Bangladesh’s ‘Top Gun’
Founder of Star Search 2010

Show business veteran and Jackson Heights resident Tony Dias, who has been described as the Tom Cruise of Bangladesh, is now helping others have a taste of the spotlight through Star Search 2010, which is being presented by Hillside Honda and Utshob.com.
Originally from Bangladesh, Dias came to the United States in 2007 and now lives with his family in Jackson Heights. While still living in his native country, Dias started doing group theater in 1988.
Meeting an actor in Bangladesh eventually got Dias started in acting, when he joined a troupe and began training. Dias went on to have a very successful career in Bangladesh, and has appeared on Bangladesh television hundreds of times.
Dias said he dreamed of working internationally. Now that he’s in the United Sates, Dias has continued with his acting. He has appeared in serials for Bangladeshi television and has filmed in Los Angeles and Dallas.
In addition to his acting, Dias is a sales consultant at Hillside Honda in Jamaica.
“This is my family. They love me,” Dias said of his employer.
In addition to being able to work there and still film, Hillside Honda, along with Utshob.com, is sponsoring Star Search 2010, which Dias founded. According to Dias, this is the first time an American company has sponsored a television show for the Bangladesh community.
Dias said he had initially planned to do something for children, but the finance director at Hillside Honda, Raihan Zaman said that they could do something for the community. Dias said that the Bangladeshi community, which is celebrating its independence day on December 16, is made up of people who enjoy culture, music and dancing.
Many people were interested in auditioning for Star Search 2010, which is highlighting the Bangladeshi heritage. Dias said the response was inspiring. There were individuals who flew from other states to audition.
Following two days of auditions, 80 participants were selected. Dias said they were looking for people who knew about singing, had good pronunciation in the Bangladeshi language and had good presentation.
The participants have been performing each week and, in “American Idol” style, viewers from around the world have been voting for their favorite contestants each week.
Star Search 2010 has been airing on NTV and Desh TV every Friday and Sunday at 8:20 p.m.
The culmination of Star Search 2010 will be a live gala telecast on Sunday, December 26. The community will be invited to attend and watch the winner be selected from the final six contestants.
Dias, who has been hosting the show, said that he has seen a lot of talent in the younger generation. He also said that he was surprised to find that many of the singers who were born in the U.S. sing and pronounce well in Bangladeshi.
“We didn’t expect this kind of response,” Dias said of the success the show has seen. He also said they plan on making this an annual contest and also doing a similar show for children.
For more information on the show, visit www.starsearchusa2010.com.