Filmmaker Debashish Biswas is set to launch his latest production, Alo Ashbei. The film, based on the COVID-19 lockdown, features Misha Sawdagor, Bidya Sinha Mim, Bappy Chowdhury, Zayed Khan, Ferdous Ahmed, Apu Biswas, Bobby, Amit Hasan, Amin Khan, Toma Mirza, Emon, Joy, Keya, and Shahrear, among others.

Amitabh Bachchan and Ayushmann Khurrana starrer Gulabo Sitabo is set for a direct digital release on Amazon Prime Video, the makers announced recently. Directed by Shoojit Sircar, the Lucknow-set satire will start streaming from June 12. The film will be available in 200 countries and territories worldwide. It was originally scheduled to hit theatres on April 17, but the Indian government's directive to close all cinemas as part of a nationwide lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, halted the release.

Comprised of Naim Murtoza, Zico, Amit, Prithyle, Shishir, Rubel and Sefat, talented rock band Bengal Boys recently released their track, Shopno- Its time for Humanity. Composed by Sochi sams and written by Nahid Irtaza, the song sends a jarring message to humanity, highlighting the atrocities and injustices we inflicted on each other. The music video, directed by Tonoy Khan, was produced by Plantastic Communication.

Eid is a crucial time for the television sector in Bangladesh, but this year, we are faced with unprecedented circumstances. As we battle the coronavirus pandemic, television directors and production houses are left in distress, with no new projects to look forward to anytime soon.

A joint production of TVwala media team (Kolkata) and Prekkhagreho (Dhaka) -- Shahrear Polock directorial Dure Thaka Kacher Manush was recently released online. The short film features Rafiath Rashid Mithila and Kolkata based actor Vikram Chatterjee as the leads.

Talented artiste Ashna Habib Bhabna has mesmerised audiences with her acting prowess for many years on television. She had made her debut in the film industry with the Animesh Aich directorial Voyongkor Sundor. On the premiere show of that movie, she met a fan. She shared memories from that encounter in a recent conversation with The Daily Star.

A Chitragantha (pictorial visual), titled Together, to raise awareness on the current coronavirus pandemic, was recently launched. The nearly 11-minute video was widely shared on social media. Afzal Hossain, who planned, scripted and directed the made-at-home video featuring renowned actors, posted it on his YouTube channel on May 12.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, as a message of hope, Zee5 Global has recreated the yesteryear folk song, Abar Jombe Mela, under the title, Biswa Obak Cheye Robe (Abar Jombe Mela Reprise), with popular artistes and youth icons of Bangladesh. The song is available across all Zee5 platforms. This initiative is taken in association with Dettol, and supported by Nestle.

Today marks the 73rd death anniversary of renowned poet of Sukanta Bhattacharya, one of the key figures in modern Bengali poetry from the 20th century. Viewed by some as a realist and by others as a romantic, Sukanta’s poems are popular for their revolutionary nature, shedding light on socialism, patriotism, humanism and romanticism. He was often called the ‘John Keats of Bengal’, likely because both the poets emerged with immense talent, but took an early departure from life.

An applause campaign was arranged in Bangladesh at 7 pm today, during which people from all walks of life clapped their hands for the frontline fighters in the battle against the coronavirus, from their homes. The campaign was aimed at getting the public to show their appreciation for the essential workers, who have not stepped back from their duties, during this battle.

In the face of a global emergency, Cartoon People organised a unique project to raise awareness about COVID-19. Titled Fight Against Corona Cartoon Competition, a contest with was launched the support of Access to Information Program (a2i).

Source: AP

Earlier this year, celebrated actor and director Afsana Mimi made the short film, Room Number 404. She has not released the film yet, due to the coronavirus outbreak. The artiste, who is currently self-isolating at home, hopes to release it after the nationwide shutdown is lifted. “I don’t want to give out any spoilers. All I can say is it is a thought-provoking and interesting film,” she adds. She is also set to return to the silver screen after years with Gias Uddin Selim’s Paap Punno.

Celebrated director Animesh Aich is set to release his latest short film, titled An Escapist. He has directed numerous telefilms and films, including Zero Degree and Voyongkor Sundor.

“If you cannot bear these stories then the society is unbearable. Who am I to remove the clothes of this society, which itself is naked. I don't even try to cover it, because it is not my job, that's the job of dressmakers” – Saadat Hasan Manto

Over the years, we have come across numerous brilliant male actors who have garnered the film industry with unparalleled acting and memorable roles. Many of them gradually transformed into icons and acting legends. We revisit the legacies of eminent actors, who have left us, but continue to live on through their films.

As we grapple with the coronavirus pandemic, healthcare providers, armed forces, RAB, police, journalists and other frontline professionals are ceaselessly working hard, risking their own lives daily, in these critical times. They truly deserve our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation.

While shutdowns and restrictions are still in place to curb the spread of the coronavirus, most of us are finding ourselves in a position where we will be spending Mother’s Day at home. With no decadent lunches or dinners planned or pamper sessions at the salon to look forward to, Mother’s Day may feel a bit strange this year. To battle the boredom, here is a list of movies you can watch with your mom on this special day.

As a poet, playwright, novelist, musician and painter, Rabindranath Tagore remains one of the greatest literary personalities. His creations for children are particularly noteworthy. He has written numerous books of rhymes and poems for children, such as Shishu, Shishu Bholanath, Khapchhara, Chora O Chobi, Golpo Solpo Kolpona, Shohojpath and many more. Tagore wrote his first poem when he was only eight years old. In 1877, when he was 16, he published his first large poetry collection.

Ekushey Padak and Bangla Academy Literary Award-winning writer Imdadul Haq Milan is a prominent name in Bangla Literature. The novelist, screenwriter, dramatist and journalist has not only been able to reach readers with different interests with his experimentation in picking up an array of genres, but has also managed to write some of the most popular books in the last four decades, including Liliyan Upakhyah, Ekattor O Ekjon Maa, the Noorjahan series and Jabojjibon. With his realistic plots and relatable characters, his fame managed to spread across West Bengal and Bangla readers all over the world. He was also a scriptwriter on Shongshoptok, the acclaimed television series from the 1980s, starring Ferdousi Mazumder and Humayun Faridee among others. It is currently rerunning on Bangladesh Television (BTV) at 8:30 pm daily. The writer shares his memories and experiences of making the show, his views on the coronavirus crisis and more, in a recent conversation with The Daily Star.