United News of Bangladesh

The latest weekend episode of Bigg Boss 19 delivered a major surprise for fans after a double eviction sent Baseer Ali and Nehal Chudasama out of the house. The twist left viewers stunned, especially since Baseer had been regarded as one of the strongest contenders this season. What happened • The weekend episode hosted by Salman Khan turned emotional as both Baseer and Nehal were declared eliminated.• Fans were bracing for a single eviction, but the makers opted for a surprise double exit instead.• Four contestants — Gaurav, Baseer, Pranit and Nehal — were nominated this week, keeping viewers anxious during voting.• Baseer’s exit shocked many due to his consistent performances and competitive approach throughout the show.• Nehal, meanwhile, had a controversial run, often drawing criticism from housemates and Salman for attention-seeking behavior and unnecessary fights.• This was her second stint in the house after being previously evicted and kept in a Secret Room before re-entering the game. Her departure this time appears to be final. Shah Rukh Khan announces theatrical re-release of his films on 60th birthday Background This marks the second double elimination of the season, which is being promoted under the theme Iss Baar Chalegi Gharwaloon Ki Sarkar. The show premiered on August 24, 2025, on JioHotstar and Colors TV, and has featured unpredictable turns and shifting alliances. There had been speculation that one of the evicted housemates might once again be sent to a Secret Room for a re-entry. However, reports suggest the makers scrapped the plan, confirming that both Baseer and Nehal’s departures are permanent. Source: NDTV

There are songs that hit your playlist, and then there are songs that feel like an invitation to a destination. Shayan Chowdhury Arnob’s latest curated piece, "Café," is definitely the latter. This track isn’t just a performance; it’s a perfectly captured moment where the fiery rhythm of Latin Jazz walks right into the quiet, soulful introspection of Bengali music. It’s a warm, dimly lit room captured in sound, and a beautiful reminder that life’s "Real Magic" often lives in the gentle silence between two heartbeats. What makes it truly special is how it balances respect with innovation. This composition is built on a stunning dual inheritance: drawing deeply from the beloved nostalgia of Gautam Chattopadhyay’s “Amar Priya Caffe” (Moheener Ghoraguli) and the foundational, iconic rhythm of Eddie Palmieri’s original “Café.” Producer Shuvendu Das Shuvo manages to weave these two profound, separate traditions into a singular, rich tapestry that somehow feels both instantly familiar and excitingly new. Read more: Classic Ibsen heroine reimagined in new film adaptation Tanzir Tuhin's vocals are the undisputed heart of the piece. His voice carries the Bengali "nostalgia" beautifully, delivering the lyrical sentiment of the idea of a café as a living book of small, private stories with a stirring, authentic warmth. This is instantly grounded by the masterful performance of the ensemble. Gaboo’s percussion carries the legacy of rhythm, providing a complex yet effortless groove, while Lívia Mattos’s accordion adds a magical, almost unexpected layer of European folk-jazz charm. When the brass section (Francis on trombone, Apurba on trumpet) kicks in, the song takes flight, transforming the quiet reflection into a vibrant, swirling dance. "Café" is an emotion first and a fusion second. It captures the quiet energy described in the notes: the last goodbye, the first hello, the "gentle pause between two hearts." It’s a flawless piece of music that proves that some feelings like a perfectly brewed coffee or a shared moment of silence transcend language. This single piece of music is a spectacular achievement from everyone involved from the artists like Mithun Chakraborty and Pradyut Chatterjea to the immense creative and sound squads led by Faizan R Ahmad (Buno) and Syed Gousul Alam Shaon. They haven't just produced a song; they have bottled the timeless hush of a place where everyone leaves a piece of their story behind. Read more: Thamma box office Day 5: Ayushmann, Rashmika's film nears Rs 100 crore mark

Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui starrer Thamma has crossed Rs 78 crore in just five days since its release, emerging as a strong contender at the box office. The horror-comedy continued its steady run on Saturday, earning an estimated Rs 13 crore on Day 5, taking its total collection to Rs 78 crore. The film recorded a 19.72% occupancy on Hindi screens that day. Thamma opened with Rs 24 crore on its first day, followed by Rs 18.6 crore and Rs 13 crore over the next two days. It has already surpassed the lifetime collections of Varun Dhawan’s Bhediya (Rs 68.99 crore) and the domestic earnings of Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari (Rs 60.35 crore). Ayushmann Khurrana thanked fans on social media, saying the love for Thamma is a blessing from his family, his late father, and the audience. Rashmika Mandanna revealed she faced challenges shooting the song Tum Mere Na Hue after a foot fracture, but continued promotions and shoots against medical advice. Shah Rukh Khan announces theatrical re-release of his films on 60th birthday The film revolves around a man who transforms into a Betal, a vampiric creature, after a mysterious encounter, leading to a quirky battle between human instincts and ancient evil. The cast also includes Paresh Rawal, Faisal Malik, Geeta Agrawal Sharma, and Alexx O'Nell, with special appearances by Nora Fatehi, Malaika Arora, Sathyaraj, and Abhishek Banerjee. Source: NDTV 

The iconic anti-heroine Hedda Gabler, often dubbed the “female Hamlet,” returns to the screen in a bold new adaptation, simply titled Hedda, now showing in select US and UK cinemas and set for international streaming on Prime Video from October 29. The film, directed by Nia DaCosta (Candyman, The Marvels), reimagines Ibsen’s 1891 play in 1950s England, exploring themes of desire, power, gender, race, and class. Tessa Thompson stars as Hedda, a complex, manipulative, yet vulnerable woman navigating societal constraints, while Nina Hoss plays the gender-swapped former lover, Eileen. Hedda Gabler, a discontented bride trapped in a loveless marriage, has fascinated audiences for over a century. Known for her cunning, cruelty, and unpredictable impulses, the character continues to divide opinion. The film condenses the story into one night, during a decadent soirée where Hedda manipulates those around her, questioning norms and testing human behavior. Scholars note that Ibsen created Hedda as a woman who defied contemporary expectations of femininity, a reflection of the patriarchal society of his time. Over the decades, celebrated actresses including Cate Blanchett, Maggie Smith, and Fiona Shaw have portrayed the role, cementing its status as one of the greatest female roles in theatre history. DaCosta said the film highlights Hedda’s many masks, her vulnerability, and the tension between survival and desire. The adaptation also emphasizes the interplay of three women—Hedda, Eileen, and Thea—each negotiating freedom and power in a restrictive society. The film’s release continues Hedda Gabler’s enduring legacy as a complex figure, both monstrous and sympathetic, whose story resonates across different eras.   Source: BBC

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan will celebrate his 60th birthday with a special film festival, bringing some of his most iconic movies back to theatres across India. Organised by PVR Cinemas, the festival is scheduled to begin on October 31 and will run for two weeks. It will showcase seven of Khan’s most popular films in over 75 cinemas across more than 30 cities, allowing both longtime fans and new audiences to experience his three-decade career on the big screen. Khan shared his excitement on Instagram, saying, “Some of my previous films are coming back to the theatres. The man in them hasn’t changed much—just the hair... and a little more handsome. The Shah Rukh Khan Film Festival begins on 31st October in select theatres across India, in association with PVR INOX.” The festival will feature films spanning his versatile career, including Chennai Express, Devdas, Dil Se, Jawan, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Na, Main Hoon Na, and Om Shanti Om. The films will also have international releases in the Middle East, North America, the UK, Europe, New Zealand, and Australia.   Source: NDTV

Renowned actor Satish Shah, celebrated for his role as Indravadan Sarabhai in the popular sitcom Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai, passed away on Saturday at the age of 74 due to kidney failure, confirmed filmmaker Ashoke Pandit. Pandit shared the news on Instagram, saying Shah fell seriously ill at home and was rushed to Hinduja Hospital in Shivaji Park, where he later died. “It is a huge loss for our industry. Satish was not only a brilliant actor but also a wonderful human being,” he added. A Kutchi Gujarati from Mandvi, Shah studied at St. Xavier’s College and later joined the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). He appeared in several notable films, including Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983), Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), Main Hoon Na (2004), and Om Shanti Om (2007). Shah gained immense popularity through his television roles in Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, Filmi Chakkar, Ghar Jamai, and Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai. He also co-judged the reality show Comedy Circus in 2008 and served as a member of the FTII society from 2015. He was last seen in the 2023 TV series United Kacche alongside Sunil Grover, Manu Rishi, Sapna Pabbi, and Nayani Dixit. His final film appearance was in Dibakar Banerjee’s Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar, featuring Arjun Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra. Shah is survived by his wife, Madhu Shah.   Source: NDTV

Malaika Arora marked her 50th birthday in grand fashion on Wednesday, with a glittering party attended by close friends and family. However, as pictures from the celebration surfaced online, many social media users jokingly remarked that “the math isn’t mathing.” The star’s sister, Amrita Arora, and close friend Kareena Kapoor Khan led the flood of heartfelt tributes on Instagram, calling Malaika their “golden girl.” Inside photos from the event showed Malaika posing beside a towering cake decorated with the number 50, surrounded by friends from the film industry. Amrita shared glimpses from the bash, including a photo of the cake, writing: “For all the years of being 50, you are finally 50, my beautiful sister.” In another post, she added, “Mallaaa, you are finally 50. Could there be a better 50-year-old? I love you deep. What a magical night!” Kareena Kapoor also penned a warm birthday message for her best friend, saying, “Happy Birthday, darling Malla. Golden girl, golden birthday! Have the best one ever. Love you.” Photos and clips from the star-studded evening quickly went viral, with fans showering Malaika with praise for her ageless looks — and some playfully questioning if she could really be turning 50.

Actor Rajat Bedi recently revealed how his sister, Ila Bedi Dutta, recommended him for a role in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming film Love & War, starring Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal. However, the casting did not materialize. Speaking to News18 Showsha, Bedi said, “My sister is a very, very talented writer. She recommends my name to filmmakers. I have an elder brother, Manik Bedi, who is also in the industry. I’m the youngest in the family. She’s always looking out for both of us. She went and told Sanjay sir, ‘Take my brother, na. Please see if any role suits him.’ Whenever she writes for a film, she scouts for roles for me.” Bedi also spoke about the challenges he has faced in securing work, revealing that he even made “cold calls” to directors. “Everyone told me that they’ve seen my work and would consider me for their next project, but to be honest, that never happened,” he said. “I’ve been trying to make a comeback for the last 10–15 years, but it didn’t come through.” He appealed to his fans for support, adding, “Please pray for me that I get some good, big-ticket work so I can show you what I’m all about. I’ve got so much more to share with the audience. My family and I are very fortunate and grateful that people have appreciated my work.” Bedi is currently in the spotlight following the success of Aryan Khan’s The Ba**ds of Bollywood.   Source: NDTV

Stree director Amar Kaushik has described his upcoming mythological film Mahavatar, starring Vicky Kaushal, as one of the most significant and spiritually driven projects of his career. The filmmaker, known for shaping Maddock Films’ hit horror-comedy universe, said preparations for Mahavatar are underway, with work progressing on costumes and set designs. Shooting is expected to begin next year. “This film is a very big responsibility for me. It has come from God because this character has been with me since childhood,” Kaushik told PTI in an interview. “We used to live near the Parashuram Kund in Arunachal Pradesh and visited it often. Every visit fascinated me deeply, and that connection has stayed with me.” Kaushik admitted he had long wanted to bring the story to life but was unsure how to approach it due to the scale and visual demands. “It required huge resources and extensive VFX. I wanted to make sure the film stayed true to the vision I have carried in my mind for years,” he said. Speaking about his collaboration with Vicky Kaushal, the director said the actor’s sincerity and humility made him the perfect choice for the role. “Whenever I meet him, I see a lot of purity in him. He’s the best person to portray this character. We will begin shooting once Vicky completes his current commitments,” Kaushik said. Alongside Mahavatar, Kaushik continues to expand the Maddock Films horror-comedy universe as a producer. His next production, Shakti Shalini, stars Saiyaara actor Aneet Padda and joins the successful lineup that includes Stree, Bhediya, Stree 2, Munjya, and the recently released Thamma. Asked if he plans to move beyond the genre, Kaushik said, “That’s why I am working on Mahavatar and that’s why I directed Bala. I’m producing other films too. But I can’t leave the horror-comedy universe because people have showered so much love on it. I can’t ignore that responsibility.” Kaushik added that while his creative ambitions span multiple genres, he feels deeply committed to audiences who have embraced his storytelling. “I want to keep building on that connection and continue entertaining them for many years to come,” he said.   Source: NDTV

Hollywood star Dakota Johnson is set to make her feature directorial debut with A Tree is Blue, written by and reportedly featuring her Cha Cha Real Smooth co-star Vanessa Burghardt. According to The Hollywood Reporter, singer Charli XCX and actress Jessica Alba are also in talks to join the project, which is scheduled to begin production next month in Los Angeles. While details about the film’s plot remain under wraps, A Tree is Blue marks Johnson’s transition to directing after her short film Loser Baby, which premiered at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival. Johnson recently starred in Celine Song’s Materialists alongside Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal and will next appear in the adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s Verity with Anne Hathaway. Alba, who last appeared in Netflix’s Trigger Warning, will feature next in Maserati: The Brothers alongside Anthony Hopkins, Andy Garcia, and Al Pacino. Meanwhile, Grammy-winning Charli XCX is also producing and starring in A24’s The Moment and composing music for the upcoming Wuthering Heights adaptation.   Source: NDTV