Shah Alam Shazu

With World Cup fever sweeping across the country, The Daily Star caught up with the actor to learn more about his favourite team and his fondest football memories.

Generations have changed, cinema has evolved, and the industry has transformed. Yet Shabana remains as cherished as ever—a timeless icon whose legacy continues to inspire. And perhaps that is why one statement still rings true today: there is no comparison for Shabana except Shabana herself.

“Yes, many years ago,” she said. “He was an extraordinary footballer. Watching Maradona was always a special experience. There was something unique and beautiful about the way he played. That is why he remains Maradona.”

The Daily Star hosted a star-studded roundtable with Ekushey Padak-winning actor-director Mamunur Rashid, filmmaker Gias Uddin Selim, TV directors Sohel Arman, Animesh Aich, Arif Khan, Aranyo Anawer, Shakal Ahmed, and theatre actor-director Tropa Majumdar, discussing television’s shift from a cultural powerhouse to a medium struggling for survival.

For Azizul Hakim, football may not have become a lifelong profession, but the lessons, memories and dreams forged on the pitch continue to shape the person he is today.

Fans are competing to hoist their favourite team’s flag. Showbiz celebrities are no different. Each has a team they love and support.

Veteran actor Nader Chowdhury says he never dreamed of becoming a hero. Instead, his lifelong ambition was simply to become an actor—a goal he continues to pursue decades after beginning his career on the stage.

“It is difficult to put into words. There are certain moments and certain times in life when everything cannot be fully expressed. That is how I feel right now. Even after hearing the news, I find it hard to describe my emotions,” Shabnam told The Daily Star.

Once a familiar face on Bangladeshi television, particularly in BTV dramas and literary adaptations, Tonima has shifted her focus entirely to academia. She currently teaches at East West University and says she has found fulfilment in her role as an educator.

Few actors in Bangladesh have earned as much admiration for their craft as Chanchal Chowdhury. From theatre to television, cinema and OTT platforms, the acclaimed performer has built a career defined by versatility and critically acclaimed performances.

June 1 marks the celebrated singer’s birthday. Kumar Bishwajit is currently residing in Canada, where he has been living for several years to support his only son, Nibir, who was seriously injured in a road accident and remains under treatment.

Among the new generation of television performers, Keya Payel has steadily built a reputation through a diverse body of work. While she remains active in modelling, acting continues to be her primary focus. This Eid-ul-Azha, the actress appears in nine different television dramas, each featuring a distinct character.

On the celebrated artiste’s 74th birth anniversary today, veteran actress Ferdousi Mazumder reflected on the man she knew as an extraordinary performer, a gifted storyteller, and a colleague whose absence is still deeply felt.

This year, while some stars are celebrating Eid abroad, others have travelled back to their hometowns to reunite with loved ones and enjoy a rare moment of peace away from work.

For veteran theatre personality Mamunur Rashid, the roots of acting trace back not to formal training halls or television studios, but to the vibrant world of jatra pala watched on cold winter nights during childhood. The Ekushey Padak-winning artiste says those early performances — filled with dramatic storytelling, elaborate stagecraft, and emotional intensity — first shaped his understanding of the transformative power of acting.

Bidya Sinha Mim is returning to the big screen this Eid-ul-Azha with her much-anticipated film “Malik”. Known for several acclaimed performances throughout her career, the actress made her silver screen debut in Humayun Ahmed’s “Amar Ache Jol”. Among her most talked-about works remains “Poran”, which was also released during an Eid season.

The brutal killing of eight-year-old child Ramisa has sparked nationwide outrage, with waves of grief and protest spreading across the country and social media. Members of Bangladesh’s cultural community have also spoken out strongly, condemning the horrific crime and demanding swift justice.

Veteran actress Dolly Zahur has countless dramas and films under her name. The Ekushey Padak winning actress has acted in many iconic dramas and even till now the noted actress continues to act.

Alongside television and film, theatre remained a major part of her artistic life. She joined Aranyak Natyadal in 1992 and performed on stage for nearly three decades.

Instead, she says she has found peace in the life she chose. “I am satisfied with my life. I am genuinely happy.” Still, one regret remains. “My mother did not live long enough to see the beautiful part of my life,” she said quietly. “I could not keep her close to me for long enough. That is the one sorrow I still carry.”