United News of Bangladesh

Tehran-born Iranian actor Elnaaz Norouzi, who holds German citizenship, expressed her thoughts on Iran’s political situation days before Mojtaba Khamenei was named the country’s new Supreme Leader on March 8, 2026. Speaking to NDTV in an exclusive interview, Norouzi highlighted the long history of political repression in Iran. Reacting to reports about Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, taking power, she said it was “nothing new” for leaders to be imposed on Iranians without public choice. “Just like the past 47 years, people coming to power were never chosen by the Iranian people. The same happened with Ali Khamenei; now his son is stepping in. We have no say in this,” she told NDTV. Norouzi emphasized the Iranian people’s desire for democracy and the right to vote. “For 47 years, Iranians have been asking to choose their leaders. In 2009, millions protested chanting ‘Where is our vote?’ Many lost their lives. People realised that the leaders in office were not the ones they had chosen,” she said. The actor, known for works including ‘Sacred Games’, ‘Kandahar’, and ‘Made in Heaven’, urged her fellow Iranians to stay resilient. “Stay strong. Stay in your homes. Hope for better days. Protests often lead to brutal crackdowns, leaving civilians without jobs, security, or even basic necessities,” she said. She also called for international attention and support, saying, “We are empty-handed. Right now, the world only seems to notice because of the war.” Reflecting on her personal connection to Iran’s struggles, Norouzi noted that many Iranians, including her family, have lived through decades of unrest. “My parents realised during the 1979 revolution that life was becoming unbearable. Today, over five million Iranians live abroad because they couldn’t build a safe life at home. Ninety million people can’t leave Iran—they need to get their country back,” she said. Norouzi’s remarks underline the frustration of many Iranians as Mojtaba Khamenei takes leadership in a nation long yearning for the right to choose its own path. Source: NDTV

Actor Vijay Deverakonda recently tied the knot with his long-time girlfriend and actress Rashmika Mandanna. Following their private wedding in Udaipur, the couple hosted a reception for industry friends in Hyderabad on March 4. During the celebrations, a young fan reached out to Vijay with a heartfelt question on social media, asking why she was not invited to the wedding. The short clip quickly went viral, prompting a response from the actor. In the video, the fan asked, “Am I not your fan too? What about us?” referring to the couple’s private ceremony attended only by close family and friends. Vijay replied in Telugu, “Bujjithallii… intiki pilustha lunch ki.. Nee favourite food and sweets naku cheppu, anni intlo cheppinchi manchiga thindamu,” promising to invite her home for lunch and serve her favourite food and sweets. After the wedding, the couple arranged to distribute sweets across several cities in India. In a note shared on X, they wrote, “To the beautiful people of this country. You have always been a part of our journeys and our love. And it would make us truly happy to celebrate our wedding with all of you… So on March 1st we are sending trucks filled with love and sweets across the country… And we will be doing Annadanam in multiple temples across the country. Seeking all your blessings :) With Love Vijay & Rashmika.” Sweets were distributed in cities including Hyderabad, Mahbubnagar, Karimnagar, Delhi, Chandigarh, Noida, Ghaziabad, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Mumbai, Jaipur, Vizag, Vijayawada, Puttaparthi, Kochi, Mysore, Coorg, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Chennai, and Pondicherry. Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna were married on February 26 and are now set to appear together in Rahul Sankrityan’s upcoming film ‘Ranabaali’. Source: NDTV    

Real estate developer House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL) has sold a 2.67-acre plot in Ayodhya to Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan for Rs 35 crore. According to the company, the deal was completed on Friday by Rajesh Yadav, managing director of AB Corp Ltd. The land is situated close to HoABL’s 75-acre luxury development project, The Sarayu. In January 2024, Bachchan had already purchased plots within the same project. This marks his third investment in Ayodhya through HoABL and his fourth investment in the city overall. Previously, Bachchan also bought a 10,000-square-foot plot in HoABL’s Sol de Alibaug project. Abhinandan Lodha, chairman of HoABL, said Bachchan’s investment highlights the belief that land is a long-term asset capable of preserving value for future generations. He added that Ayodhya is gaining attention as a promising location for land ownership due to continued infrastructure development and public investment. Established in 2020, HoABL has grown into one of India’s major branded land developers, focusing on transparent, technology-driven land transactions. Over the past five years, the company has sold more than 13 million square feet of developed land and currently has around 34 million square feet under development. HoABL operates projects in several locations including Alibaug, Anjarle, Vrindavan, Dapoli, Goa, Khopoli, Nagpur and Neral. The developer also plans to launch new projects in Amritsar, Shimla and Varanasi. Looking ahead, HoABL aims to expand its presence to 48 cities across India to meet growing demand for plotted developments in areas driven by infrastructure growth and tourism. Recently, the company also entered the vertical real estate segment, launching three residential projects in Mumbai with a combined development area of about 3.1 million square feet.    

Britney Spears was arrested Wednesday night in Southern California and booked early the following morning, though the exact charge was not immediately clear, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office website. Messages seeking comment were left with the sheriff’s office, the California Highway Patrol—identified as the arresting agency—and Spears’ representative. Sheriff’s office records show that Spears was arrested around 9:30 p.m. in Ventura County and released on Thursday. She is scheduled to appear in court on May 4. ‘Pushpa’ stars Allu Arjun reunite at Rashmika-Vijay wedding reception Spears, who was born in Mississippi and raised in Louisiana, became a teenage pop sensation and one of the defining superstars of the 1990s and 2000s. She first gained attention as a cast member of the The Mickey Mouse Club before achieving global fame with major hits such as ...Baby One More Time, Oops!... I Did It Again and Toxic. Most of her albums have received platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America, including two diamond-certified titles—...Baby One More Time and Oops!... I Did It Again. Her most recent studio album, Glory, was released in 2016. Spears drew intense tabloid attention in the early 2000s as she struggled with mental health issues while paparazzi closely followed her private life. Public attitudes later shifted, leading to the #FreeBritney movement, which supported her efforts to regain control over her personal and financial affairs. She had been placed under a court-ordered conservatorship in 2008, largely managed by her father and his lawyers, which lasted more than a decade before being dissolved in 2021. In 2023, she released her bestselling memoir, The Woman in Me.

Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda hosted a grand wedding reception in Hyderabad days after tying the knot in Udaipur, bringing together several stars from the Telugu film industry. The event became a mini reunion for ‘Pushpa’ co-stars, as Allu Arjun joined their reception. In the hit film, Allu Arjun and Rashmika played on-screen lovers who eventually married, making their appearance together a treat for fans. Rashmika looked stunning in a traditional red saree with gold and black borders, while Vijay opted for a simple white kurta and dhoti. Allu Arjun chose a loose-fit kurta with geometric stripes and floral patterns. Other notable attendees included Ram Charan, Chiranjeevi, Nagarjuna, Neena Gupta, Namrata Shirodkar, and Nani. The couple had their official wedding on February 26 at ITC Mementos, Udaipur, celebrating both their cultures with a Telugu Hindu ceremony in the morning and a Kodava ritual in the evening. Rashmika and Vijay later shared pictures from their wedding on Instagram, with heartfelt messages about their journey together. Vijay described his bride as his “home and calm,” while Rashmika introduced him as the man who “taught her what true love feels like.” Fans also have something to look forward to, as the duo is set to reunite on-screen in Rahul Sankrityan’s upcoming film ‘Ranabaali’. With inputs from NDTV

Michael B Jordan has shaken up this year’s Oscars race after securing a surprise best actor victory at the Actor Awards, formerly known as the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Jordan was honoured for his performance in vampire horror film Sinners, which also clinched the night’s top prize for best ensemble cast. The unexpected win gives the actor renewed momentum just weeks ahead of the Academy Awards scheduled for March 15. “I wasn’t expecting this at all,” Jordan said while accepting the award, expressing gratitude to his co-stars, director and family. He paid tribute to his mother Donna for supporting his acting ambitions from an early age and thanked director Ryan Coogler along with the film’s cast and crew. Co-star Delroy Lindo described making the film as an “incredible journey,” saying the cast brought “our hearts and souls” to the project. The awards came a week after the Bafta Film Awards, where Jordan and Lindo were commended for their composure following an on-stage disruption. Lindo later thanked supporters at the NAACP Image Awards, calling the response overwhelmingly positive. Other film winners included Sean Penn for One Battle After Another and Jessie Buckley for Hamnet, continuing her dominant run in the best actress category this season. In a surprise result, Amy Madigan won supporting actress for Weapons, boosting her late Oscar prospects. Television honours saw a posthumous win for Catherine O'Hara for her role in The Studio. The award was accepted by co-star Seth Rogen, who praised her talent and generosity. The series also won best comedy ensemble, while Rogen picked up best comedy actor. In the drama categories, The Pitt won best ensemble, with Noah Wyle earning best drama actor. Veteran star Harrison Ford received the lifetime achievement award, reflecting on a career spanning more than six decades that includes roles in Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Blade Runner. With 16 Oscar nominations, Sinners heads into the Academy Awards as a strong best picture contender, facing competition from One Battle After Another, which has secured major wins at other precursor events. While Buckley remains the clear frontrunner in best actress, Jordan’s Actor Award triumph has made the best actor contest one of the tightest races ahead of Hollywood’s biggest night.   With inputs from BBC

New Delhi , Newly married actors Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna have announced plans to celebrate their wedding by organising ‘annadanam’ at temples across the country on Sunday. Apart from offering free meals at multiple temples, the couple said they will also send trucks loaded with sweets to more than 20 cities nationwide to share their joy with fans. In a joint social media message, they expressed gratitude to people across India for being part of their journey and said they wished to mark the special occasion in a way that reflects how the country celebrates — with food and sweets. They said trucks carrying sweets would travel to cities including Hyderabad, Mahbubnagar, Karimnagar, Delhi, Chandigarh, Noida, Ghaziabad, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Mumbai, Jaipur, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Puttaparthi, Kochi, Mysuru, Coorg, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Chennai and Puducherry. The couple also sought blessings from well-wishers. Vijay and Rashmika tied the knot on February 26. Meanwhile, a preview of the song ‘Endhayya Saami’ from their upcoming film Ranabaali was unveiled on Saturday. In the film, Vijay plays the titular role, while Rashmika portrays his wife Jayamma. Actor Arnold Vosloo, known for his role in The Mummy, features as the antagonist Sir Theodore Hector. According to sources, Ranabaali is inspired by real events from the 1850s that remain largely absent from mainstream history books. The project marks Vijay and Rashmika’s first on-screen collaboration since their marriage, following earlier films such as Geetha Govindam and Dear Comrade.   Source NDTV

The wife of television actor Zaher Alvi reportedly committed suicide in the capital’s Mirpur DOHS on Saturday. Alvi confirmed the matter through a post on his verified Facebook page. However, he did not mention any reason behind the incident. In the post, the actor wrote, “This noon, my wife Ikra committed suicide at our Mirpur DOHS residence. Now, I am in Nepal for a shooting project. Since hearing the news, I have not been in a state to speak. I do not understand why she chose to leave this way without thinking about our child and me.” Bollywood veteran actor-comedian Asrani dies at 84 He further wrote, “I request my well-wishers and journalist brothers to please give me some time. I am trying to return to Dhaka as soon as possible and will speak to everyone after I get back. Until then, during this moment of grief, please allow me and my family some mental peace. For the sake of our child’s future, please do not spread any misleading information. Please pray for my Ikra.” Alvi and Ikra have a son.

Sankgeetha Sornalingam, wife of actor-politician and TVK founder Joseph Vijay Chandrasekar, has filed for divorce, citing irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. In her petition submitted to a family court in Chengalpattu District, Sankgeetha accused her husband of maintaining an extramarital relationship with an actress and subjecting her to “persistent mental cruelty, neglect, and desertion.” She stated that, if necessary, she would include the actress as a second respondent in the case. The divorce plea, filed under the Special Marriage Act, 1954, is scheduled to be heard on April 10. Sankgeetha requested that all proceedings be held in camera to protect the privacy of the parties involved. She also sought a court injunction to prevent media outlets, social media platforms, and YouTube channels from publishing any content related to the case, warning that such coverage could cause further mental anguish and humiliation to her and her family. According to the petition, since 2021, Vijay has “emotionally withdrawn” and treated Sankgeetha with verbal disdain, forcing her to live separately within the matrimonial home. His ongoing public association with the actress caused her emotional distress and embarrassment, particularly affecting their children socially. To avoid publicity, she has not disclosed the actress’s name but reserves the right to do so if needed. Sankgeetha said she attempted to resolve matters amicably through legal notices and personal discussions with Vijay between August 2024 and February 2025, with the last meeting on November 9, 2025, but all efforts to reach a mutually acceptable solution failed. The petition notes that the couple first registered their marriage in the United Kingdom on July 10, 1998, followed by a ceremonial wedding in Chennai on August 25, 1999.   Source: NDTV  

Paramount Skydance is set to take over Warner Bros Discovery in a deal valued at about $111 billion after Netflix withdrew from the bidding, ending a months-long battle for one of Hollywood’s most prominent studios. Warner Bros, which put itself up for sale last year, said on Thursday that Paramount’s revised offer was “superior” to Netflix’s proposal, which the streaming giant declined to increase. Netflix executives said the deal was no longer financially attractive at the higher price. If approved, the acquisition would give Paramount control of Warner Bros’ film studio and major media assets, a move expected to significantly reshape the global entertainment industry. Netflix had earlier reached an agreement in December to buy parts of Warner Bros in a deal worth around $82 billion including debt. Paramount later entered the race with a rival bid, initially rejected, before returning this week with a sweeter offer that increased the cash price per share. Netflix co-chief executives Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters said the company remained disciplined, noting the transaction was never essential at any cost. Regulatory hurdles remain. California Attorney General Rob Bonta said the proposed merger is still subject to scrutiny, with the state’s Department of Justice reviewing the deal. Approval would also be required from the US Department of Justice and European regulators. The potential takeover has drawn particular attention because Warner Bros owns CNN, one of the United States’ largest news networks. A merger with Paramount could have major implications for the channel’s future. Paramount is backed by tech billionaire Larry Ellison and led by his son David Ellison. The financing of the bid has attracted scrutiny due to Ellison’s close ties with US President Donald Trump, who has frequently criticised CNN’s coverage. David Ellison welcomed the Warner Bros board’s decision, saying the enhanced proposal offers shareholders greater value and certainty, with a faster path to completion. If regulators give the green light, Paramount would absorb Warner Bros’ HBO Max streaming subscribers and take ownership of brands including CNN, the Food Network and various sports properties, adding them to its existing portfolio that includes CBS, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central. Industry observers say the sale of Warner Bros is likely to have far-reaching consequences across Hollywood, including possible job cuts, as studios adjust to further consolidation in an industry already facing major structural changes.   With inputs from BBC