Sharmin Joya

As the newspaper celebrates its anniversary, Shaheen extends his heartfelt congratulations. “This contribution—especially through initiatives like the OTT Awards—is a remarkable one for our industry,” he says. “I wish The Daily Star many more years of meaningful, responsible journalism.”

Extending his congratulations on the anniversary, Shakil speaks with the familiarity of a loyal reader. “Everyday, opening the newspaper, I look for the Arts & Entertainment page, as it is in my interest and a space of comfort,” he says. “For those of us who have been practising music for decades, this page is a source of genuine joy and honour.”

From veteran actors and filmmakers to rising stars and musicians, the industry has witnessed growth, innovation, and a renewed sense of purpose, marking one of the most challenging years as well.

As the year draws to a close, let us look back at the artistes who stood out, earned applause, and signalled a vibrant future for the industry.

For Khairul Anam Shakil, celebrating five decades of music is not just a personal milestone; it is a reflection of Bangladesh’s cultural heartbeat. As a celebrated Nazrul Sangeet exponent and General Secretary of the Bangladesh Nazrul Sangeet Sangstha (BNSS), Shakil has devoted his life to teaching, performing, and preserving the legacy of Kazi Nazrul Islam.

He began his musical journey in 2018 with three covers before making his original debut. “I started with a Rabindranath mashup, ‘Ei Mon Tomake Dilam’, and ‘Ei Poth Jodi Na Shesh Hoy’. Within a month, I released my first originals, ‘Mon Bojhena’ and then ‘Buker Ba Pashe’,” he reminisced. “I feel fortunate that people accepted me so early on.”

Cyberbullying is a growing global concern, intensified by rapid technological advances. Women, whether public figures or ordinary individuals, increasingly face online harassment, abusive comments, and AI-generated content, affecting their mental health and social life—often worsened by victim-blaming. Many of these acts are criminal offences, yet questions remain about accountability and legal protection. To explore these issues, we spoke with singer Dola Rahman, a Barrister-at-Law and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.

Whether an actor, athlete, singer, journalist, a corporate, or as a woman, they have to carry the burden of such acts regularly. Every form of abuse must be addressed. And in this era of technology, where it takes seconds to post a derogatory comment, the response should be just as swift. Clear rules are needed to ensure that accounts can be properly identified, regulated, and held accountable. Without this, we only empower abusers to continue.

In closing, Sarika expressed her desire to step into the silver screen and said she has been preparing herself for that transition. “If I get a good story, I would definitely want to take it on. At this phase, the great thing is that directors and actors are working across all mediums, and the film industry is doing really well.”

When “Little Miss Chaos” premiered on Chorki, audiences were instantly drawn to Ira — a fiery, bold young woman played by newcomer Sadnima Binte Noman. Her natural, unfiltered performance captured hearts and introduced a promising new face to Bangladesh’s OTT scene.

“I will be extremely careful about what I post on social media from now on,” he stated. “My wife is a news presenter, and I believe that if I, as a man, can contribute to creating a safer environment in the media, she too will be safer—it’s all connected. I would never intentionally disrespect any woman in my life.”

“Being a student after a long time was quite interesting — that too when I am a teacher myself,” shared actor Manoj Pramanik, who recently returned from Busan, South Korea, after seven months. The actor-turned-producer came back with a renewed and deeper understanding of the world of cinema. During his time there, he attended a film production course at the Busan Asian Film School (AFiS). Manoj has been teaching at the Department of Film and Media Studies at Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University since 2016.

“I’ve noticed for a long time that many fake pages are using my photos and video interviews, claiming I lost weight by using their products,” said Runa. “But what can I even say to them? I’ve shared my real journey so many times—it’s been more than four years now. And when I see my own colleagues involved in such activities, using these products, or even going through surgeries, I honestly have nothing more to say.”

From envisioning a project from its inception to its final execution, directors are the engine of any project. They not only curate the narrative but also ensure it is well-defined, with the hope that their vision will be relatable to the audience.

Music often serves as a form of therapy, and when it comes from a film, it carries an even deeper power, bridging the audience with the characters and their stories, enhancing the emotional flow. “Megh Balika” from the Shihab Shaheen directorial web film “Kacher Manush Dure Thuiya” is one such song that beautifully captures this essence.

Experimenting with dark content has always been one of director Vicky Zahed’s strengths as a storyteller. This time, his web series “Chokro”, based on a dark yet real-life plot, earned him the Best Director (Series) award at Blender’s Choice – The Daily Star OTT & Digital Content Awards this year.

One of the most popular directors in the country, Kajal Arefin Ome won over audiences with his much-acclaimed television project “Bachelor Point”. His talent was not limited to comedy; he ventured into romance, family drama, and tragedy as well. Such is his project “Osomoy”, a production that blends family drama, romance, and tragedy with a touch of comic relief.

His realisation while making the show will remain with him forever, as he shared while concluding. “They shaped the entire show and, in many ways, added depth to our own lives, making us realise so much about the world and ourselves. Winning an award for such a work is beyond words.”

But what about acting? Zinnat smiled and replied, “If I get roles that allow me to tell real stories, I’ll gladly take them. While shooting, we were often reminded not to focus on looking our best in front of the camera, but rather to tone it down and stay true to the character. That experience gave me the confidence to believe that artistes can truly become anyone once they step into a role.”

Upon her return from the United States, actress and dancer Parsa Evana brought back more than just fond memories of a lovely holiday with her mother. She also gained valuable training in both acting and dance.