Celebrated director and screenwriter Ashfaque Nipun is known for dealing with contemporary and political issues in his stories.

Known for his playback and adhunik songs, celebrated musician and Shadhin Bangla Betar Kendra artiste Rafiqul Alam has been a powerful presence in the Bangladeshi music industry for decades. Recently, on a candid chat with The Daily Star, the artiste looks back at his memorable experiences.

While artistes are exploring different digital platforms as makeshift performing spaces, the once crowded physical venues and auditoriums now remain deserted, amid the coronavirus crisis.

Binge, an online platform for entertainment, was recently launched in Bangladesh with plenty of local and international content, including films and web shows.

Samdani Art Foundation (SAF) is a private arts trust based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Founded in 2011 by collector couple Nadia and Rajeeb Samdani, it supports the work of the country’s contemporary artists and architects. Led by Artistic Director and Curator Diana Campbell Betancourt, SAF seeks to expand the audience engaging with contemporary art across Bangladesh and increase international exposure for the country’s artists.

Bangladeshi model Tangia Zaman Methila will be seen in the role of Husne Ara, a Rohingya genocide survivor, in Rohingya: People From Nowhere. Produced by Thunder Dragon Production, this Bollywood feature film is directed by Haider Khan. According to Methila, nearly two-thirds of the film was shot in Assam, India.

After being cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, San Diego Comic-Con announced that Comic-Con@Home, the at-home edition of the event, will take place from July 22 to 26.

Jas Waters, TV writer and journalist, passed away recently.

Celebrated model and actor Nusraat Faria started her journey as a TV and radio host. She went on to work on hits like Badshah: The Don (2016), Inspector Notty K (2018) and Premi O Premi (2016), which brought her acclaim both at home and abroad. She recently announced her engagement to Rony Riad Rashid on social media. In a candid chat with The Daily Star, the actor talks about her aspirations and upcoming projects.

Marché du film de Cannes, or the Cannes Film Market, is the biggest film market in the world. Established in 1959, it is held annually in conjunction with the Cannes Film Festival. Renowned singer Krishnokoli Islam’s No Objection Certificate has been selected for the platform this year, by Cannes Docs. The film, which is a story of Bangladeshi single mothers claiming guardianship over their daughters, looks to unfold many sides of patriarchy in the society. Produced by Tareq Ahmed, No Objection Certificate is looking for a co-producer in the marketplace. The 2020 edition of the Cannes Film Market will take place online from June 22-26.

The 2020 editions of the Coachella music festival and its country music counterpart Stagecoach have been cancelled due to concerns over a possible autumn resurgence of COVID-19 cases, Riverside County health office said late Wednesday. “I am concerned as indications grow that COVID-19 could worsen in the fall,” said the County’s Public Health Officer Cameron Kaiser, who signed the order cancelling the festivals.

“Pata can be a leaf of a tree, a page of a book, a chapter in one’s life or maybe a letter of love. The song expresses a story that is covered with allegory,” said Rahul Ananda from Joler Gaan about his new release, Pata Kahini.

“Bodle Jao Manobjati, Othoba Tumi Bilupto” (change yourself humanity, or you will go extinct) – these lines from Tahsan’s new single, Odrissho Porojibi, highlights the sheer amount of negligence that we have shown the planet. Originally a poem by the artiste posted on social media, it was soon turned into a song with the help of music director Sajid Sarker. The song, which is of a different structure than what Tahsan is generally known for, has been appreciated by the audience since its release yesterday. The song can be listened to on CD Choice’s YouTube page.

Legendary Indian composer and Oscar-BAFTA-Grammy winner A R Rahman has joined Mostofa Sarwar Farooki directorial No Land’s Man, as co-producer and composer. In an interview with US entertainment magazine Variety, Rahman said that the film is a story of the challenges of a newborn world. The US-India-Bangladesh film features famed Indian actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui, celebrated Bangladeshi musician and actor Tahsan Khan and promising Australian actor Megan Mitchell. The film, which was shot in India, Australia and the USA, is predominantly in English with some dialogue in Hindi and Urdu.

Noted artiste Ferdous has won the hearts of the masses with his charm over the years. The celebrated actor has garnered an extensive fan base through his prominence in films in Bangladesh and beyond. His widespread popularity in Bangladesh and India started with the film, Hothat Brishti. The film was directed by Basu Chatterjee, who passed away recently, leaving behind a rich legacy. In a candid chat with The Daily Star, Ferdous shared his fond memories with the renowned director.

Popular actor Bappy Chowdhury is one of the busiest actors in the film industry. He has impressed audiences with his performances in films like Bhalobashar Rong, Sultana Bibiana, Dongiri and others. On the sets of Nayok, Bappy met one of his ardent fans.

Nusraat Faria, one of the most popular actors in the film industry, recently shared the news of her engagement on her social media.

Gallery Cosmos, the philanthropic wing of Bangladeshi conglomerate Cosmos Group, in association with Hidden Her Foundation, organised the country’s first ever virtual art camp on June 8.

Film and TV cameras can start rolling in California as soon as June 12, state officials said recently, as they approved new guidelines to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus on sets.

Apart from being a renowned actor, Afzal Hossain is a painter, writer and poet. His books have been a regular attraction of the Ekushey Boi Mela, for years.