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.

The BBC has apologized for broadcasting a racist remark made during the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) ceremony without editing it out beforehand. The incident occurred when guest John Davidson, who has Tourette syndrome, shouted a racist comment while actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage. The ceremony was aired two hours after recording, but the offensive remark remained in the broadcast, prompting criticism and an apology from the broadcaster.

BBC representatives said some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language linked to involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, clarifying that the outburst was unintentional. The network admitted the segment had not been edited before airing and confirmed it would be removed from the BBC iPlayer version. Several Black actors and a production designer expressed anger over the unedited broadcast, leading to the BBC’s public apology.

In a separate statement, BAFTA also acknowledged the harm caused by the incident and issued its own apology, emphasizing its intent to inform audiences about what had happened and to express regret.

To commemorate Amar Ekushey February, the Dhaka Film Club will organize a two-day film screening on February 20 and 21 at the Dhaka University road island near TSC. The event, supported by the Bangladesh Film Archive and the Department of Mass Communication, will begin each evening at 7 p.m. The first day will feature Zahir Raihan’s 1970 film “Jibon Theke Neya,” while the second day will screen Shahidul Haque Khan’s 1981 film “Kolmilota.”

According to the organizers, both films highlight the historical context of the 1952 Language Movement and its connection to Bangladesh’s independence struggle. “Jibon Theke Neya” portrays political and social resistance through symbolic storytelling, while “Kolmilota” traces a family narrative from the Language Movement to the Liberation War. The films feature prominent actors including Razzak, Kabori, Bulbul Ahmed, and others.

Dhaka Film Club’s general secretary Barua Monojit Dhinon said that very few Bangladeshi films have depicted the Language Movement, and this exhibition aims to showcase those rare works that capture its spirit.

Oscar-winning actor Robert Duvall, celebrated for his performances in The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, has died at the age of 95, his wife Luciana Duvall announced in a Facebook post on Monday. She said Duvall gave everything to his characters and to the truth of the human spirit they represented. Tributes from across Hollywood followed, with Adam Sandler calling him one of the greatest actors ever and Michael Imperioli describing him as an actor’s actor.

Duvall’s career spanned nearly 100 films, including acclaimed roles as Tom Hagen in The Godfather, Lieutenant Colonel Bull Meechum in The Great Santini, and the title character in Stalin. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for Tender Mercies in 1983 and received six additional Oscar nominations, including for Apocalypse Now. He also wrote, directed, and starred in The Apostle, earning another Oscar nomination.

Born in Annapolis, Maryland, Duvall was the son of a US Navy admiral and an amateur actress. He studied at Principia College, served in the US Army, and later moved to New York City, where he shared an apartment with Dustin Hoffman and befriended Gene Hackman during their early acting years.

Asian MotorspeX Limited, the sole distributor of Chery vehicles in Bangladesh, recently celebrated Valentine’s Day through a special event titled ‘Delivering Loves’ at the Chery showroom. The event aimed to reinforce customer relationships while highlighting Chery’s commitment to innovation and service excellence. Managing Director Dewan Sajedur Rahman attended as the chief guest, emphasizing the company’s dedication to enhancing the Chery brand experience in Bangladesh.

In his remarks, Rahman stated that Chery seeks to be part of customers’ special life moments, reflecting the brand’s focus on creating meaningful experiences beyond vehicle sales. Popular digital influencers Iftikhar Rafsan, Rakin Absar, and Shaumik joined the celebration, interacting with guests and showcasing Chery’s appeal to younger audiences.

The showroom was decorated with a Valentine’s Day theme, offering visitors a warm and comfortable environment to explore Chery’s advanced technology and premium features. A specially designed Chery Tiggo 8 Pro was also displayed across several Dhaka neighborhoods, underscoring the brand’s goal of building a close-knit customer community in Bangladesh.

Booker Prize–winning Indian author and activist Arundhati Roy has declined an invitation to the Berlin International Film Festival after expressing outrage at comments made by jury members regarding the situation in Gaza. In a statement on Friday, Roy said she was deeply hurt and disturbed by remarks from jury president Wim Wenders and others during a Thursday press conference, where they suggested filmmakers should stay away from politics.

The controversy arose when a journalist asked the jury about the German government's support for Israel and its stance on human rights. Wenders responded that filmmakers should not engage in politics, emphasizing that their work is for the public, not politicians. Roy condemned these comments as “conscience-less,” describing the Gaza situation as genocide by Israel against Palestinians. She argued that artists and filmmakers have a moral duty to speak out against such atrocities.

Roy’s 1989 film “In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones” was scheduled to be screened in the festival’s classics section from February 12 to 22, but she has now withdrawn her participation.

A new documentary titled 'Sobar Age Hasimukh' highlighting the humanitarian and compassionate side of BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman was released in Dhaka. The film portrays his quiet acts of kindness toward people and animals, showing how he has supported underprivileged families and neglected creatures without seeking publicity. The premiere show took place on Saturday evening at Star Cineplex in Mohakhali, where party leaders and guests attended.

BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan said the documentary reveals Rahman’s long-standing welfare work for humans and animals that he never publicized. Advisory Council member Md. Ismail Jabiullah noted that he initially thought it was a political film but later realized it beautifully depicted a man’s humanity. Director Jubayer Babu emphasized that the film is not political propaganda but a story of a person striving to bring smiles to others.

After the screening, guests praised the documentary’s production and content, calling it a timely and significant record. The film has also been released on social media platforms.

Internationally acclaimed Bangladeshi actress Bobita is set to receive the 2026 Ekushey Padak, one of the country’s highest civilian honors. The announcement was made at a press conference following an advisory council meeting on Thursday. Bobita expressed deep gratitude to the state and those who selected her, calling it a blessing to receive such recognition during her lifetime. She has been receiving congratulatory messages from fans and well-wishers across Bangladesh and abroad since the news broke.

Bobita began her film career under the direction of the late filmmaker Zahir Raihan, to whom she has dedicated her upcoming award. Over her career, she has acted in nearly 300 films and produced several under her banner “Bobita Movies.” She has previously won multiple National Film Awards, including Best Actress for “Noyonmoni,” “Boshundhora,” and “Badi Theke Begum,” and received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. Bobita gained international recognition for her role in Satyajit Ray’s “Ashani Sanket.”

She stated that she would only return to acting if offered a story centered on her character and one that genuinely appeals to her.