Legendary American thrash metal band Megadeth announced Thursday that their upcoming album will be their last, and they plan to launch a farewell tour in 2026.

Among the artistes who elevated Bangladeshi rock music to an international platform, Ayub Bachchu holds a distinct place. Widely regarded as one of the finest guitarists in the subcontinent, today marks the 64th birth anniversary of the late band legend. To commemorate the occasion, Ayub Bachchu Foundation has organised a special event at the Liberation War Museum auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka.

In the glittering world of showbiz, the spotlight often falls on the faces we see on screen, while those working tirelessly behind the scenes remain in the shadows. Blender’s Choice The-Daily Star OTT & Digital Content Awards shines that long-overdue light on these unsung heroes, honouring their skill, passion, and relentless dedication. This celebration is not just about recognition—it’s about applauding the creativity and hard work that elevate every project for the audience they serve.

Actor Tawsif Mahbub endured a nerve-racking challenge for director Vicky Zahed’s upcoming drama “Khowabnama”, which blends thriller and supernatural elements. The newly released poster shows Tawsif lying in a grave, his body draped with snakes — a striking image that sparked disbelief among fans. To prove it was real, the actor shared behind-the-scenes footage showing live snakes being placed on him during the shoot.

Taylor Swift’s surprise appearance on “New Heights” — the popular podcast hosted by NFL stars Travis and Jason Kelce — has set a new record for the show, racking up over 10 million YouTube views in under 20 hours and drawing unprecedented streaming numbers across platforms.

First staged in 2022, "Agunjatra" is the Bangla adaptation of Indian playwright Mahesh Dattani’s “Seven Steps Around the Fire”, translated by Shahidul Mamun and adapted and directed by Azad Abul Kalam. The play takes audiences deep into the lives of hijra and transgender communities, confronting prejudice, politics, and the fight for dignity.

Renowned Bangladeshi actor Chanchal Chowdhury has built a career in which almost every film he has worked on has been met with a warm audience reception. His latest project, “Utshob”, has continued that streak of success.

“Vought Rising” is set in the 1950s and promises a “twisted murder mystery” steeped in superhero intrigue.

Bangladeshi actor Dibya Joyti had an unexpected encounter with Bollywood star Aamir Khan on the streets of Melbourne, Australia. Introducing himself, Dibya spoke about his work with acclaimed Indian filmmaker Shyam Benegal. Known as “Mr Perfectionist”, Aamir responded warmly—patting Dibya on the back and wishing him success.

The documentary film “The Ice Cream Sellers”, directed by Sohel Rahman, portrays the struggles of two young siblings from Myanmar’s Rohingya community who took refuge in Cox’s Bazar following the genocide. The film has been screened at over 40 universities and institutions worldwide and will now be shown in Bangladesh. The screening will take place tomorrow, at 5pm at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) campus auditorium.

Every time I settle in for a binge-watch, armed with snacks and the delusional belief that I have “just one more episode” worth of self-control, an OTT platform finds a new way to personally offend me by splitting a season into two. You open Netflix or Prime Video, click on a highly anticipated series, and halfway through, realise you are too early for the binge-watch. “Stranger Things” did it. “The Witcher” did it. “Bridgerton” and “Squid Game” Season 3 did it—and, more recently, the second season of “Wednesday” just did the very same. And don’t even get me started on the “Money Heist” final-season split, which had the entire internet in a chokehold for weeks.

Shabnam became a household name in Bangla and Pakistani cinema during the 1960s, winning hearts with her performance in the superhit song “Ami Rup Nogorer Rajkonna”.

Netflix has released the first trailer for “Steve”, a drama starring Academy Award winner Cillian Murphy as a headteacher struggling to save both his reform school and himself. Based on Max Porter’s 2023 novel “Shy”, the film will have its world premiere at the New York Film Festival, running from September 26 to October 13, before streaming globally on October 3. It will also open in select theatres on September 9.

Director Raihan Rafi is set to venture into horror with his latest project “Andhar”. While rumours have circulated for days about Siam Ahmed’s casting, it has now emerged that Nazifa Tushi will also star in the film.

Bangladeshi feature film “Noya Manush” will be showcased at the Toronto Multicultural Film Festival 2025, organised by the Toronto Film Forum in Canada.

Based on Arthur Miller’s “The Price”, the play has been adapted into Bangla by Asit Mukhopadhyay, with transformation and direction by Mohammad Bari. “Mulyo Amulyo” explores the steep emotional cost of eroding family bonds in the face of a profit-driven state, a fragmented society, and the relentless march of market capitalism.

American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift has revealed the first-look posters for her 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl”, offering fans a glimpse into what she describes as one of the most vibrant periods of her life. The album is scheduled for release on October 3.

After a two-decade hiatus, Bangladesh Television (BTV) is set to relaunch its popular talent hunt programme for children and adolescents, “Notun Kuri”.

To help Bangladeshi youth learn the art of drone programming from China, a specialised training programme has been launched as a joint initiative between the Chinese Embassy and Bangladesh’s Ministry of Cultural Affairs. As part of this programme, 11 individuals have been selected to travel to China — nine as trainees, one as team leader, and one official.

Bangladeshi band Chirkutt lit up Manchester with an electrifying performance at Summerfest 2025 on August 7, held at the Aberna Campus of UK Management College. The event drew an eclectic crowd of international students and expatriates, many traveling specifically to see the band live.