Bangladesh, a culturally rich nation, treasures an excellent dosage of romance, action, comedy and most importantly, music, in its films.

As most people in Bangladesh are in isolation due to concerns over the coronavirus outbreak, so is the entertainment industry.

The Television Programme Producers’ Association, Directors’ Guild, Actors’ Equity and Writers’ Association have raised funds to support their coworkers in need. “We will not disclose how much money we have collected, but it is an attractive amount,” said Shaju Muntasher, General Secretary, Television Programme Producers’ Association, “we wanted to help our coworkers who have no jobs at the moment.”

Acclaimed Manupuri dancer and choreographer Warda Rihab raised awareness on the global coronavirus pandemic through a dance routine video. Titled Don’t Live in Fear, Be Cautious, the video is based on the Manipuri Bol by renowned dancer Bimbavati Devi. Through the routine, Warda urges people to stay home and follow precautionary measures. The video has received immense appreciation from other noted artistes and audiences at home and abroad. It is also being aired daily on BTV and DD News India. In a brief interview, Warda discusses how artistes need to act responsibly during this crisis.

Freedom fighter and Former Cultural Minister Asaduzzaman Noor began his journey as an actor with theatre, after the Liberation War. The thespian has acted in numerous hit productions in theatre, films and television, winning different accolades, including the Independence Day Award. Kothao Keu Nei and Bohubrihi, two of his most popular serials, are currently rerunning on Bangladesh Television (BTV). He won critical and public acclaim with his iconic role as Baker Bhai in Kothao Keu Nei. The actor shares what he has been up to in a candid chat with The Daily Star.

This year marks the birth centenary of sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar. During the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971, he played a key role in arranging ‘The Concert for Bangladesh’, the benefit events, along with former Beatles guitarist George Harrison, to raise international awareness and funds for refugees.

Family, which spreads awareness about the coronavirus outbreak, released on Sony TV recently, and has been trending ever since. The film, which talks about the importance of staying indoors in times of the pandemic, is a made-at-home short film featuring various actors from across India - Rajinikanth, Amitabh Bachchan, Mohanlal, Mammootty, Chiranjeevi, Priyanka Chopra, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Shiva Rajkumar, Sonalee Kulkarni and Diljit Dosanjh. It revolves around Amitabh Bachchan's misplaced pair of dark sunglasses, and everyone's attempts to find it. Every actor shot their part of the film at their homes, respectively.

Government grant-winning film Adventure of Sundarban, based on Dr Muhammad Zafar Iqbal's novel Ratuler Raat, Ratuler Din, began shooting from March 13. Directed by Abu Raihan Jewel, the film stars Siam Ahmed and Pori Moni in the lead roles. The team went to Khulna for the shoot. However, under the current circumstances, the cast and crew were unable to return to Dhaka. “Originally, we planned to shoot for 26 days in different areas of Khulna, Sundarban, and Mongla. However, we could only film for 20 days,” said Abu Raihan Jewel. “March 28 was our last day of shoot. We finally returned to Dhaka with special permission from the Naval Ministry.”

On March 21, renowned mountaineer and social activist Wasfia Nazreen announced in a Facebook post that she tested positive for the coronavirus and is in quarantine. Recently, she joined a Facebook live session with her friends, filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, actor Nusrat Imrose Tisha, musicians Sharmin Sultana Sumi and Labik Kamal Gaurob, cricketer Sakib Al Hasan and astronaut Ronald John Gahan, to talk about her battle with the respiratory disease.

Renowned artist Asem Ansari passed away due to cardiac arrest at his residence in Mirpur, Dhaka, at around 9 pm on April 6. He was 72. His body was kept at the National Heart Foundation’s mortuary on the night. He was buried at the Martyred Intellectuals Graveyard in Mirpur, in the morning today.

Observing nature and life closely with his vision, renowned artist Mohammad Eunus has been portraying abstract paintings for over four decades. He has picked up a keen interest in pure abstraction. He employs colours, lines and textures to give his paintings a classical essence. In a recent conversation with The Daily Star, the masterful artist, who is currently staying at his studio residence and raising awareness on the coronavirus pandemic through social media, shared what he has been up to. Apart from contributing to an initiative by Professor Nisar Hossain, the Dean of the Faculty of Fine Art (FFA), University of Dhaka (DU), Eunus is also reminding his fellow artists and students to be responsible. “Artists have always played a leading role during any catastrophe in the country throughout history. We must ensure our place of responsibility in this crisis, from our homes, alongside the affected nations,” says Mohammad Eunus. “The government of Bangladesh has already taken rigorous measures, such as shutting down offices, educational institutions and malls. Different organisations, institutions and individuals are also raising awareness on the issue. Under the circumstances, the FFA, DU, has taken some initiatives. They are providing PPE supplies to the physicians and staff members of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. Even though most of us are at risk because of our old age, we are trying to stay strong and keep our morale up. We are all anxious, but I am proud to be a part of such initiatives,” he mentions. Eunus further encouraged the public to follow the guidelines given by the government. “I would like to request everyone to not go out of the house unless it is absolutely urgent. We need to practice social distancing, maintain cleanliness in and around the house, wash our hands frequently with soap and sanitisers and avoid going to mosques, temples or churches for a while,” concludes the artist.

Throughout history, cultural activists have taken their own initiatives to step up during emergencies. In the fight against the current pandemic, a group of 65 cultural activists, including writers, doctors, and theatre performers, have come together to offer their services for the people in the country. Calling themselves ‘Sangskritikarmibrindya’, the nonpolitical group has been working since March 25.

Today marks the 89th birth anniversary of the legendary Suchitra Sen. Originally hailing from Pabna, the Mahanayeeka has ruled over the Bengali film industry with her grace, poise and charm.

Single-screen theatres in Bangladesh have faced massive losses and the number of films has reduced drastically in recent times. Yet, the festive season, which includes occasions like the Bengali New Year and Eid-Ul-Fitr among others, is exciting for the film industry. However, this year, the circumstances are completely unprecedented. Movie theatres around the country were closed down, in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Six-time National Film Award winner Raisul Islam Asad won over the audiences with his performances in prominent films like Padma Nadir Majhi (1993), Anya Jibon (1995), Dukhai (1997) and Lalsalu (2001). The freedom fighter started his acting career with Dhaka Theatre and was first seen on the silver screen in Khan Ataur Rahman’s film, Abar Tora Manush Ho (1973). He looks back on his early days in a candid chat with The Daily Star.

The global coronavirus crisis has brought all television productions to a sudden halt in Bangladesh. Owing to concerns over the pandemic, the shootings of all television projects were officially shut down from March 22. As a result, a large number of workers, operating in front of and behind the camera have already lost, or are at risk of losing their jobs, either temporarily, or in the worst case, permanently. The owners of shooting houses are going through a difficult time, while millions of other jobs that are linked to the economic activity generated by the television sector, are also affected.

Back in the 90s, people protested and brought out processions on the streets, against the execution of the Baker Bhai, a fictional character. Featuring Asaduzzaman Noor in the role of Baker Bhai, Kothao Keu Nei, written and directed by Humayun Ahmed, shed light on the adventures of an endearing gangster. It remains one of the most beloved television shows in the country to this day.

Celebrated actor Apu Biswas has garnered many fans and admirers over the years. She shares one of her most favourite memories with a fan with The Daily Star.

Born in Natore, Dr Abdus Satter graduated in Fine Art from Bangladesh College of Arts and Crafts, (now Faculty of Fine Art, University of Dhaka) in 1971. With an ICCR Scholarship, Abdus Satter went to study Post-Graduate Research Course on Painting and Printmaking at Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan in 1973 and completed his postgraduate degree in 1975. As a fulbright scholar, Professor Satter received his second Master’s in Fine Arts from the Pratt Institute in New York. He also obtained another Master’s in Fine Art from the Institute of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka, in 1980.

As the world copes with the coronavirus pandemic with rigorous measures, many in Bangladesh woke up to the news that they have no jobs. Like workers of several other industries, crew members of media production companies are facing financial hardships at the moment. Consequently, numerous renowned TVC production houses of the country have pledged their support to an initiative that aims to support the daily wage earners, who have been severely affected by the pandemic.