Actress and development professional Rafiath Rashid Mithila has successfully defended her PhD thesis at the University of Geneva, Switzerland, officially earning the title of “Dr”.

After months of speculation, Bollywood actress Parineeti Chopra has confirmed that she is expecting her first child. Previously, Parineeti had dismissed all rumours, but the news was finally revealed on Monday through a heartfelt Instagram post.

Actors’ Equity Bangladesh recently organised a two-day special workshop titled “Communication and Skill Development” for its newly enlisted members. The workshop, held on August 22 and 23 at the organisation’s office in Niketan, was attended by 40 participants.

Continuing this tradition, the latest episode has been filmed in Char Fasson, the historic planned township of the island district of Bhola, washed by the Meghna and Tetulia rivers. The stage was set in front of the nearly century-old historic Taffanel Barrett School, built during the British period.

Actor-turned-politician Thalapathy Vijay announced he will contest the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections from Madurai East, seeking to position his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), as a formidable third front in state politics. The declaration came at a massive rally in Madurai on Thursday, attended by thousands of supporters.

Flanagan has become a defining voice in contemporary horror with acclaimed works such as “The Haunting of Hill House”, “Midnight Mass”, and “Doctor Sleep”. His craftsmanship has now earned King’s public endorsement, further cementing his reputation as one of the genre’s most innovative storytellers.

Bangladeshi cinema continues to find its footing on the global stage, with short film “Happy Birthday” by Ruslan Tareq earning international recognition. The 19-minute dark comedy has already secured an Honourable Mention at the Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival (AIMAFF) 2025 and an official selection at the Anatolia International Film Festival in Turkey.

After several years of delays and missed release dates, director Shoibur Rahman Russell has confirmed that his film ‘Nandini’, starring Indraneil Sengupta and Nazira Ahmed Mou, will finally be released in theatres on September 12. The official trailer is scheduled to be launched tomorrow as part of the promotional campaign.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly in discussions to produce a Netflix documentary on Princess Diana, ahead of the 30th anniversary of her death in 2027. The project, considered one of their most personal yet, is being developed under their renewed deal with the streaming giant.

The star couple still have unfinished projects in hand, including “The Spy” and “Netri: The Leader”. Ananta said, “We currently have two or three films. Some are half done, others are 70 percent complete.

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.

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”.

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.

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.”

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”.

The film “Barir Naam Shahana” (A House Named Shahana) is set to be released in theatres across Bangladesh. Directed by Leesa Gazi, the film is produced under the banners of Goopy Bagha Productions Limited and Komola Collective. The announcement was made on Thursday (21 August) hnight through a Facebook post by Goopy Bagha Productions Limited.