United News of Bangladesh

Actor-director Riteish Deshmukh has dismissed speculation that his historical action drama Raja Shivaji was made on a massive budget of Rs 100 crore, saying that only the producers know the actual figures. The film, released in theatres on May 1, 2026, has been performing strongly in Marathi and maintaining steady interest in Hindi as well. However, reports circulating about its high production cost have sparked widespread discussion. Responding to the claims, Deshmukh told Hindustan Times that discussing budgets is unnecessary for filmmakers. “About the figures floating around about Raja Shivaji's budget, only the producers know the real budget. The last thing we need to do as filmmakers is to discuss the budget of a film because it doesn't affect anything,” he said. He further added, If someone asks me the budget, I ask them 'how much are you paying for a ticket to watch it?' They say 'Rs 100' or 'Rs 250-300'. I reply, that's the budget. One should stop talking about it. Let it be magical; you just go and experience the film.” Recalling his childhood experience of watching films like Sholay, Deshmukh said audiences never used to focus on budgets or box office collections. ’ I just wanted to have the big-screen entertainment,” he said. He also noted that constant discussion around actors’ fees and film budgets is a recent trend driven by the industry itself. Backed by Jio Studios and Mumbai Film Company, Raja Shivaji features an ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Bhagyashree, Fardeen Khan, Jitendra Joshi, Boman Irani, Amol Gupte and Genelia Deshmukh, with Salman Khan appearing in a cameo role. The film portrays the early life of Shivaji Bhosale and his rise against dominant powers to establish Hindavi Swarajya.   Source: NDTV

The Odyssey has released a new trailer, offering audiences the clearest look yet at filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s epic adaptation of the classic story by Homer. The latest trailer moves beyond the earlier teaser and gives a stronger sense of the story, focusing on Odysseus’ dangerous journey and the growing unrest in his kingdom of Ithaca. Matt Damon stars as Odysseus and is seen facing violent storms and deadly mythical creatures during his long journey home. One of the trailer’s major highlights is the first appearance of the giant Cyclops Polyphemus, shown holding one of Odysseus’ soldiers. Back in Ithaca, Anne Hathaway appears as Penelope, trying to protect the kingdom during her husband’s absence. Robert Pattinson plays Antinous, the main rival who leads a group seeking to take over the throne. The trailer also introduces several other key characters. Zendaya appears as the goddess Athena, who guides and protects Odysseus, while Charlize Theron plays the powerful sorceress Circe. Other cast members include Jon Bernthal as Menelaus and John Leguizamo as Eumaeus. The film also features Tom Holland, Lupita Nyong'o, Mia Goth and Benny Safdie. The trailer highlights Nolan’s signature large-scale filmmaking style. According to Deadline, the movie was shot entirely with IMAX 70mm cameras using more than two million feet of film. The background score is composed by Ludwig Göransson. Written by Nolan and produced with Emma Thomas under their Syncopy banner, the film will be distributed by Universal Pictures. The Odyssey is scheduled to hit theatres on July 17, 2026. Source NDTV

Prime Video has announced that its upcoming courtroom thriller System will premiere globally on May 22. Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, the film is produced by Pammi Baweja, Harman Baweja and Smitha Baliga under the banner of Baweja Studios. The Hindi-language Prime Original will stream exclusively on Prime Video in India and more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. The film centres on themes of power, privilege and justice, presenting a courtroom drama where truth and accountability take centre stage. Sonakshi Sinha plays Neha Rajvansh, a public prosecutor who teams up with courtroom stenographer Sarika Rawat, portrayed by Jyotika. Despite coming from very different backgrounds, the two women join hands to uncover hidden injustices while confronting influential opponents. The film also features Ashutosh Gowariker in a major role, alongside actors Preeti Agarwal, Adinath Kothare, Aashriya Mishra, Gaurav Pandey and Sayandeep Gupta. Speaking about the project, Nikhil Madhok said, "System is a powerful and thrilling drama that explores themes of ambition, justice and ethics. With Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari at the helm and backed by Baweja Studios, System will surprise you at each stage, making for compelling viewing. Led by power-packed performances by Sonakshi Sinha and Jyotika, we believe the film has the potential to resonate strongly with audiences across the world when it releases on Prime Video on 22 May." Producer Harman Baweja said, "System is a gripping legal drama that brings together two headstrong women from contrasting worlds, bound by their own ideas of justice. Brought to life through powerful performances by Sonakshi Sinha, Jyotika and Ashutosh Gowariker, the film reflects our shared vision of telling meaningful, cinematic stories. We are thrilled to collaborate with Prime Video and Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari on this project, a collaboration that has enabled us to bring this narrative to life with scale and authenticity. We look forward to delivering this genre-bending story to audiences in India and beyond." The screenplay has been written by Harman Baweja, Arun Sukumar, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, Tasneem Lokhandwala and Akshat Ghildial. #By NDTV 

Actor Ranbir Kapoor showed his support for his mother Neetu Kapoor by attending the screening of her upcoming film Daadi Ki Shaadi, accompanied by his wife and actor Alia Bhatt. The screening turned into a star-studded gathering, with members of the Kapoor family and several well-known figures from the film industry coming together ahead of the film’s release. Riddhima Kapoor Sahni was also present alongside her family to support Neetu Kapoor, while Ranbir’s aunt Rima Jain attended the event as well. Veteran actor Rekha added to the evening’s charm with her presence. The film, featuring Neetu Kapoor and Kapil Sharma in lead roles, is produced by Rtake Studios, BeingU Studios and Shimla Talkies. It is written and directed by Ashish R Mohan. Daadi Ki Shaadi also includes performances by Sadia Khateeb and Riddhima Kapoor Sahni. According to the filmmakers, the movie highlights themes of family life, capturing its quirks, chaos, secrets and unconditional love. The film is set to hit cinemas on May 8, 2026.

If Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar succeeds in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, he could end a 49-year gap by becoming the first film star to serve as chief minister since M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) transformed the state’s political landscape in 1977. MGR’s sweeping victory that year marked the last time a cinema icon directly captured power in Tamil Nadu. He turned fan loyalty into a structured political force, embedded welfare politics into governance, and redefined the link between charisma and policy. While figures like Jayalalithaa rose to power later, her success came through consolidating MGR’s AIADMK rather than building an entirely new political platform. Early trends in the 2026 elections indicate that Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), founded just two years ago, is performing strongly, with projections placing it between 100 and 118 seats. Even at the lower end, this positions Vijay among the state’s top political power at the higher end, it brings him close to the 118 seats needed for a majority in the 234-member assembly. What makes Vijay’s rise notable is its speed and strategic planning. Unlike many actor-politician who maintained parallel careers in cinema, Vijay began laying the groundwork much earlier. His political journey can be traced back to 2009, when he reorganised his fan clubs into Vijay Makkal Iyakkam, initially focusing on welfare activities. Over time, this network expanded its grassroots presence through relief efforts, educational support and community engagement. In 2011, the organisation backed the AIADMK alliance, marking Vijay’s first direct involvement in electoral politics. In the years that followed, his public appearances increasingly addressed broader issues such as youth unemployment, corruption, exam stress and governance concerns, resonating especially with younger voters. The organisational strength of his network became evident during the 2021 local government elections, where candidates linked to Vijay’s movement secured a majority of the seats they contested. When Vijay formally launched TVK in February 2024, he made his intentions clear: the party would contest independently in 2026, avoid pre-election alliances, and position itself as an alternative to the long-standing DMK-AIADMK dominance. He reinforced this commitment by stepping away from films after a three-decade career spanning around 70 movies. Over the next two years, TVK evolved from a loosely organised welfare network into a structured political party with district and booth-level organisation. Its campaign focused on education, employment, anti-corruption and institutional accountability, while projecting Vijay as a responsive and accessible leader. The journey has not been without challenges. A deadly stampede at a TVK-linked event in Karur in 2025 tested Vijay’s leadership. His response—measured and corrective—offered an early glimpse into how he might handle political crises. Current projections suggest that even without a clear majority, a strong showing could place Vijay at the centre of government formation, either as chief minister or a key power broker. His refusal to form pre-poll alliances also means any post-election arrangement will be closely scrutinised. The emergence of TVK has already reshaped Tamil Nadu’s political landscape. Alongside the DMK-led alliance and a diminished but relevant AIADMK, the state is witnessing a credible three-way contest for the first time in decades. Smaller parties now have a potential third force to align with. Comparisons with MGR are inevitable, but the contexts differ. While MGR rode a wave of populism and political rupture, Vijay’s appeal is tied to generational concerns, dissatisfaction with governance, and the promise of cleaner politics. Whether he ultimately takes power or simply transforms the political dynamics, the 2026 election has already marked a turning point. Vijay may either become the first actor in nearly half a century to lead Tamil Nadu—or demonstrate that such a shift is now within reach. Source NDTV  

Veteran lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar on Sunday said that everyone has the right to promote their ideas through creative works, responding to debates over films being labelled as propaganda. He made the remarks while speaking to reporters after receiving a special award from a city-based jewellery brand, when asked about criticism surrounding films like Dhurandhar. "I don't know what you mean by propaganda films. I loved Dhurandhar; it was an excellent film. I liked the first one more than the second," he said. "Every story takes a stand, but does it become propaganda because the narrative doesn't suit a section of the audience? Everyone has the right to propagate their ideas. What is wrong with propaganda films? The task of every filmmaker is to present the truth," Akhtar added. He said that every story carries a viewpoint, and even films based on fictional or fairy-tale themes reflect an underlying ideology. The veteran writer also noted that films often convey a moral message, though audiences may interpret or label it differently. About Dhurandhar, the project features actors including Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan, Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi, Gaurav Gera and Danish Pandor. The two-part film series centres on a high-risk covert counter-terrorism mission. The first instalment follows an undercover Indian intelligence agent who infiltrates criminal syndicates and political networks in Karachi, Pakistan, aiming to dismantle a terror network targeting India. The sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, continues the storyline, with the agent pursuing those behind the 26/11 attacks while confronting broader threats. The narrative is loosely inspired by real geopolitical events and conflicts in South Asia.  #Via NDTV

Les Fleurs du Manguier – Lost Land (2025), an acclaimed feature film portraying the plight of Rohingya refugees by Japanese director Akio Fujimoto and co-produced by Japan, France, Germany, and Malaysia, had a special screening at the Alliance Française de Dhaka on Saturday. Winner of the Special Orizzonti Jury Prize at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, the 138-minute film follows two Rohingya siblings, Shafi, 4, and Somira, 9, as they leave a refugee camp in Bangladesh and embark on a perilous journey to Malaysia in search of their family. Made in the Rohingya language, with both French and English subtitles, the film highlights the broader human dimensions of displacement, particularly the importance of safety, security, and dignity for Rohingya communities in Bangladesh and beyond. The film’s portrayal of vulnerable journeys also echoes the urgent need to protect individuals from risks that may lead to dangerous or irregular migration pathways, while promoting livelihoods, safety, and self-reliance. The screening, held at 5:00 PM at Auditorium Nouvelle Vague, was open to all and was followed by an engaging and interactive discussion. The session brought together audience members to reflect on the Rohingya crisis, exploring its ongoing challenges and humanitarian dimensions, as well as discussing the film's future trajectory and global outreach. France supports the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of Rohingya refugees and continues to play an active role in their assistance through sustained financial support and political engagement. Akio Fujimoto is a celebrated filmmaker known for focusing on Southeast Asian migrant experiences. His previous works, Passage of Life (2017) and Along the Sea (2020), have received international acclaim for their sensitive portrayal of displacement and human rights. Drawing on personal and cultural experiences, his work blends fiction and documentary with subtlety and humanism, often focusing on the lives of people on the margins.

The romantic drama Ek Din attempts to explore love and memory but ultimately falls short, offering a predictable and emotionally underwhelming experience despite an intriguing premise. Backed by Aamir Khan Productions and directed by Sunil Pandey, the film opens with a familiar idea that life rarely mirrors what is shown in movies. However, it struggles to build on that promise in a meaningful way. Junaid Khan plays Dino, a socially awkward and overly kind IT employee in Noida who quietly harbours one-sided feelings for his colleague Meera, portrayed by Sai Pallavi. Dino’s affection borders on obsessive as he remembers minute details about her life, while Meera is involved in an affair with her married boss Nakul, played by Kunal Kapoor. The story takes a turn when the office team travels to Japan for a five-day work trip. There, Dino makes an unlikely wish to spend just one day with Meera as his partner. In a dramatic twist, his wish appears to come true after Meera suffers an accident and develops Transient Global Amnesia, losing her memory for 24 hours. This sets the stage for the pair to share a fleeting day together before she forgets everything. Despite this emotional setup, the film fails to create a lasting impact. The chemistry between Junaid Khan and Sai Pallavi remains limited, and the narrative does not fully capture the depth of love, loss or longing it aims to portray. The film also drew comparisons on social media with other memory-loss romances, prompting Aamir Khan to clarify that Ek Din is entirely different. While that may be true, it also lacks the emotional intensity and engagement seen in similar films. Sai Pallavi, making her Hindi film debut, delivers a committed performance as Meera, a free-spirited and somewhat unpredictable character. However, her role lacks depth, leaving her talent underutilised. Junaid Khan shows improvement and growing confidence, though his performance alone cannot elevate the film. Visually, the winter setting of Japan, particularly Hokkaido, adds charm and stands out as one of the film’s highlights. However, scenic beauty alone cannot compensate for the lack of strong storytelling and emotional connection. Overall, Ek Din joins the long list of romantic dramas centred on memory loss but fails to distinguish itself, leaving little lasting impression on viewers. #From NDTV

Ranveer Singh is set to begin filming his upcoming post-apocalyptic thriller Pralay in August 2026, with insiders rejecting recent reports of “creative differences” between the actor and director Jai Mehta. The project, which gained attention following the success of the Dhurandhar franchise, had recently been the subject of speculation suggesting it faced delays due to disagreements between the lead actor and the filmmaker. However, a source close to the production dismissed the claims, saying the film is progressing as planned. “Reports suggesting any uncertainty around Pralay are completely baseless,” the insider told NDTV. “Ranveer and Jai have been in continuous discussions and have firmly locked the script. The project has already moved into pre-production, with the entire team actively gearing up to create a never-before-witnessed gigantic spectacle out of Indian cinema. As it stands, Pralay is on track to go on floors by August 2026.” The film is being developed as a large-scale, VFX-driven action thriller set in a dystopian, post-apocalyptic world, with elements of the zombie genre rarely explored at this scale in Hindi cinema. Jai Mehta has reportedly spent the past year shaping the project, which is expected to be mounted with a budget of around Rs 300 crore. The screenplay has been written by Mehta along with Vishal Kapoor, known for his work on Lootere. The film is being produced by Hansal Mehta under his banner True Story Films, along with Ranveer Singh’s Maa Kasam Films, in collaboration with Applause Entertainment. For Ranveer Singh, Pralay marks a major shift as he explores a new genre and prepares to adopt a completely different look for the role. The actor has not officially signed any other project at the moment, though discussions are underway for a possible collaboration with Aditya Dhar after the completion of Pralay. With pre-production underway and a clear timeline in place, the film appears to be moving ahead as planned despite recent rumours.  #By NDTV

The biopic Michael has made a strong debut at the box office, earning $97 million in the United States and Canada and setting a new record for music biopics, despite receiving poor reviews and facing production challenges. The film, based on the life of pop icon Michael Jackson, easily beat previous top openings in the genre, including Straight Outta Compton and Bohemian Rhapsody. Internationally, the movie also performed strongly, earning $120.4 million overseas. This brings its total global opening to $217.4 million, another record for a music biopic. While Lionsgate handled the release in North America, Universal Pictures distributed it in most international markets. Earlier projections had estimated a much lower opening, around $50 million, later revised to $70 million. However, the film far exceeded expectations, attracting a wide audience. The movie was a major gamble, as it portrays a hugely popular but controversial figure. Jackson’s legacy has long been overshadowed by allegations of child sexual abuse. He denied wrongdoing and was acquitted in a 2005 criminal trial, though questions have persisted over the years. Some members of the Jackson family were not involved in the project. Janet Jackson did not participate, while his daughter Paris Jackson criticised the film as unrealistic. The project was announced years after the release of Leaving Neverland, which focused on abuse allegations. Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson played the lead role. Production faced serious setbacks. After filming was completed, the team realised part of the story focused on a legal case involving Jordan Chandler, which could not be included due to a prior settlement. As a result, large sections of the film were removed, and expensive reshoots were carried out. The story was eventually reworked to end in 1988, before the allegations surfaced. Despite the difficulties, the film has turned into a major commercial success. Its production cost was close to $200 million, with plans already underway for a sequel and possibly more films. Critics largely panned the movie, accusing it of ignoring controversial aspects of Jackson’s life. It received a low rating on review platforms, but audiences responded much more positively, giving it strong feedback in cinema surveys. The film’s release also boosted a successful period for Hollywood, alongside hits like Project Hail Mary and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. After leading the box office for three weeks, the Mario sequel dropped to second place with $21.2 million over the weekend. “Project Hail Mary” continued its strong run, crossing $600 million globally in its sixth week. According to estimates, the top films at the North American box office this weekend were led by “Michael,” followed by “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” and “Project Hail Mary.”