Directed by Arafat Mohsin Nidhi, “Aatka” is based on a story, screenplay, and dialogues by Raba Khan. The project marks the first series for both Raba and Nidhi as creators. According to them, the title “Aatka” comes from a commonly used local word meaning something sudden or abrupt. The name was finalised during a conversation between the two, when the word repeatedly came up and felt instantly fitting for the series.

The shortlist reflects a wide range of political, social and personal narratives, continuing the category’s role as a barometer of global filmmaking beyond Hollywood. The International Feature Film race is often one of the most competitive at the Oscars, with many shortlisted films already established on the international festival circuit.

Model-turned-actress Rafah Nanjeba Torsa has begun the new year by announcing her involvement in four upcoming films, marking a busy phase in her acting career.

Tarr was a defining force behind what later came to be known as slow cinema—a rigorous style marked by long, uninterrupted takes, stark black-and-white imagery, sparse dialogue and a deliberate rejection of conventional narrative rhythm. His films demanded patience, but rewarded it with an unflinching gaze at power, despair and moral decay.

Production on “The Batman Part II” is scheduled to begin next spring, with Warner Bros eyeing an October 2027 theatrical release.

The 24th Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF) is set to begin on January 10, featuring 58 Bangladeshi films across various sections. Among them are 15 feature-length films and 43 short films. This year’s festival will showcase a total of 246 feature-length and short films from more than 70 countries, screened across 11 categories.

A clip from the 2019 television series “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan”, featuring John Krasinski delivering a forceful speech on Venezuela’s geopolitical significance, has gone viral on social media following the recent US operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

“Prince” is scheduled to release during the upcoming Eid al-Fitr. In this film, Shakib will be joined by Kolkata’s Jyotirmoyee Kundu, Tasnia Farin, and Sabila Nur.

The play, “Rangmahal”, was staged recently and received an encouraging response. Speaking to The Daily Star, Faruque Ahmed reflects on his professional debut as a director, audience reception, memories of Selim Al Deen, and what lies ahead.

The actress recently completed shooting for Rasheda Akter Lazuk-directed “Shapla Shaluk”, where she stars opposite Shajal Noor. Although some portions of the film are still left to be shot, Bubly has already moved on to her next assignment.

Two leading actresses and one male lead are coming together in a new web film slated for Eid al-Fitr release. Ashna Habib Bhabna and Prarthana Fardin Dighi will be seen sharing the screen alongside Irfan Sajjad in a project directed by Sumon Dhar.

The Recording Academy has introduced a new Grammy Award category for Best Album Cover, recognising the creative minds behind album artwork for the first time in more than 50 years. The award will be presented at the 68th Grammy Awards, scheduled for February 1, 2026, in Los Angeles.

Safiuddin Shilpalay inaugurated “The Color of Nature”, first solo art exhibition of artist Shahida Parveen on January 2.

Theatre organisation Ethik has announced that it will confer the Ethik Youth Award 2026 on 17 emerging theatre practitioners from 17 theatre groups across Bangladesh, recognising their contributions to contemporary stage practice.

Following the government’s decision last December to withhold permission for nearly a dozen concerts by foreign artists due to the country’s overall situation, questions naturally arose about the fate of the Dhaka festival.

Several Bangladeshi films slated for release this Eid-ul-Fitr were initially planned to be shot in India. Producers and directors had made preparatory visits to locations in Kolkata, Hyderabad and Mumbai, and discussions with artistes and crew members were already underway. However, prolonged delays in obtaining permits, visa complications, and growing unease in recent times regarding cross-border collaboration between Bangladeshi and Indian artistes and technicians have now forced a rethink. As a result, Sri Lanka is emerging as the new shooting destination for Bangladeshi cinema, replacing India.

Official announcements have already been made for three of her upcoming films: Mejbaur Rahman Sumon’s “Roid”, Raihan Rafi’s “Andhar”, and N Rashed Chowdhury’s “Shokhi Rongomala”.

Actor Siam Ahmed is gearing up for another Eid release, following last year’s “Jongli”, with his upcoming film “Rakkhosh”, directed by Mehedi Hasan Hridoy, best known for “Borbaad”.

For over a decade, cinematic universes trained audiences to think in timelines, phases, and post-credit scenes. Films evolved into chapters, chapters evolved into phases, and phases evolved into cultural calendars. Watching a movie stopped being about a single story and started feeling like homework with a very expensive visual budget. In 2026, that structure looks different—driven by audience behaviour, financial realities, creative priorities, and measurable performance data across film and streaming.

“Tartuffe” is a bold and witty critique of religious hypocrisy, deception, and unquestioning belief. The play centres on Orgon, a wealthy man who blindly trusts Tartuffe, a fraudulent holy man.