Maisha Islam Monamee

Contributing writer for Arts & Entertainment and Star Youth.

Air conditioner or air cooler: Which one should you buy this summer?

Summer in Bangladesh is a scorcher. With temperatures soaring and humidity reaching uncomfortable levels, staying cool becomes a priority. As such, when it comes to choosing a cooling solution, you are faced with two main options: air conditioners (AC) and air coolers. But, which one should you go for?

6d ago

‘Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya’: Is the trending man-machine love story worth watching?

While the film boasts charming performances and a visually appealing production, it ultimately struggles to navigate its blend of romance, science fiction, and family drama. The core concept of a human falling in love with a robot is undoubtedly thought-provoking, raising questions about identity, emotions, and the future of technology. It successfully touches upon interesting themes like artificial intelligence and societal perceptions of technology. Yet, being unable to delve deeper, the film leaves certain corners unexplored and rather open to interpretation for the audience. 

1w ago

Bangladeshi Aydha Mehnaz in Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe

Aydha Mehnaz, a 29 year old Bangladeshi, has been featured in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list under the Media and Marketing category. Aydha is VIP and Media Relations Lead at fashion brand Mugler, a French luxury fashion house owned by L’Oréal Group. Under her leadership, Mugler's media impact value soared from $58 million pre-Covid to now over $200 million, states Forbes. 

2w ago

Nazir Hossain’s ‘Boishakh in the Land of Tiger’ roars to life at AFD

Each painting in the exhibition tells a unique story, inspired by folklore, mythology, and the artist’s own imagination. From lush forests teeming with wildlife to bustling village scenes and joyous Boishakh festivities, they offer a glimpse into a world of beauty, wonder, and timeless tradition. He employs a unique blend of folk motifs, indigenous symbols, and captivating fables, to weave a narrative enriched in cultural significance. Some paintings also have references to other art forms, like nakshi katha and rickshaw painting, to name a few.

3w ago

Hrithik-Deepika starrer ‘Fighter’ soars high on action

Directed by Siddharth Anand, "Fighter" propels Bollywood into the world of high-octane aerial action, a genre explored rarely in Indian cinema. Starring Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone, the film not only is a thrilling cinematic experience but also a great instalment for a full-fledged action franchise. It is currently streaming on Netflix and is trending at the top amongst movies being consumed in the country.

4w ago

‘Murder Mubarak’: Does it live up to the hype?

Netflix's "Murder Mubarak" unfolds within the opulent walls of the Royal Delhi Club, a playground for the city's elite. However, the facade of sophistication shatters when a prominent member is found dead. The film boasts a glamorous setting and a promising cast, aiming to weave intrigue with its whodunit narrative. Director Homi Adajania injects humour into the proceedings by presenting different versions of the same scene.

1m ago

A trend on the rise: The phenomenon of AI-generated advertisements

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has rapidly transformed various sectors, and advertising is no exception. With advancements in deep learning algorithms and neural networks, modern AI has become increasingly proficient in generating realistic imagery, including ad campaigns without human intervention.

1m ago

Dissecting the female gaze in Bollywood

For decades, Bollywood has been primarily driven by the "male gaze," where women were portrayed through the lens of male desire and societal expectations. They presented women in stereotypical roles, often as damsels in distress, sacrificing lovers, or objects of desire. This male gaze manifested in hyper-sexualisation, passive narratives and limited agency. Women rarely drove the plot. Their actions and desires revolved around men, reinforcing traditional gender roles. They were portrayed as lacking control over their lives, with their choices dictated by societal norms or male characters.

1m ago
October 14, 2023
October 14, 2023

Bangladeshi Antara recognised as an IAF Emerging Space Leader

Raihana Shams Islam Antara, a lecturer in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at BRAC University, has been recognised as a 2023 IAF Emerging Space Leader (ESL) by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) for her contribution in the field of space technology.

October 10, 2023
October 10, 2023

'Dear Zindagi': On love, life and mental well-being

Director Gauri Shinde’s "Dear Zindagi", released in 2016, stands out as a remarkable example of the power of storytelling in fostering meaningful discussions. Through a meticulously woven narrative and finely etched characters, this film adeptly addresses the stigma associated with therapy while emphasising the importance and relevance of mental health in our lives. 

October 5, 2023
October 5, 2023

5 Lucky Ali songs to celebrate ahead of his Dhaka show

Ahead of this debut concert in Dhaka tomorrow, here is a playlist celebrating his musical journey and enduring classics.

September 28, 2023
September 28, 2023

Bidding adieu to the wizard behind ‘Dumbledore’

Michael Gambon, the British-Irish actor best known for playing the wise professor Albus Dumbledore in the "Harry Potter" film series, passed away earlier today. He was a true artist, and dazzled audiences with a diverse career spanning decades, playing roles in everything from Shakespearean classics to modern tragedies.

September 23, 2023
September 23, 2023

Made-in-Bangladesh AI: The roadblocks and the future

Intelligent Machines, a Dhaka-based company that provides enterprise AI products and data science services, has etched itself as a notable name in Bangladesh's AI-based tech industry. We recently caught up with Mohammad Oli Ahad, the founder and CEO of Intelligent Machines, to learn more about the company’s mission, technological triumphs, and the strategies propelling it forward. 

September 13, 2023
September 13, 2023

Darshan Raval songs to add to your playlist

Be it a romantic serenade or a foot-tapping groove, his music truly knows no borders. Ahead of his first concert in Dhaka, here are some of his songs to add to your everyday playlist.

September 11, 2023
September 11, 2023

Does ‘Jawan’ deliver what it has promised?

For Bollywood fans, there are several nostalgic moments throughout the film, and many pop culture references to look out for. From old Hindi songs and iconic SRK films to “Money Heist”, “Shahenshah”, “Ram Lakhan”, and finally, “The Lion King”— it scores big in terms of establishing instant connections with cinephiles.

September 10, 2023
September 10, 2023

Bollywood’s impact on shedding light on suicide prevention

On this World Suicide Prevention Day, we embark on a cinematic journey through the lens of Bollywood, exploring how it has helped raise awareness about the critical issue.

September 2, 2023
September 2, 2023

In conversation with Korvi Rakshand, 2023 Magsaysay Award winner

Korvi Rakshand Dhrubo, founder and CEO of Jaago Foundation, has recently received the Ramon Magsaysay Award, also called the ‘Nobel Prize of Asia’, an award that recognises individuals with notable contributions to public service, community leadership, and social development.

September 1, 2023
September 1, 2023

Getting to know Indranil Banerjee

Banerjee’s works have transcended borders through his international awards and expanding audiences across many countries. “I have been very close to Bangladesh, as my first short film received recognition in Rangpur. It was an honour receiving an award for my work from the eminent director Morshedul Islam,” he recalled.

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