Social media was abuzz yesterday as news broke of a collaboration between Pritom Hasan and legendary vocalist Runa Laila for a song in the upcoming film “Prince.” The announcement quickly drew attention from fans and music lovers alike.

Amid a wave of violence and full on action movies, director Tanim Noor is choosing a different path—one rooted in emotion, music, and stories that bring families back to theatres. After delivering “Utshob” last year, he returns this Eid-ul-Fitr with a new film inspired by Humayun Ahmed’s short story “Kichukkhon”, with a multi-starrer cast.

From dance floors to camera frames, Ashna Habib Bhabna has always moved with a quiet determination. Art has been a constant companion since her childhood—beginning with dance, where she trained and performed with dedication, before eventually finding her footing in acting. Over the past decade, she has built a reputation for her nuanced performances across television and film.

The programme features six professions—rickshaw pullers, security guards, nurses, sanitation workers, news producers, and traffic police.

In conversations with The Daily Star, colleagues returned to those fleeting, personal moments they shared with him—memories now difficult to let go of, as they mourn a deeply loved artist and an even more remarkable human being.

The first janaza of National Film Award-winning actor and Radio Bhumi’s Station Chief Shams Sumon was held today, Wednesday (March 18), at 11 am on the premises of Channel i. Colleagues of the late actor, along with many members of the cultural community, gathered to pay their final respects.

Sharing a photo of her newborn’s tiny fingers, Shams revealed that her daughter was born on Monday (March 16).

A new format of storytelling is set to enter Bangladesh’s entertainment landscape this Eid, as audiences are introduced to micro-dramas alongside traditional films and television productions.

Bangladesh Television is set to air a special Eid edition of its talk-based programme “Adda”, bringing together artistes from two generations for an evening of stories, music and memories.

Each episode moves between recollection and performance, pairing intimate conversations with live renditions of the artists’ most enduring songs.

In its condolence message, Actors Equity Bangladesh prayed for the eternal peace of his departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family. Colleagues remembered him as a dedicated artiste and a sincere human being.

On the music front, Kornia hints at something exciting ahead. “Work is underway, and I’m hoping to bring something big this year. I try to release one major project annually, something that really connects with listeners. I hope to do the same this year.”

The trailer of “Domm”, starring Afran Nisho, Chanchal Chowdhury and Puja Chery, has been released, further heightening audience anticipation following its poster and teaser. However, just two days ahead of its release, the producers have announced that the film will not be released in single-screen theatres initially due to piracy concerns.

Will she be watching her own dramas? She laughs, “Of course! Not just mine—I’d like to watch others’ work as well.”

As Eid approaches, actor Tawsif Mahbub is pitching up for one of his busiest festive seasons yet. This time, the popular television star returns with the new season of the widely loved series “Bachelor Point”, while also venturing into darker territory with his web debut in “Chokro 2”. Alongside these major releases, he will also appear in several Eid dramas on the small screen. The lineup, he says, reflects a conscious decision to prioritise the audience’s taste this year rather than his own.

He first gained prominence through television dramas before expanding his career across stage and cinema. Known for his restrained, naturalistic performances, Suman belonged to a generation of actors who moved fluidly between mediums, helping shape Bangladesh’s screen culture in the late 1990s and 2000s.

She firmly stated that she would never lip-sync on stage, emphasising that performing live is central to her identity as an artiste.

Haq, often described as a “travelling minstrel of music”, played a pivotal role in nurturing generations of artistes across the country. Many of today’s performers, speakers noted, owe their artistic journeys to his influence.

Only four days remain until Eid. Ahead of the festive occasion, the Bangladesh Film Certification Board has granted screening approval to five films slated for release. The board’s Deputy Director, Md Moinuddin, confirmed the development on Monday (March 16).

Eid festivities this year will be accompanied by a wide array of new song releases from both established and emerging artistes, with tracks being launched across production houses and artistes’ own YouTube channels.