists and sampled several of the food items. “Mohammad Ullah is a dear friend of mine of many years. I have spent countless hours at Anandabari because of my work, so I cannot even keep track of them,” Apurba said. “I truly appreciate my friend’s creativity. He has used his talent to beautifully arrange the art gallery, and every dish is so delicious that anyone can comfortably come here with family and friends. And the coffee is simply outstanding. I hope the reputation of Albion Art Gallery spreads everywhere, just as Anandabari is known.” Mohammad Ullah said, “Apurba remains extremely busy with shooting whenever he is in the country. I am therefore truly delighted and grateful that my friend made time to accept my invitation.”