‘Madhumita Hall was upgraded for the long haul’
Rumours of closure continue to swirl around Madhumita, one of Dhaka’s oldest and most iconic cinema halls, located in Motijheel. Having celebrated its golden jubilee just three years ago, Madhumita has been a cornerstone of the city’s moviegoing culture since its inauguration on December 1, 1967.
22 June 2025, 05:02 AM
From action to dance numbers: Farin and Sabila win hearts on the big screen
Popular actresses Sabila Nur and Tasnia Farin have been dominating the Eid-ul-Azha box office with their commercial film releases, “Taandob” and “Insaaf”. Both films have sparked widespread discussions across social media and among filmgoers, mostly in praise of the actresses’ performances.
19 June 2025, 06:38 AM
Local Eid releases fare at the box office
Six films were released across cinemas in Bangladesh this Eid. Among them, “Taandob”, starring Shakib Khan and directed by Raihan Rafi, has led the charts from Eid day through the fifth day of the holiday. The film was released in 133 theatres nationwide, with midnight screenings (12am–3am) running in venues such as Chhaya Bani in Mymensingh, Rajtilok in Rajshahi, and Modhubon Cineplex in Bogura.
14 June 2025, 04:30 AM
I tune out communication to focus on my role: Sariful Razz
Sariful Razz’s latest film, “Insaaf”, directed by Sanjoy Somadder, was released this Eid-ul-Azha initially across 16 theatres in Bangladesh. With Tasnia Farin also in a leading role, the film features Mosharraf Karim in a key role.
11 June 2025, 05:32 AM
A legacy of Tagore songs in Bengali and Hindi films
Today, on 25th Boishakh, the 164th birth anniversary of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, the legacy of his music continues to echo far and wide- not just in the hearts of Bengalis, but across the cinematic landscapes of both Bengal and Bollywood. While his poetry and songs remain an inseparable part of everyday life, Rabindra Sangeet has also found a cherished place in both Bengali and Hindi cinema, often adapted, referenced, or directly used to elevate cinematic storytelling.
8 May 2025, 10:06 AM
Subir Nandi’s voice still reverberates through the hearts of listeners
Today marks the sixth death anniversary of legendary singer Subir Nandi, whose timeless voice continues to resonate with generations of music lovers. Though he passed away on May 7, 2019, his melodies remain ever-present—on the radio, across streaming platforms, or simply heard in passing—stirring memories and emotions among fans old and new.
7 May 2025, 12:43 PM
‘Borbaad’ and ‘Daagi’ dominate overseas theatres
Bangladeshi films “Borbaad” and “Daagi” have sustained packed audiences in theatres both locally and internationally, even twenty days after their Eid release.
21 April 2025, 06:06 AM
A musical Eid: Songs that are still making memories
A total of six movies were released during Eid-ul-Fitr this year. Among the songs from these films, “Chand Mama” from “Borbaad” and “Konna” from “Jinn 3” have each surpassed 10 million views on YouTube.
10 April 2025, 18:00 PM
‘Rongila Kitab’: A tale of love and betrayal
The web-series “Rongila Kitab”, directed by Anam Biswas, premiered on the OTT platform Hoichoi on November 8. Adapted from Kinkar Ahsan’s novel of the same name, this series unfolds across eight episodes.
10 November 2024, 06:53 AM
Anam Biswas talks ‘Rongila Kitab’, his second book-to-screen adaptation
Anam Biswas became a household name after his much-appreciated movie “Debi”. His directorials tend to reflect his talent, and he has garnered praise for every project he’s undertaken—be it a film or web content. Besides directing, Anam is also recognised for his songwriting skills.
9 November 2024, 07:57 AM
From acting to directing: Kushum Shikder reflects on new journey
Kushum Shikder, known for her powerful performances in “Gohine Shobdo” and the National Award-winning “Shankhachil,” has made a bold transition from an acclaimed actress to a filmmaker with her directorial debut, “Shoroter Joba.” Released on October 11, this marks a pivotal moment in her career, where she not only took the reins as director but also wrote the screenplay and led the film's production.
15 October 2024, 11:29 AM
‘Desh ta tomar Baper Naki’: Ethun Babu and crew recall risky resistance
Ethun Babu, most known for composing the all-time hit “O Priya Tumi Kothay”, was prosecuted by the previous government for merely voicing out his political opinions.
28 September 2024, 18:05 PM
I was ‘banned’ for seven years: Kanak Chapa
"I was banned for a full seven years due to my political identity. Although it may seem irrelevant, the Covid pandemic taught me a lot. I realised that one can survive with fewer possessions. Excessive food and luxuries are unnecessary, and true peace comes from standing closely with people in need," shared Kanak Chapa.
5 September 2024, 18:05 PM
Film industry at a standstill: How long till cameras roll again?
Industry insiders point to one major cause: The reluctance of production companies. In the current political climate, investors are hesitant to back new films. Producers prefer to wait until the situation in the country stabilises before committing to any major projects.
20 August 2024, 18:05 PM
How celebrities spent their time amid internet shutdown
With social media activity at a standstill and the curfew ongoing, many are left wondering how celebrities are coping without the internet. Although broadband internet resumed on Tuesday night in a few regions, Facebook remains inaccessible, leaving many feeling disconnected. We reached out to some of our favourite celebrities to see how they are handling this digital hiatus.
24 July 2024, 16:05 PM
Hall owners face huge losses, look to recoup with ‘Toofan’
The Raihan Rafi directorial was expected to run for the foreseeable future before the quota reform protests started. According to the producers, the film earned around Tk 25 crore, a rare feat for a Bangladeshi film. Even though some people did go see the film at the start of the movement, cinema halls had to close down after nationwide violence started, claiming the lives of many involved.
24 July 2024, 14:37 PM
Six months in review: Best of Dhallywood
In the first six months of this year, around 30 films have been released in the country, with only a few achieving notable commercial successes. However, several movies and songs have generated significant buzz in the entertainment industry and among audiences.
8 July 2024, 18:05 PM
Four years without the king of playback, Andrew Kishore
The artiste was honoured with the National Film Award eight times. He first won the National Award in 1982 for the song “Hayre Manush Rongin Phanush” from the film “Boro Bhalo Lok Chilo”, with lyrics by Syed Shamsul Haque and composed by Alam Khan.
6 July 2024, 11:47 AM
Didn't think a director could ruin his own creation: Bobby
This Eid-ul-Azha, Eamin Haque Bobby starrer film “Moyurakkhi” was released nationwide. Shortly after, the actress expressed disappointment in her portrayal, claiming it did not match what was promised. She also accused the film’s director, Rashid Polash, of not paying her full remuneration.
2 July 2024, 11:47 AM
Exciting lineup of Bengali films on the horizon
Over the past few years, films starring Shakib Khan have consistently dominated the box office post-release. All things considered, local audiences have undoubtedly and eagerly been embracing this leading star's films.
27 June 2024, 18:05 PM
Eid blockbusters: Top films, songs, and OTT hits steal the show
Several movies, songs, and OTT content have hit the screens and digital platforms during Eid ul-Azha, garnering significant attention and applause from audiences. Among them, the spotlight has prominently shone on the movie "Toofan", directed by Raihan Rafi.
19 June 2024, 18:05 PM
Bobby to return to the silver screen this Eid
The film's poster and a 30-second teaser have already been released, garnering praise from viewers. The teaser depicts a dramatic scene where a pilot pleads for help during an airplane hijacking.
5 June 2024, 13:21 PM
‘Mom has come, let’s go and see her, Sworgo’
Shimana emerged in showbiz in 2006 through the Lux-Channel i Superstar competition. She gained wide recognition for her role as Kakoli in the drama "Sakin Sarisuri", directed by Salahuddin Lavlu.
4 June 2024, 08:24 AM
25 years of Shakib Khan: 249 films, hits, and more to come
Dhallywood ‘King’ Shakib Khan has been single-handedly dominating our film industry for over two decades now. The actor, who began his career with Sohanur Rahman Sohan’s "Ananta Bhalobasha" (May 28, 1999), notably completed 25 years in Dhallywood, today. To celebrate the momentous occasion of hitting his silver jubilee, the actor cut 25 different cakes.
28 May 2024, 14:25 PM
Nipun is either mentally unstable or influenced: Zayed Khan
Recently, Zayed Khan addressed some issues in detail with The Daily Star in an exclusive interview. The actor also shed light on regaining his membership, his feud with fellow artiste Nipun, his love life, marriage, and his current showbiz projects.
19 May 2024, 14:29 PM
Babita reminiscences her legendary co-star actor Farooque
Today marks the first death anniversary of the legendary actor Farooque. On this day of remembrance, actress Farida Akhtar Babita shared her memories of the iconic actor. Together, they starred as a duo in nearly 40 films.
15 May 2024, 14:07 PM
Well and alive: Dhallywood films retain spot in halls
Following the release of 11 Dhallywood films for and on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, there have been changes in the line-up of movies still screened during the third week. Certain theatres have witnessed a decrease in screenings, while others have seen an increase. Additionally, there's been varied buzz surrounding different films, with some garnering more attention than others.
28 April 2024, 18:05 PM
Pensive Puja and a roaring comeback
After nearly a year, Puja Chery returned with a powerhouse performance this Eid-ul-Fitr with her movie “Lipstick”. Despite the film’s limited theatrical release, it has gained praise from many celebrities for its bold and unique concept. This was indeed a challenging year for the actress, as she tragically lost her mother just days before Eid. However, Puja was determined to fulfil her mother’s dream by actively promoting her movie, despite being heartbroken.
19 April 2024, 18:05 PM