United News of Bangladesh

Japanese contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama, renowned for covering paintings, sculptures and installations worldwide with her signature polka dots, has died at 97, her studio said Thursday. Kusama died Aug. 14 at a Tokyo hospital. The cause of death was not disclosed. Her studio said she continued painting until her final days and remained committed to exploring “forever love and eternal soul.” One of Japan’s most acclaimed artists, Kusama exhibited at major institutions including New York’s Museum of Modern Art and Whitney Museum of American Art, and Germany’s Museum Ludwig. Her repetitive nets, swirls and especially dots became her trademark. She said she saw the world covered in spots, which she linked to hallucinations experienced since childhood. Despite spending decades in psychiatric institutions, she moved to New York in 1957 to pursue art. She initially struggled with poverty and obscurity but remained devoted to her distinctive style. Her work later gained international popularity, including collaborations with Louis Vuitton and licensed products. Christie’s auctioned one of her works for $5.8 million in 2008. Japan awarded her the Order of Culture in 2016. Upon receiving the award, she told reporters she was more determined than ever to pursue her art, stressing that the sincerity and devotion she had demonstrated in her personal life were crucial parts of her artistic legacy. "I feel there is little left in my life, but I am now still fighting to the death for my art," she said. "I am giving all I have so that many people will continue to be interested in my art, even after I am dead." Kusama created paintings, sculptures, films and novels, including “Macaroni Girl,” “The Visionary Flowers” and “Mirrored Corridor.” She was also associated with Andy Warhol, Georgia O’Keeffe and Joseph Cornell. Despite calling herself an artistic revolutionary, Kusama often spoke of her fears and vulnerability.

Dolly Parton, the legendary country music singer, songwriter, actor and philanthropist whose career spanned generations, has died in Nashville at the age of 80. Parton died Tuesday at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center after a brief battle with cancer, her publicist Marcel Pariseau said in a statement. She was surrounded by family and loved ones at the time of her death. With her distinctive voice, heartfelt songwriting and dazzling stage costumes, Parton rose from humble beginnings in the Tennessee mountains to become one of the world's most recognisable entertainers. She became known for her signature blonde wigs, glamorous outfits and sharp self-deprecating humour, but her influence extended far beyond music. Her appeal crossed generations, cultures and political divides, making her one of the most widely admired figures in American popular culture. Parton wrote hundreds of songs during her career, including enduring hits such as “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You.” Her music has generated more than 100 million sales worldwide and over 1 billion online streams. She was also a successful businesswoman and philanthropist. Her ventures included Dollywood, a major theme park in the Smoky Mountains near her birthplace, while her charitable efforts reached millions of children and families. From a Poor Tennessee Family to Country Music StardomParton's career was deeply shaped by her childhood as one of 12 children in a poor Tennessee family. Her father left school at an early age to work on the family farm and struggled with reading. That experience inspired Parton to establish the Imagination Library, an education initiative that provides free books to children. Her musical journey began in church, where her grandfather served as a preacher. By the age of 10, she was playing guitar and performing on local television programmes. At 13, she made her debut at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry, where Johnny Cash introduced her as a young performer from East Tennessee. After graduating from high school in 1964, Parton moved to Nashville with a suitcase full of songs. She was accompanied by her uncle Bill Owens, a songwriter. Producer Fred Foster recognised her talent and helped introduce her music to other performers while also recording Parton's own songs. By the mid-1970s, she had established herself as one of Nashville's leading country stars. Partnership With Porter WagonerA major turning point in Parton's career came through her collaboration with country star Porter Wagoner. She joined his syndicated television programme and developed her performance skills while Wagoner helped her secure a recording contract with RCA. Their first duet, “The Last Thing On My Mind,” was released in 1967. Around the same time, Parton launched her own music publishing company. Although their joint recordings became popular radio hits, Parton's early solo releases initially achieved more modest success. With Wagoner's help, she gradually refined her traditional country style into a more polished sound with broader pop appeal. Her first solo No. 1 country hit came with “Joshua.” She also reached the Top 5 with “Coat of Many Colors,” a deeply personal song about the coat her mother made from scraps of fabric and the ridicule Parton faced because of her family's poverty. In 1973, she released “Jolene,” the song that became one of the defining recordings of her career. Its success took Parton's music beyond country audiences and opened doors to international listeners. “Jolene” went on to become one of her most frequently covered songs, with artists including Miley Cyrus, Olivia Newton-John and The White Stripes recording versions of it. Parton left Wagoner's television show in 1974 following tensions between the two, although they continued working together for several years. Their professional relationship later became the subject of a legal dispute after Wagoner sued Parton in 1979 over management fees and royalties. Crossing Over Into Pop MusicParton's 1974 song “I Will Always Love You” became another landmark in her career. Written as a farewell to Wagoner, the song helped her win the Country Music Association's female vocalist of the year award in 1975 and 1976. She famously declined an offer from Elvis Presley to record the song because she did not want to give up her publishing rights. Years later, Whitney Houston's rendition of “I Will Always Love You” became a global blockbuster after appearing on the soundtrack of the 1992 film “The Bodyguard.” Houston won a Grammy for the recording in 1994, with Parton presenting her with the award. Parton's own move toward pop music also paid off. “Here You Come Again,” one of the few major hits she did not write herself, became a crossover success and earned her first Grammy Award in 1979. Other major hits followed, including the title song from the 1980 film “9 to 5,” in which she starred alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. She also recorded the hugely popular duet “Islands in the Stream” with Kenny Rogers. In 1987, Parton joined Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris for the album “Trio,” which sold more than a million copies. A Unique Image and Feminist IconTo millions of fans, she was simply “Dolly” — a combination of Southern warmth, humour and glamour. Her flamboyant appearance, including rhinestone-covered dresses, figure-hugging outfits and elaborate hairstyles, became an inseparable part of her public identity. At the same time, Parton was widely regarded as a role model for women in the entertainment industry. She maintained control over her songwriting, publishing and business interests at a time when the industry was largely dominated by men. She was also willing to make herself the subject of jokes. During her 1989 appearance as host of “Saturday Night Live,” she allowed writers to poke fun at her image while maintaining that she would not use profanity or make jokes about Jesus. Parton frequently joked about her appearance and blonde persona, turning stereotypes about herself into a source of humour and a way to control her public image. She married Carl Dean, an asphalt paving contractor, in the mid-1960s. The couple remained together until his death in 2025 at the age of 82. Although Dean rarely appeared publicly, Parton said he influenced her career and inspired some of her songwriting. Success in Hollywood and on BroadwayParton's acting career took off with “9 to 5,” in which she played an office worker alongside Fonda and Tomlin. Film critic Roger Ebert described her as a natural movie star. The film's title song became another major hit and earned Parton two Grammy Awards. She later appeared in films including “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” and “Steel Magnolias.” Her connection with film and television continued for decades. She appeared alongside her goddaughter Miley Cyrus on “Hannah Montana” and contributed to numerous television specials, films and streaming projects based on her music. Parton also became a successful author, publishing books and memoirs, including “Dolly,” as well as the bestselling novel “Run, Rose, Run,” which she co-wrote with James Patterson. “9 to 5: The Musical” premiered on Broadway in 2009. Another stage production, “DOLLY: A True Original Musical,” is scheduled to open on Jan. 19, 2027, the date that would have marked her 81st birthday. A Legacy of PhilanthropyBeyond her music and entertainment career, Parton's charitable work became one of her most enduring legacies. After devastating wildfires struck the Smoky Mountains in 2016, she organised a televised benefit concert and established a foundation that provided monthly financial assistance to residents whose homes had been destroyed or damaged. Her Dollywood theme park became a major economic force in eastern Tennessee, attracting visitors from across the United States. She also expanded her philanthropic work through the Dollywood Foundation. Parton was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and received a lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy. In 2025, she was selected to receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. She received 55 Grammy nominations and won 10 awards, making her the third-most nominated woman in Grammy history, behind Beyoncé and Taylor Swift. A Rare Figure Above PoliticsParton's popularity extended across political and social divides. Fans from different generations and backgrounds embraced her, and “Dolly for President” became a familiar slogan during US election seasons. Despite her enormous public profile, Parton generally avoided discussing her political views. She repeatedly said she preferred not to take sides because she had supporters across the political spectrum. When the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation nominated her in 2022, Parton initially questioned whether she belonged in the institution because she did not consider herself a rock artist. The voters ultimately selected her for induction. Parton attended the ceremony, performed at the event and subsequently released a rock album. Her career, spanning music, film, television, business and philanthropy, established her as one of the most influential and enduring entertainers of her generation.

Emraan Hashmi-starrer Awarapan 2 saw a noticeable drop in earnings on its second Monday but continued to stay well ahead of Sunny Deol's Batwara 1947 at the box office. According to trade tracker Sacnilk, Awarapan 2 earned Rs 2.75 crore net in India on Day 11 from 11,344 shows. The film's India gross collection has reached Rs 165.75 crore, while its domestic net collection stands at Rs 139 crore. The film also earned Rs 0.50 crore from overseas markets on Monday, taking its overseas gross to Rs 30.80 crore. Its worldwide gross collection has now reached Rs 196.55 crore. Meanwhile, Batwara 1947 continued to struggle at the box office. The film collected Rs 0.35 crore net in India on Day 11 from 4,330 shows, according to Sacnilk. Its India gross collection stands at Rs 44.09 crore, while the domestic net collection has reached Rs 37.15 crore. The Sunny Deol-starrer earned Rs 0.10 crore overseas on Day 11, taking its overseas gross to Rs 8.95 crore. Its worldwide gross collection now stands at Rs 53.04 crore. Taran Adarsh on Awarapan 2After the film's second weekend, trade analyst Taran Adarsh said Awarapan 2 had shown strong growth on Saturday and Sunday. He noted that Monday and Tuesday would be important for the film before the release of Toxic on Wednesday. About Awarapan 2Directed by Nitin Kakkar and produced by Vishesh Bhatt under Vishesh Films, Awarapan 2 is a sequel to the 2007 film Awarapan. The film stars Emraan Hashmi, Disha Patani and Shabana Azmi. While critics have given it mixed reviews, Hashmi's fans have praised his screen presence and performance. The film released alongside Sunny Deol and Rajkumar Santoshi's Batwara 1947 and has performed significantly better at the box office. About Batwara 1947Directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi, Batwara 1947 marks his reunion with Sunny Deol nearly three decades after their earlier collaborations, including Ghayal (1990), Damini (1993) and Ghatak (1996). The film is produced by Aamir Khan and Aparna Purohit under Aamir Khan Productions. Its music has been composed by A R Rahman, with lyrics by Javed Akhtar.

Ravi Teja-starrer Irumudi, a family drama centred on the bond between a father and his daughter, continued its impressive performance at the box office on Saturday. The film has earned more than Rs 47 crore worldwide within its first two days, according to trade tracker Sacnilk. In India, Irumudi collected an estimated Rs 16.10 crore on its second day. Its total India net collection has reached Rs 31.40 crore, while the gross collection stands at around Rs 36.45 crore. The film's earnings are being driven mainly by its Telugu version, which has contributed Rs 31.34 crore so far. The Tamil version has added around Rs 6 lakh to the total. The movie also attracted a strong audience turnout on Saturday. Its Telugu shows recorded an overall occupancy of 78.54%. The film registered 63% occupancy during morning shows, which rose to 80% in the afternoon. With more than Rs 16 crore earned on its second day alone, Irumudi is now moving closer to the Rs 50 crore mark worldwide.

Vivek Oberoi made a memorable debut with Company, but securing his first opportunity in Bollywood was far from easy. His father, veteran actor Suresh Oberoi, recalled how he personally went from one door to another in search of work for his son and eventually approached filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, who gave Vivek the breakthrough that launched his career. Speaking in an interview with Nidhi Vasandani on her YouTube channel, Suresh said he had to struggle to find opportunities for Vivek just as he had done at the beginning of his own career. “I had to struggle for him again, went door to door. Like I used to take my pictures, now I was taking Vivek's pictures,” Suresh said. He recalled that he was working with Ram Gopal Varma when the filmmaker was looking for an actor for Company. Varma asked to see a recording of Vivek's acting. Suresh remembered that his son had a tape from his acting institute and arranged for the filmmaker to watch it. According to Suresh, Varma came over to view the tape and was immediately impressed by Vivek's performance. The filmmaker subsequently cast him in Company, which became a major turning point in the young actor's career. Vivek has since appeared in numerous films, but Suresh said Saathiya remains his personal favorite among his son's movies. He also recalled becoming extremely proud and emotional, even shedding tears, after watching Vivek's performance in Company. On the work front, Vivek Oberoi was last seen in Rohit Shetty's OTT action series Indian Police Force and the comedy film Mastiii 4. He is currently preparing for his role in Nitesh Tiwari's multi-part epic Ramayana. He is also set to appear in Vishal Ranjan Mishra's Grey, alongside Nithya Menen and Ashish Vidyarthi.  #Source: NDT 

Miss World Bangladesh 2026 Samanzar Sayeed's "Hygiene for Health Bangladesh" advocacy campaign is rapidly growing into a nationwide movement, attracting support from major organisations, NGOs, government representatives and thousands of young volunteers. Since its launch on 22 July with Gulshan Society, supported by Dhaka North City Corporation and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the campaign has made remarkable progress. In a major development, JAAGO Foundation Executive Director Korvi Rakshand has pledged the support of approximately 60,000 Youth Wing volunteers to help spread Samanzar's Seven Basic Hygiene Practices across Bangladesh. Manusher Jonno Foundation and 125 NGO partners have also agreed to support the campaign, while the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Club at IUB has pledged to engage its network of approximately 1,200 members and volunteers. On 6 August, Environment and Climate Change Minister Sheikh Faridul Islam also expressed his support for Samanzar's initiative, particularly welcoming the inclusion of Environmental Hygiene among the campaign's seven practices. Samanzar's immediate goal is to mobilise 10,000 active volunteers to reach one million people with seven simple messages: Personal Hygiene, Hand Hygiene, Food Hygiene, Safe Water, Oral Hygiene, Menstrual Hygiene, Environmental Hygiene Miss World Bangladesh National Director Azra Mahmood said, "What is remarkable about Samanzar's advocacy is its simplicity and potential for impact. It is a practical, low-cost model that can reach millions through volunteers and can be replicated anywhere in the world. This is Beauty With a Purpose in action." While Samanzar is currently in Vietnam representing Bangladesh at Miss World 2026, her advocacy continues to gather momentum at home. "My dream is to make basic hygiene knowledge accessible to every family. I want this movement to continue growing far beyond Miss World. Please pray for me and also vote for me."

Excitement is building around Rajinikanth’s upcoming film Jailer 2, with the full version of its song “Ala Bolelo” receiving a strong response from fans online. The sequel to the 2023 blockbuster Jailer is scheduled to hit cinemas on October 15, 2026. A 32-second promo of “Ala Bolelo” was released earlier and drew criticism from some social media users over the pronunciation of Malayalam words in the song. However, the full track, released on Friday, has received considerable attention from fans. One user reacted to the song on social media, saying, “Theatre gonna be blast,” comparing its energy to “Kaavaalaa,” “Tiger” and “Muthuvel Pandian Investigation.” Song sparks Malayalam pronunciation debate The promo featured Rajinikanth and Shamna Kasim, with Kasim dancing in a traditional kasavu saree. The clip ended with a brief appearance by Rajinikanth. The song contains several Malayalam words, but some Malayalam-speaking users objected to their pronunciation. One social media user urged the filmmakers to avoid using Malayalam in songs or dialogues unless it is pronounced correctly, saying that incorrect pronunciation could feel disrespectful to the language. Another user suggested hiring a lyricist and singer familiar with Malayalam. Despite the criticism, the song’s promo also received plenty of positive reactions from audiences. The music for Jailer 2 has been composed by Anirudh Ravichander. Arunraja Kamaraj wrote the lyrics along with Niranjana Raman, Aparna Harikumar and Deepthi Suresh. The film has been written and directed by Nelson Dilipkumar and produced by Kalanithi Maran under the banner of Sun Pictures. Jailer 2 is set to release in theatres on October 15, 2026. Source: NDTV

An old Fair & Lovely advertisement featuring Bollywood actresses Aishwarya Rai and Mahima Chaudhry has resurfaced online, sparking nostalgia among viewers and debate over Aishwarya’s voice in the commercial. The advertisement, reportedly made in the 1990s before both actresses became major stars, shows the two meeting at an airport. In the commercial, Mahima compliments Aishwarya on her glowing skin and suggests that marriage could be the reason behind her appearance. Aishwarya then reveals that she has been using Fair & Lovely for two months. The old commercial has once again gained attention on social media, with many viewers reminiscing about advertisements from the 1990s. The ad was directed by filmmaker Kailash Surendranath. Internet reacts to Aishwarya’s voice The video has drawn mixed reactions, particularly over Aishwarya’s voice, which appears to have been dubbed. A caption accompanying the resurfaced video said the advertisement “deserved Aishwarya Rai’s real voice.” Comments on the video posted on Surendranath’s YouTube page praised both actresses for their looks. “Wow, Mahima and Aishwarya — both of them are looking so pretty. Both of them are my favourite actresses,” one user wrote. Another commented, “Fun fact: After all these years, everyone knows the reality.” Some viewers questioned the voice used for Aishwarya, with one writing, “No way in hell that’s their voice.” Others focused on the actresses’ beauty, with one viewer saying Aishwarya’s looks had nothing to do with the fairness cream featured in the advertisement. Aishwarya Rai’s recent work Aishwarya Rai’s most recent film was Mani Ratnam’s ‘Ponniyin Selvan: Part II’, released in April 2023. She played the dual roles of Nandini and Oomai Rani in the film. Source: NDTV

Christian metal band Demon Hunter has sued Netflix over the name of the streaming giant’s hit animated film KPop Demon Hunters, saying the title is causing confusion among fans and threatening the band’s brand. The US-based band, which has been making music and touring for about 25 years, filed the trademark lawsuit through its company, Hyde Lane, on Tuesday. The complaint also names Netflix Studios and live entertainment promoter AEG Presents. The band says Netflix’s film, music releases, merchandise and planned global concert tour closely overlap with its own activities. The lawsuit claims the companies have created “substantial confusion” among consumers. As an example, it cites an email from a person who reportedly spent $500 on tickets to a Demon Hunter concert in New York, believing it was a child-friendly K-pop event for their young children. The complaint also mentions a television producer who allegedly contacted the band’s management believing Demon Hunter was connected to KPop Demon Hunters. Social media users have also mistakenly tagged the metal band in posts about the Netflix film. Demon Hunter, a five-member band from Seattle, released its 12th album in September 2025. It has around 350,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, while the cast of KPop Demon Hunters has about 27 million. “The brand that Hyde Lane has carefully built over the course of the past quarter century now faces an existential crisis,” the lawsuit said. The band is asking the court to prevent Netflix from using the KPop Demon Hunters name for recorded music, live performances and merchandise. It is also seeking unspecified financial damages. Hyde Lane registered Demon Hunter as a trademark for recorded music and merchandise in 2022 and has applied for protection covering live music. Netflix has registered KPop Demon Hunters as a trademark for several types of merchandise, while other trademark applications remain pending. Released in 2025, KPop Demon Hunters follows a fictional K-pop girl group called Huntr/X. The animated film has since become a global hit, spawning popular music releases, merchandise and plans for a worldwide live tour expected to begin in 2027. The film is Netflix’s most-watched original title. It also won awards for best animated film and best original song for “Golden” at the 2026 Golden Globes and Oscars. A sequel is already in development, while Netflix is reportedly considering other projects based on the franchise, including a television series and stage musical. The BBC has contacted Demon Hunter, Netflix and AEG Presents for comment. Source: BBC

Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi has entered the coveted Rs 100 crore club with his latest film Awarapan 2, which has emerged as a major box-office success within just five days of its release. The sequel to the 2007 film Awarapan has maintained a strong run since its release, earning Rs 100.75 crore net in India by Tuesday, according to Sacnilk. The film’s performance has further strengthened Hashmi’s position at the box office following the success of Dhurandhar. On its fifth day, Awarapan 2 collected Rs 9.75 crore net in India from 11,060 shows. Its India gross collection has reached Rs 120.33 crore. The film also earned Rs 2 crore in overseas markets on Day 5, taking its total overseas gross to Rs 23.80 crore. Its worldwide gross collection now stands at Rs 144.13 crore. Awarapan 2 opened with Rs 22 crore on its first day from 9,033 shows. It recorded a significant jump on Saturday, collecting Rs 33.75 crore from 10,496 shows, followed by Rs 26 crore on Sunday from 9,403 shows. The film remained steady on Monday, earning Rs 9.25 crore, before adding another Rs 9.75 crore on its fifth day. The film was also the biggest performer in the Independence Day box-office race, collecting Rs 40.50 crore. Tamil Vishwanath & Sons earned Rs 26 crore, Batwara 1947 collected Rs 16.20 crore, Spider-Man: Brand New Day made Rs 12 crore, while the DC film earned Rs 6.30 crore. Awarapan 2 surpassed the lifetime India collection of the original Awarapan on its opening day. The 2007 film had earned Rs 7.75 crore net during its entire theatrical run. By Saturday, the sequel had also overtaken the lifetime collections of several of Hashmi’s successful films, including Haq (Rs 20 crore), Raaz 2 (Rs 25.50 crore), Ek Thi Daayan (Rs 26 crore) and Jannat (Rs 30 crore). The strong performance of Awarapan 2 has marked a significant box-office comeback for Hashmi, with the film benefiting from nostalgia surrounding the original and strong audience interest in its sequel.