United News of Bangladesh

Super Sentai, the Japanese superhero series that gave birth to the world-famous Power Rangers franchise, is reportedly coming to an end after 50 years, local media said on Thursday. According to reports, the show’s broadcaster TV Asahi is discontinuing the long-running series as income from merchandise sales and events can no longer cover its high production costs. However, the channel declined to comment on its “future programming,” the Asahi Shimbun reported. First launched in 1975, Super Sentai featured five young heroes who transform into colour-coded fighters to save the world from alien invaders — a concept that later inspired the US adaptation Mighty Morphin Power Rangers in the 1990s. Over the decades, the show became deeply rooted in Japan’s pop culture, helping launch the careers of numerous actors and fueling a massive toy and merchandise industry. For audiences abroad, Super Sentai served as a gateway to Japan’s vibrant superhero and comic culture, with similar shows such as Choudenshi Bioman and Hikari Sentai Maskman gaining cult followings in countries like the Philippines. Each season of Super Sentai introduced a new team — three men and two women — led by a red-suited fighter, with the others dressed in green or black, blue, yellow, and pink. Every episode followed an action-packed sequence, often ending with the heroes’ robot clashing with a giant alien. The original Power Rangers series, adapted by producer Haim Saban, aired from 1993 to 1996 and spawned numerous spin-offs. Speaking to the Los Angeles Times in 2017, Saban recalled that the idea was initially rejected by TV networks. “Every selling season, I would go out and offer it to the networks — and would get kicked out of the room. They told me how crazy I was,” he said. News of Super Sentai’s possible conclusion has saddened fans and celebrities alike. Popular actress Keiko Kitagawa shared an article about the show’s cancellation on X (formerly Twitter), captioning it “despair,” which quickly went viral with more than 15 million views. Yasuhisa Furuhara, who played one of the Super Sentai fighters, said he felt proud to be part of its long history. “I’m proud to be part of history,” he wrote. Fans across generations expressed their sorrow online. “My parents watched Super Sentai when they were kids, and now I do too. I’ll miss it,” one user wrote. Another commented, “If Super Sentai ends, what will the next generation of boys watch?”   Source: BBC

November is packed with new TV releases, from Kim Kardashian’s legal drama All’s Fair to the final season of Stranger Things. Here are 10 shows fans should not miss this month. 1. I Love LA (Nov 2, HBO Max)Rachel Sennott stars in this witty comedy about friends reuniting in Los Angeles. The series explores love, friendship and rivalry with sharp humour and guest appearances from Leighton Meester and Elijah Wood. 2. All’s Fair (Nov 4, Hulu/Disney+)Kim Kardashian plays a glamorous divorce lawyer who starts an all-female law firm. With Naomi Watts, Sarah Paulson and Glenn Close, Ryan Murphy’s latest series mixes law, luxury and high drama. 3. All Her Fault (Nov 6, Peacock/Sky)Sarah Snook leads this tense mystery as a mother whose son vanishes during a playdate gone wrong. Each episode deepens the web of guilt, suspicion and shocking secrets. 4. Death By Lightning (Nov 6, Netflix)Michael Shannon plays US President James Garfield in this historical thriller about power and betrayal. Matthew Macfadyen stars as his assassin in a drama by the creators of Game of Thrones. 5. Pluribus (Nov 7, Apple TV+)From Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan, this sci-fi drama follows a writer (Rhea Seehorn) who’s immune to a virus making everyone else unnaturally happy. It blends mystery, social satire and suspense. 6. The Beast in Me (Nov 13, Netflix)Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys star in a psychological thriller about grief, obsession and hidden truths. A writer researching her neighbour’s dark past finds herself in danger. 7. Last Samurai Standing (Nov 13, Netflix)Set in Japan in 1878, this action-packed drama follows hundreds of samurai fighting to survive in a deadly contest. The show mixes historical detail with Squid Game-style tension. 8. Malice (Nov 14, Prime Video)Jack Whitehall surprises in a dark revenge thriller as a charming nanny hiding dangerous motives. The story unfolds between London and Greece, exposing a family’s secrets. 9. The American Revolution (Nov 16, PBS)Documentary master Ken Burns returns with a sweeping look at America’s fight for independence. The series highlights the untold roles of women, Black and Indigenous people, and loyalists. 10. Stranger Things (Nov 26, Netflix)The long-awaited fifth and final season brings Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and her friends back to Hawkins in 1987 for a final battle against Vecna. Expect explosions, emotions and nostalgia. With comedy, mystery, history and sci-fi all on the list, November promises something for every kind of viewer.   Source: BBC

Ahead of the release of late singer and actor Zubeen Garg’s final film Roi Roi Binale, his wife Garima Garg has shared a heartfelt handwritten letter he wrote to fans just days before his death. Zubeen, one of Assam’s most loved singers, composers and actors, died in Singapore on September 19, leaving millions of fans in shock and grief. Garima posted the letter on Instagram on Wednesday, along with an emotional message addressed to her late husband. “The letters you wrote on 15th September… a loving appeal to your beloved people! Every word hits the heart, Goldie! But among all this, there’s a burning in my chest. What happened on September 19? How, why? I can’t find peace until I get this answer,” she wrote. Zubeen’s handwritten note, now going viral, reads: “Wait, wait a little – my new film is coming. Do come and watch it. Love, Zubeen Da.” The letter was originally part of a promotional campaign for Roi Roi Binale, which releases on October 31. The film marks Zubeen’s last on-screen appearance, where he plays a visually impaired musician. Director Rajesh Bhuyan, who worked closely with Zubeen on the film, said releasing it is an emotional and heavy responsibility. “This was Zubeen’s last project, and we are going to release the film. It’s a very difficult time for us. This was his dream, and though we may not be able to do 100%, we will do whatever we can,” he told NDTV. Garima has also called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances of Zubeen’s death. “We have to know what exactly happened. The investigation is ongoing, and the law will take its course,” she said earlier. Zubeen Garg passed away while swimming off an island in Singapore, just hours before he was scheduled to perform at the North East India Festival. During a career spanning more than three decades, Zubeen sang in over 40 languages and left behind a rich legacy of music and films. His final film Roi Roi Binale will be released across nearly 50 locations in India, including 31 major cities.   Source: NDTV

Universal Music Group and AI song generator Udio have reached a settlement in a copyright infringement lawsuit and announced a partnership to launch a new AI-powered music creation and streaming platform. In a joint statement issued Wednesday, the companies said they finalized a “compensatory legal settlement” and new licensing agreements for recorded music and publishing that will create additional revenue opportunities for Universal’s artists and songwriters. The deal marks the first resolution since Universal, along with Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Records, sued Udio and another AI platform, Suno, last year for alleged misuse of copyrighted works. “These new agreements with Udio demonstrate our commitment to do what’s right by our artists and songwriters — whether that means embracing new technologies or developing new business models,” said Universal CEO Lucian Grainge. Financial details of the settlement were not disclosed. AI song generation tools such as Udio have shaken the $20 billion global music streaming market by allowing users to instantly create songs in various genres using text prompts — from classic rock and 1980s synth-pop to West Coast rap — without needing musical skills. The technology has sparked debates over copyright and artistic integrity, with critics warning about a flood of low-quality, automatically generated content and the rise of fictitious “AI artists.” Under the new agreement, Universal and Udio will launch an AI subscription service next year that will allow users to “customize, stream and share music responsibly” using authorized and licensed content. Udio CEO Andrew Sanchez said the partnership “empowers artists and fans alike” and represents “a collaboration that unites AI and the music industry in a way that truly champions creativity.” Universal’s roster includes global stars such as Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Drake and Kendrick Lamar.  

Actor Paresh Rawal has responded to the controversy surrounding his upcoming film The Taj Story, which is facing legal challenges just days before its release. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a BJP leader from Ayodhya has sought a ban on the film, alleging that it is based on the subject of a petition he had filed in the High Court in 2022. Another PIL, submitted by Shakeel Abbas, called for a review of the movie’s certification and demanded a disclaimer stating that the film “deals with a contested narrative and does not claim to be a definitive historical account.” However, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday refused to grant an urgent hearing on the plea. Ayushmann Khurrana says Thamma is ‘biggest film of career’ Speaking exclusively to NDTV, Paresh Rawal, along with co-star Zakir Hussain, addressed the controversy and the claims that the film could provoke communal tension. “Every problem cannot be solved,” Rawal said, suggesting that art should be viewed separately from political or religious interpretations. The film is set to release this week despite the ongoing debates around its theme and portrayal of historical events. Source: NDTV 

Actor Vivek Oberoi will donate his entire fee from the upcoming film Ramayana to charity. He will play Vibhishan, Raavan’s righteous brother, in the mythological epic starring Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, and Sai Pallavi. Oberoi told Hindustan Times that he did not want any payment for his role. “I don’t want a penny. I want to donate it to a cause I believe in, like supporting children with cancer,” he said. He added that his decision was inspired by admiration for the film’s makers and their vision. The actor praised producer Namit Malhotra and director Nitesh Tiwari for their ambitious plan to bring Ramayana to the global stage with world-class visual effects. Oberoi said the project could take Indian cinema to a level comparable to Hollywood epics. Ramayana: Part 1 is one of the most anticipated films of 2026. Ranbir Kapoor stars as Lord Ram, Yash plays Raavan, and Sai Pallavi appears as Sita. The film is scheduled to release during Diwali 2026.   Source: NDTV

Actor Ayushmann Khurrana has said he is thrilled with the response to his latest release Thamma, calling it the “biggest film” of his career in terms of opening and audience reception so far. Speaking to ANI, Ayushmann said that public appreciation matters the most to him. “Validation by the public is the biggest validation. This is the biggest opening of my career and hopefully my biggest film as well,” he said. Directed by Aditya Sarpotdar and produced by Dinesh Vijan and Amar Kaushik, Thamma is the fifth instalment in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe. The film stars Ayushmann opposite Rashmika Mandanna, alongside Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Paresh Rawal. The actor said what excited him most was the chance to move away from his familiar “boy-next-door” roles. “Here, the character slowly transforms — almost like a vampire with superhero traits. I did that for the first time and I have always been a fan of this universe,” he added. Ayushmann said the film’s success is an added bonus. “As an actor, I found the script very exciting. Whatever is happening now is like a cherry on top.” Looking ahead, he confirmed that before a sequel to Thamma, audiences will see Bhediya 2, as the horror comedy universe continues to expand. “I’m excited to see how different characters will merge and clash in upcoming films,” he said. Ayushmann also shared that he will begin shooting Sooraj Barjatya’s next film within days. “It’s a dream to play a character named Prem in Sooraj ji’s film. It’s a family entertainer with something fresh — a film like this hasn’t come out in years,” he said. The actor further confirmed a new project with Yash Raj Films, though the title is yet to be announced. Source: NDTV

Paramount Skydance is set to lay off about 1,000 employees on Wednesday, less than three months after completing its $8 billion merger, a source familiar with the matter told AFP on Monday. The company has not immediately responded to requests to confirm the layoffs. Skydance finalized its acquisition of Paramount in August. At the merged entity’s first press conference, executives had warned that staff reductions would be announced during the quarterly earnings report on November 10. New CEO David Ellison aims to speed up the company’s technological transition while achieving at least $2 billion in synergies. The merged company combines Skydance Studios, known for the “Mission: Impossible” and “Transformers” films, with Paramount’s movies, streaming service Paramount+, and television channels including CBS, MTV, and Nickelodeon. David Ellison, like his father Oracle founder Larry Ellison, is an ally of US President Donald Trump, who approved the Paramount acquisition after a yearlong review.   Source: NDTV  

Spanish pop star Enrique Iglesias arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday for his first concert in India in 13 years. The award-winning singer will perform on October 29 and 30 at the MMRDA Grounds in Bandra Kurla Complex, event organizers said. The shows are being produced by EVA Live in partnership with BEW Live. Photos and videos shared on social media showed Iglesias greeting photographers at the airport. He was seen wearing a casual T-shirt as he waved to fans. Deepak Chaudhary, Founder and Managing Director of EVA Live, said bringing Iglesias back to India is a major moment for the country’s live music scene. He said fans have been waiting to see the global superstar perform again. The concerts will feature some of Iglesias’ biggest hits from his long music career, according to the organizers. Iglesias last performed in India in 2012 as part of his Euphoria World Tour, with shows in Pune, Gurugram and Bengaluru.   Source: NDTV

Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s relationship was one of Bollywood’s most talked-about love stories in the early 2000s. The two reportedly fell in love while filming Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and dated for nearly three years before breaking up in 2002. While fans remember their on-screen chemistry from that film, few know that Salman and Aishwarya also appeared together in another movie — one that also featured Aishwarya’s future husband, Abhishek Bachchan. In the 2000 romantic drama Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke, directed by Raj Kanwar, Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai played the lead roles, with Salman Khan making a brief cameo appearance. A viral clip from the film, shared on social media platform X, shows Salman as a truck driver, with Abhishek sitting beside him. During the scene, Aishwarya’s character is seen trying to hitch a ride, but Salman drives past without stopping. Later, he drops Abhishek off, telling him he has reached his destination. Following Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke, Aishwarya and Abhishek went on to co-star in several films together, including Kuch Naa Kaho, Umrao Jaan, Dhoom 2, Guru, Sarkar Raj, and Raavan*. The couple married in April 2007 and welcomed their daughter Aaradhya in November 2011. On the professional front, Salman Khan is currently hosting Bigg Boss Season 19 and will next appear in Battle of Galwan, a film inspired by the 2020 India-China border clash. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was last seen in Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan: II (2023), while Abhishek Bachchan recently starred in Kaalidhar Laapata, which premiered on ZEE5 in August. source: NDTV