Once the pride of Bangladeshi entertainment, the television industry gave audiences timeless classics like “Kothao Keu Nei” and “Aaj Robibar”. At the time, BTV was the sole window into a world of stories that shaped generations. As private channels emerged, the number of television dramas soared, but their quality began to falter. Today, the industry finds itself struggling to restore its lost glory and stability.
The couple recently visited The Daily Star, complementing each other in coordinated outfits. Between interviews and photographs, they could not stop capturing moments of one another on their phones. Married for four years, they describe themselves as best friends who respect each other’s personal space while nurturing their shared world. Although deeply in love, they affectionately address each other using tui, a term that might sound a bit strange to others, but feels natural to them.
In an industry where young actors often stumble under the weight of early fame, Nawba Tahiya Hossain has managed to do something rare—grow naturally into the spotlight. Barely out of her teens, she has already carried dramas that racked up millions of views and made her OTT debut alongside big names. Her story begins at the premises of Bangladesh Shishu Academy, where a little girl once sat with other children on Thursdays, learning how to recite poems and speak with confidence.
Recently, Ankan has been making waves with “Long Distance Love,” composed by Shuvendu Das Shuvo, with lyrics co-written by Pragata Naoha and Ankan himself. The song resonated deeply with listeners who related to the pain of separation. “Some loved it, while others didn’t. But what I cherished most was that people began sharing their own love stories in my comment section,” he said.
The fourth iteration of Blender’s Choice-The Daily Star OTT & Digital Content Awards is set to unfold tomorrow, promising to celebrate the finest talents in the OTT industry.
"I am fortunate that in the initial years of my career, I got the opportunity to work with such great filmmakers,” recalls Sadia Ayman from one of her old interviews with The Daily Star. Her aim for the stars led her to a place where she is now making her mark in the glittering world of showbiz.
He began his journey with Goutam Koiri’s “Antonagar” (2023) and quickly gained recognition through standout performances in Mostofa Sarwar Farooki’s “840” (2024), Vicky Zahed’s “Tithidor” (2024), and Ashfaque Nipun’s “Jimmi” (2025)—projects that significantly boosted his career. In conversation with The Daily Star, the actor reflected on his recent work and shared insights into his creative process.
The indie rock band has steadily broken free from its ‘niche’ label, surging in popularity during the pandemic. Their riveting lyrics, dynamic vocals, punchy guitar riffs, and tight rhythm section struck a chord with audiences, particularly through their breakout hit, “60’s Love”.
After securing a spot in the top 10 of “Lux Superstar” in 2018, Puja Agnes Cruze chose patience over haste when it came to making her silver screen debut. Now, years later, her moment finally arrived with “Esha Murder”, where she plays the titular role, a role that not only marks her cinematic breakthrough but also fulfills a dream she has cherished since childhood.
You might know him as Sameer from Bongo’s “BnG”, or perhaps you recognise him as Jaya Ahsan’s younger brother in “Taandob”—either way, Saad Salmi Naovi is fast becoming a name to remember.
From back-to-back cinematic musical hits to earning praise for his acting on OTT platforms, Pritom Hasan is having a standout year. His collaboration with Shakib Khan and chart-topping tracks like “Chand Mama”, “Didha”, and the ever lively “Laage Ura Dhura” have solidified his reputation as one of the most sought-after musicians in Dhallywood.
This Eid, Xefer Rahman surprised fans not just with new music, but also with her return to acting. After her debut in Mostofa Sarwar Farooki’s “Monogamy”, she appeared in the highly anticipated web-series “Myself Allen Swapan 2”, directed by Shihab Shaheen. She not only shared the screen with Nasir Uddin Khan but also lent her voice to the series with the track “Boyam Pakhi 2.0”. Simultaneously, her song “Niye Jabe Ki” from the Eid film “Daagi” was added to the festive lineup.
As Eid-ul-Fitr approaches, the entertainment industry gears up to deliver some of the year’s biggest productions across cinema, television, and OTT platforms. This year is no exception, with highly anticipated films and soundtracks setting the stage for a grand celebration.
The air crackled with quiet intensity as AKM Itmam, the rising star of “Boli (The Wrestler)”, settled into a chair at The Daily Star’s premises. He was a whirlwind of energy, a man with a flight to catch in less than 24 hours, yet he exuded a calm focus that belied his hurried schedule.
Starting out as a model, he made his acting debut in Vicky Zahed’s “Ararat” (2024), portraying a jinn—a performance that caught the people’s attention. His latest release, “Neel Shukh”, has taken him even further, proving that he’s here to stay.
The rising star will be starring in four films this year—two Bangladeshi projects, including one directed by Tanvir Hossain Probal, and two Indian films, one from Tamil Nadu and another from Kolkata. “I have a significant fanbase in Kolkata, and that’s how I was approached for these projects,” he shared.
Bound by music and driven by passion, Rubayat Rehman and Ruslan Rehman have found not just melodies but a shared destiny.
In becoming one with his character, Rizvi Rizu often pushes himself to the point of injury. “In ‘Feu’, I had a fight scene where I had to run at full speed through a forest, and the sharp leaves pierced my feet. In ‘Waqt’, I severely injured my thumb while holding a saw incorrectly. My thumb was on the body of the saw, and when I turned it on, it started moving and tore my skin. I suffered for 15-20 days, and everyone was terrified,” he recalled.
A defining moment in his decade-long career, Shahjahan Shamrat made an unforgettable impact with his portrayal of Razzak in Shankha Dasgupta’s “Priyo Maloti”. Adding his own charm to the character of an empathetic friend, his on-screen persona brought life to the bond of friendship and communal harmony, making the audience emotional.
You may know Novera Rahman as the “Rickshaw Girl”, the titular character of the Amitabh Reza Chowdhury directorial, but she is more than that. She is a painter, an actress, and a producer who yearns to play rebellious characters on-screen.
When NSU graduate Zarin Mahmood landed in Canada in 2017, she had left behind a life of relative certainty to enter the grind of a life far away. Discarding her desire to pursue business, which was her major in university, she jumped on the opportunity to complete a Master’s in Technology Innovation Management at Ottawa’s Carlton University.
