A thought-provoking discussion and recital titled “Phulguli Kothay Gelo” was held last Thursday evening at Bishwo Shahitto Kendro in Bangla Motor, Dhaka, organised by cultural organisation Joltorongo.

Bangladeshi filmmaker Iqbal Hossain Chowdhury has received two prestigious nominations at the newly launched Astar Awards, organised by the International Institute of Film, Science and Arts (IIFSA) in New York.

“Beyond the Ordinary: Raincheck,” organised by Let’s Vibe and Karkhana, brought crowds to Courtside at Madani Avenue last Friday evening for a monsoon-inspired concert. Although the anticipated downpour never arrived, the atmosphere was charged with music instead.

The Bangladeshi film “Agantuk” has officially been selected as the closing film of the five-day Toronto Multicultural Film Festival, which begins in Canada today (August 24). The film, directed by Biplob Sarkar, carries the English title “The Stranger”.

For the first time, Dhaka University hosted a campus stand-up comedy show titled “Hashir Adda”. The event was held last evening at the TSC Auditorium, where a packed audience turned up in overwhelming numbers.

“Coke Studio Bangla” has released its latest track, “Baaji”, a powerful fusion of urban folk and indigenous musical traditions that highlights the rich cultural diversity of Bangladesh. As the fourth track of Season 3, it highlights the platform’s growing influence in representing Bangladeshi culture.

Saif Sarwar, Bangladesh’s first automotive content creator, has made history with his short film “Go Beyond”, which has been nominated in the Best Independent Film category at the prestigious International Motor Film Awards (IMFA). This is the first time a Bangladeshi automotive film has reached a global platform.

Bengal Shilpalay inaugurated “Shotoborshe Sultan” yesterday, a solo photography exhibition by Nasir Ali Mamun, held as a tribute to legendary Bangladeshi artist SM Sultan on his birth centenary.

Nearly two years later, Mahmud is making a comeback with a new track. This time, along with writing and composing, he will also be singing. The song, titled “Baaji”, is set to premiere today on “Coke Studio Bangla’s” YouTube channel.

The Dhaka unit of theatre troupe Bibarton Jessore’s children’s wing brought Rabindranath Tagore’s classic play “Rother Roshi” to the stage last evening, marking their second theatre production. 

Renowned musician Nakib Khan is marking 50 years of his musical journey with a grand celebration in Dhaka. The event, titled “Nakib Khan: Fifty Years Celebration”, will be held this afternoon at 4:30pm at the Crystal Ballroom of Hotel InterContinental, organised by the Television Journalists Forum of Bangladesh (TJFb).

Galleri Kaya inaugurated the “Celebrating Murtaja Baseer” exhibition yesterday, honouring the novelist, researcher, numismatist, poet, filmmaker, and art critic — with August being the month that observes both his birth and passing.

Actor Anisur Rahman Milon has been honoured with the Best Humanitarian Award 2025 in the United States in recognition of his social contributions. He accepted the award at a ceremony held in Los Angeles, presented by the Church of Scientology.

Film professionals have engaged in an open discussion on ensuring transparency and professionalism in the government’s film financing process. The event was organised by Jatiyo Cholochitra Andolon (National Film Movement) and Cholochitra Shongskar Roadmap (Film Reform Roadmap) and took place yesterday at 4pm in the seminar room of the Department of Theatre, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

“My father was a theatre actor, but he never had the opportunity to pursue acting and became a journalist instead,” shares Pranto. “I believe that his unfulfilled dream was passed down to me, and I was meant to carry it forward.” In recent years, few rising actors have been more determined to prove their range than Abid Bin Parvez Pranto. From TVCs to short films and eventually fiction, he has steadily marked himself as an actor intent on versatility.

Director Abu Hayat Mahmud has already stated, “Keeping in mind audiences from Gulistan to Gulshan, we have taken the initiative to make this film on a ‘larger-than-life’ scale. The story is set in Dhaka of the 1990s, and it will feature crime, love, action, emotion, and family drama.”

A dance performance titled ‘Dilnewaz’, inspired by a 1940s Urdu short story by Rahat Ara Begum, will be presented by Shadhona - A Center for Advancement of South Asian Culture.

Renowned singer-composer Habib Wahid and Atiya Anisha have once again teamed up for the new duet, “Tor Adorey”, which was released yesterday on YouTube. The song, written by Amita Karmoker, has been composed and arranged by Habib himself.

Dafne Keen (“Deadpool” & “Wolverine”, “His Dark Materials”) and Saara Chaudry (“The Breadwinner”, “The Mysterious Benedict Society”) have officially signed on for recurring roles in the show’s third season, now filming in Vancouver. Keen will portray Artemis, the Greek goddess of the moon and the hunt, while Chaudry steps in as Zoë Nightshade, Artemis’ immortal lieutenant.

Blake Lively is set to star in the upcoming romantic comedy “The Survival List”.