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.

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.

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.

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.

In early August, it was revealed that Bangladeshi actress Tasnia Farin is set to co-star with Kolkata's megastar Dev. The actress, known for her role in "Ladies and Gentlemen", shared her excitement about this new film project.

Even without cable, fans could relive those memories by watching online for free. Sadly, Warner Bros, its parent company, has decided to shut down the official Cartoon Network website.

The actress confirmed to The Daily Star that she does not use Facebook. The page that claims to be hers is fake, and is posting political content continuously.

In a joint statement, the assembled artistes addressed the recent turmoil, saying, "We have taken down the dictator through a bloody mass uprising led by the students of our country. We deeply remember the martyred who were brutally killed by Sheikh Hasina's regime. It's very unfortunate that we are yet to get the identification of many and have a confirmed number of the people who have lost their lives."

If I wanted, I could have received major awards during the BNP government, but I did not. It is not in my nature. However, the previous government did not do so. There has been lobbying in grants, the censor board, national film awards, Ekushey Padak, and Independence awards. Yet, it was martyred President Ziaur Rahman who introduced the National Film Awards.

Cultural figures, some without even being directly involved in the movement, fuelled the protest with their music, art, and philosophy. As the fire of resistance raged on, the veil of fear was lifted, and more voices joined in. We can only hope that today’s celebrities learn to question power rather than remain subservient to it.

Akshay Kumar has reported contributed Rs 1.21 crore to the Haji Ali Dargah in Mumbai for its renovation process, as announced by the Dargah’s official social media account. The post noted that the actor has committed to funding a specific portion of the renovation project, amounting to Rs 1.21 crore. The trust praised the actor as a “true Mumbaikar” and expressed their gratitude for his generous support.