United News of Bangladesh

Coca-Cola Bangladesh has launched 'Coke Studio Bangla on Campus', an inter-university competition designed to bring the musical experience of Coke Studio Bangla directly to university campuses nationwide. The campaign, which officially kicked off at IUBAT on Monday is scheduled to run through December 1, 2026. This initiative aims to engage students from more than 15 universities across the country through a combination of music, voting, and campus-wide competitions. Participating students who purchase Coca-Cola, Sprite, or Fanta at their campus canteens will receive a scratch card with a unique code. These codes can be redeemed on the official campaign microsite to cast votes for their respective universities. A live leaderboard will track the competition, and the three universities that secure the highest number of votes will win an exclusive Coke Studio Bangla concert on their own campus. In addition to the concert competition, the campaign features a 'Find the Next Campus Performer' initiative. Students can visit a dedicated Coke Studio Bangla Recording Studio Kiosk on campus to record covers of Coke Studio Bangla songs. Participants are encouraged to share their performances on social media while tagging Coke Studio Bangla and submitting their video links via the campaign website. The student with the most impressive performance and highest social media engagement at each winning university will earn the opportunity to perform as the opening act at their campus concert. Speaking on the initiative, Laila Farzana, Marketing Director of Coca-Cola Bangladesh Limited, said, “Coke Studio Bangla has always been about bringing people together through music and celebrating talent. With Coke Studio Bangla on Campus, we want to bring that experience closer to young people and give them a chance to make it their own.” “Whether it is rallying friends to vote for their university or stepping into the recording booth to perform, we hope students will embrace the competition and create some unforgettable campus memories,” she added. The campaign will feature various on-campus activations, with highlights and leaderboard updates shared via Coke Studio Bangla’s social media platforms.

Rajinikanth's Jailer 2, the sequel to his 2023 blockbuster, has maintained its momentum at the Indian box office during its second Monday, taking its domestic net collection beyond Rs 408 crore. Released in theatres on October 15, the film received mixed reviews upon its opening but has continued to attract audiences. According to trade tracker Sacnilk, the film earned Rs 9.45 crore net on its 13th day from 10,450 shows. With this, its total domestic net collection reached Rs 408.15 crore, while its gross earnings in India stood at Rs 477.85 crore. The film's overseas gross collection was reported at Rs 2.50 crore, taking its worldwide gross total to Rs 733.35 crore. The Tamil version led the day's earnings with Rs 5.65 crore, followed by the Telugu version with Rs 2 crore. The Hindi version contributed Rs 1.40 crore. The Hindi release faced challenges after PVR-Inox theatres in northern India did not screen the film amid a dispute over the streaming release window. Critics and social media users have largely praised the film for its entertainment value. In her NDTV review, Latha Srinivasan described the sequel as a commercial entertainer featuring humour, action and music, while noting that the screenplay occasionally loses direction, particularly in the second half. She also highlighted the prospect of a third instalment. Directed by Nelson Dilipkumar and produced by Kalanithi Maran under Sun Pictures, Jailer 2 features Ramya Krishnan, SJ Suryah, Mohanlal, Vidya Balan, Suraj Venjaramoodu and Mithun Chakraborty, among others. Anirudh Ravichander composed the music, Vijay Kartik Kannan handled cinematography, and R. Nirmal served as the editor. The original Jailer, released on August 10, 2023, follows Muthuvel Pandian, who returns to a world of violence when his family faces a threat. Source: NDTV

Rapper and music mogul Jay-Z will headline the Super Bowl halftime show on February 14 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, the NFL, Apple Music and Roc Nation announced Monday night. Jay-Z, whose company has helped produce the NFL's halftime entertainment for years, will take centre stage himself for the first time. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said his initial request when the league partnered with Roc Nation was for Jay-Z to perform at the Super Bowl whenever he felt the time was right. “From 'Reasonable Doubt' to standing on the Super Bowl halftime stage, this has been a journey,” Jay-Z said in a statement. “Thirty years of music, work, and culture on the world's biggest stage. This run continues to be a dream come true.” The announcement followed days of speculation and comes as Jay-Z returns to the stadium where he recently concluded celebrations marking the 30th anniversary of his 1996 debut album, “Reasonable Doubt.” The celebrations included three sold-out shows at Yankee Stadium, as well as sold-out performances in London and Paris, before a weekend appearance at SoFi Stadium. Jay-Z's company, Roc Nation, has partnered with the NFL since 2019 to advise on and help produce the league's entertainment programmes, including the Super Bowl halftime show. At the time, Jay-Z had told Goodell, “If this is about me performing at the Super Bowl, then we can just end this conversation now.” Seven years later, he is ready to take the stage. Born Shawn Carter, Jay-Z has won 25 Grammy Awards from 89 nominations, the second-highest total in Grammy history behind his wife, Beyoncé, who has performed at two Super Bowls. His celebrated discography includes the albums “The Blueprint” and “The Black Album”, along with hit songs such as “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)”, “99 Problems” and “Empire State of Mind”, his collaboration with Alicia Keys. Last year, “Reasonable Doubt” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Jay-Z's recent concerts featured a rotating lineup of guest performers. At SoFi Stadium, his daughter Blue Ivy played piano during “The Story of O.J.” and “Dead Presidents”, while Scarface, John Legend and DJ Khaled joined him on opening night. Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Too $hort appeared during Saturday's finale. Earlier in the concert series, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Eminem and Nas were among the guests at Yankee Stadium. Beyond music, Jay-Z has established himself as an entrepreneur and entertainment executive. The Brooklyn-born rapper co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records and launched Roc Nation in 2008, building it into an entertainment company representing artists and athletes. In 2017, he became the first rapper inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He joined the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2021 and has also won four Emmy Awards. Roc Nation will executive-produce the halftime show, with Hamish Hamilton directing. The Super Bowl halftime show has earned several Emmy Awards in recent years. Bad Bunny's performance in February won a record seven awards, including best variety special (live), while Kendrick Lamar's performance last year won an Emmy for music direction.

Legendary folk singer Abbasuddin Ahmed will be remembered on his 125th birth anniversary on Tuesday, celebrating his enduring contribution to Bengali music and the preservation of the region’s rich folk traditions. Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) and cultural institution Chhayanaut have arranged separate programmes featuring discussions and musical performances to pay tribute to the iconic artiste, renowned for popularising Bhawaiya and other forms of Bengali folk music. Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy will organise a programme titled ‘Oki Gariyal Bhai’ at 6 pm on Tuesday at its National Music and Dance Centre auditorium. Organised under the patronage of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the programme will feature discussions and musical performances in remembrance of the legendary singer. Culture Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury is scheduled to attend as the chief guest, while Professor Dr Nashid Kamal will deliver the keynote address. Cultural Affairs Secretary Yasmin Begum will attend as a special guest, and Mohammad Harun-or-Rashid, who is serving as the academy’s acting director general, will preside over the programme. Chhayanaut will hold a special edition of its ‘Shrotar Ashor’ from 6:30 pm to 8 pm at its auditorium, bringing together seven artistes to perform in tribute to Abbasuddin and his musical legacy. The participating artistes are Kiran Chandra Roy, Chandana Majumdar, Biman Chandra Biswas, Sharmin Sathi Islam, Md Abul Kalam Azad, Mosa Sharifa Khatun and Priyantu Deb. Admission to the programme is open to all, and the event will also be streamed live on Chhayanaut’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. Born on October 27, 1901, at Balarampur village in Tufanganj subdivision of Cooch Behar, now in West Bengal, India, Abbasuddin became one of the most influential voices in the history of Bengali music. His distinctive voice and emotive delivery helped bring the musical traditions of Bengal’s rural communities to a wider audience. His repertoire encompassed Bhawaiya, Palli Geeti, Bhatiyali, Jari, Sari, Murshidi, Bichchhedi, Marsiya and Pala Gaan, alongside modern, patriotic and Islamic songs. Although he received brief training from music maestros, he was largely self-taught. Abbasuddin played a significant role in popularising folk songs through gramophone recordings, helping preserve musical traditions that had long been passed down through oral performance. His interpretations captured the joys, sorrows and everyday experiences of rural Bengal, securing him a lasting place in the region’s musical heritage. His association with Kazi Nazrul Islam, the National Poet of Bangladesh, also marked an important chapter in his career. Abbasuddin was the first singer to record Nazrul’s iconic Islamic song ‘O Mon Romjaner Oi Rozar Sheshe Elo Khushir Eid’, which has since become a cherished part of Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations among Bengali-speaking Muslims. He recorded numerous other songs written by Nazrul, contributing to the wider popularity of Bengali Islamic music. His musical legacy also reflects the diverse cultural traditions of Bengal, encompassing folk, devotional and contemporary forms. Following the Partition of India in 1947, Abbasuddin moved to Dhaka and joined the Department of Information and Broadcasting as an additional song organiser. Alongside his official responsibilities, he continued to contribute to the development and promotion of Bengali music. He represented the region at several international cultural gatherings, including the International Folk Music Conference in Germany in 1956. His autobiography, ‘Amar Shilpi Jiboner Kotha’, published posthumously in 1960, remains an important account of his life and musical journey. In recognition of his contributions, he received the Pride of Performance Award in 1960, the Shilpakala Academy Award in 1979 and the Independence Day Award in 1981, all posthumously. Abbasuddin passed away on December 30, 1959, but his recordings continue to connect generations of listeners with the musical heritage of Bengal.  

Two French news channels backpedaled and apologized this weekend after they misidentified images of protests in Albania as demonstrations taking place in France. CNEWS made the mix-up first on Saturday, as a mass march was getting underway peacefully in southern Paris — the largest of nearly 300 demonstrations nationwide over school funding and soaring living costs that together drew hundreds of thousands of people. But images that CNEWS showed of people gathered in protest on a street, some of them clapping and one waving a red flag, were shot not at Paris' Porte d'Italie, as labelled by the broadcaster, but in Tirana, the Albanian capital that was among multiple locations in Europe where demonstrations took place on Saturday. Some of the people shown had covered their faces with ski goggles and masks. A commentator speaking over the CNEWS broadcast alleged they were "behaving like future vandals, like future rioters," suggesting that the Paris demonstration could turn violent, even though the images were from Albania. There were clashes at the end of the Paris demonstration, with masked protesters hurling objects and fireworks at police, who answered with clouds of tear gas, deafening sound grenades and jets of water cannons. There was also scattered violence in other cities and towns. Police made 1,314 arrests, the Interior Ministry said Sunday. The Associated Press also reported Saturday from Tirana and protests elsewhere. AP verified that images shown on CNEWS, labelled "Porte d'Italie (Paris)," were shot at Rruga e Durrësit, a central Tirana street. A CNEWS presenter subsequently apologized on air for what the channel described on its website as "a confusion of images." The presenter, Olivier Benkemoun, explained that the channel received video feeds from multiple locations and had misidentified some of the images. "Earlier, you saw the guys who were covering their faces. Well, that wasn't in Paris. We made a mistake in the control room," he said. "So, really, I want to apologize, also on behalf of the newsroom, because the images of guys covering their faces came from Albania," he added. Critics of the conservative news channel savaged the mistake. "Footage from Albania to make it look like a live broadcast from Porte d'Italie! Pathetic," said far-left presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon, in a post on X. Public broadcaster Franceinfo also confused Albania with France on Saturday. It broadcast images of officers in riot gear advancing down a street, taking cover behind two trucks firing water cannons. AP verified the location as Bulevardi Dëshmorët e Kombit in central Tirana. But franceinfo's television service said the images were coming live from Lyon, with a presenter saying that the situation in the city in southeastern France looked "a bit tense." Three minutes later, the presenter corrected the mistake. "It followed an error on our part. These weren't live images from Lyon but were live images from Tirana," he said. "I present our excuses."

Rajinikanth, one of Indian cinema’s biggest superstars, made a rare public appearance at a cinema hall on Friday, watching his latest film Jailer 2 alongside fans in Chennai for the first time in four decades. The veteran actor visited PVR Cinemas at Phoenix Mall in Velachery, Chennai, where he was welcomed by a small group of people, including music director Anirudh Ravichander. A video shared by Sun Pictures showed Rajinikanth being escorted into the theatre to watch the film with audiences. Directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, Jailer 2 was released in theatres on October 15. According to Sacnilk, the film earned more than Rs 600 crore worldwide in its first nine days. The movie opened with a massive Rs 125.25 crore globally on its first day and crossed Rs 549 crore by the end of its first week. It has also surpassed the lifetime box-office collection of its predecessor, becoming one of the highest-grossing films in Tamil cinema history. Besides its commercial success, Jailer 2 has received praise from critics, audiences and celebrities across India. Actor Riteish Deshmukh lauded Rajinikanth’s star power, calling the film a “Maha Blockbuster” and urging fans to watch it. Sharing his excitement during the interval, Deshmukh later described the screening as a celebration, saying he had clapped, whistled and cheered at every entry. Kamal Haasan, Dhanush, Karthik Subbaraj and others also congratulated Rajinikanth, director Nelson Dilipkumar, composer Anirudh Ravichander and the Sun Pictures team on the film’s success. Alongside Rajinikanth, the film features SJ Suryah, Mithun Chakraborty, Vidya Balan, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Ramya Krishnan and Yogi Babu in key roles. Produced by Kalanithi Maran under the Sun Pictures banner, Jailer 2 has emerged as a major box-office success.

For fans of Harry Styles, his 30-date residency at New York City's Madison Square Garden has become one of the year's biggest musical events. Tens of thousands of fans have flocked to the iconic arena each night, eager to catch the show before the run ends over Halloween weekend. The residency follows Styles' hugely successful 2022 run, when he performed 15 consecutive nights at the same venue. He is far from alone in embracing the format. Las Vegas residencies, once considered a final career stop for ageing performers, have increasingly attracted younger stars, including Usher, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga. In 2024, Adele staged a 10-date residency in Munich, while Bad Bunny's 31-date residency in Puerto Rico last year generated more than $200 million, providing a significant boost to the island's fragile economy and raising its international profile. Celine Dion, who holds the record for the highest-grossing Las Vegas residency, has recently launched a concert series just outside Paris. It marks her first series of performances since she disclosed her diagnosis with stiff-person syndrome. Artists and industry executives say residencies have become increasingly popular for several reasons, although critics argue that the format can shift costs onto fans, who might otherwise attend concerts in their hometowns instead of spending money on travel. Residencies meet changing demandsMitch Rose, head of North American touring at Creative Artists Agency, which represents performers including Styles and Perry, said residencies are not a new concept. He traced their origins to the Las Vegas performances of Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett in the 1960s, when artists regularly played multiple shows at hotels over the course of a year. Over time, the format became associated with performers nearing retirement. That perception changed in the 2000s when Dion revived the concept through her long-running Las Vegas productions, "A New Day …" and "Celine." John Meglen, co-CEO of Concerts West, played a key role in organising both of Dion's Las Vegas residencies and her latest concert series in France. "Most people thought we were crazy," he said, referring to the scale and expense of the original undertaking, which involved 200 shows annually over 40 weeks, with five performances each week. The strategy ultimately paid off. According to Billboard, Dion grossed $681.3 million through 1,141 performances over 16 years. Rose said audiences increasingly view residencies as destination events, similar to music festivals that attract fans from around the world. He compared the experience to Coachella, where music lovers gather in the desert each April to share a collective experience. When Styles' residency was announced, Madison Square Garden was the only venue in the United States where he was scheduled to perform in 2026, adding to the event's exclusivity, Rose said. Residencies also often inspire temporary artist merchandise stores and fan gatherings, further strengthening their festival-like atmosphere. Artists and the music industry reap benefitsR&B star Usher staged his popular "Usher: My Way The Vegas Residency" in 2022 and 2023 as part of a high-profile period that also included his performance at the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show. Speaking to The Associated Press at the time, Usher said the stability of performing in one location was a major attraction. "I like the idea of what I've found in Las Vegas. It gives me an opportunity to settle. I have children now. I got a life," he said. Residencies also offer substantial financial advantages by reducing the costs of transporting production equipment, staff and performers from one city to another, Meglen said. Rose highlighted the benefits for artists' mental well-being, noting that performing in a single location eliminates the need for constant air and bus travel. The format also allows performers to develop elaborate stage productions without having to transport them around the world. One prominent example is Las Vegas' Sphere, a 516-foot-wide (157-metre) entertainment venue featuring advanced technology and a high-resolution LED screen that extends around half of its 17,500-seat audience. In 2026, Carín León became the first Latino artist to stage a residency at the venue. "It's a venue that lets you express a lot of stuff because of all of the tools," he said. "For me, it was perfect." Fans question ticket pricesDespite the benefits for performers, some fans believe residencies place an unfair financial burden on audiences. Tickets for Styles' New York shows range from less than $100 to $1,000, excluding travel expenses for fans coming from outside the city. Sara Feigin, a New York-based photographer and Styles fan, said she understands why artists prefer residencies but questions the high ticket prices. "I understand why residencies make sense for an artist and why it would be less stressful and make their lives easier. But as a fan, I don't understand how they cost as much money as they do," she said. "You're playing over 30 days at the same venue, why is this $300?" Feigin argued that lower operating costs should translate into more affordable tickets for audiences. A representative for Styles declined to comment. For events sold through Ticketmaster, including Styles' residency, the event organiser determines the base ticket price, known as the face value, before fees and taxes are added. Meglen stressed that traditional touring remains important, but said residencies and tours can coexist. Residencies allow artists to give other markets a break, helping rebuild demand for future tours. He argued that repeatedly touring the same markets does not necessarily lead to higher ticket sales. Residencies spread across the worldThe choice of location largely depends on an artist's popularity and audience, Rose said, citing Bad Bunny's successful residency in Puerto Rico as an example. "Nobody could do what he did in Puerto Rico, right?" he said, adding that major entertainment markets are generally the first choices for residencies, although not every city is suitable. Meglen said Paris was the natural choice for Dion because it is her biggest market worldwide. Other major entertainment hubs, including Los Angeles, Las Vegas and New York, remain leading destinations because they offer numerous large venues capable of hosting extended concert runs. Fans living far from these cities may therefore have to travel to see their favourite performers, as the residency format is expected to remain popular. "Everything is cyclical and the residencies are certainly having a moment," Rose said. "And as long as there's a Las Vegas or an act big enough to do multiple nights in arenas, it will never go away."

Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna’s historical drama Ranabaali has completed its first week in theatres, earning ₹45.20 crore in India net collections. According to Sacnilk, the film has amassed ₹63.65 crore in worldwide gross revenue. The film’s domestic gross collection currently stands at ₹52.55 crore, while overseas markets have contributed ₹11.10 crore. This brings its total worldwide gross to ₹63.65 crore after seven days of release. Ranabaali Box Office Collection on Day 7 Directed by Rahul Sankrityan, Ranabaali collected ₹3.15 crore net in India on Thursday, October 22, its seventh day at the box office. The film was screened across 2,112 shows, registering an overall occupancy rate of 31%. Thursday’s collection represented a 42.7% decline compared with Wednesday’s earnings of ₹5.50 crore. The number of screenings also decreased, from 2,232 on Wednesday to 2,112 on Thursday. The film sold an estimated 271,563 tickets on its seventh day, taking its total ticket sales to approximately 3.58 million. Day-Wise Box Office Performance Ranabaali opened in cinemas on Friday, October 16, collecting ₹9.25 crore net from 2,515 shows with an occupancy rate of 57%. The film earned ₹7.30 crore on Saturday, followed by ₹7.50 crore on Sunday. Collections declined to ₹5.40 crore on Monday before recovering to ₹7.10 crore on Tuesday. However, the film witnessed another drop on Wednesday, earning ₹5.50 crore, followed by ₹3.15 crore on Thursday. On the seventh day, overseas markets contributed approximately ₹35 lakh in gross revenue. Telugu Version Occupancy on Thursday The Telugu 2D version of _Ranabaali_ recorded an overall theatre occupancy of 29.40% on Thursday. Morning screenings registered 19.85% occupancy, while afternoon shows achieved 31.54%. Occupancy improved during the evening, reaching 33.15%, before settling at 32.54% for night screenings. About Ranabaali Directed by Rahul Sankrityan and starring Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna, Ranabaali is a historical drama set against the backdrop of the Madras Famine of 1876–1878. The story focuses on the Rayalaseema region during British colonial rule. The narrative follows a horseman who rises against colonial exploitation while striving to safeguard his community amid the devastating famine. Since its theatrical release, the film has received mixed reviews from audiences and critics. Its box office performance during the coming days will indicate whether it can maintain its momentum after completing its opening week. Source: NDTV

Global streaming giant Netflix and Bengali streaming platform hoichoi have joined forces to take acclaimed Bengali series, upcoming premieres and new adaptations to wider audiences, with titles including ‘Mahanagar’ and ‘Bohemian Ghora’ set to reach viewers through the global streaming service. Under the first-of-its-kind partnership, all hoichoi series premiering over the next two years will be available exclusively on Netflix in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, alongside their Bengali debuts on hoichoi. The collaboration will also bring a curated collection of 14 existing hoichoi titles to Netflix, spanning crime thrillers, detective mysteries, folklore horror, social and courtroom dramas, and romance. The collection includes ‘Madam Inspector’, ‘Sampurna’, ‘Lajja’, ‘Eken Sirji’, ‘Anjaan Saaye’, ‘The Curse of Parnashavari’, ‘Bloodlines’, ‘The Adventures of Daadi & Jagga’, ‘Raat Abhi Baaki Hain’, ‘Achinta: Trial By Law’, ‘Shaadi Ka Siyappa (Bohemian Ghora)’, ‘Queens’, ‘Parineeta: A Love Story’ and ‘Mahanagar’. Ashfaque Nipun, director of ‘Mahanagar’, expressed gratitude to the series’ cast, crew, his team and hoichoi for their contributions in taking the show to Netflix. In a Facebook post on Thursday, Nipun said his journey from Chattogram to hoichoi and eventually Netflix would not have been possible without their support, noting that no one in his extended family had previously been involved in the media industry. “All praise belongs to Allah; and all my thanks go to the cast and crew of my series ‘Mahanagar’, especially my team and hoichoi, without whose contributions ‘Mahanagar’ could not have reached Netflix,” he wrote. Nipun said the journey had been possible because of the collective efforts of those who worked on the series, while thanking viewers for their overwhelming love and support. “I have always believed that people are as big as their dreams. The bigger the dream, the greater the possibilities,” he wrote, adding that the audience’s love gave him the courage to dream bigger. Another title in the collection, ‘Bohemian Ghora’, has also drawn attention from its director-producer Amitabh Reza Chowdhury, who said the series was much more than a story about a truck driver and his eight wives. In another Facebook post on Thursday, Chowdhury said the series explores Bangladesh’s land, people, folk culture, complex relationships and distinctive sense of humour, combining laughter, romance, deception and the unusual ways people navigate life. “Stories scattered across the roads of Bangladesh are now reaching international audiences,” he wrote, describing the development as an opportunity to present the country’s stories, people and distinctive humour to viewers worldwide. The first new release under the partnership will be ‘The Cursed Temple of Kauriburi’, a folklore horror series starring Jeetu Kamal, Solanki Roy and Paoli Dam. The series is scheduled to premiere on November 6, with more titles expected to follow in the coming months. The two platforms will also collaborate on original series produced by hoichoi studios, reimagining selected hoichoi stories through new adaptations and creative perspectives. Further details of these projects will be announced later. Netflix said the partnership reflects its continued efforts to expand its licensed content alongside original productions, bringing stories from different markets to its global audience of nearly one billion people. Launched in 2017 as the maiden venture of SVF’s new media arm, hoichoi offers more than 2,000 hours of Bengali content, including over 100 original series, films, short films and docu-series. In 2023, the platform expanded into theatrical film production with the launch of hoichoi studios, further extending its commitment to Bengali storytelling.  

‘Clayface’, a superhero horror film centred on DC Comics’ shape-shifting villain of the same name, is set for international release on October 23, including at Star Cineplex in Bangladesh. Directed by James Watkins, the film stars Tom Rhys Harries, Naomi Ackie, Max Minghella, David Dencik and Eddie Marsan, among others. Set in the world of Batman, Clayface is known for his ability to transform his clay-like body and assume the appearance of other people. The character’s story explores fear, mystery, identity crisis and disturbing physical transformations. The film centres on Matt Hagen, an ambitious actor from Gotham City who gradually rises to become a popular Hollywood star. However, his life takes a devastating turn when a local crime boss’s actions leave his face horribly disfigured, putting his acting career, personal life and future at risk. Abandoned by those around him, Hagen turns to an advanced medical procedure in an attempt to regain his former appearance. Although the treatment initially restores his face, its terrifying side effects begin to alter his body and mental state. As the changes intensify, Hagen gradually loses his sense of identity, humanity and connection to reality, while his desire for revenge takes a dark and increasingly dangerous turn. Rather than following the conventional superhero action formula, ‘Clayface’ focuses on horror, particularly body horror, using disturbing physical transformations as a source of fear and suspense. The film explores disfigurement, psychological breakdown, the destructive consequences of scientific experimentation and the darker aspects of revenge. Watkins’ direction and the involvement of screenwriter Mike Flanagan have also drawn attention to the project, which takes a relatively lesser-known DC villain beyond the familiar superhero narrative and into the territory of horror. The film’s appeal lies in its character-driven story about the painful loss of appearance, identity and humanity, alongside the visual effects and makeup required to bring Clayface’s shifting body and face to life on screen. Following the release of its trailer and a recent world premiere in Los Angeles, the film has generated interest among moviegoers and critics.