Sharmin Joya

From dance floors to camera frames, Ashna Habib Bhabna has always moved with a quiet determination. Art has been a constant companion since her childhood—beginning with dance, where she trained and performed with dedication, before eventually finding her footing in acting. Over the past decade, she has built a reputation for her nuanced performances across television and film.

As Eid approaches, actor Tawsif Mahbub is pitching up for one of his busiest festive seasons yet. This time, the popular television star returns with the new season of the widely loved series “Bachelor Point”, while also venturing into darker territory with his web debut in “Chokro 2”. Alongside these major releases, he will also appear in several Eid dramas on the small screen. The lineup, he says, reflects a conscious decision to prioritise the audience’s taste this year rather than his own.

Continuing her experience of sharing the screen with furry co-stars, Sadia is set to appear in another OTT project this Eid. Titled “Love Sitter” and slated for release on Bongo, the project again features a furry character who connects the central roles. The Daily Star caught up with Sadia about working with furry actors, the project, and her Eid plans.

“Working here has given me a clear realisation — women across the globe face similar struggles and share similar dreams. Only the languages and cultures differ, but our experiences are largely the same,” she says.

Conversations around women’s safety, discrimination, and opportunities in the entertainment industry remain as relevant as ever. For these renowned figures in Bangladesh’s showbiz, the discussion is not only about challenges but also about responsibility, respect, and hope for change.

“I’ve always been drawn to mythical horror, perhaps even more so because people jokingly call me ‘jinn’.

After a long gap following “Hyena Express”, released in 2020, the indie rock band Shonar Bangla Circus has returned with a dual studio album featuring 17 tracks earlier this month.

Politics carries risks for everyone, but the focus should be on moral clarity, competence, and dedication to public service — not the glamour of past achievements. Artistes, like citizens from any profession, deserve the right to engage in politics without stigma, as long as their aim is to serve the nation.

The film also received international recognition, including screenings at major festivals abroad and winning the Best Feature Film award. The Daily Star spoke to Putul about the film, her career journey, and her newly launched theatre production house.

The six-episode horror-comedy series, titled “Aatka”, was written by Raba and directed by Arafat, and released on January 15 on Chorki.

The board also includes film editor Iqbal Ehsanul Kabir, film director Khijir Hayat Khan, film actress Quazi Nawshaba Ahmed, and film director Tasmiah Afrin Mou as members, alongside the Vice-Chairman of the Bangladesh Film Certification Board, Dhaka.

As the newspaper celebrates its anniversary, Shaheen extends his heartfelt congratulations. “This contribution—especially through initiatives like the OTT Awards—is a remarkable one for our industry,” he says. “I wish The Daily Star many more years of meaningful, responsible journalism.”

Extending his congratulations on the anniversary, Shakil speaks with the familiarity of a loyal reader. “Everyday, opening the newspaper, I look for the Arts & Entertainment page, as it is in my interest and a space of comfort,” he says. “For those of us who have been practising music for decades, this page is a source of genuine joy and honour.”

From veteran actors and filmmakers to rising stars and musicians, the industry has witnessed growth, innovation, and a renewed sense of purpose, marking one of the most challenging years as well.

As the year draws to a close, let us look back at the artistes who stood out, earned applause, and signalled a vibrant future for the industry.

For Khairul Anam Shakil, celebrating five decades of music is not just a personal milestone; it is a reflection of Bangladesh’s cultural heartbeat. As a celebrated Nazrul Sangeet exponent and General Secretary of the Bangladesh Nazrul Sangeet Sangstha (BNSS), Shakil has devoted his life to teaching, performing, and preserving the legacy of Kazi Nazrul Islam.

He began his musical journey in 2018 with three covers before making his original debut. “I started with a Rabindranath mashup, ‘Ei Mon Tomake Dilam’, and ‘Ei Poth Jodi Na Shesh Hoy’. Within a month, I released my first originals, ‘Mon Bojhena’ and then ‘Buker Ba Pashe’,” he reminisced. “I feel fortunate that people accepted me so early on.”

Cyberbullying is a growing global concern, intensified by rapid technological advances. Women, whether public figures or ordinary individuals, increasingly face online harassment, abusive comments, and AI-generated content, affecting their mental health and social life—often worsened by victim-blaming. Many of these acts are criminal offences, yet questions remain about accountability and legal protection. To explore these issues, we spoke with singer Dola Rahman, a Barrister-at-Law and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.

Whether an actor, athlete, singer, journalist, a corporate, or as a woman, they have to carry the burden of such acts regularly. Every form of abuse must be addressed. And in this era of technology, where it takes seconds to post a derogatory comment, the response should be just as swift. Clear rules are needed to ensure that accounts can be properly identified, regulated, and held accountable. Without this, we only empower abusers to continue.

In closing, Sarika expressed her desire to step into the silver screen and said she has been preparing herself for that transition. “If I get a good story, I would definitely want to take it on. At this phase, the great thing is that directors and actors are working across all mediums, and the film industry is doing really well.”