Leaders of television associations urged those concerned to follow the appropriate procedure if an artiste needs to be questioned for legal or administrative reasons. They made the call at a recent roundtable discussion titled, Shilpir Morjada O Shilper Shadhinota (Dignity of Artistes and Freedom of Art). Cultural activists and key members of the television fraternity gathered at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy for the discussion, organised by the Directors’ Guild Bangladesh, Actors Equity Bangladesh, Television Program Producers Association of Bangladesh (TPPAB), and TENASINAS.

After two months of strict lockdown, cinema halls have reopened recently. However, as of now, they are mainly screening old movies.

Nayak Raj Razzak was one of the most beloved actors of the country. On his fourth death anniversary, popular actors of today speak about their favourite movies of him.

Abdur Razzak, fondly known as Nayak Raj Razzak, was one of the most beloved actors in our country. He ruled over the silver screen with memorable films in a wide array of genres. He passed away on this day, four years ago.

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s daughter, Suhana Khan, is reportedly all set to make her much-anticipated debut with acclaimed director Zoya Akhtar, in a series based on the globally loved “Archie” comics.

The shooting of Anonno Mamun’s upcoming film “Omanush” was wrapped up recently. The film stars Rafiath Rashid Mithila and Nirab alongside Quazi Nawshaba Ahmed, Shahiduzzaman Selim, Misha Sawdagar, and Rashed Mamun Opu among others. 

Celebrated director Mizanur Rahman Aryan started his career in 2012 with tele-fictions. He went on to win over the audience with “Boro Chele” in 2017, which is one of the most viewed Bangladeshi television productions on YouTube till date. His recent Eid releases “Hello Shunchen”? and “Not Out” were also widely appreciated by viewers. Aryan’s first film "Networker Baire", featuring Khairul Bashar, Nazia Haque Orsha, Tasnia Farin, Yash Rohan, Nazifa Tushi, Sariful Islam Razz, Jonayed, and Tasnuva Tisha, releases on the OTT platform Chorki today. In a candid chat with The Daily Star, the director talks about his expectations from the project, and more.

It wasn’t until 2001 that a Bollywood film would unpack for me how friendship truly works—friendship that goes beyond the melodrama of a Sholay or a Kuch Kuch Hota Hain, that navigates the trickier terrains of conflict, miscommunication, and the clashing of irrational egos in everyday life. Farhan Akhtar’s Dil Chahta Hai (2001) turned 20 this year, but it remains a cult classic not only because it revolutionised storytelling in the Indian film industry of its time, earning a place in university syllabi on filmmaking, but also because it introduced a genre and way of thinking that was missing from Bollywood films until then.

Recently, Netflix released a new set of images from Season 5 of “The Crown”, featuring Dominic West as Prince Charles and Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana.

Bangladesh’s first professional female photographer, Sayeeda Khanum, passed away on this day a year ago, due to old age-related complications.  She was 82 at the time of passing.

Renowned poet Helal Hafiz was admitted to Combined Military Hospital with old-age complications yesterday.

It can seem like awards ceremonies are given an inordinate amount of importance. Not only do critics, every now and then, disregard a compelling work of fiction, but the entire endeavour also begs the question: what is the purpose of awards and critical acclaim? Marvel films have been famously ignored by the critics, irrespective of the mammoth fan following and box office returns they accumulate, even though immensely successful box office hits, such as “Titanic” and “Avatar”, have been known to have an impact on the Oscars. However, things seem to be changing in Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), led by Kevin Feige.

Today would have marked the 90th birthday of eminent artist and Language Movement veteran Murtaja Baseer, who passed away last year. The artist, who revolutionised modern art in Bangladesh in his glorious six-decade career, had also made a remarkable mark as a poet, litterateur, novelist, numismatist, researcher, and filmmaker.

Sony Cinema Hall in Mirpur-2 has been modernised to Star Cineplex’s Sony Square. It will be open to the public from August 20. "Before that, the Mirpur branch of Star Cineplex will be formally inaugurated on August 19,” said Mohammad Hossain, the former head of Sony Cinema Hall.

The Bangladesh Mahila Samity (BMS) is set to reopen with "Lal Jomin" today. It is presented by Shunyan Repertory Theatre. The play, written by Mannan Hira and directed by Sudip Chakraborty will be staged for the 277th time.

Today marks the 60th birthday of music legend Ayub Bachchu.

Projonmo (a place for performance), will present their second and third productions on August 25, at Satyajit Ray Auditorium, ICCR, Kolkata, with Khudra Nrigostir Sangskritic Institute, Khagrachhari. For this, they have extended their gratitude to Lubna Marium, Artistic Director of SHADHONA, Bangladesh, and Jiten Chakma, Deputy Director of Khudra Nrigostir Sangskritic Institute, Khagrachhari. The first dance recital, “Jhalak”, will be presented by Bangladeshi students in Kolkata, under the direction of Md Hanif.

Today marks the first death anniversary of eminent artist Murtaja Baseer. The art maestro sealed his name in the history of modern art of Bangladesh with his multifarious talents and an extraordinary ability to see even the simplest things from a bird eye’s view.

Renowned actor Shakib Khan opened up about the much talked about arrest of Pori Moni today, with The Daily Star. “Being her colleague, as far as I know, Pori Moni grew up without her parents,” said Shakib. “There is a huge difference in the way she grew up, compared to others her age. Her struggles have definitely not been the same as other people. Perhaps not having a guardian around has often led her to make decisions which were not right for her.” 

Many filmmakers have grasped the idea of plausible horror stories, opening doors to numerous subgenres to explore. For nearly two years, we have faced one form of horror in our real lives with the advent of the global pandemic. It is the horror of being locked indoors for an undefined period of time.