Bappy Chowdhury is one of the most popular film actors in Bangladesh. Several of his films are awaiting their releases, while others are currently underway. Due to the pandemic, the film shoots were postponed. Recently, Bappy started shooting for a new film. In a candid chat with The Daily Star, the actor talks about his upcoming ventures and more.

As a token of appreciation to all paternal figures around the world on Father’s Day, Syed Abdul Hadi and Asif Akbar released their song, Baba Cheler Taan on YouTube, recently. The song, released under the label of Dhruba Music Station, is composed by Kishore Das and penned by Suhrid Sufian.

Renowned Rabindra Sangeet exponent Rezwana Choudhury Bannya has tested positive for Covid-19.

Recently, Imran Mahmudul released his latest single, Na. Written by Mehedi Hasan Limon and composed by Imran himself, the song was showered with praise for the beautiful presentation in the form of a self-made music video.

Dhaka University Film Society (DUFS), in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), is organising the 12th International Inter University Short Film Festival (IIUSFF) virtually this year. As a part of this festival, a 2-day programme was also arranged to observe World Refugee Day (June 20) on IIUSFF’s official YouTube and Facebook pages.

Acclaimed director and screenwriter Shihab Shaheen has gained prominence in the television fraternity with productions like Romijer Ayna, X Factor and numerous other tele-fictions over the past eighteen years.

The saying, ‘The hand that rocks the cradle, rules the world’ rings true in the artistic journey and pursuits of renowned artist Professor Rokeya Sultana -- who has, over the years, created a hallmark of her own.

One of the most recognisable faces in Bangladesh’s entertainment industry, Tahsan Khan has grown tremendously as an artiste over the past decade.

Most of us will be spending Father’s Day (June 21) at home this year, without any decadent outings. Luckily, streaming services have no shortage of family entertainers. Here’s a list of movies you can enjoy with your dad at home.

Khotodin Oiede Barit No Zaiddi, an upbeat Chatgaiya song, was re-released by Gaanchill Music recently. The song, which translates to "It has been a long time I couldn't go home", is being appreciated by the public. "I always sing and make songs in my native language," says legendary Renaissance frontman Naquib Khan. "This song is relatable to the people, since we are all stuck at home due to the pandemic." Asif Iqbal, who is always sensitive to issues in Chattogram, mentioned that he and his friends are trying to take initiatives for the betterment of the district. "The song has blown up in the past few days. We originally made this in 2014, and now it has suddenly gone viral," says the Gaanchill Music founder.

The Rise of Dreams, a classical kathak and sarod jugalbandhi, will be held online tomorrow at 9:30 am, on the YouTube and Facebook pages of the performers. Based on Ustad Alauddin Khan's take on raag Manj Khamaj, renowned dancer Ananya Wafi Rahman will perform on noted sarod player Tanim Hayat Khan's piece, with Sanjib Mazumder on tabla. The dancer will join this collaboration from Australia, whereas, the musicians will support her from Bangladesh. Aziz Farah will also be present at the dance recital as the mix master.

Amid the coronavirus crisis, artists Dr Malay Bala, Zahangir Alom and Amit Nandi of Oriental Painting Studio have organised the online-based charity art show, Manusher Jonno Chhobi. Besides, the studio’s art organisation, Oriental Painting Study Group (OPSG) and its chief adviser Mikhail I Islam are directly supporting fine art students financially or through sending art materials, together with feeding hundreds of craftsmen, artisans, models and indigenous populations.

Swapner Daak: Unite in Tune, a global fundraising virtual concert arranged by Asiatic EXP and Australian non-profit organisation LISTEN FOR INC in partnership with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bangladesh, aims to help underprivileged and vulnerable populations that have been harshly affected by the pandemic. The funds raised from the event will be disbursed through UNDP’s COVID-19 response activities to help people in need across Bangladesh. As of May 8, 2020, UNDP Bangladesh has provided support to approximately 6.4 million people affected by COVID-19, in rural and urban areas.

Kristen Stewart will play Britain’s Princess Diana in an upcoming movie about the princess’s life and her marriage to Prince Charles.

South Asia Center for Media and Development (SACMID) has arranged an online competition, ‘Submit your Original Creation: Create from Home’, where artists and creators are encouraged to submit their works on different categories through posters, songs, parodies, comics and audio-visual stories to raise awareness about fake news, rumours and disinformation.

Artpro Art Initiative launched an online exhibition of One Minute Video Art (OMVA) 2020 during the shutdown in Dhaka, with 21 artists of 16 areas, including Bangladesh, UK, Portugal, Belgium, Afghanistan, Chile, Italy, Brazil, Netherlands, USA, Thailand, Japanese, Spain, Norway, India and South Korea. ‘Borderless Lockdown’ is the theme of the exhibition, which is curated by Sophia Moffa and Ashim Halder Sagor.

Today marks the birth centennial of legendary musician Hemanta Mukherjee. Born on June 16, 2020, in Varanasi India, the singer is also known as Hemanta Kumar. His family shifted to their ancestral home Baharu of West Bengal. His family soon migrated to Kolkata, where Mukherjee attended Nasiruddin School and later Mitra Institution school of Bhawanipore area. He grew up in the company of his two best friends, renowned poet Subhas Mukhopadhyay and noted writer Santosh Kumar Ghosh. With their influence, the artiste started writing short stories.

The 2021 Oscar ceremony was moved to April from February recently, due to the havoc caused in the movie industry by the coronavirus pandemic.

Shaheen Reza Rassel has been diagnosed with a rare neurological disease known as Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD). Despite the adversities, he has been exploring his talents as a writer, poet, playwright, singer, music composer and painter. He has garnered popularity amongst the youth for his unique creations. Currently, he is the Assistant Director of National Art Gallery Auditorium, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

Today marks the birthday of celebrated actor and ten-time National Film Award winner Shabana, who won the hearts of millions ever since she stepped into films. Born as Afroza Sultana Ratna in Chittagong in 1952, she changed her name when she came into the industry. Shabana began her career in the 60s as a child artiste.