Featured

Featured

Women are not spoils of war, stop letting your inner animals out: Jaya Ahsan

What was supposed to be a conversation on Jaya’s spectacular success in both “Taandob” and “Utshob” soon turned into a pseudo-political discussion on the future of women in the country. How could it not? The entire country has meanwhile been shaken to its core after the brutal rape of a woman in Cumilla.

5d ago

A city gasps, a park resists: Panthakunja protest redefines civic action

Panthakunja, located on Sonargaon Road, was once a rare oasis in the capital

1w ago

Review / ‘Esha Murder’ is the perfect detox from your Eid blockbusters

This is where Badhan steps in as the lead, playing officer Leena. From the get-go, she is a no-nonsense character. She is a strong police officer, but a heavily traumatised woman. It is the trauma that leads her to train, persist, and become a law enforcement officer in the first place, a plot device that pays off to its fullest near the end.

2w ago

Sabila debuts, ‘Taandob’ ensues

Once a sweetheart of television, Sabila Nur has hit the bullseye with her silver-screen debut with a leading role opposite Shakib Khan in “Taandob”. The film will go down in Bangladesh’s cinematic history for being rife with action, twists, and cameos.

2w ago

Bangladeshi ‘Ken’ in Dhaka

The Bangladeshi 'Ken', known for his appearances in major Hollywood productions like “Barbie”, “Wicked”, and “Aladdin”, continues to make the country proud as he juggles acting, dancing, and interviewing some of Hollywood's biggest names.

1m ago

Spotlight Magazine / Farin’s Festivities

As Tasnia Farin steps onto her next chapter, one thing is clear: whether it’s through her acting, her voice, or her screen presence, she continues to break barriers and raise expectations. The only question that remains is: will the box-office collections do “Insaaf” to her hard work this Eid?

4w ago

Spotlight Magazine / From ‘Ministry of Love’ to an actual ministry

In this exclusive interview, the Cultural Adviser opens up about the journey so far— the personal deliberations that preceded his appointment, the professional risks he knowingly took, and the vision he holds for Bangladesh’s cultural future. Yet, behind the sharp public figure, we find a man who still misses the intimacy of the film set—where the only politics involved were those of plot and character.

1m ago

Dola does it again

Some songs don’t just trend—they take over. One such track is “Chand Mama”, from the film ”Borbaad”, which didn’t just climb the YouTube Music trending list once, but soared to the top twice and is still continuing to evoke emotions even after a month.

2m ago

A day at Wangala festival with the Garo community

The grounds of Lalmatia Housing Society School and College came alive with the beats of drums and the colourful celebration of Wangala, the foremost festival of the Garo community. Known as the “Hundred Drums Festival,” Wangala is a time for the community to thank Misi Saljong, the Sun Deity, for a successful harvest. This festive celebration marks the end of the farming season and celebrates the blessings of nature.

6m ago

Electrifying, eclectic, EZ

The musician, renowned for his fluid, mellifluent solos and roaring riffs, was one of the core contributors to Artcell’s seminal albums “Onno Shomoy” and “Oniket Prantor”. After periodically releasing singles like “Fight Back”, “Shobdahoron”, and “Haranor Gaan”, he is now embarking on a new journey with his band EZ, composed of young and energetic musicians.

6m ago

The timeless allure of Jibanananda Das on screen

Known by various titles—“The Poet of Love” and “Poet of Ruposhi Bangla”—Jibanananda's metaphysical and magically realist verses have enchanted countless readers and audiences. His influence spills over from literature into cinema, inspiring iconic works from the 90s rock band Moheener Ghoraguli to films like Sayantan Mukherjee’s “Jhora Palok” and Robiul Alam Robi’s “Moribar Holo Taar Shwaad.”

8m ago

An evening with Jal: Of nostalgia, music, and reunion

Mumtaz spoke with palpable excitement about returning to Bangladesh. "We are going to perform in Bangladesh after over a decade," he said, his eyes twinkling with nostalgia. "All Jal fans are probably grown up now, like me," he added with a chuckle. "But still they remember all the songs, it's so overwhelming for us to come here again and receive such a heartwarming welcome."

9m ago

Shah Abdul Karim, the Baul king who sang his soul

Fifteen years ago today, on September 12, 2009, Karim, revered as the "Baul king," passed away, leaving behind a profound yet humble legacy of love and mysticism. Growing up in the flood-prone lowlands of Sunamganj, Karim's music became a lifeline, reflecting the rhythms of waterlogged lands and the heartache of their people. His songs, simple yet profound, captured the essence of rural life, blending spirituality with raw emotion.

9m ago

‘Cartoon Ey Bidroho’: Drik celebrates revival of political cartoons

Political cartoons played a pivotal role in the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, transforming the revolution with artistic brilliance and courage.

10m ago

Television thrives amidst internet outage: Can it keep its viewers?

While the internet was down, TV ratings skyrocketed. Most TV channels have confirmed that their ratings have doubled, although they couldn't provide actual figures as data couldn't be gathered physically. How did they assume their content was reaching the audience? The answer lies in the constant stream of advertisement breaks.

11m ago

Artcellism lives on

As I was preparing for the camera to roll, a humbling realisation struck me—this band had been crafting sonic masterpieces before I had even mastered my mother tongue. Their creations, like— "Oniket Prantor", "Onno Shomoy", "Obosh Onubhutir Deyal", "Amar Poth Chola", "Dhushor Shomoy"—had become the soundtrack to a generation’s hopes, dreams, and rebellions.

12m ago

An unlikely partnership: How internet humour is reshaping film marketing

In Bangladesh and beyond, the success of productions like "Kacher Manush Dure Thuiya" and "Myself Allen Swapan" suggests that meme marketing is more than just a passing trend. It represents a fundamental shift in how audiences interact with and share content. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, those in the film and streaming industry who can master the art of the meme may find themselves with a significant advantage in capturing the ever-elusive attention of modern viewers.

1y ago

Humayun Faridee: Remembering the ‘actors’ actor’

Humayun Faridee, a luminary of Bangladeshi stages, screens, and television, took his final breath on February 13, 2012, in Dhaka. Yet his physical departure does not signify erasure. His creations and artistry have transcended time, rendering him immortal in the hearts of his admirers. While literal victory over death is unattainable, Faridee achieved a form of immortality through the enduring legacy of his work.

1y ago