A better 2026: Stars share hopes, plans, and reflections
As 2025 comes to a close, the Bangladeshi cultural scene looks back at a year of triumphs, challenges, and creative milestones.
From veteran actors and filmmakers to rising stars and musicians, the industry has witnessed growth, innovation, and a renewed sense of purpose, marking one of the most challenging years as well.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. With 2026 on the horizon, these artistes shared their hopes, personal resolutions, and bold plans for the future, whether it's through visionary films, groundbreaking music, socially conscious theatre, or nurturing new talent. Each story reflects not only ambition but a heartfelt commitment to creativity, culture, and community, setting the tone for an inspiring year ahead.
Zahid Hasan
Veteran actor Zahid Hasan rejuvenated his career in 2025 with "Utshob". This actor, who is calm by nature and expresses his simplicity through his words, shared his New Year's resolution and expectations in a heartfelt message, voicing both hope and concern. "Like everyone else, my first wish is that I stay healthy," he said, adding that he wants people across the country to live safely. Referring to violence, arson and unrest, he noted, "So many things are being burned and destroyed, my prayer and wish for the upcoming year is that I don't want this imbalance. I want peace for everyone."
He also expressed a desire for religious freedom and collective wellbeing. "May everyone practise their faith freely, live independently, stay healthy and be happy."
Speaking candidly about his own life, he said, "My health hasn't been good, and while some work excites me, some doesn't." As the year begins, prayers were sought, for himself and his family, while New Year wishes and love were extended to all.
Shihab Shaheen
2025 was one of the redefining years for the noted filmmaker Shihab Shaheen. In the year gone by, He believes that the year became one of renewed belief for him, shaped largely by the release of his second film, "Daagi", after a long gap.
"Many things happened this year, but after a long time my second film was released—so for me, it became a year of faith," he said. He noted that the film reached a wide audience and created an emotional connection. "Amid so much appreciation, the film managed to reach many people and touch them," he added. As a result, the year felt defined by a single project. "From making the film to its release and audience response, my entire year revolved around 'Daagi'."
Looking ahead, several projects are lined up, including a new series slated for Eid and upcoming second season for "Golam Mamun" and third season for "Myself Allen Swapan" as part of his existing works.
Another new series will be announced in due course, while preparations for a third film are expected to begin by year's end. On a wider scale, Shihab expressed hope for the industry. "We have gone through a difficult phase," he said, adding, "I believe that after the election, better days will return." He remains optimistic that despondency will fade, a culture-friendly environment will prevail, and creative work will continue smoothly in the year ahead.
Sadia Ayman
For this young talent, the year ended marking a turning point in her career. Reflecting on the past year, Sadia Ayman described 2025 as unexpectedly rewarding and deeply fulfilling. "Alhamdulillah, this year has been beyond my expectations," she said. Despite anticipating only a few projects, she found herself receiving immense love and opportunities. "This year has been very different, a turning point in my career, a new celebration in my journey," she added. She expressed gratitude for her family's wellbeing, her pets, and her own health, acknowledging the losses of three relatives while appreciating that everyone else remains safe and healthy.
Looking ahead, Sadia shared a clear focus on balance and thoughtful choices. "I want to maintain my confidence in fitness and health, make deliberate work decisions, and ensure my family and pets stay well," she explained. She emphasised taking her time with creative projects, especially for big-screen releases, and prioritising quality over rushing into commitments.
With web projects and brand collaborations lined up for the year ahead, she hopes to carefully manage her work while sustaining a balanced, healthy lifestyle. "I cannot share much, but I am lucky that I have worked in a web project that will be announced soon, where I have shared the screen space with legends and brilliant actors, and this project remains very close to my heart! Next year, I plan to streamline responsibilities and focus on meaningful projects rather than doing everything at once," she concluded, highlighting a vision of steadiness, wellbeing, and purposeful progress in both career and personal life.
Pritom Hasan
The young musician did not just win hearts, but kept the year round full with buzz with his masterful creations.
Looking back on his experiences and sharing his vision for the year ahead, Pritom Hasan expressed the evolution of his music and career milestones. "'I would call it a year! A year I consider so far the best of my life career wise, which took me to many cities across America and Australia, letting me explore a fresh style of music," he said.
Looking forward, he revealed plans for April next year—marking his official ten-year milestone in the Bangladeshi music industry—and expressed hope for a major shift in his work.
Discussing upcoming film projects, he mentioned, "We'll definitely be working with Shakib bhai next year; talks are underway, Inshallah."
Despite career, as a concerned citizen, he shared on collaboration and navigating differing opinions, "We often debate a lot, but focusing on our common ground and supporting each other is very important, especially during crisis times when everyone has strong, differing opinions."
Pritom emphasised unity and respect as key to moving forward, both creatively and personally.
Tasnia Farin
With film, song and announcing her own production house, Tasnia Farin had an eventful year, which she wants to focus more to settle down in the new year.
Talking about her journey and looking ahead, Tasnia Farin shared insights into her evolving career and ambitions. "I've been working actively for a long time, but this year I've focused on investing in myself and exploring new ventures, whether in film, production, music, or other creative areas," she said. Acknowledging the challenges of managing a production, she added, "Acting is one thing, but producing comes with so many responsibilities, from pre and post-production to marketing and reaching audiences. The pressure is completely new for me, but seeing even a small production succeed gives me immense confidence for bigger plans."
Discussing her resolutions for the coming year, she explained, "I want to re-evaluate the decisions I've made, plan my roadmap carefully, and move forward with purpose.
Music will remain a key focus, and I hope to produce quality content for OTT platforms, bringing exciting stories to life."
She also reflected on balancing acting and production work: "No matter the role I take, I want to contribute meaningfully, whether through acting or producing."
Looking ahead to 2026, she is particularly excited about her first collaboration with Shakib Khan on the big screen. "Working with Shakib bhai for Eid is both nerve-wracking and thrilling. His films have a unique connection with audiences, and I'm hoping to experience that energy firsthand," she said, expressing anticipation for a year of creative growth, new challenges, and meaningful contributions to the industry.
Quazi Nawshaba Ahmed
As an artiste, she has always spoken and stands for the art, philosophy of life and peace. Nawshaba spoke about life, art, and responsibility with heartfelt clarity, sharing how she sees her journey and the year ahead. "Alhamdulillah, I am still alive, and that itself is a huge blessing," she said, recalling the years since her father's passing in 2018. She credits her family, friends, and Allah for helping her stay grounded. "Through every hour and every minute, I have managed to stay true to myself—I haven't compromised my soul," she added.
She explained how she approaches art with intention and honesty. "Whatever I do—whether it's theatre, film, OTT projects, or my own creations—I express what I genuinely believe in. Even in personal life, I try to act consciously, holding on to my principles without seeking validation. I don't feel the need to explain myself; I just let my work speak," she said. For her, art is not just entertainment—it is a means to heal, inspire, and reflect culture.
Looking forward, she wants to use her work to make a real difference. "I want to reach people who feel frustrated or isolated, bring them into creative spaces, and help them understand themselves. It's not about pointing fingers; it's about awareness and change," she said. Her vision includes nationwide initiatives and even international projects, with dreams of creating theatre on a Broadway scale.
For the coming year, Nawshaba aims to continue expressing her beliefs through art, building consciousness and empathy step by step. "I will keep holding on to what I believe in, whether on stage, on screen, or in my own life. Change doesn't happen overnight, but gradually, we can make a difference—for ourselves, our society, and beyond," she said, highlighting a journey of integrity, purpose, and transformative creativity.
Raihan Rafi
Renowned filmmaker Raihan Rafi described 2025 as a positive and meaningful one, marked by new beginnings and long-held ambitions taking shape. "This year went well, beautiful things happened," he said, revealing that he has already begun work on a new film, a long-cherished dream project for the big screen.
While the project has not yet been officially announced, he confirmed that a formal announcement will come early in the new year. "It's something I've wanted to do for a long time, and I'm finally doing it," he added.
Looking ahead, Rafi believes the path is now clearer than ever. After years of preparing audiences through films such as "Poran", "Surongo", "Toofan", "Tandob" and "Poramon 2", he feels ready to present more ambitious, visionary cinema. "I've gradually built a diverse audience that regularly comes to theatres. Now I want to offer them something different—films I've always wanted to make but held back for commercial reasons," he said. He is optimistic that the coming year will be a strong one for Bangla cinema, with more variety and new storytelling approaches.
Rafi also shared plans to think beyond national borders. "From now on, I don't want to make films only for Bangladesh. I want to create films that work here but also appeal to international audiences," he explained, adding that original Bangladeshi stories should return to cinema halls, not remain limited to OTT platforms.
The new year will also mark a milestone in his career with the release of his first film as a producer under his own banner, Kanon Films, named after his mother.
"This is a new identity for me," he said, noting plans to produce films by new directors in the future. Ending on a reflective note, Rafi urged everyone to value time. "Life is very short. Not a single moment should be wasted without purpose. If we don't live meaningfully or help others, then life loses its value," he said, extending New Year wishes and a call for conscious, purposeful living.
Comments