Today is International Women’s Day, a day that has been observed for over a century to celebrate women’s rights and dignity. However, this year, the day has taken on a grim and somber tone due to the increasing rate of sexual offenses and violence against women throughout the country.

Cinema has long been shaped by the male gaze, a term popularised by Laura Mulvey in her seminal essay “Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema” (1975), which dissected how classical Hollywood positioned women as passive objects of desire while men drove the narrative forward. This framework dominated filmmaking for decades, reinforcing a voyeuristic perspective where women existed primarily to be looked at, consumed, and defined in relation to male protagonists.

Renowned artist Professor Rokeya Sultana has been awarded the prestigious Ekushey Padak this year for her outstanding contributions to fine art. As an internationally recognised artist and a Fulbright Fellow, her deep and unique artistic expression has made her one of the most significant contemporary painters in South Asia.

Bollywood icon Madhuri Dixit believes that achieving pay parity in Hindi cinema remains a distant goal, as female actors must constantly prove their ability to attract audiences to theatres.

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Lady Gaga has shared her excitement about working alongside Jenna Ortega in the highly anticipated second season of “Wednesday”.

HBO is close to finalising key casting decisions for its highly anticipated “Harry Potter” series, with Janet McTeer in talks to play Professor Minerva McGonagall and Paapa Essiedu nearing a deal for Professor Severus Snape. If confirmed, they will join John Lithgow, who has been cast as Professor Albus Dumbledore.

On March 6, the government issued a notification for the "Government Grant Policy for Full-Length Film Production, 2025" and the "Government Grant Policy for Short Film Production, 2025”. The new policy includes several important changes aimed at improving the film production process.

Womanhood is about strength, determination, and staying true to oneself. Every day, women overcome obstacles—at home, in the workplace, and in society—proving their resilience in countless ways. As we celebrate this year’s Women’s Day, we highlight films that honour the journey of women, showcasing their courage, grace, and unwavering spirit that define their lives. 

Parsha Mahjabeen Purnee holds two very distinct identities among her audiences, one more intriguing than the other—she is a musician and now an actor with her (groundbreaking) debut in Jahid Preetom’s “Ghumpori”. A third-year university student who inspired millions through her song, “Cholo Bhule Jai” during the July Movement gets candid with The Daily Star about her journey, new-found fame and future aspirations.

The judges for the audition round included Naeem Ashraf, Rahima Sultana, and winners from previous seasons. In the studio round, the judging panel will consist of Naeem Ashraf, Rahima Sultana, and actress Purnima. The show is hosted by Mousumi Mou and produced by Ajay Poddar.

Ferdous Wahid also remarked, “Azam Khan was not just a celebrated singer; he was a valiant Freedom Fighter who made a significant contribution to the country. I sincerely thank the authorities for recognising him.”

Ziaul Hoque Polash, widely recognised for his comedic role in “Bachelor Point”, is now striving to break free from that established identity.

Arka Das, a Chattogram native, is making waves in the Australian film industry. His latest film, "My Melbourne", an authentic anthology exploring race, gender, sexuality, and disability through diverse stories, was released yesterday across theatres in Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji.

This year, the iconic series is back with an exciting new chapter. Titled “Chotokaku Chapter Two”, the latest instalment has been produced as a web-film, though discussions are ongoing about releasing it as a series, promising fans an even bigger and more cinematic experience.

The film “Saba” has been selected for the competition section of the 20th Osaka Asian Film Festival in Japan. Director Maksud Hossain shared, “There will be three screenings of the film in Osaka. I will also be attending the festival.” The festival is set to begin on March 14 and will run until March 23.

Renowned for her powerful performances in critically acclaimed films such as “Padman”, “Andhadhun”, and “Monica O My Darling”, Radhika Apte is now set to step behind the camera. The versatile artiste is making her directorial debut with an action-fantasy film titled Kotya.

Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations are never complete without the spectacle of captivating heroines gracing the silver screen. This year, audiences are in for a treat as a constellation of talented actresses—Tama Mirza, Sunerah Binte Kamal, Shobnom Yesmin Bubly, Nusraat Faria, and Prarthana Fardin Dighi—prepare to enthrall viewers with their performances. Let's delve into the films that will spotlight these leading ladies this Eid-ul-Fitr.

The interim government has nominated eight distinguished individuals for the 2025 Independence Award, recognising their outstanding contributions at the national level. Among the honourees is the King of Pop, Azam Khan, whose nomination has sparked widespread reactions on social media. A high-level government source confirmed the news today, Thursday.

Anjan Dutt is returning to where it all began—the theatre. After over four decades in cinema, the "Dutta Vs Dutta" star has announced his final stage appearance. His last play, "Aro Ekta Lear", premiered to praise, and is set to return on March 9 again at Kolkata's Gyan Manch. Advance tickets are already available for those eager to witness this final performance.

After more than two decades apart, veteran Indian stars Prosenjit Chatterjee and Chiranjeet Chakraborty are making a highly-anticipated comeback to the big screen. The two actors, last seen together in the 2002 film “Inquilaab”, will now reunite in the latest instalment of the "Kakababu" franchise titled “Bijoynagar er Hirey”, directed by Chandrasish Ray.