Shah Alam Shazu

Eid release “Bonolota Express”, starring Azmeri Haque Badhan, has met with an outpouring of audience appreciation since its debut. The film has been warmly received, with Badhan making multiple visits to cinema halls to engage with viewers. In the film, she portrays the role of a minister’s wife.

The actor, who rose to prominence with “Poramon 2” and has since built a steady run in Bangladeshi cinema, returns this Eid with “Rakkhosh”. Following its release, he visited three theatres to witness audience reactions up close—an experience he describes as both energising and deeply personal.

Actor Faruque Ahmed, widely known for his work in numerous dramas and films by Humayun Ahmed, has chosen not to celebrate his birthday, which falls on March 25.

Directed by Tanim Noor, the film features Sabila Nur in the role of Chitra, a performance that has garnered widespread appreciation.

For several years now, she has been living in the United States, where she continues her work as an artist.

Big-budget films have long been a staple of Eid releases. Such films typically feature major stars and strong storytelling. This Eid, five new films have been released, and most of their stars visited cinema halls on Eid day, with more visits planned for today. Let’s take a look at which stars are heading to theatres to support these new releases.

Chanchal Chowdhury, celebrated across both Bengals, is currently working on a new film in Kolkata. He has been shooting there and spoke to The Daily Star over the phone recently.

Eid is synonymous with joy—a grand celebration that brings people closer to their loved ones. During the holiday, many travel home, while others take the opportunity to vacation elsewhere. Celebrities are no different; they, too, spend Eid in their own ways. Some are abroad, while others remain in Dhaka. Here’s a glimpse of where stars are this Eid.

Although she had planned to come back to Bangladesh ahead of Eid, changes in travel arrangements led her to the UK, where her daughter, Anmol, lives.

In conversations with The Daily Star, colleagues returned to those fleeting, personal moments they shared with him—memories now difficult to let go of, as they mourn a deeply loved artist and an even more remarkable human being.

On the music front, Kornia hints at something exciting ahead. “Work is underway, and I’m hoping to bring something big this year. I try to release one major project annually, something that really connects with listeners. I hope to do the same this year.”

Will she be watching her own dramas? She laughs, “Of course! Not just mine—I’d like to watch others’ work as well.”

He adds, “We were four brothers and two sisters. Including our cousins, there were 21 members in the family at the time. During Eid, we naturally became a large group. We never needed anyone from outside to create fun and excitement—we created all the joy ourselves.”

Siam also expressed happiness about several films releasing this Eid. “It feels great that so many films are coming out. They are all our films — there’s no division. My first film’s co-star Puja Chery also has a film releasing this Eid — ‘Domm’, directed by Redoan Rony, who also directed my first drama. So we are all connected in one way or another, which makes me very happy.”

Roy also expressed hope for greater institutional support. “Shahnewaz Kakoli is a National Film Award recipient. When an artiste, filmmaker, or anyone from the acting profession receives a national award, they become a national asset. In such cases, the government should come forward.”

Veteran actress Babita, known for timeless classics such as “Golapi Ekhon Trainey” and “Jonmo Theke Jolchi”, has long held a cherished place in the hearts of both audiences and critics. With her radiant smile and remarkable acting talent, she built an illustrious career and became one of the most celebrated faces of Bangladeshi cinema.

Dr Ejaz immediately called the child closer and said warmly, “Give me the tea. Serve everyone tea.” The child’s joy seemed boundless. As the conversation came to an end, Dr Ejaz smiled and said, “Coming to the book fair feels wonderful — truly wonderful.”

Azmeri Haque Badhan has been steadily returning to the spotlight with a string of new projects after a challenging period in her career.

The day has been celebrated for many years, when women speak about their rights and independence. In that spirit, four actresses shared their thoughts on Women’s Day with The Daily Star.

“I’ve always spent my birthdays with my family,” she said with a smile. “This year was no different. I enjoy keeping the day simple and close to the people who matter most.”