Winston Groom, the writer whose novel “Forrest Gump” was made into a six-Oscar winning 1994 movie that became a soaring pop cultural phenomenon, has died at age 77. Mayor Karin Wilson of Fairhope, Alabama, said in a message on social media that Groom had died in that south Alabama town. A local funeral home also confirmed the death and said arrangements were pending.

Noted actor Apu Biswas’s mother, Shefali Biswas, breathed her last at Labaid Hospital in Dhaka earlier today at 12: 40 am, while undergoing treatment.

Amid the uncertainty that looms over the movie business, Modhuban Cineplex in Bogura is planning to reopen. The cinema theatre, which is set to be a multiplex, has been closed since 2017 for reconstruction and renovation purposes.

At a time when the Bangladeshi film industry moves at a snail’s pace to try and catch up to international standards, Arifin Shuvoo took a huge stride in proving that anything is possible with the right amount of dedication.

Due to various allegations, Bangladesh Cholochitro Shilpi Samity president Misha Sawdagar and General Secretary Zayed Khan were boycotted by 19 organisations last month. The organisations held a meeting yesterday, where they came to decision to send a written application to BFDC’s MD -- to strengthen the ban on Misha Sawdagar and bar Zayed Khan from entering its premises altogether.

When someone told me the name of Dads in the Park’s newest single, I mistook it for Afim o Love, and prayed that the band wouldn’t go in that trajectory. However, the indie up and comers have not disappointed their fanbase with their third single, gleefully titled Afeenolove, a play on the words “I feel no love”.

Kaushik Sankar Das, a renowned television director, announced his directorial debut in films with Punch, with Niloy Alamgir and Meghla Mukta in the lead roles. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the film was postponed. In the meantime, the director has ventured into acting. In a candid chat with The Daily Star, Das talks about his upcoming projects and his plans for Durga Puja.

Renowned actor Afsana Mimi also has several successful directorial projects to her credit. She is currently working on a new television show for BTV, based on Shawkat Ali’s novel, Dokkhin Nayoner Din. The show’s shooting is scheduled to start at the end of this month. Mimi is returning as a director for BTV after four years, with this project. Some of her other notable directorial projects include Kacher Manush, Bondhon, Doll’s House and Poush Faguner Pala among others.

"I had to make a lot of sacrifices for Mission Extreme", said Arifin Shuvoo over the phone to The Daily Star.

For the very first time in his storied career, Kabir Suman has worked with a Bangladeshi lyricist. The eminent singer-songwriter has composed and lent his voice to Jachche Jibon, penned by Bangladeshi lyricist Enamul Kabir Sujan.

Since 2008, Banani Puja Mandap has been one of the biggest arrangements in the country for Durga Puja, organised under the Gulshan-Banani Sharbajanin Puja Foundation. However, this year, owing to the ongoing pandemic, the Mahalaya celebrations will take place on a limited scale, at the foundation’s office beside the Banani field, where the Puja Mandap is usually set up every year. “We will celebrate while maintaining social distance, for safety concerns,” said President of the organisation Dilip Dasgupta. “The programme will be aired live from our official Facebook page and YouTube channel. We are hoping that some television channels will cover it as well."

National Award winning actor and Member of Parliament Farooque was taken to Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore recently, due to his deteriorating health condition.

Celebrated actor Ferdous has impressed one and all with his performances in films in Bangladesh and India. On a candid chat with The Daily Star, the actor talks about his upcoming ventures, as he is planning to resume work after a break of six months.

Senior actor Mohiuddin Bahar, well known for comedic performance in Ittyadi hosted by popular television personality Hanif Sanket, passed away yesterday, leaving the television world in sorrow. Amidst condolences from many renowned personalities, Hanif Sanket remembered his friend and confidante fondly.

Visual artist Nabil Rahman’s solo exhibition, Water bodies, is currently taking place at Studio 6/6. Growing up, the artist spent most of his time in the Bronx, getting frisked by white cops, falling in love, facing heartbreaks and learning about life. The Bronx’s walls are known as endless canvases. All mega cities around the world are designed in grids, and function based on statistics, as most of our life is represented through virtual reality today.

Renowned Bangladeshi actress Jaya Ahsan has joined leaders and celebrities from across the Commonwealth for the ‘Commonwealth Says NO MORE’ campaign against domestic and sexual violence.

Bangladeshi band Aurthohin’s frontman Saidus Salehin Khaled, popularly known as ‘Bassbaba’ Sumon, and his son Ahnaf Salehin Khaled, have tested positive for Covid-19.

Promising filmmaker Rezwan Shahriar Sumit’s first feature film, Nonajoler Kabbo, (The Salt in Our Waters) has been an official selection at the 25th Busan International Film Festival (21-30th October 2020). Busan is Asia’s biggest film festival and a leader in premiering the most exciting international talents. Sumit’s film is the only Bangladeshi feature length film in the selection, and it will play alongside acclaimed titles such as Chaitanya Tamhane’s The Disciple (Venice, FIPRESCI winner) and Ivan Ayr’s Milestone (Venice Orizzonti). Ariq Anam Khan’s short film Transit is the only other project from Bangladesh in this year’s highly competitive slate.

Director and writer Ariq Anam Khan’s short film, Transit, will be screened at two renowned festivals over the coming weeks. The official world premiere will be held at the Encounters Film Festival in UK and the international premiere will be held at the highly prestigious Busan International Film Festival. In both festivals, Transit will be competing in the Main Competition category, with several other short films from across the world.

Veteran actor Sadek Bachchu passed away at a hospital in Dhaka at the age of 65. He was Covid-19 positive.