The Actors’ Association of Bangladesh has announced a special memorial event titled “Bondhu Priyo Shams Sumon… Smritite Amlan” to honor late National Film Award-winning actor Shams Sumon. The event will take place on Thursday, April 9, at 6 p.m. at the Experimental Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. The association’s general secretary, Rashed Mamunur Rahman Apu, confirmed the arrangement.

According to the organizers, the gathering will feature a video documentary on Shams Sumon’s life and work, followed by recollections from his colleagues. Shams Sumon, who passed away on March 17, had a long and diverse career across stage, television, and film. He earned the National Film Award in 2008 for his supporting role in the film “Swapnopuron.” He also served as the station head of Radio Bhumi and as program director at Channel i.

Once a familiar face in television dramas, Shams Sumon was admired for his acting talent, personality, and sincerity toward his peers, which made him beloved across the entertainment community.

Blockbuster Cinemas, one of Dhaka’s most popular multiplexes, announced on Saturday that all movie shows scheduled after 6 PM will remain suspended indefinitely. The management said the decision follows a recent government directive requiring all shops and markets to close after 6 PM starting Sunday. Customers who purchased advance tickets for evening shows will receive refunds through designated procedures.

The announcement comes just after the Eid festival period, disappointing many moviegoers who typically attend evening screenings considered prime time for cinemas. Following Blockbuster’s move, concern spread among audiences of Star Cineplex, the country’s largest multiplex chain, as most viewers prefer evening shows.

Star Cineplex’s senior marketing official Mesbahuddin Ahmed stated that they are reviewing the government directive and have suspended all post-6 PM shows until Monday. Other theaters across the country are reportedly taking similar steps, which analysts believe could deliver a fresh blow to the already struggling cinema market.

The first trailer of the new series 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone' has set a record by surpassing 277 million views within 48 hours of release. According to the report, this makes it the most-watched trailer in the history of HBO and HBO Max. The total view count includes views from YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), TikTok, and HBO Max, with YouTube contributing the largest share.

Based on J.K. Rowling’s seven-part novel series, the show aims to reintroduce the Harry Potter universe. Dominic MacLaughlin plays Harry, with John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, and Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape. Francesca Gardiner serves as showrunner, and several episodes are directed by Mark Mylod.

The series is set to premiere on HBO and stream on HBO Max during Christmas 2026. Fans have expressed excitement about seeing the magical world return to the screen, and the record-breaking trailer views reflect the enduring global popularity of the Harry Potter story.

The Central Board of Film Certification in India has blocked the screening of the Tunisian film 'The Voyage of Hind Rajab', which was nominated for Best International Feature at this year’s Oscars. The Guardian reported that the board cited 'political sensitivity' as the reason for withholding clearance. The film’s Indian distributor, Manoj Nandwana of Joy Bhiratra Entertainment, said he submitted the film for certification in February, planning a March 6 release before the Oscars. A board member reportedly warned that the film could strain India-Israel relations, a claim Nandwana rejected.

The film, directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, is based on the real-life story of five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab, who died during an Israeli attack in Gaza in 2024. It premiered at the Venice Film Festival, receiving a 20-minute standing ovation and winning the Silver Lion award. The film has already been released in several Western countries with close ties to Israel.

The decision has sparked strong reactions in India. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticized the move on social media, calling it 'shameful' and an attack on freedom of expression. Analysts suggested the decision may reflect India’s growing diplomatic alignment with Israel under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The censor board has not issued an official statement.

Shakira’s concert scheduled for April 1 in Doha has been postponed due to instability across the Middle East linked to the ongoing Iran war context. The announcement was made through a social media post by the tourism website 'Visit Qatar'.

In addition, the Afflinitez Music Festival in Abu Dhabi, where Shakira and the Jonas Brothers were expected to perform, has also been postponed until November this year, according to the ticketing platform 'Platinum List'. The decisions reflect growing uncertainty surrounding large public events in the region.

Both postponements highlight the impact of regional tensions on entertainment and tourism activities, though no new dates beyond November have been confirmed.

The Central Board of Film Certification in India has blocked the screening of the Tunisian film 'The Voyage of Hind Rajab', which was nominated for Best International Feature at this year’s Oscars. According to The Guardian, the board cited 'political sensitivity' as the reason for denying clearance. The film’s Indian distributor, Manoj Nandwana of Joy Bhiratra Entertainment, said he had applied for certification in February with plans to release the film on March 6, before the Oscars. He was reportedly told that the film could strain India-Israel relations, a claim he rejected.

The film, directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, is based on the real-life death of five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab during the 2024 Gaza conflict. It premiered at the Venice Film Festival, where it received a 20-minute standing ovation and won the Silver Lion award. News of the ban has sparked strong reactions in India, with Congress MP Shashi Tharoor calling the move 'shameful' and an attack on freedom of expression.

Analysts cited in the report suggested that India’s growing diplomatic alignment with Israel under Prime Minister Narendra Modi may have influenced the censorship decision. The censor board has not issued an official statement on the matter.

India’s Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has reportedly withheld the release of the Oscar-nominated film “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” citing concerns that it could harm India-Israel relations. The Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania’s docudrama tells the story of a five-year-old Palestinian girl, Hind Rajab, who was allegedly killed by Israeli soldiers while waiting to be rescued in Gaza.

Indian distributor Manoj Nandwana said he submitted the film for approval in February, hoping for a March release, but the CBFC blocked it, reportedly warning that the film’s release might damage diplomatic ties. He noted that the decision came shortly after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel. The film had already been barred from several Indian film festivals, including those in Goa, Bengaluru, Pune, and Kerala.

Badi Ali, co-founder of production company Watermelon Pictures, criticized the move as unreasonable, while director Ben Hania questioned on social media whether the relationship between the two democracies was so fragile that a film could threaten it.

Star Cineplex is set to launch a new multiplex cinema branch in Narayanganj during Eid-ul-Fitr 2026, according to the company. The new branch is located at Simanto Tower in Jalkuri, Narayanganj, and will officially open on Eid day. It features three halls, two with 178 seats each and one with 75 seats, all equipped with modern sound systems, giant screens, and world-class facilities.

Mesbah Uddin Ahmed, Assistant General Manager of Media and Marketing at Star Cineplex, described the new branch as an Eid gift for Narayanganj residents, particularly for local movie lovers. He said the opening fulfills a long-standing demand from the area’s audience and reflects the company’s satisfaction in expanding as planned.

Ahmed added that Star Cineplex prioritizes high-quality viewing environments and advanced technology to meet evolving audience preferences. The company plans to open additional branches later this year, extending its presence from major cities to district and sub-district levels across Bangladesh.

Singer Asif Akbar has been acquitted in a case filed over possession of foreign liquor without a license. The verdict was delivered on Monday, March 9, by Judge Ayesha Akhter Mousumi of Dhaka Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court-2 after concluding the final arguments. The case had been ongoing for eight years. Following the verdict, Asif expressed satisfaction, saying the allegation was baseless and that he had received justice after a long legal battle.

According to court sources, the prosecution failed to prove the charges, leading to Asif’s acquittal. The case originated from a 2018 incident when four bottles of foreign liquor were recovered from his office during his arrest in another case. A separate case was later filed at Tejgaon Police Station under the Narcotics Control Act of 2018.

Asif stated that he respected the court process and refrained from politicizing the issue. He thanked his family, fans, and supporters for enduring the long ordeal, calling the verdict a relief for them all.

Bangladeshi musician Haider Hossain has dismissed rumors of his death that spread on social media last Saturday evening. Several Facebook groups and pages circulated fake photo cards, some even using the names of news outlets. The artist spoke to the media, saying he was embarrassed by the situation and had been receiving nonstop phone calls. He confirmed that he is healthy and described the rumors as undesirable and inappropriate.

The false reports caused widespread concern among his fans, prompting Haider Hossain to clarify the matter himself. A few years earlier, he had made headlines due to health complications. In June 2022, he was hospitalized after suffering a heart attack and had a stent placed in his heart. Haider Hossain is a significant figure in Bangladesh’s band music history, co-founding the band Winning and later collaborating with pop icon Azam Khan.

The incident highlights how quickly misinformation can spread online, especially regarding public figures, and underscores the need for responsible social media behavior.

Renowned Bangladeshi television host and producer Hanif Sanket has been named a recipient of the Independence Award 2026 for his distinguished contributions to culture. The announcement was made through a government circular signed by Additional Secretary Md. Humayun Kabir of the Cabinet Division. Following the news, Sanket expressed gratitude and dedicated the award to his audience, acknowledging their love and support throughout his long career in the cultural arena.

Sanket stated that the achievement belongs to everyone who has supported him and emphasized his belief that healthy cultural practices can enlighten society and bring honor to the nation. He reaffirmed his commitment to continue working for the promotion of positive cultural values in Bangladesh. The government has decided to honor 15 individuals and five institutions this year across various fields, including independence, liberation war, science and technology, literature, sports, and culture.

In the cultural category, singer Bashir Ahmed will also receive the Independence Award posthumously alongside Hanif Sanket.

Popular television presenter and producer Hanif Sanket and renowned singer Bashir Ahmed (posthumously) have been named recipients of Bangladesh’s highest civilian honor, the Independence Award 2026. The award recognizes individuals and institutions for their distinguished contributions at the national level. The final list of awardees was approved on Thursday, March 5, during a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tareque Rahman at the Secretariat, according to Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani.

The list places A.K.M. Hanif (Hanif Sanket) at number seven and Bashir Ahmed at number eight. Former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, the country’s first female head of government, will also receive the award posthumously for her contributions to independence, democracy, and women’s education. The Independence Award, instituted in 1977, is presented annually on March 26 to honor the memory of the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War.

The recognition underscores the government’s continued effort to honor individuals and organizations that have made exceptional contributions to national life and development.

At a ceremony held on Thursday morning at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka, nine distinguished individuals and the band Warfaze were awarded the Ekushey Padak 2026 for their outstanding contributions in various fields. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman presented the country’s second-highest civilian honor to the recipients. The late musician Ayub Bachchu was honored posthumously, and his wife Ferdous Akhtar Chandana accepted the award on his behalf, later expressing gratitude on social media.

Following the ceremony, a statement was released on the official Facebook page of LRB, the band founded by Ayub Bachchu. The post described the state recognition as a tribute to his lifelong dedication to music and his role in enriching Bangla rock culture. It expressed deep appreciation to the government for acknowledging his legacy and noted that such recognition honors the entire music community. The statement also voiced hope that Ayub Bachchu’s creative and patriotic contributions would one day earn him the nation’s highest civilian award.

The message concluded by affirming that although Ayub Bachchu is no longer alive, his music, courage, and dreams continue to inspire future generations of artists.

Renowned South Asian actress Bobita received the Ekushey Padak 2026 from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at a ceremony organized by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs on Thursday morning. The event took place at 11:30 a.m., where Bobita was honored for her contributions to cinema. After receiving the award, she spent time with distinguished guests and posed for photographs, accompanied by her sister Champa and other family members.

Expressing her gratitude, Bobita said she felt deeply honored to receive one of the nation’s highest civilian awards. She dedicated the award to the late filmmaker and martyr intellectual Zahir Raihan, crediting him for introducing her to the film industry. Bobita has acted in nearly 300 films and previously received multiple National Film Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. She also gained international recognition for her role in Satyajit Ray’s film “Ashani Sanket.”

Bobita stated she would only return to acting if a story centers around her and genuinely appeals to her artistic sense.

The Hollywood horror-thriller film 'Scream 7' is set for a global release on February 27, 2026, including screenings at Star Cineplex in Bangladesh. The film, directed by Kevin Williamson, continues the long-running 'Scream' franchise that began in 1996. It follows the story of Sidney Prescott, who has built a new life in Pine Grove, Indiana, only to face a new Ghostface killer targeting her daughter. The cast includes Neve Campbell, Jasmine Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, David Arquette, Matthew Lillard, and Courteney Cox.

'Scream 7' blends modern horror with classic slasher elements, focusing on relationships, past confrontations, and a new killer. The project underwent creative restructuring after directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, and stars Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega, departed in 2023. Filming took place from January to March 2025. Deadline Hollywood reported on February 5, 2026, that the film is expected to perform strongly at the box office, potentially becoming the franchise’s second-highest domestic opening after 'Scream 6'.

Fans speculate that this could be the final chapter of the series, though future sequels remain possible if the film achieves major success.