Sadi Mohammad Shahnewaz

Editor, Arts & Entertainment and Star Showbiz, The Daily Star.

Black reunion: A one-off?

Music in Bangladesh was never the same after Black launched “Amar Prithibi” in 2002. Taking off the much harder edge brought in by the rock bands of the ‘90s, it was Black who arguably popularised alternative rock in the country, along with acts like Nemesis and Stentorian.

1d ago

Minar moves forward with music

So, what is the artiste looking for in a partner? “Well, she has to be a good, honest person, and that’s pretty much it.” While we are yet to have found the lucky woman with a lifetime of free passes to Minar’s concerts, here’s to hoping that we can finally write ‘original’ news about his wedding.

1m ago

I’m respectful of Bangladesh’s rich musical heritage: Badshah

In an exclusive interview with The Daily Star, Badshah shared his insights and reflections on his recent trip to Bangladesh, shedding light on his experience and aspirations.

1m ago

Must the show go on?

The tragedy of the Bailey Road fire which snatched away the lives of four dozen people is hard to digest, even for Dhaka-ites. Many cultural programmes seemed insipid amidst the shadow of death that loomed over one of the capital’s cultural hubs – leading to the cancellation or postponement of some.

1m ago

Pavel brings globality to your ‘living room’

You might know him as the drummer for Chirkutt, but Pavel has been especially prominent in the music industry as a music producer, dominating the ad film market and lending his talents to films like “Saturday Afternoon”, “Television”, “Doob”, “Piprabidya” and more.

1m ago

We invented Bangla Rap: Mc Mugz

After studying from grades one to four in New York, Syed Mohammad Sohel came back to Bangladesh, carrying a distinct passion for rap in his heart. Aiming to accustom his people with the previously unknown craft, the boy reinvented himself over the years and became Mc Mugz, and went on to be part of two of the biggest rap crews in Bangladeshi history: Deshi MCs and Jalali Set. On the brink of releasing his first solo album, we catch up with the pioneer himself.

2m ago

The marvel that is Mithila

Truly a ‘jack of all trades’, Rafiath Rashid Mithila is a generational talent. Very active now in Tollywood, Kolkata’s film industry, she reached new heights with last year’s “Myself Allen Swapan”. The actor, development worker, singer, writer and PhD student drops by The Daily Star for a candid shoot and a chat.

3m ago

The ever-evolving Safa Kabir

In a recent episode of The Daily Star's podcast, "Daraz presents A Peek Inside with Sadi", the “Kuhelika” actress discussed her journey in showbiz and her latest endeavours.

3m ago
November 24, 2023
November 24, 2023

When the guitar weeps for a nation: Bangladeshi musicians unite to aid Gaza

“I don’t know how else we can help a nation that is repeatedly being wronged other than through our art,” said Ahmed Hasan Sunny, a rising star in the music industry. “We’ve remained an audience, helpless after seeing bombs dropped on civilians, hospitals and innocent children in Gaza. We decided to do something about it.” The young artiste took the challenge to organise a concert in support of Gaza’s hand-in-hand with artist Morshed Mishu, who was already planning to make graffiti to speak up for the oppressed people of Gaza.

November 18, 2023
November 18, 2023

A new cinematic duo on the horizon

Intense, passionate, riveting – the trailer of Badrul Anam Saud’s new movie, “Shyamakabbya”, is likely to invoke these feelings within any reader. While the seasoned director’s vision goes a long way toward making this possible, much credit will also go to the leads, Shohel Mondol and Neelanjona Neela. 

October 28, 2023
October 28, 2023

What makes Karnival stand out?

Karnival started as a passion project between friends Tinu, Sabbir, Tonmoy and Sunny in 2006. Together, they made their debut album, “Indraloy.”

September 25, 2023
September 25, 2023

‘Punormilone’ bucks all trends and showcases riveting family drama

Action-packed, fantastical, nail-biting: Mizanur Rahman Aryan’s Punormilone is none of those things. In spite of that, or perhaps because of that, the family drama succeeds in subverting audience expectations amidst OTT’s “Thriller Fatigue”, with a powerful reminder of the age-old phrase la familia es todo (Family is all).

September 23, 2023
September 23, 2023

A man that keeps evolving

He was one of the undisputed kings of Bangla rock in the 2000’s when he was the frontman for Black. When he left the band to make Indalo, he took on an entirely new genre of music. Having also left his mark on television as an actor, he is now knee-deep into the world of podcasts, where I started a podcast is one of the most enticing shows on Youtube. Star Showbiz has a heart-to-heart with Jon Kabir.

July 29, 2023
July 29, 2023

Dhaka’s burgeoning concert industry: Organisers scramble to find their niche

In a city where most youth are confined to social circle jerks of restaurants and malls; these concerts are much-needed injections of life. Whilst there is a risk of fatigue and overuse, as it is with any industry, it is important that organisers persevere and stick to what makes them unique.

July 25, 2023
July 25, 2023

Fairooz Nazifa in all her husky glory

After Fairooz Nazifa's version of ‘Tumi Hina’ released on Gaan Bangla’s Wind of Change, her life changed as she started becoming more of a public figure.

July 24, 2023
July 24, 2023

Fuad delivers a Bangladeshi musical buffet to the States

The ace music producer Fuad Almuqtadir has been accompanied by Pantha Kanai, Tashfee, Muttaque Hasib, Pavel, Nick Gianni, Adhnan Sulaiman Nayeem, and Tanvir Tomal for an extensive series of shows in the United States.

July 17, 2023
July 17, 2023

A reinvigorated Tisha

“Of course, I will support the people of my industry,” said Tisha, perhaps as a declaration of solidarity. “Only when we have each other’s backs will our film industry truly flourish”.

June 16, 2023
June 16, 2023

Just keep loving me: Nusraat Faria

Recently, Nusraat Faria once again bedazzled audiences in “Kolija Ar Jaan”, from Afran Nisho’s debut film, “Shurongo”.

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