Set in a conservative coastal town where women are forbidden to sing in public, “Ali” follows a young boy blessed with an uncanny female voice who hides his gift while secretly dreaming of entering a singing competition.

“Ali” a 15-minute Bangladeshi short directed by Adnan Al Rajeev, has been selected for the official short-film programme at the 70th Valladolid International Film Week (Seminci) in Spain.

Bangladeshi filmmaker Adnan Al Rajeev’s acclaimed short film “Ali” has secured a nomination in the Best Short Form (Scripted) category at the upcoming Asian Academy Creative Awards 2025.

Bangladeshi filmmaker Adnan Al Rajeev’s acclaimed short film “Ali” has earned a Special Mention at the Kyiv International Short Film Festival (KISFF), adding another milestone to its global festival journey. Rajeev shared the news on social media, expressing gratitude to the festival jury for “recognising and embracing our film in this way,” calling it “another win for ‘Ali’.”

The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) inaugurated its 50th edition yesterday, with an 11-day lineup of premieres and bold new voices from around the world. Running through September 14, the festival will screen hundreds of films across downtown venues, reaffirming its status as a leading autumn showcase.

TIFF 2025, set to run from September 4 to 14 in Toronto, will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year and is expected to draw the world's top filmmakers, industry executives, and press, making it an exceptional opportunity for the “Ali” team to share their work with an international audience.

Following its acclaimed screening and Special Mention award at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, Adnan Al Rajeev’s short film “Ali” has now been officially selected for the 73rd Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF). This marks the film’s Australian premiere.

For the role of Ali, director Adnan Al Rajeev had been searching for a certain kind of presence — an innocent face, someone with long hair and eyes expressive enough to speak volumes without uttering a word. “They auditioned around 40 people for the part,” Al Amin shared. “But they weren’t looking for someone to perform. They wanted someone who could simply be Ali. And they saw that in me.”

In a historic moment for Bangladeshi cinema, Adnan Al Rajeev's short film "Ali" has received a Special Mention at the highly esteemed 78th Cannes Film Festival. The film, which was the first Bangladeshi entry to be officially selected for the Short Film competition, has now garnered further international recognition, marking a significant milestone for the nation's burgeoning film industry.

There’s no arrogance in his voice when he says it — just the quiet certainty of someone who knows that the real magic lies not in the destination, but in the journey itself. “And right now, for me, that journey is just beginning,” he concludes.

Following the release of their enchanting nikah ceremony pictures, Mehazabien Chowdhury and Adnan Al Rajeev have now shared glimpses of their joyous holud celebration. Surrounded by close friends and family, the couple enjoyed a vibrant pre-wedding event filled with laughter, love, and beautiful traditions.

After 12 years of being in a relationship, actress Mehazabien Chowdhury and producer-director Adnan Al Rajeev tied the knot on February 14. Ten days later, on February 24, they hosted a wedding reception at a resort in Savar, near Dhaka.

Social media is currently buzzing with leaked stills from Mehazabien Chowdhury's gaye holud (turmeric ceremony). The images, seemingly shared by close friends, feature Mehazabien smiling alongside her husband, producer and director Adnan Al Rajeev, with a group of musicians visible in the background.

There have been numerous rumours about actress Mehazabien Chowdhury’s relationship and marriage with director Adnan Al Rajeev. However, both have consistently avoided discussing their wedding plans. This time, it has been revealed that an official announcement regarding their marriage is forthcoming.

The festival is set to kick off with the screening of the Chinese film “Moon Man” (directed by Zhang Chiyu), a 2022 science fiction comedy that follows the story of the "last human in the universe" stranded on the moon after an asteroid wipes out life on Earth. With a worldwide gross of over $460 million, "Moon Man" is a box-office sensation, and the opening screening promises to be an exciting start to the festival.

Today, faculty members and students from Dhaka International University (DIU) are set to attend a special screening of “Priyo Maloti”, featuring Mehazabien Chowdhury, at Star Cineplex’s SKS Tower in Dhaka. The university has reserved a hall for the 7:45pm show. 

At the outset of the anti-discrimination student movement, only a few artistes voiced their support. Among those who did was actress Safa Kabir, who felt a sense of duty and stepped out of her comfort zone to ask, “Why are these kids being beaten on the roads?” She also suggested that these students are young and need to be dealt with love, not aggression, leaving her message to the protestors, “Dear students, I’m with you all.”

In a powerful show of solidarity, numerous Bangladeshi celebrities have voiced their support for the students' demands, with many standing alongside them during the protests. Now, as the country recovers from a massive uprising, these stars are stepping up to aid the courageous youths who are tirelessly serving the citizens.

"Ma Lo Ma" delves into the profound realisation that life's journey is akin to navigating through the dualities of adulting and nostalgia. It encapsulates the introspective query that often arises with age: "What am I doing here?" Yet, within this existential questioning lies the potential for a beautiful transformation—a self-acceptance that allows individuals to flourish even amidst life's most challenging seasons.

This film centres around a young rookie from a bizarre chicken dance group who faces a heckler after being the worst dancer at a performance — leading him to a series of strange events that reveal what the group does to their weakest link.