Bangladeshi film “Betar” (Radio) has been officially selected for the West Meets East Screenplay Lab 2026, set to be held from January 11 to 14 as part of the 24th Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF). The lab will feature ten international projects.

Upon her return from the United States, actress and dancer Parsa Evana brought back more than just fond memories of a lovely holiday with her mother. She also gained valuable training in both acting and dance.

Organised by left-wing groups from Italy’s northeast, the rally drew an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 people, many waving Palestinian flags as they moved through the Lido district toward the festival grounds—just as the Hollywood blockbuster “Frankenstein” prepared for its red-carpet premiere.

“Emperor vs Sarat Chandra” will explore that era of heightened political drama—the writing and reception of the novel, its banning, and the broader turbulence of Bengal’s politics at the time. Mukherji confirmed that the screenplay is complete, with pre-production in motion. Shooting is expected to begin in November this year, backed by producers SVF and DAG Creative Media. Casting is underway, though the director is keeping names under wraps for now.

British actor Jude Law has portrayed a wide range of characters throughout his acclaimed career, but his latest role demanded unusual preparation. The 52-year-old star admitted he became “obsessive” about watching Russian President Vladimir Putin while preparing to play him in “The Wizard of the Kremlin”. The film, directed by Olivier Assayas, had its premiere at the Venice Film Festival.

A new comic series titled “Hit Man” is being developed for children and teenagers, with cartoonist Sohani finalising the designs of all characters. After much anticipation, Sohani has finally found her desired face for the lead character — none other than popular actor Niloy Alamgir.

What I didn’t know as a child was that this gentle figure was, in many ways, a rebel. Mustafa Monwar’s art was never just about puppets or paintings. It was about freedom, about expression, and about believing that children deserve more than entertainment; they deserve hope, creativity, and courage.

“Superman”, the first film in the rather promising new DC Cinematic Universe reboot, is above all a callback to the good old days. Its director, James Gunn, who is also navigating the new DC terrain alongside Peter Safran, delivers a movie rooted in the heart and essence of the comic books we grew up reading, and true to his words, especially “Superman: Birthright”, “All-Star Superman”, and “Superman for All Seasons”. On top of that, Clark Kent's look and sensibilities in the movie are so unapologetically canonical that they conjure comforting whiffs of growing up watching “Smallville” and the iconic animated series “Justice League Unlimited”. Having acknowledged as much, I will abstain from comparing it to the previous iteration of DC, which Zack Snyder helmed for the most part. There is simply no point in dredging up past committed creative choices that were transparently communicated and developed, while they lasted.

A performance hits the landmark of being memorable when it offers elements to make the audience think while leaving them with realistic realisations. In the same spirit, the dance drama “Crested Ibises” unfolds a profound meditation on the fragile relationship between humans and the natural world.

A Reuters investigation has found that Meta created dozens of flirty social-media chatbots using the names and likenesses of celebrities like Taylor Swift, Scarlett Johansson, Anne Hathaway, and Selena Gomez without their consent.

Celebrated Pakistani playback singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, whose voice has mesmerised listeners across South Asia, is set to release a new Bangla track. This time, he has joined forces with Bangladeshi singer Rubayyat Jahan for a duet titled “Tumi Amar Prem Piyasha”.

A new Bangladeshi short film, “Naobibi”, has been filmed, highlighting the fragile ecosystem of the Haor wetlands and the looming impact of climate change.

Every few years, Bollywood offers a story of maternal heroism, where a mother becomes both protector and saviour, taking centre stage in a narrative traditionally dominated by male leads. "Maa" enters this lineage with Kajol in the titular role, a choice that immediately draws attention. The film, currently streaming on Netflix, blends horror with mythology to weave a narrative that pits a mother’s fierce love against supernatural forces rooted in Bengali folklore. Set in Chandrapur, West Bengal, the story is anchored in the legend of Raktabeej and the fierce presence of Kali Maa, aiming to merge ancient myth with contemporary familial stakes. On paper, the premise is ambitious: a mother willing to defy mortal and supernatural odds to protect her child, all while exploring broader social themes, particularly the value of a girl child in a patriarchal setting.

Made 91 years ago, “Dhruva” (1934) is the sole film Kazi Nazrul Islam directed—co-helmed with Satyendranath Dey—and is widely noted in Bengali cinema history for placing the national poet behind the camera as both director and actor.

The top 10 list also includes Drake, Rihanna, Post Malone, Eminem, The Weeknd, Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, and Usher. Only Eminem, Usher, and Beyoncé debuted before 2000, highlighting the dominance of newer artists in this century.

For decades, Mustafa Monwar’s work has stood at the crossroads of tradition and innovation. His puppetry transformed the medium into an art form of depth and wonder, while his watercolors—delicate yet powerful—continue to inspire awe. To generations of Bangladeshis, he is more than an artist; he is a cultural institution.

The new adaptation of Mary Shelley's classic novel "Frankenstein", directed by Mexico's Guillermo del Toro, portrays a sad, sensitive creature craving affection and knowledge, and instead confronted by anger and hatred.

Over the years, Prova has appeared in numerous dramas and commercials but never in a film. Now, after nearly two decades in the industry, she is finally stepping onto the big screen.

The day marks the death anniversary of esteemed vocalist Abdul Jabbar, who passed away eight years ago. The late Ekushey Padak and Independence Award (Swadhinata Padak) recipient earned lasting recognition through his playback songs and his stirring performances at Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra during the Liberation War.

The Bengal Parampara Sangeetalay held its Annual Certificate Award Ceremony on Friday evening (August 29) at its Dhanmondi premises, celebrating the dedication and achievements of its students and teachers in classical music.