Since 2008, Banani Puja Mandap has been one of the biggest arrangements in the country for Durga Puja, organised under the Gulshan-Banani Sharbajanin Puja Foundation. However, this year, owing to the ongoing pandemic, the Mahalaya celebrations will take place on a limited scale, at the foundation’s office beside the Banani field, where the Puja Mandap is usually set up every year. “We will celebrate while maintaining social distance, for safety concerns,” said President of the organisation Dilip Dasgupta. “The programme will be aired live from our official Facebook page and YouTube channel. We are hoping that some television channels will cover it as well."

National Award winning actor and Member of Parliament Farooque was taken to Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore recently, due to his deteriorating health condition.

Celebrated actor Ferdous has impressed one and all with his performances in films in Bangladesh and India. On a candid chat with The Daily Star, the actor talks about his upcoming ventures, as he is planning to resume work after a break of six months.

Senior actor Mohiuddin Bahar, well known for comedic performance in Ittyadi hosted by popular television personality Hanif Sanket, passed away yesterday, leaving the television world in sorrow. Amidst condolences from many renowned personalities, Hanif Sanket remembered his friend and confidante fondly.

Visual artist Nabil Rahman’s solo exhibition, Water bodies, is currently taking place at Studio 6/6. Growing up, the artist spent most of his time in the Bronx, getting frisked by white cops, falling in love, facing heartbreaks and learning about life. The Bronx’s walls are known as endless canvases. All mega cities around the world are designed in grids, and function based on statistics, as most of our life is represented through virtual reality today.

Promising filmmaker Rezwan Shahriar Sumit’s first feature film, Nonajoler Kabbo, (The Salt in Our Waters) has been an official selection at the 25th Busan International Film Festival (21-30th October 2020). Busan is Asia’s biggest film festival and a leader in premiering the most exciting international talents. Sumit’s film is the only Bangladeshi feature length film in the selection, and it will play alongside acclaimed titles such as Chaitanya Tamhane’s The Disciple (Venice, FIPRESCI winner) and Ivan Ayr’s Milestone (Venice Orizzonti). Ariq Anam Khan’s short film Transit is the only other project from Bangladesh in this year’s highly competitive slate.

Director and writer Ariq Anam Khan’s short film, Transit, will be screened at two renowned festivals over the coming weeks. The official world premiere will be held at the Encounters Film Festival in UK and the international premiere will be held at the highly prestigious Busan International Film Festival. In both festivals, Transit will be competing in the Main Competition category, with several other short films from across the world.

Veteran actor Sadek Bachchu passed away at a hospital in Dhaka at the age of 65. He was Covid-19 positive.

Renowned actor Sadek Bachchu passed away at 12:05 pm in the capital's Universal Medical College Hospital. He was 65. He had tested positive for the coronavirus, and was admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital on September 6 after his condition deteriorated. Later on, the actor was kept on life support in Universal Medical College Hospital. He left behind his wife, and three children. He will be laid to rest at the Khilgaon Taltola Graveyard after Asr prayers today.

Mohiuddin Bahar, renowned for his role in popular magazine programme Ityadi, breathed his last today 5 am in the morning. He was 73 at the age of passing. The news was confirmed by eldest son, Md Moinuddin.

Shonar Bangla Circus made quite an impact with their debut album, Hyena Express. Even though the band was supposed to perform in a live concert commemorating the album, the pandemic put a stop to that plan. "Since our fans did not get to experience that concert, we are doing one-take video and audio recordings in a series called 'Live Circus', to give them something close to that experience," says Probar Ripon, the vocalist and lyricist of the band. The titular song, Hyena Express, was meanwhile released on the band's YouTube page to much fanfare. Shonar Bangla Circus plans to release one rendition every week.

Veteran actor Sadek Bachchu is on life support in the capital's Universal Medical College Hospital. The news was confirmed by the General Secretary of Cholochitro Shilpi Samity, Zayed Khan. The actor had previously tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday. Sadek Bachchu is known for his brilliant portrayals of negative roles, and has won the National Award for his work in Ekti Cinemar Golpo.

National Award winning actor and Member of Parliament Farooque was taken to Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore this morning. He had previously been admitted into two separate hospitals in the city and tested for coronavirus, dengue, malaria and typhoid, but the results came out negative.

Every year since 1993, Anannya Magazine has recognised and honoured ten women for their remarkable contributions in their respective fields. Yesterday the Anannya Top Ten Awards 2019 was held virtually, in the presence of esteemed guests.

Known for his portrayals of negative roles in Dhaliwood, Sadek Bachchu has been involved in acting for five decades. The National Award Winning artiste recently tested positive for Covid-19.

Father Marino Rigon was also known as the ‘Friend of Bengalis’, as he contributed a major part of his life towards Bangladesh. With his unconditional care and support during the 1971 Liberation War, he sheltered and cared for the injured. He was honoured as a freedom fighter of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War for his contributions during the war.

Renowned actor Khondoker Shahid Uddin Firoz, better known as K S Firoz, made undeniable contributions to the television, film and theatre arenas of Bangladesh. The actor breathed his last on September 9, 2020, leaving behind his wife, his three daughters and countless well-wishers.

With Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory being a literary classic, a film adaptation was inevitable. The 1971 fantasy film, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, was mildly successful but reviled by critics at the time, and even by Dahl himself.

Toots and the Maytals singer Toots Hibbert has died aged 77, the band have revealed.

Gazi Nafis Ahmed is a visual artist working in Spain. His pictures portray visual stories, highlighting unseen or ignored realities.