Shah Alam Shazu

The usual hustle and bustle of showbiz came to an abrupt halt with the ongoing quota reform protests, political instability, violent clashes, and a prolonged internet outage starting on July 18. This outage lasted for more than six days, bringing shooting schedules to a standstill and leaving online activities at a complete stop.

Shafin Ahmed, who especially made a steadfast name for himself in the 1990s, has made significant contributions to the band music scene in the country. He is known for many hit songs that have deeply resonated with millions of young people.

As many had lost their lives in violent clashes that upended the entire nation, cultural personalities welcomed the verdict that would look to re-establish peace across the country. The Daily Star reached out to some of the seniormost cultural figures in Bangladesh yesterday.

Renowned cultural figure Ramendu Majumdar and noted thespian and playwright Mamunur Rashid have commented on the ongoing quota reform movement, which has led to the ongoing violent clashes between student protesters and Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists nationwide. Both personalities emphasised the importance of mutual communication between the government and protestors to restore peace in the country.

The artiste has not only made remarkable contributions to the entertainment industry, but also played a crucial role in the Liberation War of 1971 as a valiant freedom fighter and a member of legendary Crack Platoon.

Actress Bidya Sinha Mim has been around in the entertainment industry for numerous years. Her debut film, “Amar Ache Jol” captivated audiences and marked the beginning of her successful career. She then went on to star in several more films, eventually earning a National Film Award.

Regarding special surprises she received on her birthday, the “Moner Majhe Tumi” famed actress mentioned, “Probably the highlight of this day is my daughter, who hugged and wished me saying ‘happy birthday Maa’ at the first hour. It was a truly singular moment that will stay with me forever.”

She made her acting debut with the film “Ayna”, directed by noted actress and filmmaker Kabori Sarwar. The film, released in 2006, marks a landmark project for the actress to date. She shared memories of working on the movie with The Daily Star.

In his four-decade-long career, renowned actor Faruque Ahmed has earned a name for his performances on the theatre stage, television, and in films. He has been a member of the popular theatre troupe Dhaka Theatre for a long time.

Renowned for her exceptional talent, Sharmili Ahmed captivated audiences with her performances in countless plays and acclaimed films. Notably, she starred in the country's first-ever serial drama and left an indelible mark with her role in the film "Abirbhab", which features the song "Sathti Ronger Majhe".

Mondera Chakroborty has captivated audiences with her lead role in "Kajol Rekha”, her debut film, which has received widespread acclaim and international release. Her performance in the film, directed by Gias Uddin Selim, earned her the Best Actress Award in the Popular Category at the Dhallywood Awards in America, marking her first accolade in her film career.

When asked about her experience working on both sides of the border, she shared her perspective on the differences between the industries, “The major difference I have noticed is the way of storytelling. Bangladesh’s stories are more original and strong — we have a centuries-old history that we can explore. On the other hand, their industry is older and professional and they have expertise in the technical sectors. However, our OTT industry is quite organised and professional too. Both industries have their respective sets of expertise.”

Despite her relatively short career, Totini has already made a significant impact with her remarkable performances in various dramas.

After winning hearts with his superb performance in “Toofan,” Chanchal Chowdhury is once again set to impress fans in theatres with his first Indian film, “Padatik”, directed by Srijit Mukherji.

The actress further added that she would be happier if the Bangladeshi audience could watch “Dear Maa”. “Whenever my film releases in Kolkata, I always feel if Bangladeshi audience could enjoy this film too, I hope we will be able to make it possible in near future,” concluded the actress.

Shajal began his career two decades ago as a model and anchor. After many years, he co-hosted the Eid programme “Panch Phoron” with actress Sarika Subrin.

The actress believes sports bring something beautiful and encourages everyone to enjoy the game. Despite differences in team allegiances, she emphasises the importance of mutual respect.

Glistening eyes, powerful expression, and a soul-stirring smile—Ziaul Faruq Apurba has enjoyed a successful career on the small screen for over a decade. His popularity has transcended the borders of Bangladesh, reaching fans in Kolkata who are die-hard admirers of the "Boro Chele" actor.

Runa Laila is a globally acclaimed artiste who has made her mark with various achievements including being honoured with the coveted Independence Award. This esteemed artiste, famed especially in the subcontinent, began her singing career 60 years ago, observing six decades in music today. 

Sohana Saba is passionate about traveling. Whenever she gets time, she goes for a tour. This time, she went to Turkey to celebrate Eid with her friends.