United News of Bangladesh

Actor and activist George Takei is dedicating his next project to a cause he has long championed: the right to read. The American Library Association announced on Monday that Takei, 88, will serve as the honorary chair for Banned Books Week, which will be held from October 5-11. During this week, libraries and bookstores across the country will spotlight books that have been censored, including Maia Kobabe's Gender Queer and Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye. Takei, who spent part of his childhood in a Japanese internment camp during World War II, reflected on his personal experience: "I remember all too well the lack of access to books and media that I needed growing up. First as a child in a barbed-wire prison camp, and later as a gay young man in the closet, I felt confused and hungry for understanding about myself and the world around me." He continued, "Please stand with me in opposing censorship, so that we all can find ourselves — and each other — in books." Banned Books Week, which began in 1982, has previously been led by honorary chairs such as Ava DuVernay, LeVar Burton, and Jason Reynolds. Takei will share this year’s leadership with honorary youth chair Iris Mogul, a first-year student at the University of California, Santa Cruz, who has been actively involved in anti-book-banning efforts for several years.

The finale of The Great Indian Kapil Show, which was set to feature Bollywood star Akshay Kumar, has landed in controversy after a skit involving the iconic character Baburao Ganpatrao Apte from the Hera Pheri franchise. Producer Firoz A. Nadiadwala has reportedly sent a legal notice worth Rs 25 crore to Netflix and the show’s makers, objecting to comedian Kiku Sharda performing in the guise of Baburao—a role originally portrayed by Paresh Rawal. “Baburao is not just a character, but the soul of Hera Pheri. This legacy was built with our sweat, vision, and creativity, and no one can misuse it without permission. Paresh Rawal nurtured this role with heart and soul. We will protect what we have created because culture is for preservation, not exploitation,” Nadiadwala said. His legal team has cited copyright and trademark infringement, misuse of exclusive rights under the Copyright Act, and demanded the immediate removal of the segment from all platforms, a written undertaking barring future use, a public apology within 24 hours, and monetary compensation. They warned of both civil and criminal proceedings if the demands are not met. Singer Zubeen Garg dies in scuba diving tragedy in Singapore Nadiadwala’s lawyer, Sana Raees Khan, added, “The unauthorised use of my client’s iconic character is blatant theft for commercial gain. The law will protect creative legacies from exploitation.” Baburao Apte, introduced in the 2000 film Hera Pheri directed by Priyadarshan, became one of Indian cinema’s most beloved comic characters, with the franchise attaining cult status alongside stars Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty. Netflix has been contacted for comment on the matter. Source: NDTV 

Canada has banned the Irish-language rap group Kneecap, accusing it of endorsing political violence and supporting militant groups, officials said Friday. Vince Gasparro, parliamentary secretary for combating crime, said Kneecap has “openly supported organizations such as Hezbollah and Hamas,” which he stressed goes beyond free expression. “Canada stands firmly against hate speech, incitement to violence and glorification of terrorism,” he added. The group rejected the accusations, saying it is being targeted for supporting the Palestinian cause during Israel’s war in Gaza. In a statement, Kneecap called Gasparro’s claims “false and malicious” and said it would take legal action. Kneecap had been scheduled to perform in Toronto and Vancouver next month. Jewish groups in Canada welcomed the ban, while the band’s critics have also pushed for restrictions in the U.S. following their performance at Coachella earlier this year, where they accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians.

The South Indian cinema never stops to flourish its creative strength with a vibrant slate poised to energise viewers across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam film industries. Like every month, the audiences can expect a wave of new releases this October, spanning diverse genres like romance, comedy, horror, thriller, fantasy, and high-voltage action. Teasers and first looks have already surged online, laced with sharp dialogues and bursts of stunt-heavy spectacle, igniting excitement across fan circles. Let’s dive into the top 12 upcoming South Indian movies driving the buzz in October 2025. Top 12 South Indian Movies Coming This October . Vrusshabha | Telugu Action | October 16, 2025 A lingering question runs through the centre of ‘Vrusshabha’: can affection overcome the darker pull of vengeance when the same two souls meet again as father and son? Nanda Kishore shapes that idea into a reincarnation drama, threading together mythic overtones with the intimacy of a family story. Mohanlal anchors the narrative with his usual ease, while Shanaya Kapoor, Samarjit Lankesh, Zahrah S. Khan, Ragini Dwivedi, and Srikanth fill out the supporting canvas. Produced by Balaji Motion Pictures with Connekkt Media and AVS Studios, the film benefits from Devi Sri Prasad’s music. Read more: Bollywood Hindi Movies List for October 2025: Top 10 Biggest Premieres Telusu Kada | Telugu Romantic Comedy | October 17, 2025 At first glance, ‘Telusu Kada’ presents itself as another triangular romance, but debut filmmaker Neeraja Kona appears intent on stirring a little chaos into the genre. Raashii Khanna, Siddhu Jonnalagadda, and Srinidhi Shetty headline the cast, with Harsha Chemudu and Ravi Mariya on hand to tilt the mood toward farce. Backed by T. G. Vishwa Prasad and Vivek Kuchibhotla’s People Media Factory, the production hints at a blend of lightness on modern dating. Thaman S’s score is expected to underline that balance. Baahubali: The Epic | Telugu Epic Action | October 31, 2025 Years after it first stormed through Indian cinemas, ‘Baahubali’ returns in an unexpected guise. S. S. Rajamouli has condensed and polished his two-part saga into ‘Baahubali: The Epic’. This is a single feature that threads together the rise of Mahishmati’s warrior prince with new edits and technical upgrades. Read more: Best 10 Amazon Prime Originals Coming in October 2025 Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty, Tamannaah, Ramya Krishna, Sathyaraj, and Nassar reprise the roles that turned them into pop-culture fixtures. M. M. Keeravani’s score has been remastered to match the refurbished images. Produced once again by Shobu Yarlagadda and Prasad Devineni for Arka Media Works, the project courts both nostalgia and curiosity. Idly Kadai | Tamil Sports Drama | October 1, 2025 A quiet resilience runs beneath ‘Idly Kadai’, a new outing from Dhanush, who not only headlines the film but also directs and co-produces it. The sports film brings together Wunderbar Films and Dawn Pictures. The narrative tracks the unassuming life of an idli seller, letting his struggles and modest ambitions speak to wider shifts in society. Read more: Netflix Originals Coming in October 2025: Top 10 Binge-worthy Releases Nithya Menen steps in as Dhanush’s co-star, surrounded by an able ensemble – Arun Vijay, Sathyaraj, Shalini Pandey, R. Parthiban, Rajkiran, and P. Samuthirakani. G. V. Prakash Kumar’s music is set to wrap the proceedings in a familiar warmth. Diesel | Tamil Action Thriller | October 17, 2025 Shanmugam Muthusamy attempts to steer his first feature, ‘Diesel’, through the combustible world of illicit fuel trade. The director, who also pens the screenplay, appears intent on grounding his action beats in the politics surrounding the so-called diesel mafia. Harish Kalyan and Athulya Ravi front the cast, with Vinay Rai slipping into the antagonist’s shoes. Around them, an extensive supporting lineup – P. Sai Kumar, Zakir Husain, Ramesh Thilak, Vivek Prasanna, Kaali Venkat, Sachin Khedekar, and Sai Krishna – hints at a layered ensemble. Third Eye Entertainment and SP Cinemas jointly oversee the production, and Dhibu Ninan Thomas handles the score. Read more: Baaghi 4 Starring Tiger Shroff, Harnaaz Sandhu, Sanjay Dutt: Review and Earnings Dude | Tamil Romantic Comedy | October 17, 2025 Keerthiswaran makes his feature film directorial debut with ‘Dude’, along with crafting its screenplay. The romantic comedy draws together Mamitha Baiju and Pradeep Ranganathan in lead roles, with veterans like Rohini and R. Sarathkumar lending support alongside Hridhu Haroon. Mythri Movie Makers bankrolls the production, while Sai Abhyankkar steers the music. The makers have not revealed the plot details yet, making an effort to let the movie speak for itself when it arrives. Read more: Lokah Chapter 1 – Chandra: Female-Led Malayalam Superhero Blockbuster

Renowned Indian singer and cultural icon Zubeen Garg has passed away following a tragic scuba diving accident in Singapore. The 52-year-old artist from Assam was in the city to perform at the North East India Festival, scheduled for September 20–21. While diving, Garg experienced severe breathing issues. He was pulled from the water and administered CPR but was declared dead at Singapore General Hospital around 2:30 PM IST. Sources told NDTV that despite attempts to revive him at the scene, he had likely passed away before reaching the hospital. Authorities confirmed that his body will undergo a post-mortem before being returned to Assam, either today or tomorrow. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated he was in direct contact with the Indian High Commission in Singapore to ensure the swift return of Garg’s remains. Incident Took Place Without Organisers’ Knowledge Festival organisers were reportedly unaware of Garg's decision to go scuba diving. According to Shyamkanu Mahanta, one of the event’s organisers, the singer had gone out on a yacht with local members of the Assamese community without informing the festival team. News of the accident reached them during a meeting with Singaporean industrialists. Following the tragedy, the organisers cancelled the remainder of the festival. Mahanta expressed deep sorrow, calling the loss “monumental.” Zubeen Garg: A Musical Legend Zubeen Garg was celebrated for his contributions to music across Assamese, Hindi, and Bengali films. He rose to national fame with the hit song "Ya Ali" from Gangster and followed it with popular tracks like "Dil Tu Hi Bata" from Krrish 3. He also worked as an actor and director, with successful films like Mission China, Kanchanjunga, and Dinabandhu. In 2022, he sustained a minor head injury during a fall at a resort in Dibrugarh but had recovered after treatment. Just days before his death, on September 16, he posted a video inviting fans to attend the festival in Singapore, promising performances in Hindi, Bengali, and Assamese. Nationwide Condolences and Tributes The news of Garg’s death triggered an outpouring of grief across India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed shock over Garg’s untimely death, highlighting his musical legacy and popularity across all sections of society. Rahul Gandhi called it a “terrible tragedy” and said Garg’s music had redefined Assamese culture. Minister Kiren Rijiju shared his condolences, calling him a “magical voice” and praising his contribution to Indian music. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said her prayers were with Garg’s family and fans, describing him as a true musical icon. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma called the loss “tragic beyond words,” saying Garg passed away far too soon and left a void that would never be filled. He described Zubeen as someone whose music touched the soul and whose bond with the people of Assam was deeply personal. Assam Health Minister Ashok Singhal wrote that the state had lost its "heartbeat," and Zubeen was more than a singer—he was the pride of the region. Former MP Ripun Bora also paid tribute, calling Garg’s spirit and artistry inspirational to generations. Survived by His Wife Zubeen Garg is survived by his wife, fashion designer Garima Saikia Garg. Source: NDTV

Renowned filmmaker Piplu R Khan’s pandemic-time film ‘Jaya Ar Sharmin’ is set to stream on popular Bangladeshi OTT platform Chorki from 12:01 am on September 25. The film portrays the psychological journey of two women from starkly different social backgrounds — an actress and her domestic aide — locked in together during the Covid-19 lockdown. Within the confined space, their fragile bond evolves and eventually collapses under the weight of solitude and shifting relationships. Featuring popular actress Jaya Ahsan alongside acclaimed theatre and screen performer Mohsina Akter, the film also stars Tanzim Saiyara Totini in a guest role. The screenplay was co-written by Piplu R Khan and Nusrat Islam Mati; and after its theatrical release in May this year, the film is now making its way to OTT audiences. Expressing his excitement, Piplu stated, “We are very happy that Jaya Ar Sharmin is coming to OTT. The film explores women’s psychology, and I feel female audiences will particularly relate to it." 'Many expatriate Bangladeshis have shown interest in watching the film, and now they will get the chance. Overall, Chorki is the perfect home for this film,” according to Piplu. Sharing her reflections, Jaya Ahsan said the production was unlike any other project in her career. “During the shoot, I wouldn’t even go home because my mother lived there." "We worked with a minimal unit, sometimes forgetting that the camera was rolling; we washed and ironed our own costumes repeatedly to ensure hygiene. The acting felt less like performance and more like living the reality we had all endured during the pandemic,” she recalled. The actress described filming in Banani, one of Dhaka’s busiest areas, yet finding complete silence due to the lockdown. “We recorded live sound, without dubbing; and at times, we even wondered if this would be our last film. When it released in theatres, people called it an honest film - and now on Chorki, even more people will be able to revisit that time and reflect on how we overcame it,” Jaya added. Mohsina Akter highlighted the creative freedom she received from Piplu. “Very few directors allow this level of improvisation - and he gave me the confidence to experiment, which requires courage and trust from both the director and co-actors. I realized during the pandemic that we are so insignificant before nature." "Life is the greatest gift, yet also the most fragile. We must value relationships, family ties, and the time we spend with others,” according to Mohsina. Through 'Jaya Ar Sharmin', Piplu R Khan attempted to capture not just the struggles of lockdown, but the deeper realizations of human vulnerability, empathy, and resilience - according to Chorki. 

Legendary director Martin Scorsese is set to direct a film adaptation of Peter Cameron’s novel What Happens at Night, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence, Variety reported. Apple Original Films is in talks to co-produce the movie with Studiocanal, which acquired the rights in 2023. Patrick Marber is adapting the screenplay. The story follows an American couple who travel to a snowy European city to adopt a baby. The wife, battling cancer, becomes weak, while her husband fears her illness may jeopardize the adoption. They stay at the eerie Borgarfjaroasysla Grand Imperial Hotel, where enigmatic characters challenge the couple’s understanding of their marriage, themselves, and life. Scorsese and DiCaprio have collaborated on six films over two decades, but this will be Scorsese’s first time directing Lawrence, whose performance in Die My Love—produced by Scorsese—is generating Oscar buzz. Meanwhile, DiCaprio is receiving acclaim for Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, opening the Galas section of the 9th Pingyao International Film Festival from September 24-30. Regina Hall co-stars in the thriller, loosely based on Thomas Pynchon’s 1990 novel Vineland. DiCaprio and Lawrence previously starred together in the 2021 film Don’t Look Up.   Source: NDTV

Cardi B is back with her long-awaited second album, “Am I the Drama?”, seven years after her debut “Invasion of Privacy.” The Grammy-winning rapper released the 23-track project on Friday, just days after announcing her fourth pregnancy — her first child with New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs — and weeks after winning a court battle in Los Angeles. The album title nods to the constant scrutiny around her career. Cardi channels that spotlight into music marked by her trademark confidence, wit and boldness. It features collaborations with Janet Jackson, Lizzo, Selena Gomez, Megan Thee Stallion, Cash Cobain, Kehlani, Summer Walker and Tyla. Older hits like “Up” and “WAP” also appear on the album. When criticized for including them, Cardi fired back on X in June, saying the songs are among her biggest and “deserve a home.” New tracks such as the hard-hitting “Outside” and smoother “Imaginary Playerz” show her range. Her personal life has fueled attention too. The pregnancy reveal with Diggs capped a turbulent stretch that included her recent courtroom victory. Cardi has three children from her previous marriage with Offset, while Diggs has a daughter from an earlier relationship. Next year, Cardi will launch the Little Miss Drama Tour, her first arena trek, kicking off Feb. 11 in Palm Desert and ending in Atlanta in April, with major stops in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York and Toronto.

Seven years after her Grammy-winning debut Invasion of Privacy, Cardi B has returned with her sophomore album, Am I the Drama?, released Friday to high anticipation. The 23-track project arrives just days after she announced her fourth pregnancy — her first child with New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs — and only weeks after she won a Los Angeles court case tied to an alleged assault incident years ago. With a title that nods to the intense public scrutiny around her career, Cardi leans into her trademark style of blunt confidence and sharp humor. The album features high-profile collaborations with Janet Jackson, Lizzo, Selena Gomez, Megan Thee Stallion, Cash Cobain, Kehlani, Summer Walker and Tyla. Cardi included past hits “Up” and “WAP” with Megan Thee Stallion, sparking online criticism for recycling older tracks. She responded firmly on X in June, saying, “These are two of my biggest songs…they deserve a home,” while noting they don’t count toward first-week sales. Fresh tracks like the assertive “Outside” and the breezier “Imaginary Playerz” balance hard-edged anthems with radio-friendly flows, further showcasing her range. Bigg Boss 19 nominations: Ashnoor Kaur, Nehal Chudasama and others at risk of eviction The album also arrives at a busy moment in her personal life. Cardi shares three children with former husband Offset — daughters Blossom, 1, and Kulture, 7, and son Wave, 4. Diggs has a daughter, Nova, from a previous relationship. Their pregnancy reveal this week marked a new chapter for the couple, who had kept their relationship largely private. Cardi B will take her momentum on the road with the Little Miss Drama Tour, her first arena tour, beginning Feb. 11 in Palm Desert, California, and wrapping in Atlanta in April, with stops in major cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, New York and Toronto. Source: Agency 

In the latest episode of Bigg Boss 19, contestants Nehal Chudasama, Ashnoor Kaur, Baseer Ali, Pranit More, and Abhishek Bajaj were nominated for elimination. The show, hosted by Salman Khan, continues to captivate viewers with its mix of friendships, rivalries, and house drama. Recently, tensions flared between Baseer Ali and Zeishan Qadri after a prank involving Baseer’s personal belongings went wrong, leaving their friendship strained. Fans can vote for their favorite contestants via the JioHotstar app until Friday, with up to 99 votes per user per day, split across multiple contestants if desired. Bigg Boss 19 streams daily at 9 PM on JioHotstar, with a repeat telecast at 10 PM on Colors TV.