United News of Bangladesh

Robot dogs fitted with lifelike silicone heads resembling famous personalities such as Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso are drawing attention at a Berlin museum, where they wander around and occasionally “produce” printed images captured earlier through built-in cameras. The unusual installation is part of an interactive exhibition by American digital artist Mike Winkelmann, widely known as Beeple, currently on display at the Neue Nationalgalerie. Each robot dog generates images that reflect the artistic or personal style of the figure it represents. For example, the Picasso-inspired dog creates Cubist-style visuals, while the Warhol version produces pop art-like images. The concept highlights how artificial intelligence can reshape reality based on different perspectives. According to the exhibition organisers, the project explores how algorithms and technology platforms increasingly influence the way people see the world. Beeple said that in the past, artists like Picasso and Warhol shaped public perception through their work. Today, he argues, that influence has shifted to powerful tech leaders who control algorithms determining what people see online. He warned that such control gives immense power to a few individuals, allowing them to make sweeping changes without going through political or institutional processes. Some of the robot dogs also feature Beeple’s own likeness. Curator Lisa Botti said the exhibition focuses on the growing impact of artificial intelligence, adding that museums provide a space for society to reflect on these changes. The installation, titled “Regular Animals,” was first introduced at the Art Basel Miami Beach 2025. Beeple, a graphic designer from South Carolina, is known for his “everyday” project, where he has created and shared a digital image daily for years. His work has gained global recognition, making him one of the most valuable living artists, alongside David Hockney and Jeff Koons. In 2021, auction house Christie's sold his digital collage “Everydays: The First 5000 Days” for more than $69 million, marking a major moment for digital art and NFTs. Non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, are digital certificates stored on blockchain technology that verify ownership of digital items. They have become increasingly popular as part of the broader rise in cryptocurrencies. At Art Basel, Beeple even distributed the images produced by his robot dogs to visitors, sometimes including QR codes that provided access to free NFTs, effectively allowing recipients to own and potentially profit from his digital creations.

Bollywood star Aamir Khan has spoken candidly about his personal life, past relationships and regrets, saying he now feels “complete” with his partner Gauri Spratt. In a recent interview with Navbharat Times, Aamir reflected on his relationships, children and personal growth, sharing that he is currently in a peaceful and happy phase of life. “I am very lucky that I met Gauri, and our relationship started together. She is great, I feel at peace with her. Although my relationship with (ex-wives) Kiran (Rao) and Reena (Dutta) was also very deep, but things didn't work out. When you asked, I felt that I am very blessed that Gauri entered my life. We are very happy together. Mujhe lagta hai ab mai jaake mukammal hua hu (I feel complete today),” he said. The actor also spoke about learning from mistakes and personal evolution, saying self-awareness has helped him grow both as a person and as an artist. “I am the way I am. Every person makes mistakes in their life; no one is perfect. If you understand and accept your mistake, it doesn't make you small. Even I am learning from my own life and mistakes. I will always try not to repeat those mistakes, and I grow as a person, and as an actor. This will only happen if I understand and admit my mistakes. I am a very straightforward man, whatever I feel, I say,” he added. Aamir further described his biggest regret as not spending enough time with his close family and relationships, admitting that work had dominated most of his life for decades. “The one mistake that I have already started rectifying is not giving enough time to my closed ones and relationships. I was only addicted to work, filmmaking, and acting for 30-35 years. I got a chance to examine my life again during the COVID pandemic. I wasn't able to work at that time, then I realised that I had lost many things and this time would not come again,” he said. Aamir was earlier married to Reena Dutta, with whom he has two children, Ira and Junaid. The couple divorced in 2002. He later married filmmaker Kiran Rao in 2005, and they separated in 2021. They continue to co-parent their son Azad. #From NDTV

Actress Deepika Padukone made her first public appearance after announcing her second pregnancy, as she was seen with husband Ranveer Singh at Mumbai airport. The couple, who shared the news on April 19 through a joint social media post, kept a low profile during the brief outing and did not interact with photographers. Deepika opted for a comfortable look, wearing a loose blue co-ord set with a button-down shirt and straight trousers, paired with yellow sneakers. She carried a black handbag and kept her hair neatly tied back. Ranveer followed closely behind in a casual outfit featuring an oversized white T-shirt and baggy cargo jeans, along with sunglasses and a crossbody bag. He was seen assisting Deepika as she stepped out of the car and walked beside her into the airport. Earlier, the couple announced their second pregnancy through a post showing their daughter holding a positive pregnancy test kit. Deepika and Ranveer got married on November 14, 2018, in Lake Como, Italy, in ceremonies reflecting their respective cultural traditions. They first met while working on the film Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela and later made their relationship public before tying the knot. They welcomed their first child, daughter Dua, in September 2024. Source: NDTV

The biopic Michael has made a strong debut at the box office, earning $97 million in the United States and Canada and setting a new record for music biopics, despite receiving poor reviews and facing production challenges. The film, based on the life of pop icon Michael Jackson, easily beat previous top openings in the genre, including Straight Outta Compton and Bohemian Rhapsody. Internationally, the movie also performed strongly, earning $120.4 million overseas. This brings its total global opening to $217.4 million, another record for a music biopic. While Lionsgate handled the release in North America, Universal Pictures distributed it in most international markets. Earlier projections had estimated a much lower opening, around $50 million, later revised to $70 million. However, the film far exceeded expectations, attracting a wide audience. The movie was a major gamble, as it portrays a hugely popular but controversial figure. Jackson’s legacy has long been overshadowed by allegations of child sexual abuse. He denied wrongdoing and was acquitted in a 2005 criminal trial, though questions have persisted over the years. Some members of the Jackson family were not involved in the project. Janet Jackson did not participate, while his daughter Paris Jackson criticised the film as unrealistic. The project was announced years after the release of Leaving Neverland, which focused on abuse allegations. Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson played the lead role. Production faced serious setbacks. After filming was completed, the team realised part of the story focused on a legal case involving Jordan Chandler, which could not be included due to a prior settlement. As a result, large sections of the film were removed, and expensive reshoots were carried out. The story was eventually reworked to end in 1988, before the allegations surfaced. Despite the difficulties, the film has turned into a major commercial success. Its production cost was close to $200 million, with plans already underway for a sequel and possibly more films. Critics largely panned the movie, accusing it of ignoring controversial aspects of Jackson’s life. It received a low rating on review platforms, but audiences responded much more positively, giving it strong feedback in cinema surveys. The film’s release also boosted a successful period for Hollywood, alongside hits like Project Hail Mary and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. After leading the box office for three weeks, the Mario sequel dropped to second place with $21.2 million over the weekend. “Project Hail Mary” continued its strong run, crossing $600 million globally in its sixth week. According to estimates, the top films at the North American box office this weekend were led by “Michael,” followed by “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” and “Project Hail Mary.”

Veteran Indian photographer Raghu Rai, considered a pioneer of photojournalism in India, died on Sunday after battling cancer for two years. He was 83. His son said Rai was first diagnosed with prostate cancer two years ago and had recovered after treatment. However, the disease later spread to his stomach and, more recently, to his brain, along with other age-related complications. Born on December 18, 1942, in Jhang, now in Pakistan, Rai went on to become one of the most respected photographers in India and internationally. He began his career in the mid-1960s and later joined ‘The Statesman’as a staff photographer. In 1976, he left the newspaper to work as a freelance photographer. From 1982 to 1992, he served as Director of Photography at ‘India Today’. He was also a jury member of the World Press Photo from 1990 to 1997. Rai was mentored by renowned French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson, who was impressed by his work and recommended him for membership in Magnum Photos in 1977, one of the world’s most prestigious photography organisations. His work is widely seen as a visual record of modern India. He captured some of the most powerful images of the Bhopal gas tragedy, one of the world’s worst industrial disasters. He also photographed prominent figures such as Mother Teresa and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Rai received several honours during his career, including the Académie des Beaux-Arts Photography Award in 2019, one of the top global recognitions in the field. In 2017, he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. With inputs from NDTV

The box office battle between ‘Bhooth Bangla’ and ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ remains intense, with both films continuing to draw audiences in theatres. Akshay Kumar’s ‘Bhooth Bangla’ has crossed the Rs 100 crore mark in its second week, while Ranveer Singh-starrer ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ is still performing strongly even in its sixth week. According to Sacnilk, ‘Bhooth Bangla’ earned Rs 10.75 crore on its second Saturday from 9,266 shows. With this, the film’s total India gross reached Rs 120.10 crore, while its India nett stood at Rs 100.90 crore. The horror-comedy had collected Rs 84.40 crore nett in its first week in India and Rs 135.45 crore globally. On its seventh day, it made Rs 5.15 crore, showing a steady trend during weekdays after a strong opening weekend. Meanwhile, ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ continues its impressive run. On its 38th day, the film collected around Rs 2.95 crore, taking its India nett total to Rs 1,127.14 crore, Sacnilk reported. The two films also show different audience trends. ‘Dhurandhar 2’ saw high occupancy between 54 percent and 76 percent in its early days, but this has now dropped to single digits. In contrast, ‘Bhooth Bangla’ recorded weekday occupancy between 12 percent and 20 percent, with better turnout on weekends. Earlier, Akshay Kumar said both films cater to different audiences. He described ‘Dhurandhar’ as a film for adults, while ‘Bhooth Bangla’ is aimed at families and children. "There are different kinds of films being made. Dhurandhar is a great film, I've seen it. This (Bhoot Bangla) is a different film. Dhurandhar is an adult film, this (Bhoot Bangla) is for kids and families. When we made this film, we didn't look at what the current trend is. We rather looked at whether the story was good or not, and accordingly, we made this film. We never thought about the trend," he told PTI in an interview.

The live final of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! South Africa turned tense on Friday night, with arguments breaking out among contestants after a drama-filled series. A heated row began when actor Adam Thomas confronted former footballer Jimmy Bullard over a challenge that nearly led to his exit from the camp. The situation escalated quickly, forcing hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly to step in and calm things down. During the argument, singer Sinitta and TV personality Gemma Collins walked off the set. Despite the tension, Thomas was later voted the winner by the public and crowned king of the jungle. Other finalists included Olympic star Mo Farah, TV presenter Craig Charles and former football manager Harry Redknapp. After the show, Thomas shared a message on Instagram, saying he stayed true to himself despite difficult moments during the competition. The clash with Bullard came during a trial where the losing pair faced elimination. Bullard chose to quit the challenge early, prompting an angry reaction from Thomas, who criticised his teammate for not completing the task. However, fellow contestants later voted to keep Thomas in the competition. Some contestants later said the full extent of the argument was not shown on television. Bullard defended his decision, saying he withdrew because he wanted to leave the show. The series, filmed months earlier in South Africa, also saw several other dramatic moments. Actress Beverley Callard had to leave the show after collapsing during filming. She later revealed she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and was unable to attend the final on medical advice. Boxer David Haye also drew criticism for controversial comments during the show. Meanwhile, Collins’ return to the programme ended early after she was voted out. The season featured returning contestants from previous editions, adding to the intensity and emotional moments throughout the series. With inputs from BBC

Members of the screenwriters’ union in the United States have overwhelmingly approved a new four-year contract with Hollywood studios and streaming platforms, marking a smooth and quick negotiation process compared to previous disputes. Union leaders said about 90 percent of members voted in favour of the agreement reached between the Writers Guild of America West, Writers Guild of America East and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. With the deal finalised, studios are now expected to begin contract talks with actors and directors. Union officials highlighted improvements in health benefits as a key achievement. “In the face of industry slowdown and rising healthcare costs, writers secured a deal that puts our Health Fund on a stable path and builds on gains from the 2023 strike,” said Michele Mulroney, president of WGA West. The agreement also includes increases in minimum pay, especially for comedy and variety writers, along with higher residual payments when their work is re-aired. The producers’ group welcomed the approval, saying the agreement reflects cooperation that supports both writers and the long-term stability of the industry. The deal was reached on April 4, about three weeks after negotiations began, a much faster process than the prolonged and tense talks in 2023 that led to major strikes by writers and actors and halted much of Hollywood production. Meanwhile, actors represented by SAG-AFTRA are still negotiating their own contract. Talks have been ongoing for about a month and are expected to resume on Monday after a short break. SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin earlier said there are signs that studios are willing to work together more cooperatively. The Directors Guild is scheduled to begin its contract negotiations on May 11.

Bhooth Bangla, starring Akshay Kumar, has made a stronger-than-expected start at the box office, maintaining momentum as it approaches one week in theatres despite the dominance of Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge. According to industry tracker Sacnilk, Bhooth Bangla earned ₹6.15 crore on Day 6 across 11,584 shows, taking its total India net collection to ₹78.90 crore and gross collection to ₹93.87 crore. The film has also performed overseas, collecting ₹2.00 crore on Day 6, with total overseas earnings reaching ₹33.50 crore. Its worldwide gross now stands at ₹127.37 crore. Released with paid previews a day before its official opening, the film had already collected ₹3.75 crore ahead of release. Directed by Priyadarshan, the film marks his reunion with Akshay Kumar after 14 years. It features an ensemble cast including Tabu, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Wamiqa Gabbi and veteran actor Asrani. The film is produced by Balaji Motion Pictures in association with Cape of Good Films, with Akshay Kumar, Shobha Kapoor and Ektaa Kapoor backing the project. Meanwhile, Dhurandhar 2 continues its blockbuster run, earning ₹1.70 crore on Day 35 across 3,910 shows. Its total India net collection has reached ₹1,121.09 crore, with gross earnings at ₹1,341.90 crore. The film added ₹0.25 crore overseas on the same day, taking its total overseas gross to ₹422.25 crore and worldwide collection to ₹1,764.15 crore. With global earnings nearing ₹1,759 crore, Dhurandhar 2 has pushed its franchise total past ₹3,019 crore, becoming the first Indian film franchise to cross the ₹3,000 crore mark, surpassing series like Baahubali and Pushpa. Starring Ranveer Singh, Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan and Sanjay Dutt, the film was released on March 19 and is now eyeing the record for the highest-grossing Indian film (net), aiming to surpass Pushpa 2. #From NDTV

The trailer for the second season of Citadel has been released, with the new instalment set to premiere on Prime Video on May 6. The action-packed preview of the spy drama, starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Richard Madden, was unveiled on Tuesday, confirming the return date of the series. The show follows elite agents Mason Kane and Nadia Sinh, played by Madden and Chopra Jonas, along with Bernard Orlick, portrayed by Stanley Tucci. The trio were once part of a powerful global agency that was destroyed by Manticore, a shadowy network backed by influential families. According to the official synopsis, a new and dangerous threat forces the former operatives back into action. They must assemble a team of skilled recruits and carry out a worldwide mission to stop a conspiracy that could have far-reaching consequences. The upcoming season will see the return of cast members Lesley Manville and Ashleigh Cummings. New additions to the cast include Jack Reynor, Matt Berry and Lina El Arabi, along with Merle Dandridge, Gabriel Leone and Rayna Vallandingham. Produced by Amazon MGM Studios and AGBO, the series is executive produced by Anthony Russo, Angela Russo-Otstot and Scott Nemes. David Weil serves as showrunner, director and executive producer, while Joe Russo and Greg Yaitanes also direct and executive produce the series. #From NDTV