The names of the recipients of the National Film Awards 2021 have been announced. The Information and Broadcasting Ministry issued a gazette notification on Thursday (January 26). Eminent artists Doly Jahur and Ilias Kanchan have been honoured with the 'Lifetime Achievement Award' for their contributions to the film industry. Every year, the government honours artists in various categories, for their contributions to the film industry. The award is considered to be one the most prestigious prizes given for films in Bangladesh. Thirty-four awards will be given in 27 categories this year. Noted artistes Doly Jahur and Ilias Kanchan have been honoured with the 'Lifetime Achievement Award' for their contributions to the film industry. "Lal Moroger Jhuti" and Rezwan Shahriar Sumit's "Nonajoler Kabbo" have been jointly announced as winners in the 'Best Film' category. The 'Best Director' prize will go to Rezwan Shahriar Sumit, for "Nonajoler Kabbo". 'Dhar', directed by Aka Reza Ghalib, won the award in the best short film category, while 'Bodhobhumite Ekdin' got the award for the best documentary category. Siam Ahmed and  Mir Sabbir Mahmud were named the best actors for leading role in film 'Mridha Bonam Mridha' and 'Raatjaga Fool, respectively' The best actress in leading role award 2021 went to Ajmeri Haque for the film 'Rehana Maryam Noor’ and Tasnova Tamanna for 'Nona Joler Kabbo'. The best-supporting role award went to Fazlur Rahman Babu for the film ''Nona Joler Kabbo' while Shampa Reza won the best supporting actress award for the film 'Padma Puran'. Md Abdul Mannan (Joyraj) was awarded best actor in a negative role for film 'Lal Moroger Jhuti'. Probhash Kumar Bhattacharya (Milon) got the award for comedy in the film 'Mridha Bonam Mridha.' Afia Tabassum (Afia Jahin Jayma) won the best child artiste award for the film 'Rehana Maroam Nur', while a special award on the children division went to Jannatul Mawa Jhilik for the film 'Ja Harie Jai'. Sujeyo Sham bagged the best music director's award for the 'Joiboti Kannyar Mon' film. KM Abdullah Al Murtaza Muhin won the award in the best singer category for film 'Padma Puran', while the best singer female award went to Chandana Majumder (film 'Padma Puran'). The best lyricist award went to the late Gazi Mazharul Anwar for the song of the 'Joiboti Kannyar Mon' film. Sujeyo Sham won the best composer award for the film 'Joiboti Kannyar Mon'. The best story writer award went to Rezwana Shahriar Sumit for the film 'Nona Joler Kabbo'. The other award winners are: Nurul Alam Atik (screenwriter), Towqir Ahmed (dialogue), Samir Ahmed (best editing), Shihab Nurun Nabi (best art direction), Syed Kashef Shahbazi, Sumon Kumar Sarkar and Mazharul Islam Razu (jointly for best cinematographer), Shaiba Talukder (sound designer), idila Kasrin Farid (costume and design) and Md Farukh and Md Farhad Reza Milon jointly won the best makeup artists award. Read more: Siam in line for first National Award, Nonajoler Kabbo to win big 

Legendary music director and composer Alam Khan passed away in Dhaka on Friday. He was 79. The five-time National Film Award-winning music director breathed his last around 11.30am, his family said. "Father has left for the eternal journey. Inna lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Rajiun! (Quranic command used by Muslims when someone dies)," hi son Arman wrote on social media. Born on October 22 in 1943, Khan composed many popular songs which brought stardom to many actors and singers. Also read: Eminent actress Sharmili Ahmed departs He was the composer of timeless songs like ’Jiboner Golpo Ache Baki Olpo’ , 'Ore Nil Doriya' and ‘Ami Rojonigondha Phuler Moto Shurbhi Biliye Jai’. Among the popular songs he directed for Bangladeshi films are 'Hayre Manush Rangin Fanus', 'Dak Diyachen Dayal Amare', 'Ki Jadu Karila', 'TumiJekhane Ami Shekhane’, 'Sabai To Bhalobasa Chay', “Chader Shathe Ami Debona' and ‘Chumki Choleche Eka Pothe'. Alam won his first National Film Award in 1972 for directing music in the film 'Bara Bhalo Lok Chil' by Mohiuddin. He later received the award again for films 'Three Daughters' (1985), 'Surrender' (1987), 'Dinkal' (1992) and 'Ebadat' (2009). He also won the Best Music Composer Award for the films Bagher Thaba (2005) and Ki Jadu Korila (2008). Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud expressed shock over demise of eminent actress Sharmili Ahmed and legendary musician Alam Khan on the same day. He prayed for peace of the departed souls and conveyed condolence to their families.

Saturday marked the 69th birth anniversary of the late Ekushey Padak and National Film Award-winning actor Humayun Faridee, one of the most iconic and beloved actors in Bangladesh. Born at Narinda in Old Dhaka in 1952, Faridee left his mark in all the sectors of the entertainment industry of Bangladesh including theatre, television and film during his three-decades-long acting career. Remembering his career and legacy, celebrities and creative visionaries shared their wishes to the short-lived maestro actor on social media on his 69th anniversary of birth. Dhallywood's most popular actor Shakib Khan remembered Faridee through an elaborated note on the actor from his production house SK Film's Facebook page, saying, "Humayun Faridee Bhai was one of the most talented and acclaimed actors of the country. He used to portray the middle-class social life of us, the Bengali people, and he made us happy through his performances. Be it drama or movies - whenever he appeared on screen, viewers have always been awestruck. He never disappointed through his acting which was so lively that it always felt like the stories and people around him came alive through his own performance." Narrating the struggle of the journeyman, the post said, "After conquering the drama and theatre arena, Faridee Bhai came into the film industry. Little by little through his presence and finest quality acting, the definition of a villain in Bengali cinema got drastic transformation. In his versatile career, Faridee Bhai has acted in about 250 films. Consistently for three decades, Faridee Bhai kept the entire Bengali nation stunned by his charismatic magical performances. Respect and love for this short-lived actor, on his birthday."   Popular director Mabrur Rashid Bannah wrote, "Faridee bhai once said that 'If people say something about you in your back, you know you're doing something noteworthy, which they are not capable of doing. Don't worry. You do your work with concentration and dedication. You will win'. May Allah bless you, happy birthday."Echoing the same quote, noted director Chayanika Chowdhury wrote, “I always remember these precious words. Whenever I get disheartened and find myself in a lot of trouble, I think about these words and I feel good. Happy Birthday, Humayun Faridee. Your emptiness is irreplaceable. I miss the sincerity of your time, love for work, respect for the directors. You are just Only One. I hope you are in peace. Respect."Remembering the legend, one of the finest and most popular actors in the country Chanchal Chowdhury wrote, "Today is Faridee bhai's birthday. Respect and love for this short-lived actor."Faridee began his acting career as a Jatra artist at an early age, which he later accelerated through working in theatre while studying at Jahangirnagar University. Through joining Dhaka Theatre, Humayun Faridee started proving himself as one of the finest actors of his time by his amazing performances in noted productions including Shakuntala, Keramat Mangal, Kittankhola, Muntasir Fantasy and more.He debuted on television in 1980 with the teleplay Nikhoj Sangbad, produced by Atiqul Haque Chaudhury for Bangladesh Television. He later starred in several teleplays and continued his successful journey as a versatile television actor with his tremendous performances in Sangshaptak, Kothao Keu Nei, Nil Nokshar Sondhane, Durbin Diye Dekhun, Bhangoner Shobdo Shuni, Bokulpur Koto Dur, Ekti Lal Shari etc. Kankata Ramjan in Abdullah Al Mamun’s drama series Sangshaptak was his most notable performances, earning him massive popularity across the country. Faridee debuted in the film industry with Santrash (1990), marking his first mainstream film appearance as an actor. As Shakib Khan quoted, he changed the definition of villainous characters. As a versatile actor, Humayun Faridee is remembered for his amazing acting in films including Vondo, Hulia, Dahan, Joyjatra, Shyamal Chhaya, Bachelor and others. For his tremendous performance, he was awarded the National Film Award for his acting in Matritwa in 2004 and later got posthumously awarded the Ekushey Padak in 2018.Humayun Faridee passed away after suffering from chronic lung disease on February 13, 2012.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday urged filmmakers to produce quality films upholding the glorious history and spirit of the Liberation War before the future generations in order to counter distorted history.

Habib Wahid,one of the nation's most popular singers and music composers, recently got married again.

Eight-time National Film Award-winning music director Alauddin Ali died at a hospital in the capital on Sunday afternoon at the age of 67.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday distributed the prestigious National Film Award for the years 2017 and 2018 among its recipients.