The Venice Film Festival erupted in applause last night as Pedro Almodóvar’s latest film, “The Room Next Door”, received a thunderous 17-minute standing ovation. The film, which stars Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore in the lead roles, premiered on September 2, captivating the audience with its emotional depth and compelling performances.

BTS leader RM is poised to make a significant impact on the big screen with the documentary “RM: Right People, Wrong Place”, scheduled for a major premiere at the 29th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) this October. Renowned for its eclectic and dynamic selection, the festival will feature a special focus on RM’s film, which explores his journey as both an artiste and an individual during a pivotal time in his life.

A film about the national poet of Bangladesh is currently being produced in West Bengal. Tollywood producer Abdul Alim is behind the project, which is titled “Kazi Nazrul Islam”.

The strike has garnered significant support from other key industry associations. The Advertising & Filmmakers Association (ADFA), the Bangladesh Alliance of Cinematographers (BAC), the Post Productions Association of Bangladesh (PAB), and the Art Directors & Costume Designers Association of Bangladesh have all united in solidarity with BAAcP. Additionally, the Bangladesh Association of Art Makers and Set Designers (BAAMS), along with groups representing makeup artists, production managers, and other essential crew members, have thrown their weight behind the strike.

Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their first child, expected later this month. In anticipation of their baby’s arrival, the couple shared images from their pregnancy photoshoot.

Totini's journey in showbiz began in 2019, and in a short time, she has made significant strides. Appearing in 30-35 commercials and numerous web-series, she has steadily gained recognition. Among her notable works is "Kolpona", directed by Piplu R Khan, which received positive acclaim. Following this success, she collaborated with Vicky Zahed on the drama “Bachibar Holo Tar Sadh”, a project that earned her widespread appreciation from viewers.

Director Vicky Zahed, known for his gripping psycho-thrillers like “Redrum” and the “Punorjonmo” series, returns with a new short film—this time blending horror with suspense in “Ekti Khola Janala” (An Open Window).

The 85-year-old actor, who is currently recovering from a fall during a performance of Player Kings in London’s West End, expressed uncertainty about the timeline for the project. “When? I don’t know. What is the script? It’s not written yet. So, they better be quick,” he added, highlighting the project's early stages.

Football star Cristiano Ronaldo might invite cricketer Virat Kohli to share the screen on UR Cristiano, the official YouTube channel of Ronaldo, according to Kohli's IPL franchise, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

Despite the film's star power, the standing ovation, while enthusiastic, lasted only four minutes—a modest duration by Venice standards. Festival organizers appeared eager to move the crowd along due to the late start and the lively, sometimes unruly, atmosphere.

Tanjin Tisha, known for her beauty, versatile performances and grace on-screen, has made a name for herself in both modelling and acting. Since the beginning of her career, she has captivated audiences with her glamorous presence. Starting in modelling in 2011, Tisha transitioned to acting in 2014 with the drama "U-Turn."

The glamorous Nusraat Faria may not be making headlines with new films, but she is certainly grabbing attention as the brand ambassador for an online gambling app. Recently, she appeared in a promotional song for the app, where she was seen endorsing gambling. 

“IC 814” is based on the real-life hijacking of a flight from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, to Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. The flight was commandeered by five armed terrorists and forced to land at multiple locations before eventually reaching Kandahar, Afghanistan, then under Taliban control.

A major concert is set to electrify Dhaka this weekend, showcasing a stellar lineup of the nation’s top bands, including Carnival, Meghdol, and Shironamhin, among others. 

Recently, in recognition of his contributions to the arts, Miyazaki was announced as this year’s winner of the Ramon Magsaysay Award, popularly known as Asia’s Nobel Prize.

On November 29, 1957, the Bengali-language newspaper Jugantor carried an advertisement placed by the management of Metro Goldwyn Mayer’s (MGM) Metro Film Hall of Kolkata.

Angelina Jolie, known for her candid reflections, spoke about the impact of societal perceptions on women's identities during a press conference at the Venice Film Festival, where she is promoting her latest film, “Maria”.

Mustafa Monwar, lovingly known as Bangladesh's "Puppet Man," has been a towering figure in the country's artistic and cultural landscape. Born on September 1, 1935, Monwar’s contributions to puppetry, painting, visual arts, and television have made him a symbol of creative freedom and expression.

The finest characteristic of Amitab’s paintings is that they invoke emotions and create a chain of thoughts. His artworks speak of his commitment to proportions and balance. His imagination comes alive through the colours and textures of his canvases. Calm and chaos both exist in his works harmoniously. According to the curator, the artist orchestrates atemporal, and spatial configurations with deliberate and methodical approaches and they align with the aesthetics of the abstract. 

Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) is currently hosting “Beyond the Gaze”, showcasing a profound exploration of intimacy, identity, and isolation through the lens of emerging photographers and artists. The exhibition features works from the PSA: Beyond the Gaze 2023–2024 workshop, an initiative supported by Photo South Asia under the MurthyNAYAK Foundation, and partnered with AFD and Kiran Nadar Museum of Art in Delhi, India.