Chhayanaut is all set to celebrate Bangla New Year, Pahela Baishakh, with its iconic cultural programme at Ramna Batamul in Dhaka.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the introduction of a new Oscar category: Achievement in Stunt Design. This award will debut at the 100th Academy Awards in the year 2028, honouring films released in 2027.

Netflix has announced the lead cast for its upcoming “Pride and Prejudice” limited series, with Emma Corrin set to play Elizabeth Bennet and Olivia Colman taking on the role of Mrs Bennet. They will be joined by “Slow Horses” star Jack Lowden as Mr Darcy.

The announcement reads, “Attention! Due to security issues, the concert is postponed until further notice. Stay posted and hold on to your tickets for our next post.”

The 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival is set to bring some of cinema’s most celebrated voices back to the Croisette, as new films from Wes Anderson, Ari Aster, and Richard Linklater have been officially selected to compete for the prestigious Palme d’Or, festival organisers announced on Thursday (April 9).

Neha highlighted concerns over favouritism, where social media popularity and industry cliques often overshadow genuine talent and dedication.

Prime Video has officially greenlit “Carrie”, a television series based on Stephen King’s acclaimed novel. The series will be spearheaded by Mike Flanagan—known for “The Fall of the House of Usher” and “Midnight Mass”—who will serve as writer, executive producer, and showrunner, while also directing a number of episodes. 

Several Bangladeshi musicians have officially joined forces to produce a new song, “Akashe Urche Mrito Lash” (Where Lifeless Bodies Fly to the Sky). The lyrics, brimming with support for Palestine against genocidal atrocities, has been penned by Tushar Rahman.

The presence of Pakistani artistes in Bangladesh has seen a notable rise since last year, with performances becoming more frequent on Dhaka’s stages. Today, two popular Pakistani singers—Mustafa Zahid and Aima Baig—are scheduled to perform at separate venues in the capital.

A total of six movies were released during Eid-ul-Fitr this year. Among the songs from these films, “Chand Mama” from “Borbaad” and “Konna” from “Jinn 3” have each surpassed 10 million views on YouTube.

Dhallywood’s leading actor Shakib Khan’s production house SK Films (Shakib Khan Films) has officially launched its international film distribution wing. The company will now regularly distribute films across North America (as SK Films USA) and the Gulf region (as SK Films UAE).

What was once a limited series might not stay that way for long. Netflix’s hit drama “Adolescence”—which has soared to become the fourth most-watched English-language series on the platform with 114 million views—is reportedly being considered for a second season.

As of today, the number of screenings at Star Cineplex has jumped to 14 per day—an unusual development for a Bangladeshi film post-Eid. The reason is not flashy promotions or star power, but the deeply personal way audiences have embraced it, said Siam Ahmed, ‘Jongli’s lead star in an exclusive interview with The Daily Star.

The production delves into the nuanced romance between Amit Roy and Labanya Debi, whose chance encounter in Shillong evolves into a profound exploration of love and self-discovery. The play also features pivotal characters such as Shobhonlal and Ketaki, adding depth to the narrative.​

For the longest time, Mizanur Rahman Aryan’s drama “Boro Chele”, released eight years ago and starring Ziaul Faruq Apurba and Mehazabien Chowdhury, held the record as the most-viewed Bangladeshi drama on YouTube. The drama has garnered 54,188,000 views to date, making it a benchmark in the local entertainment scene.

Legendary Dominican merengue singer Rubby Pérez has died following a tragic roof collapse at Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, just days after a performance in New York City. The collapse occurred early last Tuesday, killing over 100 people. Pérez was performing on stage at the time.

While the band has graced stages across the globe, this will mark their long-awaited live debut in Canada.

Bollywood’s iconic onscreen duo Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol are set to be immortalised in bronze, as their beloved romantic classic “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” (DDLJ) becomes the first Indian film to be honoured at London’s celebrated Scenes in the Square movie trail in Leicester Square.

Veteran actor and National Film Award winner Shahiduzzaman Selim continues to make waves across theatre, TV, cinema, and OTT. This Eid, he pulled off a hat-trick with three of his films—“Borbaad”, “Jongli”, and “Daagi”—hitting theatres simultaneously.

Farooki declared that this year’s New Year celebrations would bring together not just Bengali citizens, but also 27 ethnic communities from across the country. “Diversity is our most powerful and beautiful asset,” he said.