Veteran actor and director Abul Hayat has returned to directing after nearly a year’s break with a new television drama titled 'Sokhina'. The production is based on a story by the late writer Rabeya Khatun, with the screenplay written by Hayat himself. Shooting began last Tuesday at a resort in Rajendrapur, Gazipur, and the drama is planned for broadcast during Eid-ul-Fitr.

Hayat said that Rabeya Khatun’s stories offer a wide range of possibilities for quality productions even on limited budgets. He explained that reading 'Sokhina' inspired him to return to directing. The rural-themed drama stars popular actress Moushumi Mou in the lead role opposite actor Shyamal Mawla, with Naresh Bhuiyan and Badrul Hasan Khan also in the cast.

Discussing his current work, Hayat noted that he is now selective about projects, focusing on stories and characters he personally values. He emphasized balancing work with family and rest, adding that staying away from acting or directing leaves him feeling a sense of emptiness.

An AI-generated video uploaded on a Facebook page called 'Apa Firbe' falsely depicted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina meeting U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, claiming the U.S. planned to urge Bangladesh to postpone its 13th parliamentary election. Fact-checking confirmed the video was fake. Authorities said the clip was created two weeks earlier by a group aiming to spread confusion nationwide, and similar AI videos and fake photocards have since gone viral on social media.

Experts warned that such misinformation is fueling social unrest and undermining law and order. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has not yet taken steps to curb the spread, while the interim government’s AI policy remains unimplemented. Criminologists and police officials acknowledged the growing problem but cited limited expertise and resources. The Criminal Investigation Department reported no formal complaints yet but said cyber monitoring has been increased.

Fact-checking organizations found AI-generated fake content spreading across political, environmental, and international topics, with election-related misinformation intensifying as the polls approach.

Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania’s new film “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” centered on the Palestinian crisis, has secured a place in the final nominations for the upcoming 98th Academy Awards. The film, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival in September last year to record-breaking standing ovations, will compete in the Best International Feature Film category. The Oscars ceremony is scheduled for March 15 at the Dolby Theatre in California, with the final nominations announced on January 22.

Alongside Tunisia’s entry, the category includes films from Brazil, France, Norway, and Spain. Despite submissions from seven African countries, Tunisia is the only one to reach the final list. This marks Ben Hania’s third Oscar nomination, following previous recognition for “The Man Who Sold His Skin” (2020) and “Four Daughters” (2023). She remains the only Tunisian filmmaker to receive multiple Oscar nominations.

“The Voice of Hind Rajab” depicts the January 2024 Gaza attack that killed five-year-old Hind Rajab, her relatives, and paramedics. The film’s executive producers include Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara, Alfonso Cuarón, and Jonathan Glazer.

Bangladeshi actor and producer Ananta Jalil has announced his departure from the film industry due to a severe downturn in his garment business. Once operating a factory in Savar with around 12,000 workers, Jalil now manages only about 4,000 employees. He said the business situation has become so difficult that he cannot focus on acting or complete his pending film projects. Jalil emphasized that he has always prioritized business over cinema and will not return to acting until his business recovers.

Jalil also confirmed that his wife and co-star, actress Barsha, will no longer appear in films. This decision has cast uncertainty over their ongoing productions, including “Netri: The Leader,” “Operation Jackpot,” and “Chita,” which have yet to finish shooting. Jalil, who entered the film industry in 2008, stated that he and Barsha have always worked together and will only return to cinema jointly if conditions improve.

He added that his focus now is on overcoming the current business crisis, suggesting that any future film work will depend on better times ahead.

Veteran actress and Ekushey Padak recipient Dilara Zaman, now over eighty, remains active in acting and public appearances. On January 9, 2025, she was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the 'Dhallywood Film and Music Silver Jubilee Award 2025' ceremony in Dhaka. She expressed gratitude to the event’s organizer, Alamgir Khan Alam, praising his sincerity and humility.

Despite her age, Zaman continues to work regularly in television dramas and other media. She is currently performing in the ongoing drama series 'Rupnagar,' directed by Kaysar Ahmed and airing on Deepto TV, where her performance has received strong audience response. Additionally, her central role in the YouTube-released drama 'Somprokker Golpo,' directed by Muhammad Mostafa Kamal Raz, has also been well received.

Her continued recognition and active participation in acting and cultural events highlight her enduring influence in Bangladesh’s entertainment industry.

Clawdbot is an open-source, messaging-first AI assistant designed to operate directly within popular chat apps such as WhatsApp, Telegram, iMessage, Slack, and Discord. It remembers context over time, sends proactive updates, and can trigger automations on the machine where it runs—either locally or on a low-cost virtual server. Acting as a personal AI gateway, Clawdbot routes user messages to AI models like Claude or ChatGPT and returns responses in the same conversation thread, creating a seamless, synchronized experience across devices.

Unlike traditional chatbots that require users to visit separate platforms, Clawdbot integrates into daily communication channels, functioning as a background operator capable of summarizing tasks, managing schedules, and automating workflows. Its architecture allows users to maintain control over privacy and data routing, as the assistant’s logic runs on user-managed hardware. Installation is simplified through a one-line command and guided setup wizard, making it accessible to users with basic technical skills.

The project’s open-source nature and flexibility have fueled growing interest among early adopters. Clawdbot’s design signals a shift toward assistants that act proactively within users’ digital environments rather than serving as isolated chat interfaces.

Popular Bangladeshi singer Dilruba Khan, known for her hit song 'Pagol Mon', has released a new musical project featuring a traditional Puthi and Kiccha centered on former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman. The artist announced the initiative on her Facebook page on January 25, 2026, explaining that the two pieces will be released on her YouTube channel 'Dilruba Khan Official' on January 25 and 26.

Dilruba Khan said her goal was not only to highlight two political figures but also to revive the fading folk art forms of rural Bangladesh. She described the project as an effort to bring back the melodic storytelling traditions that once enriched village life but are now disappearing amid modernization. Through rhythm and narrative, she sought to portray aspects of Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman’s lives and struggles.

The singer, who began her career performing songs by Abdul Alim, has long been recognized for her contributions to Bangladeshi folk music and film songs. This latest work continues her commitment to preserving the country’s cultural heritage.

Indian actor and social media personality Kamal R Khan, known as KRK, was arrested by Mumbai Police on the night of January 23. The arrest followed his January 22 post on X (formerly Twitter) where he commented on Bangladesh’s reported refusal to play in the T20 World Cup in India. Police stated that the arrest was linked to a shooting allegation, but many social media users claimed he was targeted for criticizing India’s attitude toward Bangladesh and Pakistan.

The controversy arose after reports that Bangladesh’s government expressed reluctance to send its team to India for the tournament due to security and political concerns. The International Cricket Council has not yet announced any change in venue. KRK’s detention has reignited debate over the intersection of cricket and politics in India and the limits of free expression.

KRK, born in Deoband, Uttar Pradesh, began his career in the early 2000s as a screenwriter before acting in films such as “Deshdrohi” and appearing in the reality show “Bigg Boss.” He currently runs a YouTube channel and works as a film critic.

The film 'The Voice of Hind Rajab', based on the killing of a five-year-old Palestinian girl in Gaza, has been nominated for the Best International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards. Directed by Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania, the movie recounts the true story of Hind Rajab, who was shot dead by Israeli forces in January 2024 while fleeing Gaza City with her family.

According to the report, Hind and her relatives were attacked while trying to escape Israeli bombardment. All passengers in the car, including her cousins and aunt and uncle, were killed. During the incident, Hind contacted Gaza’s Red Crescent volunteers for help. The film incorporates the real audio of her prolonged phone call with rescuers, who tried to comfort her as she remained trapped among her family’s bodies. Two rescuers later sent to save her were also killed by Israeli fire.

Earlier, 'The Voice of Hind Rajab' won the Silver Lion award at the Venice Film Festival, marking international recognition for its portrayal of the Gaza tragedy.

Amazon, the U.S.-based e-commerce giant, is preparing for another major round of layoffs, with around 14,000 employees expected to lose their jobs next week. This move is part of a broader plan to cut approximately 30,000 corporate positions. According to the report, the company had already dismissed about 14,000 workers in October as part of the same restructuring effort. The new phase of layoffs could begin as early as Tuesday, though Amazon’s spokesperson has declined to comment on the matter.

Sources indicated that employees in Amazon Web Services (AWS), retail operations, Prime Video, and human resources—collectively known as the People Experience and Technology division—may be among the most affected. The full scope of the layoffs remains unclear, and insiders cautioned that the company’s plans could still change.

Media reports suggested that the widespread job cuts may be linked to the growing use of artificial intelligence within Amazon’s operations, and that similar reductions could also occur in India.

Bangladeshi singer Balam is set to release his fifth solo album titled 'Maula' after a gap of more than a decade. The album, containing six songs, will be released on the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. Balam has composed and arranged all the tracks himself, while the lyricists’ names remain undisclosed. He mentioned that all songs will be released in audio format, with one track accompanied by a music video.

Discussing the project, Balam said he has resumed music seriously after years of releasing only singles, which he found insufficient to meet fans’ expectations. He emphasized that a full album allows for greater musical variety and helps attract listeners of different tastes and ages. The album aims to connect with both long-time fans and younger audiences, including Generation Z.

The title track 'Maula' is a Sufi-inspired song created during the COVID period, reflecting on global unrest. Balam believes its message remains relevant today. His previous albums include 'Balam' (2007), 'Balam 2' (2008), 'Balam 3' (2010), and 'Bhubon' (2013).

Veteran Bangladeshi film actor and choreographer Ilias Javed passed away on Wednesday morning, January 21, 2026, at a hospital in Uttara, Dhaka. He was 82. Born in Pakistan, Javed spent most of his life in Bangladesh, where he became a celebrated figure in the golden era of Bengali cinema. His real name was Raja Mohammad Ilias, and before becoming a leading actor, he was one of the country’s most acclaimed dance directors.

Javed began his artistic journey in Mumbai, training under legendary dance masters Sadhu Maharaj and Shambhu Maharaj, and learning alongside Bollywood choreographer Saroj Khan. He debuted as a hero in the Urdu film “Nayi Zindegi” in 1964, but his breakthrough came with the 1970 film “Payel,” directed by Mustafiz, where he starred with Razzak and Shabana. He went on to act in over a hundred films, including “Nishan,” “Malka Banu,” and “Kajal Rekha,” pairing with leading actresses such as Shabana, Bobita, and Kabori.

Beyond acting, Javed revolutionized dance in Bengali cinema, mentoring top actors and actresses. His wife Dolly Javed described him as a superstar in both acting and choreography, remembered with respect by peers and fans alike.

Popular Bangladeshi film actor and 'Nirapad Sarak Chai' founder Ilias Kanchan is undergoing cancer treatment in London. According to Liton Ershad, vice chairman of the organization, Kanchan is currently in his second round of chemotherapy, which will continue until May. Afterward, he is expected to receive a vaccine in Germany. If his condition improves, he may return to Bangladesh.

Several of his co-artists have expressed their hopes for his recovery. Actor Misha Sawdagor said they are eagerly waiting for Kanchan to return healthy, praising his kind nature and contributions to Bangladeshi cinema. Actress Champa prayed for his quick recovery and return to his family. Shabnaz described him as a pride of the film industry and a lifelong advocate for road safety. Actress Popy recalled his guidance and kindness, wishing for his battle with illness to end soon.

Ilias Kanchan debuted in the 1977 film 'Boshundhora' and has received multiple National Film Awards and the Ekushey Padak for his social contributions.

Veteran Bangladeshi actor and dancer Ilias Javed, a popular figure from the golden era of cinema, passed away at the age of 82 on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 11 a.m. in a hospital in Uttara, Dhaka. The news was confirmed by Soni Rahman, an executive member of the Artists’ Association. His body will be taken to the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) for a final tribute, where his funeral prayer will be held after Asr. He will then be buried beside the mosque in Uttara Sector 12.

Javed had been battling cancer for a long time and also suffered from heart problems, having survived two previous heart attacks. His death has cast a shadow of grief over the film and cultural community. Born in 1944 in Peshawar, British India, he began his career as a dance director before becoming a leading actor in over 200 films. He debuted as a hero in the Urdu film “Nayi Zindegi” in 1964 and gained fame with “Payel” in 1966. He was best known for his role in the film “Nishan.”

In his personal life, Javed married actress Dolly Chowdhury in 1984.

Renowned musician Kabir Suman has joined Dhaka cinema for the first time, contributing as a lyricist and composer for the upcoming film 'Jhamela'. Although he will not sing, his songs will be performed by popular Bangladeshi singer Asif Akbar. The film, directed by Yamin Ilan, features six songs, three of which are written and composed by Suman. Music direction is handled by Ujjal Sinha and Azmir Babu.

'Jhamela' is a family drama produced under the banner of Diya Productions, with Diya Rois as producer. The cast includes Dolly Zahur, Shyamal Mawla, Tanjika Amin, Rashed Mamun Apu, Kazi Nowshaba Ahmed, Abu Hurayra Tanvir, Abdullah Rana, and Saberi Alam, among others. Director Yamin Ilan emphasized that the film is entirely Bangladeshi, not modeled after Tamil or Indian cinema, and that shooting has taken place in Dhaka and Gazipur.

According to the director, the team plans to release the film during one of the upcoming Eid festivals this year.