When some senior artistes from the industry visited the state television station BTV after it was vandalised, Sadia didn't hesitate to criticise their actions (crying for inanimate objects) on social media. "I always respect and honour them as seniors," she clarifies, "but I felt compelled to speak out."

The actor, currently receiving treatment for breast cancer, expressed, “Every innocent death is the death of humanity, and it is beyond any caste or religion. No community should go through such horrific acts, what’s wrong is wrong. Preserving the minorities of any country is the symbol of their collective community nature. My heart goes out to every individual who’s suffering all around the world. Because for me humanity comes first. I pray that the Hindus and other minorities of Bangladesh remain safe in their own country.”

For over a decade, Sheikh Hasina's regime was marked by enforced disappearances and brutal torture of political opponents. Hundreds of families in Bangladesh have endured the agonising uncertainty of not knowing the fate of their loved ones. These disappearances, largely targeting critics and political rivals of the Awami League party, are widely believed to have been orchestrated by state agencies during Hasina's 15-year rule.

Indian author and activist Arundhati Roy, renowned for her Booker Prize-winning novel “The God of Small Things”, has shared a heartfelt message for the team at Drik.

On Monday (August 12), Lucky submitted his resignation to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, as confirmed by Salahuddin Ahmed, Secretary of the Shilpakala Academy. The resignation was submitted via WhatsApp, the secretary informed The Daily Star.

The nation faced widespread disruption and violence during the anti-discrimination student movement, which also took a toll on the film industry. Although the situation began to stabilise after the interim government assumed control, filmmakers are hesitant to release their movies. As a result, release dates are being postponed repeatedly, with no clear indication of when new films will hit the screens.

"Deadpool," led by popular stars Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, has now passed the $1 billion mark in global ticket sales.

Tom Cruise brought a dose of Hollywood action to the Paris Olympics closing ceremony, marking the handover of the Games to Los Angeles for 2028 with an unforgettable stunt. The "Mission Impossible" star leaped off the roof of the Stade de France, the nation’s largest stadium, to the roaring applause of thousands.

From there, the former PM recently issued a message to her party members, stating, "I resigned so that I wouldn’t have to witness a trail of dead bodies. They wanted to seize power by sacrificing students, but I didn’t allow that to happen. I stepped down as PM to prevent further bloodshed."

Bollywood star Akshay Kumar is all set to unveil his latest film, “Khel Khel Mein”, directed by Mudassar Aziz. During a recent promotional interview, Akshay sparked interest with his unique take on the classic cartoon series “Tom and Jerry”. He described it as more “violent” than humourous, and shared that several of his action sequences are actually inspired by the antics of the iconic cartoon duo.

These incidents took place in three districts of the division including the Rajshahi branch of Star Cineplex, located in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Hi-Tech Park. The complex was vandalized by unknown assailants on August 7, confirmed the Chairman of Star Cineplex, former MP Mahboob Rahman Ruhel.

Music played a pivotal role in inspiring the nation to rise against the fascist and autocratic regime of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. From Shezan’s stirring “Kotha Ko” to Hannan’s powerful “Awaaz Utha Bangladesh”, the youth united in a quest for democracy against a corrupt government. 

Last Saturday night, the legendary "King Khan" took over the Piazza Grande, the famous central square in the charming Swiss town of Locarno. Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan graced the 77th Locarno Film Festival with his global influence, where he received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, known as the Pardo alla Carriera, or Career Leopard.

Bollywood actress Preity Zinta has expressed deep concern over the alleged attacks on Hindu communities in various parts of Bangladesh following the resignation of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. The attacks targeted homes, businesses, and places of worship, leaving the actress "devastated" by the news.

The student movements in Bangladesh have always led to significant outcomes. From 1952 to 1990, and even in 2024, each movement has achieved its goals. The victories of past movements have been captured in films and documentaries, and now, several new films and web series are in the works to depict the triumph of the anti-discrimination student movement.

Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, the second and final chief minister of West Bengal during the 34-year Leftist Front rule, passed away on Thursday (August 8). Known for his deep cultural sensibilities, Bhattacharjee had agreed to donate his organs after his death. After a public tribute, his body was not cremated but was taken to the NRS Medical College Hospital in Kolkata.

Recently, at D23, Disney's biennial fan event in California, major film announcements were made, including the reveal of the title for the third "Avatar" film, a new chapter in the "Star Wars" series, and the announcement of a sequel to "Freaky Friday".

For nearly a week, the streets of Dhaka have been operating without the proper traffic police force. In their absence, students have taken it upon themselves to manage traffic regulations across the capital, earning widespread praise from the city's residents. Among those joining the students in this effort is the renowned actor and chairman of the Nirapad Sarak Chai (NISCHA), Ilias Kanchan.

The "Mohanagar" director shared a heartfelt tribute, expressing his deep respect for Mushtaq Ahmed and lamenting that he couldn't show the fearless writer a liberated nation, free from dictatorship.

Chobir Hat, a longstanding hub for students and progressives, reopened after a decade-long closure, symbolising much more than a physical space—it embodies a cultural spirit. The inaugural concert of the “newly independent Bangladesh”, titled “Awaaz Uda-Kotha Ko”, has recently taken place at Chobir Hat in Suhrawardy Udyan.