Amid the coronavirus crisis, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) recently launched the song, United We Fight, bringing composers, musicians and singers from across India together.

The current President of Television and Digital Programme Producers Association Bangladesh Iresh Zaker, and General Secretary of the association, Saju Muntasher, are set to resign from their respective positions. According to officials from the association, the decisions were declared on their WhatsApp group. However, the announcement has not yet taken effect. “I have submitted my resignation,” stated Iresh. “The rest is up to the committee. They will take the final decisions. We have been working together for a long time. In the past two months, we have worked really hard to help cast and crew members, who are financially struggling in these critical times. Together, we have decided to start shootings under special conditions, which will start from today.”

All TV shoots were halted due to the coronavirus pandemic from March 22. The television associations, including Actors’ Equity Bangladesh, Directors’ Guild and Television and Digital Programme Producers Association Bangladesh, have unanimously decided to resume shootings of all productions from today.

Bangladesh celebrated the World Intellectual Property Day 2020 on April 26 virtually. The programme was jointly organised by the Copyright Office Bangladesh, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Government of Bangladesh and Center for Policy Research, Bangladesh.

Four of the biggest stars of the music industry – Tahsan, Rafa, Minar and Topu, will be live on social media on May 23 and 24, in Music Against Hunger. The concert, hosted by Zunaed Rabbani and Juneyna Kabir, will look to raise funds for Public Health Foundation, Bangladesh, in order to extend a helping hand to the not-so-fortunate people in the country who are struck by the pandemic and its after-effects. The programme, supported by Closeup, will stream live on Facebook and YouTube at 10 pm, on May 23 and 24 respectively. The programme is organised by the Resource Coordination Network Bangladesh (RCNB). ABC Radio and Bioscope are the streaming partners for the event.

As we wrestle with the coronavirus pandemic, theatre artistes and production workers are trying to figure out how to stay afloat and take care of their community, since the very notion of live entertainment has become taboo.

Talented television director Shafayet Mansoor Rana predominantly reflects on contemporary issues through social satire and dark humour in his stories.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) has updated its rules for Golden Globes submission and eligibility, along with a few minor twists to reflect the changes in the film and TV industries due to coronavirus pandemic.

WaterAid collaborated with director Nuhash Humayun and musician Pritom Hasan to launch a creative campaign, through the web series, Bichhuz. The show sheds light on the importance of handwashing with soap, as the first line of defense against the coronavirus.

Sharmili Ahmed is a powerful presence for the television and film industries of Bangladesh. She is a living legend who has acted in numerous television dramas and also appeared on the big screen in several movies back in the sixties.

Over the decades, the silver screen has been home to many charming female actors who have entertained us with their unparalleled acting. With their poise and grace, they won a million hearts. However, with time, they decided to stay away from the industry. Nevertheless, they are beloved amongst audiences even today. Jharna Basak, known by her stage name Shabnam, ruled over the Pakistani film industry for over three decades, starting with her debut film Ei Desh Tomar Amar (1959). She soon made her way into Bangladeshi films, starring in blockbusters such as Rajdhanir Dukey (1960) and Harano Din (1961). The diva bid farewell to acting in 1999, with her last film, Ammajan. However, the ‘Rupnogorer Rajkonna’ is still remembered for her work in like Chanda, Nacher Putul and Jwar Bhata. Shabana stepped into the film industry in 1967 with Chakori. She ruled over the industry for the next two decades with her versatile roles and superhits. The ten-time National Film Award winner was lauded for her performances in Janani (1977), Sokhi Tumi Kar (1980), Dui Poisar Alta (1982), Nazma (1983), Bhat De (1984), Apeksha (1987), Ranga Bhabi (1989), Moroner Pore (1990) and Achena (1991). In her career, she has worked in around 300 films. The actor retired in 1998 and immigrated to the US with her family. Olivia Gomes became the nation’s sweetheart with the song, Ei Brishty Bheja Raate, from the film The Rain (1976). Her on-screen chemistry with actor Wasim in several hit films, including Dost Dushmon (1977), was appreciated by many. The star moved away from the glistening glamour of the showbiz world in 1995 when her husband, filmmaker SM Shafi, passed away due to cardiac problems. Sujata debuted as Rupban Konna in the film Rupban (1965). She went on to work in numerous other blockbusters like Agun Niye Khela (1967), Chhutir Ghonta (1980) and Alor Michil (1974). The actress has kept herself away from the film industry since the past 20 years. However, she sometimes appears on television. The song, Tumi Doob Diyo Na Jole Konna, from the film Jhinuk Mala (1985), instantly reminds us of Neepa Monalisa. The star is best known for her roles in Dui Jibon (1987), Touba (1986) and Amor (1988). She has been absent from the silver screen since the last two decades.

Marking the 159th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, several Chakma artistes paid their tribute to him, translating one of his songs into the Chakma language, along with recording and dancing to it. This is the first Tagore creation to be translated into Chakma. Renowned singer and teacher Manoj Bahadur Gurkha translated the Rabindra Sangeet, ‘Tumi Kemon Kore Gaan Koro Hey Guni’ into Chakma. Mrittika Chakma helped him translate the Chakma version of the song ‘Tui Hejan Gori Geet Gach O Guni’. Singer Anamika Dey recorded it while promising dancer-choreographer Fifa Chakma danced to the number.

Filmmaker Debashish Biswas is set to launch his latest production, Alo Ashbei. The film, based on the COVID-19 lockdown, features Misha Sawdagor, Bidya Sinha Mim, Bappy Chowdhury, Zayed Khan, Ferdous Ahmed, Apu Biswas, Bobby, Amit Hasan, Amin Khan, Toma Mirza, Emon, Joy, Keya, and Shahrear, among others.

Amitabh Bachchan and Ayushmann Khurrana starrer Gulabo Sitabo is set for a direct digital release on Amazon Prime Video, the makers announced recently. Directed by Shoojit Sircar, the Lucknow-set satire will start streaming from June 12. The film will be available in 200 countries and territories worldwide. It was originally scheduled to hit theatres on April 17, but the Indian government's directive to close all cinemas as part of a nationwide lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, halted the release.

Comprised of Naim Murtoza, Zico, Amit, Prithyle, Shishir, Rubel and Sefat, talented rock band Bengal Boys recently released their track, Shopno- Its time for Humanity. Composed by Sochi sams and written by Nahid Irtaza, the song sends a jarring message to humanity, highlighting the atrocities and injustices we inflicted on each other. The music video, directed by Tonoy Khan, was produced by Plantastic Communication.

Eid is a crucial time for the television sector in Bangladesh, but this year, we are faced with unprecedented circumstances. As we battle the coronavirus pandemic, television directors and production houses are left in distress, with no new projects to look forward to anytime soon.

A joint production of TVwala media team (Kolkata) and Prekkhagreho (Dhaka) -- Shahrear Polock directorial Dure Thaka Kacher Manush was recently released online. The short film features Rafiath Rashid Mithila and Kolkata based actor Vikram Chatterjee as the leads.

Talented artiste Ashna Habib Bhabna has mesmerised audiences with her acting prowess for many years on television. She had made her debut in the film industry with the Animesh Aich directorial Voyongkor Sundor. On the premiere show of that movie, she met a fan. She shared memories from that encounter in a recent conversation with The Daily Star.

A Chitragantha (pictorial visual), titled Together, to raise awareness on the current coronavirus pandemic, was recently launched. The nearly 11-minute video was widely shared on social media. Afzal Hossain, who planned, scripted and directed the made-at-home video featuring renowned actors, posted it on his YouTube channel on May 12.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, as a message of hope, Zee5 Global has recreated the yesteryear folk song, Abar Jombe Mela, under the title, Biswa Obak Cheye Robe (Abar Jombe Mela Reprise), with popular artistes and youth icons of Bangladesh. The song is available across all Zee5 platforms. This initiative is taken in association with Dettol, and supported by Nestle.