Zahid Akbar

In Bangla cinema, few voices are as closely associated with nostalgia and romance as that of Rumana Morshed Kanak Chapa. For generations of listeners, her voice has been an inseparable part of countless memorable film songs and the cinematic moments they accompanied.

The fifth film featuring Shabana and Babita together was “Sonar Horin”, directed by Sirajul Islam Siraj. The film also starred Nayakraj Razzak, Bulbul Ahmed, Kabori and Suchorita. It was released in December 1979.

Today marks exactly three decades since Bangladeshi cinema lost Salman Shah — the star who made a generation dream.

For Bangladeshi cinema, she is not simply a playback singer. She is one of the voices through which its history can be heard.

Mahanayak Uttam Kumar remains one of the most popular and beloved heroes in Bengali cinema. With his ever-smiling face and charismatic screen presence, he continues to hold a special place in the hearts of generations.

Over the course of his illustrious career, Abdul Jabbar received numerous awards and honours in recognition of his contribution to music. Among them were the Ekushey Padak in 1980, the Independence Award in 1996, the Bachsas Award in 2003, the Citycell-Channel i Music Awards Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011, and the Zahir Raihan Film Award.

A week-long film festival began at Modhumita Cinema Hall in the capital on Saturday (August 22), as part of the Dhaka South City Corporation’s (DSCC) month-long “Hridoye Dhaka 416” celebrations marking 416 years of Dhaka.

Their final wishes therefore reveal a painful contradiction — an industry they once loved deeply, but an institution they no longer wanted to be part of even in death.

His films may belong to different eras, but the romance, music and memories they created continue to resonate with generations of audiences.

Farooque starred opposite many leading actresses throughout his career. Among them, the songs from his films with Babita and Kabori became particularly popular with audiences. Here are some of the memorable songs from their films.

Today, Monday (August 17), marks the birthday of the celebrated actress. Born in 1946, Shabnam turns 80 today.

Today marks the birth anniversary of the legendary musician. Had he been alive, the Bangladeshi rock icon would have turned 64.

The traces of Kanchan’s life extend beyond photographs. Several bookshelves beside the dining table are packed with books, offering a quiet glimpse into another side of the actor — a man who once spent considerable time reading.

Songs written, composed and musically directed by Alauddin Ali have captivated audiences for generations. Across films, radio and television, he created nearly 5,000 songs. He was born on 24 December 1952 in Bashbari village of Tongibari upazila, Munshiganj.

Popular actor Ziaul Faruq Apurba is set to showcase another side of his artistry as he takes the stage for a solo musical concert today, August 8, at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center in New York.

Jaya Ahsan continues to reaffirm her place as one of the most celebrated actresses across both Bangladesh and West Bengal. Her latest release, "Aajo Ardhangini", has emerged as one of the year's most talked-about Bengali films in India, earning widespread acclaim from audiences and critics alike.

At one time, Rangpur boasted several cinema halls, including Shapla Talkies, Dorodi Hall, Oriental, Lakshmi Talkies, Noor Mahal and China Talkies. Over the years, they closed one after another, with Shapla Talkies becoming the latest—and effectively the last—to shut its doors, bringing the city's long chapter of traditional single-screen cinema to an end.

Khurshid Alam is one of the country's most accomplished singers. He has lent his voice to countless songs over his long musical career.

Today (July 30), as Babita celebrates her birthday, it is not only her memorable performances that continue to evoke nostalgia, but also the unforgettable songs that brought her characters to life.

Looking back on her long career, she added, “I have performed at countless venues at home and abroad over the past 62 years, singing in Bangla, Hindi and Urdu. Yet it has taken me 62 years to perform at my own country’s Shilpakala Academy.”