The Television Playwrights Association announced its new executive committee for the 2026-28 term at its biennial general meeting on Friday, August 21. The meeting was held at the International Mother Language Institute in Segunbagicha, Dhaka. Shihab Shaheen was named president and Mezbah Uddin Suman general secretary of the association.

Zakir Hossain Uজ্জ্বল, Litu Sakhawat and Masum Shahriar were appointed vice presidents. Mansur Rahman Chanchal, Elina Shammi and Bidyut Roy were named assistant general secretaries. Other office-bearers include Prabhat Ahmed as organisational secretary, Pappu Raj as finance secretary and Dayal Saha as office secretary.

Sayem Khan was named events and information technology secretary, Faridul Islam Rubel publicity secretary, Afrin Jessica law and welfare secretary, and Maruf Hossain Sajib training and research secretary. Dr Lipi Monowar, Ahmed Tawqir, Sheikh Hannan and Orko Mostofa were appointed executive members. Speakers said drama is a powerful medium for depicting society, culture and human life, while the new leaders pledged to build a more organised and effective platform over the next two years.

Bangladeshi rock musician James, leader of the band Nagarbaul, and his travelling companions have faced allegations after a show in Rome, Italy. Best Western hotel management alleged that an apartment room was left dirty and disorganised and that the group departed without informing reception. The hotel sought a minimum €200 cleaning fee to resolve the matter.

Photos and screenshots circulated on social media showed plastic water bottles and polythene bags on the floor, leftover food on a dining table, and dirty dishes in a kitchen sink with broken raw eggs. Hotel authorities reportedly told an organiser’s representative that a final additional €200 cleaning charge would be required for future use of the hotel.

James’s manager, Rubaiyat Thakur Robin, dismissed the issue as trivial and denied that the group left without notice. He said the team occupied four rooms, while the complained-about room, number 549, was occupied by another musician. Organiser Hossain Ahmed Moaz also accused Robin of fraud, accounting irregularities and illegal money transfers; no clear formal response has been issued by James or Robin on those financial allegations.

Disney has released the first footage from “Frozen 3,” the third installment of the popular animated franchise, with a theatrical release planned for November 24, 2027. The preview was shown recently at Disney’s D23 fan event, attended by Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel, the voices of Anna and Elsa. Bell said the two sisters will embark on the biggest adventure of their lives in the new film.

A central attraction of the story will be the long-awaited royal wedding of Anna and Kristoff, bringing a festive atmosphere to Arendelle. The footage also hints at the possibility of romance in Olaf’s life. But the celebration is disrupted when a mysterious new character appears on the way to the wedding in a snow-covered, rugged mountain area.

The character tells the sisters, “The two sisters of Arendelle, at last we meet,” signaling a new conflict. Menzel, Bell, Josh Gad and Jonathan Groff return as Elsa, Anna, Olaf and Kristoff. The film was initially planned for release in 2026 but was delayed by a year. Gad said the filmmakers do not want to rush and aim to preserve the story and emotion of the first two films.

The theatre group Swapnadal has organized the three-day “Natyacharya Selim Al Deen Birth Festival 2026” to mark the 77th birth anniversary of playwright Selim Al Deen. The festival is scheduled for August 18 and August 20-21 at Jahangirnagar University and the Studio Theatre of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. Its stated slogan highlights the Bengali theatre tradition and the paths of Rabindranath Tagore and Selim Al Deen.

On August 18, a remembrance procession will leave the old arts building at Jahangirnagar University at 10 a.m., followed by floral tributes at the dramatist’s grave. On August 20, the Studio Theatre will host the 124th and 125th performances of Tagore’s verse drama “Chitrangada.” The closing day, August 21, will feature the 52nd and 53rd performances of Selim Al Deen’s “Hargaj.”

Both productions were directed by Zahid Ripon and created through a laboratory method in a traditional Bengali theatrical style. “Chitrangada” explores tensions in male-female psychological and physical relations and crises of self-identity. “Hargaj” draws on the devastating 1989 Manikganj tornado. Selim Al Deen was born on August 18, 1949, and died on January 14, 2008. The event is Swapnadal’s 34th festival.

Rabindra Srijonkola University has awarded actor, director, painter and advertising maker Afzal Hossain the Srijonkola Guni Jon Sommanona 2026 in recognition of his outstanding contributions to creative arts and Bangladesh’s cultural sphere. The award, a new institutional honour introduced by the university this year, was presented with a commemorative crest and certificate at the university auditorium on August 16.

Trustee Board Chairman Robin Khan chaired the ceremony. Retired Lieutenant General Dr Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardy, Bir Bikrom, Farzana Rashid Brownia and Monira Parvin attended as special guests, while Professor Dr Md Rafiul Islam, the university’s honorary academic adviser, delivered the welcome address. Khan described Hossain as a multidimensional creative talent whose work has offered audiences joy and helped them see beauty in new ways.

After receiving the honour, Hossain shared experiences from his long creative career and took part in a direct question-and-answer session with students. Students from different university departments also presented cultural performances. The stated purpose of the award programme is to introduce younger generations to indigenous arts and the creative legacy of distinguished cultural figures.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day remained atop the North American box office in its third week, according to a report published August 17, 2026. The film earned $19 million in the United States and Canada on Friday, and its weekend total was projected to reach about $67 million.

Its third-week revenue was about 53 percent lower than the previous week, but that was still enough to retain first place. With the current weekend’s earnings included, the film’s cumulative North American gross was projected to reach about $783 million.

Warner Bros.’ science-fiction thriller The End of Oak Street ranked second on Friday, earning $8.1 million from 3,446 North American theaters on its opening day. Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie placed third with $7.3 million on Friday. Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey also held a strong position, earning $6.5 million on the Friday of its fifth weekend.

Twenty popular songs by Bangladeshi band music legend Ayub Bachchu are set to be released in new arrangements to mark his birthday. The special album, titled “Uttoradhikar,” will be issued on double CD and digital platforms. Eight bands and 12 artists from the country have reinterpreted the songs for the project.

Dalchhut performed “Rupali Guitar,” Arbovirus recorded “Nil Bedona,” Shonar Bangla Circus performed “Gotokal Rate,” and Shubhojatra recorded “Cholo Bodle Jai.” Calypso performed “Chand Mama,” RockSalt recorded “Ochena Jibon,” Dopamine performed “Madhobi,” and A K Rahul sang “Mon Chaile Mon.”

Other performers include Babna Karim and Russell Ali, Romel Ali, Chandan Jaman Ali-Menon, Kaniz Suborna and Sajjad, Palash, Joy Shahriar, Adit, Bakhtiar Hossain, Atika Yamin, Autumnal Moon, Kanak Acharya, and Taufiq-AB-Menon. Iqbal Asif Jewel mastered all the tracks. Project coordinator Chishti Iqbal said Ayub Bachchu’s wife Ferdous Akhtar Chandana initiated the idea, after which discussions finalized the 20-song album.

The National Press Club held a qawwali evening on Friday, featuring performances by Bangladeshi qawwali and Sufi music artists Samir Qawwal and Syed Sajjad Hossain Arman with their teams. The programme began at 7pm and presented qawwalis in Urdu, Hindi and Bangla for the audience at the National Press Club.

The performers sang “Ali Ali Maula Ali,” “Parda Hai Parda,” “Amar Deho Mon Bole Nabi Nabi,” “Ishqe Nabi Dil Me Payda Karo,” “Damadum Mast Qalandar,” and “Khwaja Baba Khwaja Baba Marhaba Marhaba,” among other selections. The report said the performances captivated audience members.

Press Club General Secretary Ayub Bhuiyan delivered the opening welcome address, while club President poet Hasan Hafiz declared the event open. Kader Gani Chowdhury, convenor of the special events and hospitality subcommittee, moderated the programme. Attendees included Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan MP, Professor Dr A Z M Zahid Hossain MP, former Dhaka University vice chancellor Professor Dr Anwarullah Chowdhury, and Manab Zamin editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, alongside several club management committee members.

Salman Shah’s mother, Neela Chowdhury, has said there was no romantic relationship between the late Bangladeshi actor and his frequent co-star Shabnur. In remarks reported on August 12, 2026, she said Salman, who had no sister of his own, treated Shabnur like a younger sister and affectionately called her “Pichchi.”

Chowdhury said Shabnur relied on Salman for various needs and that he looked after her like an elder brother. She argued that people and media outlets at the time misinterpreted their close relationship and spread romance rumours. Shabnur had previously denied the claims several times, describing Salman as a respected senior co-star and elder brother, and saying the false rumours caused her mental distress during her career.

Salman acted in 27 films during his short career, with Shabnur starring opposite him in 14 of them. Their pairing began with “Tumi Amar” and later featured commercially successful films including “Sujon Sokhi” and “Anondo Oshru.” The old controversy resurfaced recently following the arrest of villain actor Don, nearly three decades after Salman’s mysterious death on September 6, 1996.

Actor, director and writer Hasan Masud says a major religious and mental transformation following Hajj has led him to largely withdraw from acting. In an interview with a private satellite channel, reported on August 9, 2026, he said he no longer acts in television dramas or films. He said he may occasionally work only when he receives an advertisement offer he likes.

Masud said the change in him had begun before he went on Hajj and that he now considers himself a completely changed person. He recently returned home after spending 41 days in Mecca and Medina during the pilgrimage. He said becoming more spiritual and religious was the reason he had stepped away from drama and film work.

In the interview, Masud also recalled giving up reading books after a period of intensive reading left him feeling like a machine without emotions. He sold about 1,200 books in Nilkhet and stopped reading afterward. He joined the Bangladesh Army in 1985 and retired as a captain in 1992 before working in journalism. His big-screen debut came in the 2003 film “Bachelor.”

Actor Ashraful Haque Don, known as Don Haque and popular for villain roles, has been arrested in the murder case of film star Salman Shah. Law enforcement personnel detained him at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Sunday, August 9, and later handed him over to the Criminal Investigation Department, or CID.

Salman Shah’s body was recovered under mysterious circumstances on September 6, 1996. After prolonged debate over the cause of his death, his maternal uncle Alamgir Kumkum filed a murder case at Ramna police station to revive the investigation. The case names 11 accused, including Salman Shah’s former wife Samira Haque and Don.

Salman Shah’s family has alleged that there were efforts from the beginning to conceal the incident as a planned killing. His mother, Neela Chowdhury, had alleged that when the family sought to file a murder case, police recorded it as an unnatural death case. Salman Shah acted in 27 commercially successful and popular films during a four-year career, and supporters see the renewed case as bringing fresh hope of resolving the widely discussed death.

The High Court has suspended the upcoming biennial election of the Bangladesh Film Producers-Distributors Association for two months. The vote had been scheduled for August 8. A High Court division bench comprising Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar issued the order on August 6, directing that all election-related activities remain suspended until a pending case before the FBCCI Arbitration Tribunal is resolved.

Film producer and actor Ashraf Uddin Ahmed Ujjal filed writ petition No. 10856/2026 challenging the decision to hold the election while case No. 08/2026 remained pending before the tribunal. The writ also challenged the inaction of the relevant authorities. Senior advocates Md. Badruddoza and Md. Moniruzzaman Asad, along with advocate Md. Khairul Alam, represented the petitioner.

Following the hearing, the bench issued a rule nisi asking respondents to explain why their inaction should not be declared without lawful authority and ineffective. There had been disputes over the candidacies of Khorshed Alam Khosru and Shamsul Alam. Panel member Tanvir Hasan expressed disappointment. The association made no formal comment and said next legal steps would be determined after receiving the full order.

A concert titled “Barsha Biplober Gaan” has been arranged at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital on Wednesday afternoon to mark the Victory Day of the historic July mass uprising. Organizers said the event, arranged by the Monsoon Cultural Alliance, will begin at 3 p.m.

Performers listed for the concert include Parsa Mahjabeen, Sejan, Kureghor, Arbovirus, AvoidRafa, Asif Akbar, Shironamhin, Ark (Hasan) and Artcell. Hasnat Abdullah MP, chief organizer for the southern region of the National Citizen Party, is serving as convener of the event’s implementation committee.

Tahsin Riaz, joint member secretary of the NCP, is overseeing overall management. Acting Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal is expected to attend as chief guest, while Whip Nur-e-Alam and opposition chief whip Md Nahid Islam are listed as special guests.

The High Court has granted bail to television actor Zaher Alvi, also known as Md. Niamat Ullah Bhuiyan, in a case accusing him of abetting the suicide of his wife, Afra Ibnat Ikra. A bench of Justice KM Zahid Sarwar and Justice Sheikh Abu Taher issued the order on August 2. Relevant court sources confirmed the bail on August 3, removing any barrier to his release from jail.

Senior lawyer Zainul Abedin represented Alvi in the bail hearing. Earlier, on June 18, Alvi surrendered through a lawyer before the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Kamal Uddin and sought bail. The court rejected his application and ordered him sent to jail.

The investigating officer later sought seven days of remand for a proper investigation. On June 24, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Albiruni Mir approved two days of remand, and Alvi was sent back to jail after the remand on June 30. The case alleges that Ikra was found hanging at their Mirpur DOHS home on February 28. Her father, Kabir Hayat Khan, filed the case at Pallabi police station the next day.

Bangladesh’s film history marks August 3 as the 70th anniversary of the 1956 release of ‘Mukh O Mukhosh,’ described as the country’s first full-length Bengali sound film. Directed by Abdul Jabbar Khan, the film is regarded as the starting point of the Dhaka film industry and a landmark in the country’s cultural history. It was released on August 3, 1956, with the anniversary falling on August 3, 2026.

The project emerged after a 1953 meeting on the prospects for filmmaking in East Pakistan, where a comment suggested films could not be made in the region’s humid climate. Theatre worker Abdul Jabbar Khan challenged that view and declared that Bengali-language films could be made there. Despite having no prior filmmaking experience, he adapted his own play, ‘Dakat,’ into a screenplay. Filming took place at locations in Dhaka amid limited technology and other difficulties, while editing and printing were completed at Shahnoor Studio in Lahore.

Samar Das directed the music, Abdul Alim and Mahbuba Hasnat provided vocals, and Gawhar Jamil directed dance. The film premiered at Rupmahal Cinema Hall in Dhaka and was also shown in Chittagong, Narayanganj and Khulna. Its strong audience response demonstrated the viability of Bengali filmmaking in the country.