United News of Bangladesh

Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary on April 20 with daughter Aaradhya, putting an end to ongoing rumours about their marriage. Dressed in coordinated white outfits, the couple posed for a photo with Aaradhya, which Aishwarya shared on Instagram with a white heart emoji. Abhishek added a splash of colour with red glasses. Their public appearance was warmly received by fans. One commented, “Finally sab thik ho gya…nothing is more important than family.” Another wrote, “So happy to see you guys together in a frame after so long.” Speculation about their relationship had intensified after they were seen separately at Anant Ambani’s wedding. Kesari Chapter 2 Review: Akshay Kumar Fronts a Bold Patriotic Courtroom Saga However, they were later spotted together at the event and at other family functions, including Aaradhya’s birthday and her school’s annual day, reports the Indian Express Most recently, the couple attended a family wedding in Pune, where they danced to their hit song “Kajra Re.” On the professional front, Aishwarya was last seen in Ponniyin Selvan: II, while Abhishek appeared in Be Happy and is set to star in Housefull 5.

Popular wrestling superstar and Hollywood actor John Cena made history at WWE WrestleMania 41, winning his 17th world title and surpassing wrestling's living legend Ric Flair’s legendary 16-title record at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, United States on Sunday night. The dramatic main event saw Cena face Cody Rhodes, with the match turning chaotic when internationally popular rapper Travis Scott interfered, allowing Cena to capitalize on the distraction and secure a controversial win using a 'low blow' and the title belt. The two-night extravaganza, broadcast live on Netflix, attracted 124,693 fans across both nights at the Allegiant Stadium while also enamored wrestling fans across the world, including Bangladesh. In other key moments, popular YouTuber-turned-wrestler Logan Paul shocked the world by defeating one of the most popular wrestlers in the world AJ Styles; Irish superstar Becky Lynch returned from a year-long hiatus to team up with her fellow Irish wrestler Lyra Valkyria and capture the WWE Women's Tag Team Titles, and Dominik Mysterio emerged as the new Intercontinental Champion after defeating Bron Breakker, Finn Balor, and Penta in a fatal-four-way match. ‘A Minecraft Movie’ gives Hollywood major box office boost TNA World Champion Joe Hendry made a surprise appearance, replacing the injured Kevin Owens in his scheduled match against Randy Orton due to Owens’ neck injury. Scottish superstar Drew McIntyre triumphed over Damien Priest in a ‘Sin City Street Fight,’ while the women’s triple threat match saw Iyo Sky retain her Raw Women’s World Championship against Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley. Night one of WrestleMania 41 on Saturday was highlighted by Seth Rollins defeating CM Punk and Roman Reigns in a triple threat match, aided by a shocking betrayal from Paul Heyman, who sided with Rollins. Other winners included the 2025 Royal Rumble winner Jey Uso claiming the World Heavyweight Championship by submitting Gunther, and Tiffany Stratton, who successfully defended her SmackDown Women’s Championship against 2025 Women's Royal Rumble winner Charlotte Flair. In a major announcement before the event, WWE confirmed the acquisition of Mexican wrestling promotion Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide. WWE Chief Content Officer Paul Levesque, popularly known in the wrestling world as Triple H, revealed the move, marking a new chapter in WWE’s international growth. WrestleMania, the flagship event of WWE since its inception in 1985, remains the most iconic and anticipated occasion in professional wrestling, drawing global attention for its high-profile matches and unforgettable moments.

Stand-up comedian Nate Bargatze will host the 77th Emmy Awards, CBS announced Wednesday. One of the most popular stand-ups currently working, Bargatze will emcee the Sept. 14 ceremony at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. While the Oscars have found success with Conan O'Brien, set to return in 2026, and the Golden Globes with returning host Nikki Glaser, the Emmys have had a harder time finding a regular host. The last four Emmys have been hosted by Eugene and Dan Levy, Anthony Anderson, Kenan Thompson and Cedric the Entertainer. “Nate is one of the hottest comics in the business with a remarkable and hilarious brand of comedy that deeply resonates with multi-generational audiences around the globe,” said Cris Abrego, chair of the Television Academy. ‘The Great Moose Migration’ captivates devoted fans of Swedish slow TV sensation Bargatze, while yet to emcee a major awards show, is among the most sought-after entertainers, releasing three Netflix specials including December's “Your Friend, Nate Bargatze” and hosting “Saturday Night Live.” With more than 1.2 million tickets sold in 2024, according to Pollstar, he was the top-earning comedian of the year. “It’s a huge honor to be asked to host such an iconic awards show and I’m beyond excited to work with CBS to create a night that can be enjoyed by families around the world,” Bargatze said. Last year's Emmys, hosted by the father-son Levy duo, reached 6.87 million average viewers, according to Nielsen, up 54% from the previous year.

Ibrahim Ali Khan, son of actors Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh, has been the subject of ongoing dating rumours involving Palak Tiwari, daughter of Shweta Tiwari and Raja Chaudhary. Even before his film debut, speculations about their relationship made headlines. In a recent conversation with Filmfare, Ibrahim finally addressed the rumours, offering a subtle response when asked about Palak. “She’s a good friend. Yeah, she’s sweet. That’s all,” he said, without divulging further details. The duo has been spotted together in public on several occasions and are said to have vacationed together in destinations like the Maldives and Goa. Palak herself has previously stated that she and Ibrahim share a good friendship. During the same interview, Ibrahim opened up about having a childhood crush on actress Deepika Padukone. He recalled realizing his father's stardom when Saif Ali Khan starred alongside Deepika in Love Aaj Kal. “I must have been seven or eight. My dad was shooting for Imtiaz Ali’s Love Aaj Kal in the UK. I was like, wow, Deepika Padukone! That was my first-ever crush. I was so little, but obsessed. That’s when I realised—my dad's a big star, if he’s acting with Deepika,” he shared. Akshay backs Salman amid ‘Sikandar’ setback: ‘Tiger Zinda Hai, Hamesha Rahega’ Recently, Ibrahim enjoyed a vacation in Switzerland with his sister Sara Ali Khan and their mother Amrita Singh. Sara posted a series of cheerful photos from the trip on social media. Ibrahim made his Bollywood debut alongside Khushi Kapoor in Shauna Gautam’s Nadaaniyan, which premiered on Netflix. Despite the hype, the film faced criticism online for its storyline and performances. His grandmother, veteran actress Sharmila Tagore, also commented on the film. “He looked handsome. He tried his best, but the film wasn’t good,” she remarked. Source: With inputs from agencies

Chhayanaut celebrated the Bangla New Year  on Monday morning with a vibrant cultural event held under the ancient banyan tree at Ramna Batamul. Centered around the theme “Amar Mukti Aloy Aloy” (My Liberation Lies in Light), the traditional celebration began shortly after sunrise at 6 am and concluded at 8:30 am. Over 150 male and female performers participated in the programme, which featured a total of 24 performances—including 9 group songs, 12 solo performances, and 3 recitations. Nation celebrating Pahela Baishakh with festive fervour The event showcased songs celebrating light, nature, humanity, and patriotism. A semi-circular stage, measuring 72 feet in length and 30 feet in width, was set up from east to west beneath the banyan tree, hosting the colorful performances. Chhayanaut Executive President Dr Sarwar Ali delivered the New Year’s greetings during the programme. The concluding performance was the national anthem performed collectively by the participating artists. Preparations for ‘Ananda Shobhajatra’ nearing completion amid enthusiasm Male performers wore maroon panjabis paired with white pajama trousers, while the female performers were dressed in off-white sarees with maroon borders.  

A group identifying itself as “Touhidi Janata” sent a letter to the Mohila Samity in the capital on Sunday opposing theatre shows at its venue, but the authorities said it won't give in. After informing theatre troupe Prangonemor of the objection, it later confirmed that their play adaptation of Rabindranath Tagore's 'Shesher Kobita' would proceed as scheduled. The issue came to light through a Facebook post by actress and director Nuna Afroz, a key member of the theatre troupe Prangonemor, on Sunday morning. According to Nuna Afroz, their play 'Shesher Kobita' was scheduled to be staged on Sunday, on the occasion of Chaitra Sankranti, and on Monday, marking Pahela Baishakh, at the Mohila Samity auditorium. The team had rented the hall, completed promotions, and made all necessary preparations. In her post, Nuna wrote, “Just now, Mohila Samity called to inform us that ‘Touhidi Janata’ sent them a letter demanding that no performances be held there." "We have already paid for the two-day rental, completed our publicity and incurred expenses in every sector. Our team has been working tirelessly. We asked Mohila Samity to seek assistance from the administration. If the administration expresses inability, then perhaps we won’t proceed.” She also posted a letter to the Cultural Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, urging to resolve the situation. In protest of this unexpected situation, members of Prangonemor announced a demonstration in front of Mohila Samity at 5:30 pm on Sunday. However, the protest was later suspended following assurances from the authorities. Later on Sunday afternoon, Nuna Afroz made another Facebook post confirming that the issue had been resolved. “Respected audience, journalists, theatre colleagues, and well-wishers — the state administration and Mohila Samity authorities have informed us that they are taking full responsibility to ensure our performances can proceed without disruption. They requested us not to hold a protest. As our primary task is to perform theatre; and since the authorities have taken responsibility - we are suspending the protest.” She further informed that while the administration requested them to hold Sunday’s performance, it was already 3:35 pm by then, making it impossible to organise the show. Instead, the Mohila Samity authorities rescheduled the April 13 performance for April 15, while the show scheduled for Pahela Baishakh on April 14 will go on as planned. Nuna also apologised to the audience for the inconvenience and requested ticket-holders for April 13 to either attend the April 15 show or, if possible, be accommodated on April 14. For further details, the troupe has provided a contact number: 01749826418.

A much-anticipated concert featuring popular Pakistani singer Mustafa Zahid was called off at the last moment on Friday, sparking disappointment among fans and confusion among participating artists. The concert titled 'Melody Unleashed', organised by Melody & Mind Communication, was scheduled to take place at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center in Purbachal on Friday evening. However, just an hour before show time, the organisers announced the concert's postponement via a Facebook post—citing “security concerns” as the reason. Zahid, who recently arrived in Dhaka to perform at the event, shared his frustration and heartbreak in a statement on his official Facebook page late Friday night.  “It truly breaks my heart to share this… We’ve just been informed by the organisers that tonight’s show in Dhaka has been called off due to security concerns,” he wrote on Friday. “To every single fan who bought a ticket please know this: we landed in Dhaka last night, rehearsed with some talented local musicians till the early hours of the morning, and prepared everything in our power to give you an unforgettable experience.” “Despite repeated miscommitments by the organisers, we still showed up because we didn’t want to let YOU down... We were ready. And we’ll be back properly, and soon.” The event was also supposed to feature local performers including singer AK Rahul, and bands Level Five and Encore. However, confusion reigned as even the participating artists reported being unable to contact the organisers. To make matters worse, officials at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center confirmed to several media that there was no confirmed booking under the name Melody & Mind Communication for Friday’s event; although they admitted the organisers had made initial contact, they never completed the payment process. Frustrated fans who showed up at the venue were met with locked gates and no signs of a concert - no posters, no lighting, and no sound setup. Many tried calling the organiser's contact number, only to find it switched off. Level Five also shared frustration in a Facebook post, stating: "We regret to inform our fans that the 'Melody Unleashed' show, featuring AK Rahul, Encore, and Mustafa Zahid, was marred by severe mismanagement and unprofessionalism from the organizers, Melody & Mind Communication. Despite our commitment, they failed to pay artists and vendors on time, lacked proper communication, and ultimately scammed the audience." "We apologize to fans who were affected by this pathetic excuse of an organizer. We remain dedicated to providing quality experiences. Thank you for your continued support," the band wrote. Tickets for the concert were sold in three categories: General (Tk 1,999), Melody Zone (Tk 3,499), and Premium (Tk 10,000).  This is not the first time Melody & Mind Communication has been accused of cancelling concerts. In February, their 'Rock the Capital' event was also postponed citing security reasons. Ticketholders from that event have reportedly not received any refunds to date. Friday’s cancellation has drawn sharp criticism from Dhaka’s music community, with several artists calling the incident not only “embarrassing” but also “shameful”. Mustafa Zahid is widely known for Bollywood hits such as “Toh Phir Aao” and “Tera Mera Rishta Purana” from 'Awarapan' (2007), “Jo Tere Sang” from 'Blood Money', “Hum Jee Lenge” from 'Murder 3', and “Yeh Junoon Mera” from 'Shootout at Wadala', to name a few - and also made a strong Bangladeshi fanbase through these songs. He is also the lead vocalist of Roxen, a Pakistani rock band formed in 2004. Despite the setback, Zahid assured fans in Bangladesh of a return, vowing to come back “properly, and soon.”  

After many years of impassioned calls for an Oscar recognizing the art of the stunt, the film academy has decided to give it an official award. An achievement in stunt design prize will be added starting with the 100th Academy Awards, which will recognize films released in 2027, the film academy said Thursday. “Since the early days of cinema, stunt design has been an integral part of filmmaking,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang said in a joint statement. “We are proud to honor the innovative work of these technical and creative artists, and we congratulate them for their commitment and dedication in reaching this momentous occasion.” The film academy’s production and technology branch has more than 100 stunt performers among its ranks. David Leitch, who directed “The Fall Guy,” which was itself an ode to stunt performers, helped lead the charge for the new prize. Leitch began his career as a stuntman for stars like Brad Pitt before transitioning to making stunt-heavy films like “John Wick." He and stunt coordinator and designer Chris O’Hara of Stunts Unlimited made presentations to the academy advocating for the addition of a new award. “Stunts are essential to every genre of film and rooted deep in our industry’s history — from the groundbreaking work of early pioneers like Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, and Charlie Chaplin, to the inspiring artistry of today’s stunt designers, coordinators, performers, and choreographers," Leitch said in a statement Thursday. “Chris O’Hara and I have spent years working to bring this moment to life, standing on the shoulders of the stunt professionals who’ve fought tirelessly for recognition over the decades. We are incredibly grateful.” Conan O’Brien to host 2026 Oscars again Stunt designer is a relatively new designation. For his work on “The Fall Guy” O’Hara was the first person to be credited as such. “To be seen by the film community as stunt designers hopefully brings more light to what we really do,” O’Hara told The Associated Press in 2024. “Back in the day, stunt guys were the cowboys. Now we are creative. We create amazing things, just like a production designer does or a costume designer does.” The Oscars paid tribute to the stunt community with a video montage at the 2024 ceremony, looking back at over 100 years of Hollywood stunts from Chaplin and Keaton all the way to “Mission: Impossible” and “The Matrix.” Other awards shows were ahead of the curve in celebrating stunts: The Emmys honors stunt coordination and stunt performance, while the Screen Actors Guild Awards recognize stunt ensembles in television and film. The Oscars also recently added a prize for achievement in casting, starting with films released in 2025. As with the casting award, it remains unclear whether it will be added to the live Oscars broadcast. Chad Stahelski, who co-directed “John Wick” and did stunts for Keanu Reeves, told the AP Thursday that there's still work to be done. “The idea of giving an Academy Award for stunt design is awesome – don’t get me wrong,” he said. “Now I would like to know who’s going to decide who gets it, and who actually gets the award? It’s not like it was 100 years ago when there was one person designing it. It’s a collaborative effort.” India’s official Oscar entry, which failed to make the cut, wins big at major Bollywood awards show Stahelski added: "Stunts is such a collaborative and complicated department, how are we going to determine who this goes to? We’ve spent 100 years getting the award, let’s just make sure it goes to the right people.”

The 78th Cannes Film Festival will feature new films by acclaimed directors Wes Anderson, Ari Aster, and Richard Linklater, all vying for the prestigious Palme d'Or, organizers revealed on Thursday. Following a successful 2024 edition that launched Oscar-winner Anora and award-season favorites like Emilia Pérez, The Substance, and The Apprentice, this year’s lineup is stacked with major auteurs. Cannes artistic director Thierry Frémaux and festival president Iris Knobloch made the announcement at a press event in Paris. Highlights of the competition include: Ari Aster’s Eddington, a pandemic-era Western starring Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, and Emma Stone.Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme, featuring Benicio Del Toro as a European schemer.Richard Linklater’s Nouvelle Vague, a French-language film centered on Jean-Luc Godard and the French New Wave.Julia Ducournau, who became only the second woman ever to win Cannes’ top prize with 2021’s Titane, returns with Alpha, a drama set in 1980s New York about an 11-year-old whose parent has AIDS. Cannes regulars are also back: Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne, two-time Palme winners, bring Young Mothers.Joachim Trier re-enters the competition with Sentimental Value, reuniting with The Worst Person in the World star Renate Reinsve.Scarlett Johansson’s first film as a director, Eleanor the Great, will screen out of competition. Notably absent from the lineup are highly anticipated titles like Terrence Malick’s The Way of the Wind and Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another. Previously, it was announced that Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning will premiere at the festival. Tom Cruise, who received an honorary Palme d'Or in 2022, headlines the film. This year, Robert De Niro will be honored with the same award during the opening ceremony. Juliette Binoche will serve as jury president, following last year’s Greta Gerwig. This marks the first time in six decades that two women have consecutively led the Cannes jury. The festival will take place from May 13 to May 24.

New films from Wes Anderson, Ari Aster, and Richard Linklater will compete for the Palme d’Or at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, organizers announced Thursday. Coming off a 2024 edition that produced the Academy Award best-picture winner “Anora,” as well as a number of Oscar contenders in “Emilia Pérez,” “The Substance" and “The Apprentice," the French film festival responded with a 2025 lineup bursting with big-name auteurs. Thierry Frémaux, Cannes’ artistic director, announced the selections in a news conference in Paris with festival president Iris Knobloch. Entries include Aster’s “Eddington,” a pandemic-set Western starring Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal and Emma Stone; Anderson’s “The Phoenician Scheme," starring Benicio Del Toro as a European profiteer and Linklater's appropriately French-language “Nouvelle Vague,” about Jean-Luc Godard and the French New Wave. Julia Ducournau, whose “Titane” won the Palme d’Or in 2021, making Ducournau only the second female filmmaker to ever receive Cannes’ top honor, will return to the festival with the 1980s New York-set “Alpha,” about an 11-year-old with a parent who has AIDS. Other previously Cannes regulars coming back include two-time Palme winners Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne. The Belgian filmmaking brothers’ latest is titled “Young Mothers.” Joachim Trier, whose “The Worst Person in the World” was a highlight of the 2021 Cannes, is back in competition with “Sentimental Value,” which likewise stars Renate Reinsve. Sean Baker's 'Anora' wins Palme d'Or, the Cannes Film Festival's top honor Playing outside of competition is Scarlett Johansson’s “Eleanor the Great” — the actor's directorial debut. Among the films some had hoped might show up in Cannes but that weren’t announced were Terrence Malick’s long-awaited Jesus drama “The Way of the Wind” and Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another.” Cannes earlier announced that “Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning” will launch at the festival, which three years ago bestowed an honorary Palme d’Or on Tom Cruise. This year, Robert De Niro is set to receive one during the festival’s opening ceremony. Bangladeshi critic Sadia Khalid Reeti walks official Cannes Red Carpet as FIPRESCI jury member Following in the footsteps of Greta Gerwig, Juliette Binoche will head the jury that decide this year’s Palme d’Or. Knobloch said it's the first time in 60 years that two women succeed each other in this role. The festival runs May 13-24.