Cultural adviser and filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki fell ill on Saturday evening while attending an official programme in Cox’s Bazar.

Actress Azmeri Haque Badhan, who had also been a prominent presence during the July movement, strongly denounced such attacks. In a Facebook post, she questioned why individuals were attempting to dictate whom others could or could not honour.

The musician asserted, “These are matters of history. People will honour their leader; they will express their love with bouquets. To those who wish to suppress this, I can only say, no one can ever ‘crush’ love and remembrance!”

The first teaser of “The Ba***ds of Bollywood”, marking Aryan Khan’s debut venture as a director, is out—and it exudes pure cinematic flair. The teaser blends snippets of the show with Aryan’s own narration, delivered in a style reminiscent of his father, superstar Shah Rukh Khan. The twist? While Shah Rukh often spoke of love, Aryan’s focus shifts to action, showcasing plenty of high-octane sequences.

Legendary actress Jharna Basak, better known by the stage name Shabnam, renowned as the ‘Princess of Rupnagar', is set to appear on television for the very first time in her long career. Despite a journey spanning nearly four decades and over 180 films, the iconic star has never before been featured as a guest on a TV programme.

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has once again charmed fans with his humility during an online fan interaction. Fresh off his recent National Award win for “Jawan”, the actor held an ‘Ask Me Anything’ (AMA) session on X (formerly Twitter), where he answered questions with his trademark wit and sincerity.

On August 17, the Bangladeshi art world pauses in reverence to celebrate and reflect upon the birthdays of two towering figures of our modern art history—Monirul Islam, who turns 82 today, and the late Murtaja Baseer, who would have been 93. Albeit belonging to different generations, both artists carried the flag of Bangladeshi modernism beyond our borders, inscribing their names on the international stage while remaining deeply rooted in their homeland.

Filmmaker and Cultural Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Dhaka after falling sick during an official visit to Cox’s Bazar. His wife, actress Nusrat Imrose Tisha, confirmed the development on social media yesterday, saying he had become ill while attending a ministry workshop. Doctors later stated that he had fallen sick due to excessive work pressure but is now out of danger. “Please keep him in your prayers,” she wrote.

Filmmaker Ali Zulfikar Zahedi is set to bring the lives of silver screen stars to the big screen with his upcoming project “Cholochittra: The Cinema”. Actress Runa Khan has joined the cast, taking on the role of a film heroine.

Airport authorities confirmed to The Daily Star that the adviser was flown to Dhaka by helicopter at 10:32pm

Since the Stone Age, stones have been the bearer of culture and the earliest civilisations. Over time, aside from making weapons, humans began to incorporate stones into building shelters. Later on, they became the first medium for written language through the art of carving, and even today, despite being replaced by papyrus and the printing press, this form of art lives on.

The Dhaka Theatre has launched a four-day festival in memory of the legendary playwright Selim Al Deen, staging his Liberation War-based drama “Deyal” at the Mahila Samity Auditorium in Dhaka. The festival, which began Friday (August 15), marks Selim Al Deen’s 76th birth anniversary and will continue until August 18.

Martin Scorsese, who recently made his Emmy-nominated OTT debut with Seth Rogen’s “The Studio”, is returning with a new project. The acclaimed filmmaker has announced “Mr Scorsese”, a five-part documentary exploring both his personal and professional journey.

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.