Shah Alam Shazu

At midnight, Shajal cut a cake with his parents. “Cutting a birthday cake with my parents feels truly special. I am here because of them. I pray they live many more years,” he said.

She concluded by expressing gratitude towards the director for trusting her with such a role. “He believed I could carry the story. For that, I’m truly thankful.”

With the country entering a new political chapter following the parliamentary election, attention is also turning to the future of the cultural sector. Artistes across disciplines are hoping for stability, institutional support and an environment where creative expression can thrive without fear or disruption.

The definition of love varies from person to person. To some, love means trust; to others, it means dependence. Celebrities, too, have shared diverse opinions on what love means to them. Let us take a look at what they have said

While stories of broken marriages often make headlines, there are equally inspiring examples of couples who have spent years under the same roof in love and harmony. Several star couples have been together in enduring affection for decades. This Valentine’s Day, we spotlight four such couples who exemplify such love.

For more than two decades, Sushama Sarker has remained familiar and had a respected presence in Bangladesh’s theatre scene.

Babita is an internationally acclaimed film actress. After acting in Satyajit Ray’s “Ashani Sanket”, she was honoured in many places around the world. In her own country, she has received the National Film Award many times. She has also received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Film Awards. The Mayor of Dallas gave her a lifetime honour. She has received many other awards and honours as well.

The actor credited much of his personal and professional stability to his wife, Shirin. “Her contribution is immense. After marriage, I was working, acting, dedicating long hours to theatre and television. She held the family together. I would say ninety per cent of what I am today is because of her,” he said.

A multiple-time National Film Award winner at home and a frequent recipient of honours in India, Jaya now returns to the big screen with her latest film, “OCD”, set for release on February 6.

Another recent highlight is the much-discussed drama “Eta Amaderi Golpo”, which has struck a chord with viewers. “It’s a family drama,” he says. “The story, performances, and direction—all of it works together beautifully. That’s why audiences have embraced it so warmly.”

In “Master”, Mamo plays a character named Jhorna — a role she says she thoroughly enjoyed inhabiting. “I really liked playing this character. There was scope to perform, to explore,” she shared. “Everyone involved in the film has done a wonderful job. Each actor gave their best from their own place.”

Reflecting on the season, she said, “Spring is all about celebration. After winter comes spring, and it’s a season filled with passion and festivity. Everyone loves spring, and so do I.”

“Master” has been chosen for screening in the festival’s prestigious Big Screen Competition section. Badhan plays a significant role in the film.

Looking ahead, her dreams remain simple but sincere. “I’m searching for opportunities to play diverse characters,” she says. “I want to act in films. I just need the right opportunities.”

In a recent conversation with The Daily Star, Rakayet spoke about his upcoming projects, his collaboration with director Raihan Rafi, and his enduring commitment to meaningful storytelling.

Internationally acclaimed actress Babita and the late actor Ilias Javed acted together as a pair in many films. Those films have left a lasting mark on audiences’ hearts. One of the most successful and super-duper commercially successful films of this duo was “Nishan”. The film ran in theatres continuously for more than a year. “Chupi Chupi Bolo Keu Jene Jabe”, a song from “Nishan”, remains popular even today.

Today (January 23) marks the birth anniversary of Nayak Raj Razzak. On this occasion, The Daily Star spoke to three leading actresses—Babita, Suchanda and Rozina—who once shared the screen with him and witnessed his brilliance up close.

Speaking to The Daily Star about the recently deceased Javed, Rozina shared her memories.

His close friend, actor Sohel Rana, spoke to The Daily Star this afternoon about the late actor Javed.

After decades of artistic achievement, Abul Hayat continues to write; not out of obligation or ambition, but for the enduring joy that words bring him.