United News of Bangladesh

Oscar-winning Indian composer AR Rahman is set to attend the high-profile premiere of Melania, a new documentary on former US First Lady Melania Trump, at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC on January 29 (ET), NDTV reported. Rahman’s presence is among the notable international highlights of the event, which will also host prominent figures including FIFA President Gianni Infantino, hip-hop artist Waka Flocka Flame, and Jordan Belfort, whose life inspired The Wolf of Wall Street. Political dignitaries expected at the premiere include former New York City Mayor Eric Adams, US Second Lady Usha Vance, and several members of former President Donald Trump’s cabinet. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent are also scheduled to attend. The documentary focuses on the 20 days leading up to Donald Trump’s second presidential inauguration and provides a behind-the-scenes look at Melania Trump during a politically pivotal period. It had an earlier private screening at the White House on January 24, attended by Donald and Melania Trump, their son Barron, and select invited guests. Directed by Brett Ratner and produced by Fernando Sulichin and Marc Beckman, the documentary also lists Melania Trump as one of its producers. Amazon MGM Studios is handling the release of the film. Despite anticipation for the US premiere, advance ticket sales for screenings in London have been weak, with minimal bookings reported across both independent cinemas and major multiplexes, according to The Guardian. Nevertheless, the Washington DC premiere remains a major international event, with Rahman’s attendance highlighting the global appeal of the documentary.   With inputs from NDTV

A rare BBC radio interview from 1955 offers fresh insights into the life, career, and creative process of celebrated British crime novelist Agatha Christie, whose works have captivated readers for more than a century. The interview, recorded more than 50 years ago, captures the reclusive author discussing her unconventional upbringing, inspirations, and distinctive approach to writing. Born Agatha Miller in 1890 to a prosperous family, Christie was mostly home-schooled and described her childhood as “gloriously idle.” In the interview, she said that periods of boredom sparked her imagination, leading her to write short stories and a lengthy early novel before publishing her first major work, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, in 1920, which introduced her iconic detective Hercule Poirot. Her experience as a volunteer nurse during World War One, including work in a hospital pharmacy, provided her with knowledge of medicines and toxins, which she later used in 41 murders, attempted murders, and suicides across her novels. Christie explained that while her novels followed a typical formula—a closed circle of suspects, a murder, clues, and a private detective revealing the truth—her plays allowed her more creative freedom. She noted that writing plays was “much more fun than writing books,” as it avoided lengthy descriptions and demanded faster pacing to maintain dialogue flow. Three of her plays were running simultaneously in London’s West End by 1955, including The Mousetrap, which became the world’s longest-running play. The interview also explored her personal challenges. In 1926, after the death of her mother and her husband Archie Christie’s confession of infidelity, she disappeared for ten days in a widely publicised incident. Found 230 miles from the site of her car crash in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, Christie never fully explained the episode, attributing it vaguely to “illness, sorrow, despair, and heartbreak.” Christie later married archaeologist Max Mallowan in 1930, whose shared interest in Middle Eastern history influenced novels such as Death on the Nile (1937). She revealed that while thinking through plot development required careful mental planning, the actual writing of a novel could be completed in three months if uninterrupted. Theatre impresario Sir Peter Saunders, who produced her hit play The Mousetrap, described her talent for mentally visualising entire scenes before writing, a view echoed by Penguin Books founder Sir Allan Lane. Actor Richard Attenborough highlighted the contrast between her quiet, dignified persona and her ability to enthrall audiences with suspense and drama on stage and screen. The BBC interview underscores Christie’s reliance on imagination over rigid technique, her joy in devising intricate plots, and her enduring legacy as one of the world’s most ingenious and enigmatic crime writers.

Trinidad-born rapper Nicki Minaj on Wednesday declared herself a strong supporter of US President Donald Trump and showcased her Trump “gold card” visa, which provides residency and a path to citizenship. Speaking on stage in Washington DC at the Trump Accounts Summit, Minaj said, “I am probably the president’s number one fan, and that will not change.” She added that criticism from others motivates her to support him even more. The singer held hands with Trump during the event and emphasized she would not allow his opponents to bully him. Minaj shared images of the gold card on social media, calling it “free of charge” and saying she was finalizing her citizenship paperwork under Trump’s administration. The card, launched in December, allows wealthy immigrants to gain US residency in exchange for a $1 million fee and a $15,000 processing charge. The rapper, who moved to the US as a child, had previously criticised the government’s family-separation policies and highlighted her own experience as a child immigrant. She said the card grants residency rights but not full US citizenship. Minaj’s support has faced criticism online, with other US musicians voicing opposition to Trump’s immigration policies. Bruce Springsteen released a protest song “Streets of Minneapolis” in response to recent ICE-related shootings, while artists such as Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Ariana Grande, and Ice-T condemned ICE actions on social media. Minaj’s public backing of Trump and the gold card program highlights a growing divide among US celebrities over immigration policies and the Trump administration’s approach to enforcement.   With inputs from BBC

Indian music fans are in shock and paying tribute after beloved singer Arijit Singh announced he is stepping away from Bollywood playback singing, ending an era that defined contemporary Indian cinema music. Taking to Instagram on Tuesday,Arijit Singh said, “I am calling it off. It was a wonderful journey.” Social media quickly flooded with heartfelt posts praising his voice, described by many as “the soundtrack of our joys and heartbreaks” and “a part of every moment in our lives.” Playback singing, where singers record songs that actors lip-sync on screen, has been central to Bollywood storytelling. Singh’s voice became inseparable from this tradition, lending depth to romantic ballads and hit soundtracks for over a decade. He has also worked with global stars like Ed Sheeran and performed to sold-out crowds at venues including London’s Wembley Arena. While he did not reveal his reasons for quitting, reports suggest Singh will complete ongoing projects and continue creating music independently, exploring personal and experimental ventures outside commercial films. Known for his soft-spoken personality, Singh has long avoided the spotlight, rarely giving interviews and keeping public appearances low-key. Born in 1987 in Jiaganj, West Bengal, he grew up surrounded by classical music, training in vocals and tabla from an early age. His first national recognition came in 2005 on the reality show Fame Gurukul, though he did not win. His breakthrough arrived in 2013 with Tum hi ho song from Aashiqui 2, a song that redefined romantic music in Bollywood with its raw, intimate emotion. Singh’s career flourished afterward, recording in multiple languages and collaborating with top composers like AR Rahman, Pritam, and Vishal–Shekhar. Despite fame, he preferred a simple life in his hometown, often spotted riding his scooter or meeting friends, rather than embracing city glamour. Read More: Arijit Singh announces retirement from playback singing Fans now speculate what the future holds for the singer, interpreting his decision as a personal move away from commercial pressures or a new creative chapter. Whatever path he chooses, Arijit Singh’s voice will remain a defining presence in India’s music scene. With inputs from BBC  

French EDM artist DJ Snake has cancelled his upcoming shows, including his India tour, after being advised by doctors to undergo surgery due to health issues. On Monday, DJ Snake informed his fans through Instagram that he had been battling a health problem and needs surgery in early February. He added that he will require a month of rest and recovery after the operation, reports NDTV. “This means cancelling all my shows, including the India tour. This decision has been very hard, but I need to get back to 100 percent. Thank you for your love and understanding. I’ll be back stronger than before,” DJ Snake wrote. The India tour was scheduled as a six-city Sunburn Arena event in February 2026, but it will no longer take place due to the cancellation.

Popular singer Arijit Singh has announced that he is stepping away from playback singing, a move that has surprised music lovers. In an emotional post shared on Instagram, the acclaimed vocalist thanked his listeners for their support over the years and said he would not take on any new assignments as a playback singer. He described his career as a “wonderful journey” and said he had decided to call it off. American climber Alex Honnold scales Taipei 101 without ropes The announcement triggered an outpouring of reactions from fans on social media, with many expressing disbelief and sadness. Some users hoped the account had been hacked, while others said Bollywood music would feel incomplete without his voice. Arijit Singh is known for lending his voice to several of Hindi cinema’s most popular songs. His breakthrough came with Tum Hi Ho from Aashiqui 2. Other widely loved tracks include Channa Mereya from Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Phir Bhi Tumko Chaahunga from Half Girlfriend and Hawayein from Jab Harry Met Sejal. Over his career, Singh has won two National Film Awards and was awarded the Padma Shri in 2025. He did not, however, explain the reasons behind his decision or share any details about his future plans.  #With inputs from NDTV

Actress Sydney Sweeney may face legal action after climbing the Hollywood Sign to promote her lingerie brand, officials said Tuesday. The stunt, filmed at night, showed Sweeney dressed in black cargo pants, a hoodie, and a cap. She tied several bras from her brand across one of the sign’s letters. Sweeney’s team reportedly obtained a filming permit from Film LA but did not get approval from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which manages commercial use of the landmark. The chamber said it was unaware of the stunt until footage circulated online. Steve Nissen, chief of the chamber, said, “Anyone using the Hollywood Sign for commercial purposes must get prior permission. No license or approval was granted for this production.” Officials from the Hollywood Sign Trust, a nonprofit that oversees the structure, also confirmed they had no knowledge of the act. TMZ reported the bras were removed after filming ended. Legal experts said Sweeney and her production team could face consequences if the chamber decides to take action.   With inputs from NDTV

Filmmaker Karan Johar on Sunday declared that Bollywood has made a strong comeback, citing the back-to-back box office success of Ranveer Singh-starrer Dhurandhar and the war drama Border 2. Sharing his reaction on Instagram, Johar said the recent commercial performance of the two films had reaffirmed the long-term strength of the Hindi film industry, dismissing critics who had questioned its future. Referring to the strong audience response, Johar said emotionally driven films were once again connecting with cinema-goers, adding that such successes proved Bollywood’s resilience and relevance. His remarks came as Border 2 recorded one of the biggest openings in recent years and moved steadily towards the Rs 100 crore mark at the domestic box office. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh said the film earned Rs 32.10 crore net in India on its opening day, performing strongly in mass belts and single-screen theatres, while urban centres saw improved turnout later in the day. Although heavy rainfall affected collections in parts of north India, industry observers expect strong word of mouth and the Republic Day holiday to further boost earnings. Directed by Anurag Singh, Border 2 was released on January 23 and features Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty in lead roles. Meanwhile, Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, recently completed 50 days in theatres. Despite stiff competition from new releases, the Aditya Dhar-directed film emerged as the highest-grossing Hindi film of all time, surpassing Pushpa 2: The Rule. The film is planned as a two-part franchise, with its sequel scheduled for release on March 19, 2026.   With inputs from NDTV

Bengali film superstar Prosenjit Chatterjee on Sunday said he would dedicate his Padma Shri award to his late mother, who he credited for his success in a career spanning over four decades. Chatterjee told PTI that he learned about the honour while watching his recently released Bengali film at Navina Cinema. He shared the news with the audience, who cheered in response. "I dedicate this honour to my mother, who sacrificed so much to raise us and guide my journey. I also share it with my family, including my son Mishuk. My achievements were possible because of my audiences," he said. He added that he called his father, legendary actor Biswajit Chatterjee, who expressed pride in him. Chatterjee also remembered his late friend, director Rituparno Ghosh, for shaping his career in critically acclaimed, realistic cinema. Asked if the award was long overdue, he said, "I do not look at it that way. What matters is that the government has recognised my work. I am thankful to the Union Ministry." Meanwhile, other Padma Shri recipients, including tabla maestro Pt Kumar Bose, dedicated their awards to their families and highlighted contributions of West Bengal’s classical artists.   With inputs from NDTV

Hollywood actress Natalie Portman has criticized the Oscars 2026 for not properly recognizing women filmmakers. She raised the issue during a press conference at the Sundance Film Festival for her new film The Gallerist. Portman said several strong films by women directors were ignored this year. While Hamnet, directed by Chloe Zhao, received eight nominations, broader representation of women in awards was missing. She cited films such as Sorry Baby, Left-Handed Girl, Hedda and The Testament of Ann Lee as examples that deserved recognition. Portman added that exclusion begins early in the industry and continues at higher levels, affecting awards recognition. During the same event, she condemned the actions of US ICE authorities after the fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis on January 7, calling for immediate action against what she described as brutality. The Gallerist, a dark comedy thriller directed by Cathy Yan, features Jenna Ortega, Sterling K. Brown, Zach Galifianakis, Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Portman co-produced the film, which is set for a theatrical release later in 2026. Portman has previously starred in Black Swan, Thor and Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. She is also producing the upcoming project Good Sex.   With inputs from NDTV