Maisha Islam Monamee

The author is a student of Institute of Business Administration (IBA) at the University of Dhaka and a contributor at The Daily Star.

Bangladeshi founders raise $2.6M to launch world’s first self-driving AI CRM

Bangladeshi-led startup Octolane secures $2.6M to launch the world’s first self-driving AI CRM, transforming how sales teams engage with customers.

1d ago

‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’: A love letter to endurance, memory, and the women of Jeju

"When Life Gives You Tangerines" has sparked a frenzy on social media, quickly becoming one of the most talked-about K-dramas of the year. It is not just the powerhouse performances of IU and Park Bo-gum or its beautifully shot cinematography that have captured the audience’s attention but the way the series lingers, offering a meditation on love, family, and time that feels both universal and deeply rooted in Korean culture. The show, which takes its time to unfold, has become a viral sensation, with fans and critics alike drawn to its emotional depth and understated storytelling. But beyond the buzz, this show’s quiet power lies in the way it draws you in, inviting you to reflect on the intricacies of life, love, and the enduring bonds that shape us.

1w ago

The ultimate guide to acing business competitions

Business competitions are among the most rewarding experiences a BBA student can have. Participating in these competitions provides exposure to real corporate problems often presented by leading companies.

1w ago

How Eid nostalgia thrives in a tech-driven world

The world has changed, and with it, so has Eid. Yet, paradoxically, technology is bringing back the very elements we thought we had lost.

2w ago

How Netflix’s UGC is a masterclass in brand loyalty

Netflix has long been at the forefront of digital entertainment, leading the shift from DVD rentals to streaming dominance. But its latest move—integrating user-generated content (UGC) into its platform—is perhaps one of its most ingenious strategies so far.

2w ago

Miyazaki, AI, and the weight of human ingenuity in art

One ought to adhere to a certain level of reverence when talking about Hayao Miyazaki. The man has dedicated his life to a form of animation that values patience over production speed, detail over efficiency, and emotion over mere aesthetics. Back in 2016, he made a public statement regarding AI-generated art, where he called it an “insult to life itself”. To therefore understand the weight of the proclamation itself is to understand the nature of his art.

2w ago

'The Electric State' and its missed connections

This year "The Electric State" arrived as one of Netflix’s most expensive gambits, a film burdened not only by a budget that exceeds $300 million but also by a creative lineage that promises much. The Russo brothers, known for their mastery of blockbuster spectacle in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), bring their vision to a film set against the dystopian backdrop of a desolate, near-future world where robots and humanity are in a state of uneasy coexistence. Based on the acclaimed illustrated novel of the same name by Simon Stålenhag, the film stars Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, and Anthony Mackie. Despite the star power, the enormous investment, and the high expectations surrounding its release, "The Electric State" struggles to live up to its ambitious...

3w ago

Framed in a one-shot: The emotional chaos of 'Adolescence'

"Adolescence", the Netflix miniseries created by Jack Thorne and directed by Philip Barantini, is an emotionally charged and deeply unsettling drama that tackles complex themes surrounding masculinity, identity, and societal failure. It presents a raw and unflinching look at the pressures faced by contemporary youth, particularly boys, and examines how these pressures can lead to radicalisation and violence. With a narrative rooted in realism, the show takes a refreshing, albeit harrowing, approach to storytelling, steering away from the expected tropes of crime dramas and police procedurals. It is a series that captivates not through high-stakes thrills but through its careful, painful exploration of human emotion and the systems that shape us.

3w ago
November 10, 2024
November 10, 2024

From screen to street: The timeless influence of film costumes on fashion trends

One of the most enduring examples is Audrey Hepburn's black dress in "Breakfast at Tiffany's". Designed by Hubert de Givenchy, the dress exemplified elegance, simplicity, and a touch of mystery. This little black dress became an essential wardrobe item, redefined as a fashion staple worldwide

November 9, 2024
November 9, 2024

Freedom is more than the absence of oppression

Dissent in Bangladesh has been met with hostility, with individuals being labelled as traitors or enemies of the state for expressing opposing views.

November 3, 2024
November 3, 2024

‘Do Patti’: Of sibling rivalry, domestic strife, and missed opportunities

Set in the fictional hill station of Devipur, the Shashanka Chaturvedi directorial “Do Patti” tells the story of twin sisters Saumya and Shailee (featuring Kriti Sanon), whose strained relationship is compounded by a shared connection to Dhruv Sood (played by Shaheer Sheikh), a wealthy businessman with a violent streak. Saumya, the more docile sister, becomes Dhruv’s wife and soon faces the horrors of domestic violence, while Shailee, the flamboyant and rebellious twin, harbours a deep jealousy toward her sister.

November 2, 2024
November 2, 2024

How Shah Rukh Khan’s flawed characters make for authentic roles

In Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan is primarily synonymous with the romance genre. For decades, the star has brought unforgettable love stories to the silver screen. But while he is most celebrated for his iconic, idealistic roles, SRK’s most compelling performances actually come from his portrayals of flawed lovers—characters who reflect the messier, more nuanced realities of love. These are not heroes with all the answers; they are sometimes selfish, reckless, insecure, and even destructive. It is this raw imperfection that makes SRK’s on-screen romances feel so achingly real.

October 30, 2024
October 30, 2024

Exploring South Asian folklore in horror films

The concept of curses that pass down through generations is also a recurring theme in South Asian folklore and has been adapted into film narratives that focus on familial guilt and karmic retribution. In traditional tales, families are often haunted by the misdeeds of their ancestors, and no amount of modern intervention can free them from their fates. 

October 29, 2024
October 29, 2024

Driving sustainable growth in Bangladesh's garment sector through local service providers

The demand for consultancy-led, workforce-oriented training mirrors a bigger industry movement toward greater inclusion and sustainability. Factories that have adopted these training models talk of measurable improvements in productivity, product quality, and overall worker morale.

October 27, 2024
October 27, 2024

‘World Press Photo Exhibition 2024’: A visual journey through global stories in Dhaka

The exhibition grants viewers a glimpse into various social, political, and environmental issues, each photo offering a distinctive perspective. From capturing the journey of migrants to the devastating impacts of climate change, these images transcend mere events, evoking empathy through personal narratives.

October 26, 2024
October 26, 2024

The escapist lure of OTT’s bling reality shows

In a world where the news feels like a doomsday clock’s countdown and our personal lives consist of work, bills, and endless scrolling of social media platforms, it is no wonder that people flock to OTT-based bling reality shows like moths to a Swarovski-encrusted flame. These glorified exercises in voyeuristic productions like “Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives”, “Selling Sunset”, or even “Bling Empire”, serve a very specific purpose: they remind us that no matter how bad things get in our mundane lives, we can always escape into the sparkly yet vapid vacuum of the ultra-rich behaving badly.

October 23, 2024
October 23, 2024

‘Unwind Mind’: Exploring art as a pathway to mental wellness

In celebration of World Mental Health Day, this two-week exhibition, running from October 19 to November 2 at the EMK Centre in Gulshan, brings together photography, digital art, and painting to highlight mental health awareness. 

October 20, 2024
October 20, 2024

Men’s apologies are not enough

Social media apologies by men do not change the fact that women continue to live in fear, constantly looking over their shoulders, wondering if they are next.