The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is set to launch a nationwide reality television show titled Protibhar Shondhane (In Search of Talent), aiming to discover and showcase hidden talent from across Bangladesh.
Unlike conventional talent competitions centred on singing, dancing or comedy, the year-long programme will welcome participants with a wide range of skills, from traditional folk arts and physical performances to technology-driven innovations.
According to ministry officials, the initiative seeks to provide a single platform for talents from every corner of the country, giving them the opportunity to reach both national and international audiences.
The competition will feature 52 episodes, each running between 45 and 60 minutes, and will be broadcast simultaneously on Bangladesh Television (BTV) and an OTT platform.
Contestants will initially register online through a dedicated digital platform before taking part in divisional audition camps across all eight divisions.
Successful participants will advance through studio auditions, knockout rounds, semi-finals and a grand finale, where the winner will be selected through a combination of judges’ scores and public voting.
The judging panel will comprise three prominent figures from Bangladesh’s music, dance and acting industries, while two popular presenters will host the show and share contestants’ backstage stories and personal journeys.
The competition will introduce several international-format features, including a Red Button, allowing judges to stop a performance they find unsatisfactory, and a Golden Button, which will send an exceptional contestant directly two rounds ahead.
Audience votes will also play a decisive role in selecting the eventual winner.
Officials said the production will follow international standards similar to Britain’s Got Talent, featuring a premium stage, advanced lighting design and cinematic backstories highlighting contestants’ struggles and achievements before each performance.
The Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) will organise the programme under the guidance of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
BFDC Managing Director Masuma Rahman Tani said the organisation aims to bring forward talented individuals who have remained unnoticed due to a lack of opportunities.
“Our goal is clear. Many people possess extraordinary talent in folk arts, physical performances, innovation and technology, but they have never had the right platform. Protibhar Shondhane will become a gateway for those dreams,” she said.
She added that Bangladesh has countless gifted individuals in rural and grassroots communities whose abilities deserve national and international recognition.
Information and Broadcasting Adviser Yaser Khan Chowdhury said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to recognising young talent and creating opportunities for them.
“We are building an inclusive platform where the country’s brightest talents can thrive.
This initiative will not only entertain audiences but also revive grassroots talent and help underprivileged individuals establish themselves socially and economically,” he said.
The ministry hopes the reality show will preserve Bangladesh’s rich cultural heritage, revive traditional art forms and encourage the next generation to develop their unique talents while opening new opportunities for aspiring performers and innovators.
