Rakshanda Rahman Misha

Ankan Kumar has a vivid connection with love. The singer, who often finds music in nature and its beautiful forms, has once again mesmerised audiences with Coke Studio Bangla Season 4’s song “Mothura”. The song centres on two lovers whose paths remain intertwined despite an insurmountable distance. Surprisingly, the inspiration for the song dates back six years, long before audiences fell in love with his song “Upo.”

Quazi Nawshaba Ahmed became a voice of strength, despite the trauma of being detained and blacklisted by many during the 2018 road safety movement. When most doors were closed to her, the actress found healing through theatre. Even today, she continues to work in theatre with specially-abled individuals, senior citizens, and more.

Ed Sheeran, who is worth around $400 million, has faced backlash following the removal of Macklemore from his US “Loop Tour”. Several stadium venues objected to the rapper performing after his “Free Palestine” remarks, while Sheeran shared that Macklemore’s removal was the promoter’s decision, not his.

Sarees, dancing, cheers and applause — the screening of Rubaiyat Hossain’s “The Difficult Bride” at the Venice International Film Festival turned into a celebration of Bangladeshi cinema on the prestigious international stage.

What began as a celebration of a decade of promoting Nazrul Sangeet has now turned into a nationwide search for the next generation of performers.

At its heart is the image of a migratory bird—a creature flying away from its cage, carrying the ache of leaving home. “Pinjarake Pushal Moyna uri uri jai re” becomes more than a folk refrain in "Mulluk"; it speaks of a community separated from its ancestral homeland and left to build a life far from where their ancestors came from.

At the centre of the story is Bokul, played by Priyontee Urbee, who seeks revenge after being humiliated. Mir Rabby takes on the role of the antagonist, who is always seen with a roktokorobi, or red oleander flower, tucked behind his ear.

When Rubaiyat Hossain's "The Difficult Bride" made history as the first feature-length film from Bangladesh to compete at the Venice International Film Festival, it wasn't just the film that had everyone talking. Curiosity quickly turned to its leading lady, Zaineen Karim Chowdhury, who, interestingly, shares her first name with the character she plays. One question lingered above all else: what made Rubaiyat believe that Zaineen was her "Difficult Bride"?