Each year, the Government of Bangladesh provides grants to several full-length and short films. For the 2019-2020 budget year, the Ministry of Information announced the grant list on June 25. A total of 25 films were selected this year. The ongoing pandemic has led to huge losses for the film industry. As a result, the government increased the number of films that will be receiving grants.

Television actor Mahadi Hasan Pial’s parents passed away from complications of the novel coronavirus disease, recently.

Mahdia Ansara Anuranon from Sir John Wilson School won the third prize, while Mahir Tazwar from Islami Bank international School & College won the second prize and Dwaipayan Kar from Drexel International School, Dhaka, won the first prize in Category A (4-6 years old).

Known for his modern approach in presenting stories, celebrated director Redoan Rony started out on television, before making a mark in the world of cinema with films like Chorabali (2016).

Noted thespian, director and playwright Mamunur Rashid spearheads Aranyak Natyadal, one of the most prominent theatre troupes in Bangladesh.

Installation, a relatively new genre of contemporary art, is practiced by postmodernist artists.

The event was also attended by HE Rina P Soemarno, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Indonesia to Bangladesh and His Excellency Amir Farid Abu Hasan, Acting High Commissioner of Malaysia to Bangladesh. Niharika Momtaz, Founder of Bangladesh Art Week said, “Almost half of the winning bids were from Non-Resident Bangladeshis. While the live auction is over, we still have an ongoing silent auction which will end on June 26 at 11:59 pm BST.”

Prominent film director, writer and presenter Debashish Biswas has made a documentary about Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, who passed away recently. Titled Hotya Sheshe Atyahotya, the 30-minute film focuses on Rajput’s career, love life and struggles among other things.

Owned, one of Bangladesh’s most prolific young rock bands, released their single Omor yesterday, accompanied by a visual marvel of a music video. The animated video, the result of a gargantuan effort by Locust Productions, overtook all conversations involving music lovers yesterday for its brilliant, gritty portrayal of Owned’s grunge roots.

The Horizon Sessions, a music festival, hosted by students and alumni of Sunbeams School Dhaka is organised in honour of Niloufer Manzur, a pioneer of education in Bangladesh. The initiative, supported by Friendship NGO, aims to raise awareness and funds for COVID-19 and Cyclone Amphan relief. The funds will go towards building COVID-19 testing booths in rural Bangladesh and rebuilding homes, reservoirs, and embankments destroyed by Cyclone Amphan in the south. Uttaran will undertake the latter project.

To keep people engaged during the coronavirus pandemic, Cartoon People launched their online contest, titled Cartoon People Gaan-Toon Caricature Challenge, recently. In the first edition of the challenge, artistes from all over the country were asked to present their caricatures of renowned musician Jon Kabir.

Film shoots across the country were shut down for over two months.

As children and families in Bangladesh continue to feel the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new Sisimpur episode aims to support them.

Celebrated actor Zahid Hasan has resumed work after several months. He is currently busy with his upcoming Eid projects.

Noted actor and director Azizul Hakim has captured millions of hearts with his performances on television and several critically acclaimed films.

Gaudiya Nritya exponent Rachel Priyanka Perris has mesmerised audiences with her performances both at home and abroad. The dance scholar, who recently completed her Masters of Philosophy under the Gaudiya maestro Mohua Mukherjee, is currently a lecturer at the Department of Dance, University of Dhaka. She will conduct a webinar on Sculptures of Gaudiya Dancers at Bangladesh National Museum on the Facebook page of Gaudiya Nritya Bharati at 8:30 pm (Bangladesh time) tonight.

Eight-time National Film Award-winning singer Andrew Kishore is known for evergreen melodies like Jiboner Golpo Achhe Baki Olpo, Dak Diyachhen Doyal Amare, Haire Manush Rongin Fanush, Amar Shara Deho Kheyo Go Mati and Amar Buker Moddhe Khane among others.

Bappy Chowdhury is one of the most popular film actors in Bangladesh. Several of his films are awaiting their releases, while others are currently underway. Due to the pandemic, the film shoots were postponed. Recently, Bappy started shooting for a new film. In a candid chat with The Daily Star, the actor talks about his upcoming ventures and more.

As a token of appreciation to all paternal figures around the world on Father’s Day, Syed Abdul Hadi and Asif Akbar released their song, Baba Cheler Taan on YouTube, recently. The song, released under the label of Dhruba Music Station, is composed by Kishore Das and penned by Suhrid Sufian.

Recently, Imran Mahmudul released his latest single, Na. Written by Mehedi Hasan Limon and composed by Imran himself, the song was showered with praise for the beautiful presentation in the form of a self-made music video.