On March 6, the government issued a notification for the "Government Grant Policy for Full-Length Film Production, 2025" and the "Government Grant Policy for Short Film Production, 2025”. The new policy includes several important changes aimed at improving the film production process.

Womanhood is about strength, determination, and staying true to oneself. Every day, women overcome obstacles—at home, in the workplace, and in society—proving their resilience in countless ways. As we celebrate this year’s Women’s Day, we highlight films that honour the journey of women, showcasing their courage, grace, and unwavering spirit that define their lives. 

Parsha Mahjabeen Purnee holds two very distinct identities among her audiences, one more intriguing than the other—she is a musician and now an actor with her (groundbreaking) debut in Jahid Preetom’s “Ghumpori”. A third-year university student who inspired millions through her song, “Cholo Bhule Jai” during the July Movement gets candid with The Daily Star about her journey, new-found fame and future aspirations.

The judges for the audition round included Naeem Ashraf, Rahima Sultana, and winners from previous seasons. In the studio round, the judging panel will consist of Naeem Ashraf, Rahima Sultana, and actress Purnima. The show is hosted by Mousumi Mou and produced by Ajay Poddar.

Ferdous Wahid also remarked, “Azam Khan was not just a celebrated singer; he was a valiant Freedom Fighter who made a significant contribution to the country. I sincerely thank the authorities for recognising him.”

Ziaul Hoque Polash, widely recognised for his comedic role in “Bachelor Point”, is now striving to break free from that established identity.

Arka Das, a Chattogram native, is making waves in the Australian film industry. His latest film, "My Melbourne", an authentic anthology exploring race, gender, sexuality, and disability through diverse stories, was released yesterday across theatres in Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji.

This year, the iconic series is back with an exciting new chapter. Titled “Chotokaku Chapter Two”, the latest instalment has been produced as a web-film, though discussions are ongoing about releasing it as a series, promising fans an even bigger and more cinematic experience.

The film “Saba” has been selected for the competition section of the 20th Osaka Asian Film Festival in Japan. Director Maksud Hossain shared, “There will be three screenings of the film in Osaka. I will also be attending the festival.” The festival is set to begin on March 14 and will run until March 23.

Renowned for her powerful performances in critically acclaimed films such as “Padman”, “Andhadhun”, and “Monica O My Darling”, Radhika Apte is now set to step behind the camera. The versatile artiste is making her directorial debut with an action-fantasy film titled Kotya.

Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations are never complete without the spectacle of captivating heroines gracing the silver screen. This year, audiences are in for a treat as a constellation of talented actresses—Tama Mirza, Sunerah Binte Kamal, Shobnom Yesmin Bubly, Nusraat Faria, and Prarthana Fardin Dighi—prepare to enthrall viewers with their performances. Let's delve into the films that will spotlight these leading ladies this Eid-ul-Fitr.

The interim government has nominated eight distinguished individuals for the 2025 Independence Award, recognising their outstanding contributions at the national level. Among the honourees is the King of Pop, Azam Khan, whose nomination has sparked widespread reactions on social media. A high-level government source confirmed the news today, Thursday.

Anjan Dutt is returning to where it all began—the theatre. After over four decades in cinema, the "Dutta Vs Dutta" star has announced his final stage appearance. His last play, "Aro Ekta Lear", premiered to praise, and is set to return on March 9 again at Kolkata's Gyan Manch. Advance tickets are already available for those eager to witness this final performance.

After more than two decades apart, veteran Indian stars Prosenjit Chatterjee and Chiranjeet Chakraborty are making a highly-anticipated comeback to the big screen. The two actors, last seen together in the 2002 film “Inquilaab”, will now reunite in the latest instalment of the "Kakababu" franchise titled “Bijoynagar er Hirey”, directed by Chandrasish Ray.

Following the release of their enchanting nikah ceremony pictures, Mehazabien Chowdhury and Adnan Al Rajeev have now shared glimpses of their joyous holud celebration. Surrounded by close friends and family, the couple enjoyed a vibrant pre-wedding event filled with laughter, love, and beautiful traditions.

The Bangladesh Short Film Forum (BSFF) has organised a memorial event in honour of filmmaker, film activist, and educator Zahidur Rahim Anjan, who previously served as the organisation’s president.

With the Oscars now behind us, it's time to turn our attention to the next major awards event—Emmys 2025.

Authorities have apprehended two individuals in connection with a cybercrime case involving the unauthorised acquisition of over 900 concert tickets, most of which were for Taylor Swift’s highly sought-after “Eras Tour”.

Alongside “Amalnama”, Zahid will also appear in “Utshob”, a film directed by Tanim Noor, set for release this Eid-ul-Azha. Reflecting on his choices, he added, “I don’t take on projects unless I truly like them. After my break, I’ve worked on two projects and enjoyed both. The audience will see me in different roles in these films.”

As I walked into Kalakendra in the capital’s Lalmatia area, I was unsure what to expect from Kabir Ahmed Masum Chisty’s solo exhibition, “Meghnad Badh”, curated by Lala Rukh Selim. I did not personally know the artist or his body of work, yet I was drawn to the premise—a visual reimagining of “Meghnadbad Kabya”, Michael Madhusudan Dutt’s magnum opus that transformed the perception of a character largely dismissed in the mainstream “Ramayana”. What struck me most was the exhibition’s engagement with what Sibaji Bandyopadhyay, in his book “Three Essays on the Ramayana” calls ‘dispersed textuality’—the idea that an epic exists not as a singular, authoritative narrative but as an intricate, layered text that absorbs contradictions and alternative voices.