United News of Bangladesh

Rick Davies, co-founder, singer and songwriter of the British rock band Supertramp, has died at the age of 81 after a long battle with cancer, the band announced Monday. Davies, who co-wrote many of the band’s biggest hits with Roger Hodgson, died Saturday from multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer he had fought for more than a decade. Supertramp, founded in 1969, produced classics including “The Logical Song,” “Goodbye Stranger,” “Take the Long Way Home,” and “Give a Little Bit.” Their 1979 album “Breakfast in America” sold over 18 million copies, topped charts in the US and Canada, and won two Grammys. The band described Davies as the “voice and pianist behind Supertramp’s most iconic songs” whose soulful vocals and signature Wurlitzer sound shaped their music. Born in Swindon, England in 1944, Davies revived Supertramp in 1996 after it disbanded in 1988, with the group performing for the last time in Madrid in 2012.

Arijit Singh once again captivated audiences with his soulful performance, but his recent concert in London ended unexpectedly when venue authorities cut the power mid-performance due to a curfew violation. A touching rendition of Saiyaara — originally sung by Faheem Abdullah — was interrupted, sparking a buzz online. Videos circulating on social media show Arijit emotionally singing Saiyaara while fans sang along, creating a heartfelt moment. However, once the clock passed the 10:30 PM curfew, the stadium staff allegedly shut off the power, preventing Arijit from finishing the performance or saying goodbye to his audience. An Instagram post by @thewhatup shared the viral video, stating, “London stadium allegedly cut power at Arijit Singh's show without letting him say goodbye or finish the song due to curfew time of 10:30 PM. Meanwhile, the video of him singing Saiyaara at the concert is trending.” The incident sparked mixed reactions online. While many fans expressed disappointment over the abrupt ending, others supported the move, citing the UK’s strict enforcement of noise regulations. This dramatic end comes on the heels of Arijit Singh’s recent global milestones. In July, he surpassed Taylor Swift to become the most-followed artist on Spotify. Just a month earlier, he collaborated with Ed Sheeran on the hit song Sapphire, which also featured a cameo by Shah Rukh Khan and quickly went viral. Source: NDTV      

The Ministry of Cultural Affairs, in association with Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), honoured legendary singer Sabina Yasmin with a special recognition on Sunday evening at the National Theatre Hall of the Academy, followed by her solo musical performance. Anchored by noted actor Afzal Hossain, the programme, titled 'Shudhu Gaan Geye Porichoy', began with a one-minute silence in memory of recently deceased writer and researcher Badruddin Umar. A documentary featuring reflections on Yasmin from Syed Abdul Hadi, Naquib Khan, Richard Kishore, Partha Barua, Chandan Dutta, Maksud Jamil Mintu, Habib Wahid, Asifur Rahman Agun, Zahid Nirob, Foad Nasser Babu and Sunil Chandra, was then screened; followed by a dance performance by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy artistes on the song 'Gitimoy Sei Din Chirodin Bujhi Ar Elo Na'. Welcoming the audience, Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki said, “If anyone wants to dominate, they first deny your history and then your culture - that is always the first step of an invasion; but in today’s Bangladesh, we want to address both. Tonight, we celebrate one of our greatest cultural treasures, Sabina Yasmin — not only through her music, but also with recognition from the state.” Farooki added, “This honour was planned from the Cultural Affairs Ministry; but yesterday evening, when I asked our Chief Adviser if this recognition could be given from his office, he immediately said he would be humbled to do that.” On behalf of the government, Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud handed over the honour to Yasmin, saying, “She is truly our pride and legend. I still remember, as a young university student in the late 1960s, Sabina Yasmin was already a source of glory for us at the dawn of Bangla cinema and music.” Among the distinguished guests were Cabinet Secretary Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid, Cultural Affairs Secretary Md Mofidur Rahman, and BSA Secretary and acting Director General Mohammad Wares Hossain. Tributes followed as singers and artistes reminisced about Sabina Yasmin. Veteran singer Khurshid Alam said, “Sabina Apa’s songs enriched Bangla music immensely. Thanks to her musically inclined family, we got such a treasure." "I thank the Ministry and Shilpakala Academy for honouring her in her lifetime, though I regret they didn’t even have my address when inviting me, which is unfortunate,” Khurshid Alam said at the event.

Netflix’s Wednesday Season 2 Part 2 premiered this week, bringing more mystery, darker visuals, and intense drama at Nevermore Academy. Amid the suspense, a fan-made crossover edit of Wednesday and the 2007 Bollywood hit Om Shanti Om went viral. The mashup pairs the dark Dastaan-E-Om Shanti song with Wednesday’s moody atmosphere. In the video, Wednesday Addams walks through the academy, evoking Shantipriya’s haunting presence. Bianca Barclay is then held hostage by Barry Dort, only for Ajax Petropolus to use his gorgon powers to turn Dort to stone. A chandelier crashes onto the statue, echoing the villain’s fate in Om Shanti Om. Fans loved the crossover. One wrote, “Even the jhoomar was so accurate,” while another said, “I swear I was thinking the same while watching this!” Others praised Wednesday’s resemblance to Shantipriya in her black dress. Wednesday Season 2 is split into two parts, each with four episodes. Part 1 premiered on August 6, 2025, and Part 2 on September 3. The series follows Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) at Nevermore Academy as she solves supernatural mysteries, struggles with her psychic powers, and faces new family and academy challenges, including Enid Sinclair’s werewolf transformation and Lady Gaga’s ghostly Professor Rosaline Rotwood.   Source: NDTV

The fourth film in the popular Dhamaal franchise has finished shooting, the makers announced Saturday. Ajay Devgn, Riteish Deshmukh, Arshad Warsi, and Jaaved Jaaferi are all returning for the comedy, which is directed by Indra Kumar. T-Series shared the news on Instagram with character posters showing the four stars along with Ravi Kishan, Sanjay Mishra, Upendra Limaye, Esha Gupta, Sanjeeda Shaikh, and Anjali Dinesh Anand. The post read: “It’s a wrap on #Dhamaal 4. Now let the madness begin! #Dhamaal 4 coming to cinemas on Eid 2026.” Devgn reshared it, writing: “Today's breaking news, brought to you by the gang, who are coming to loot your heart soon… and the brain.” The Dhamaal series began in 2007, followed by Double Dhamaal (2009) and Total Dhamaal (2019). Dhamaal 4 is produced by Devgn, Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Ashok Thakeria, Indra Kumar, Anand Pandit, and Kumar Mangat Pathak.   Source: NDTV

The 31-year-old popstar has surprised fans with his second new album of 2025, Swag II, following July’s Swag. Both albums appeared after cryptic billboards teased their arrival in major cities. This eighth album mirrors its predecessor in sound, theme, and energy, offering a 23-track collection for diehard fans—or 44 tracks if played alongside Swag, totaling two hours and 11 minutes. Swag II continues Bieber’s return to his soulful, alternative R&B-pop roots first explored on Swag. Collaborators Mk.gee and Dijon return, along with Lil B and Eddie Benjamin, while new voices include Tems, Hurricane Chris, and Bakar. The album balances romantic odes to his wife Hailey Bieber with religious reflections, most notably in the nearly eight-minute coda, Story of God. Sonically, the dreamy production of Swag carries over. Some tracks feel raw or unfinished, like Dotted Line, while others shine, including Love Song, Petting Zoo, and Michael Jackson-inspired tracks Eye Candy and Don’t Wanna featuring Bakar. Fans will find both experimental moments and heartfelt love songs throughout. Three stars out of five.On repeat: Love SongSkip it: Dotted LineFor fans of: Swag, the Rhode skincare brand, the 2011 film Justin Bieber: Never Say Never

Sydney Sweeney drew a rousing reception at the Toronto International Film Festival for her performance in Christy, David Michôd’s biopic of trailblazing boxer Christy Salters Martin. The 27-year-old Emmy-nominated actor transforms into the “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” portraying Martin’s rise in boxing alongside her years of abuse by trainer-husband Jim Martin, who later tried to kill her. Ben Foster co-stars as Jim. Sweeney, who trained intensively for the role, called it the experience of her life. Martin, praising the performance, said Sweeney captured both her rugged boxing persona and her private struggles. The screening sparked immediate Oscar buzz, with critics hailing it as Sweeney’s strongest and grittiest performance yet. Christy, co-produced by Sweeney and Black Bear, opens in theaters November 7.

The 82nd Venice Film Festival concludes Saturday with the announcement of its top prizes, including the Golden Lion for best film. This year’s lineup featured several Oscar contenders. Kathryn Bigelow drew attention with her nuclear thriller A House of Dynamite, while Guillermo del Toro presented his gothic Frankenstein starring Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi. Park Chan-wook impressed with the satire No Other Choice, and Dwayne Johnson surprised with a dramatic turn in The Smashing Machine. Other highlights included Yorgos Lanthimos’s Bugonia with Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons, George Clooney’s Hollywood reflection Jay Kelly, and Jude Law as Vladimir Putin in The Wizard of the Kremlin. Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania made waves late in the festival with The Voice of Hind Rajab, a searing Gaza war drama that received a 22-minute standing ovation. Alexander Payne headed the main jury, which also included filmmakers and actors from Brazil, Iran, France, Italy, China and Romania. Past Venice winners such as Lanthimos and del Toro went on to triumph at the Oscars, cementing the festival’s reputation as a launchpad for award season.

In Bollywood’s latest spectacle, ‘Baaghi 4 (2025)’ with Tiger Shroff, arrives as a much-anticipated continuation of a franchise known for its thrilling energy. Released on September 5, 2025, the action thriller promises to blend raw intensity with mainstream entertainment and mass appeal. Let’s dive into how the fourth installment of the Baaghi franchise holds up in depth and what its box-office performance signals. Cast and Crew of the Film Baaghi 4 (2025)  A. Harsha makes his Hindi debut with this high-octane movie, stepping into a franchise already heavy with expectations. It comes under Sajid Nadiadwala’s trusted banner, Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, and carries the responsibility of being the fourth entry of the Baaghi franchise. Interestingly, this one isn’t an entirely original outing; it borrows heavily from an unofficial remake of the Tamil feature Ainthu Ainthu Ainthu from 2013. Sonam Bajwa and Sanjay Dutt join Shroff, along with Harnaaz Sandhu, who steps into Bollywood for the first time. Shreyas Talpade, Upendra Limaye, and Saurabh Sachdeva round out the ensemble. Read more: Lokah Chapter 1 – Chandra: Female-Led Malayalam Superhero Blockbuster Music duties fall to Sanchit and Ankit Balhara, whose score tries to fuel the momentum with equal parts energy and tension. Tiger Shroff On Full Beast Mode Like its predecessors, Baaghi 4 carries an A certificate, and there is no attempt to soften the blows. Shroff once again transforms into Ronnie, though this time the character feels more volatile, more unhinged. There’s intensity in his performance, and for stretches, he manages to push beyond the action-hero image that usually limits him. At 160 minutes, the relentlessness begins to wear down even patient viewers. The carnage doesn’t arrive in moderation; impalements, dismemberments, and bullets tearing through flesh all play out with little restraint. What starts as occasional bare-fist skirmishes escalates into endless brawls armed with knives, rods, and anything sharp enough to pierce through. There’s undeniable craft in staging such spectacles, but the barrage of violence overshadows everything else. For some, that sheer excess will feel like the franchise living up to its name. For others, it may come across as fatigue dressed up as adrenaline. Read more: Wednesday Season 2 Part 2: Jenna Ortega Fronts Netflix's Star-Studded Mayhem Story Lags Behind Action Ronny’s arc in the plot of this movie begins at rock bottom. He survives a brutal train crash that was never meant to leave him breathing, but survival brings no relief. Grief gnaws at him, guilt takes root, and his descent into self-destruction feels both personal and punishing. The woman he loved may or may not have survived, and that uncertainty fractures his mind. As the line between memory and reality blurs, those around him begin to wonder if his world is real at all. The script is designed with such a heavy hand on spectacle that the director barely seems to need an action choreographer. Rajat Aroraa’s dialogues, usually tuned to win easy applause, are toned down to match the story’s darker beats. Still, the makers lean too hard on action and a one-note love track. For every kinetic set-piece, narrative depth is sacrificed, leaving the film’s dramatic foundation shaky. When the story dips into the second half, predictability sets in. Promising tension dissolves into routine plotting. By the time the movie drags to its conclusion, it is the slick visuals and elaborate stunts, not the story, that carry it across the finish line for action enthusiasts. Read more: Param Sundari Film Review, Ratings, Earnings: Cross‑Cultural Romance in Bollywood Acting in Rhythm with the Action Tiger plays a dual shade of Ronnie, violent avenger on one end, vulnerable naval officer on the other. The former feels familiar, almost recycled from his past outings, but the latter carries more weight. His portrayal of a man battling trauma and possible PTSD lends some rare dimension to a character otherwise built on fists and fury. Harnaaz Sandhu, in her debut as Alisha, surprises. There’s a quiet confidence in her screen presence, never raw, never forced. She slips into the romance with ease, giving Ronnie’s broken edges a softer counterpoint. Sanjay Dutt looms large, menacing in frame, and his presence during key action sequences lifts their impact. Among the supporting cast, Saurabh Sachdeva stands out with a villainous smile that unsettles more than the bloodshed does. Sunit Morarjee adds bite as the deputy, while Upendra Limaye steals several moments, grounding the chaos with sharp screen presence. Direction and Music: Controlled but Limited Director A. Harsha doesn’t get much room to shape the film into his own. Sajid Nadiadwala, steering the story, screenplay, and production, keeps a firm grip, leaving Harsha little chance to leave a personal stamp. Still, the production value and technical polish are intact. Read more: The Voice of Hind Rajab (2025): Gaza’s Cry Echoes Through Cinema The soundscape, however, is kept deliberately loud, almost to a fault. The songs are a mixed bag, as some lyrics stand out for their plain sincerity, even if the compositions themselves don’t linger long. Jagdeep Warring-Josh’s Guzaara and Danish Sabri-Paradox’s Akeli Laila bring fleeting freshness. Sameer Anjaan’s Marjaana and Yeh Mera Husn lean on formula, though the latter, set to Tanishk Bagchi’s tune, feels like a deliberate echo of Pathaan’s Besharam Rang. The resemblance is no accident; Shilpa Rao, who lent her voice to the Shah Rukh Khan hit, reprises her place here. Box Office: An Early Surge Commercially, the Nadiadwala production, completed with a Rs 25 crore budget, is off to a striking start. Pre-release sales suggested momentum, crossing Rs. 5 crore gross even before accounting for blocked seats. With those included, the figure jumped past Rs 7.75 crore, and that was still with an hour left before showtime. For perspective, this easily outstripped Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par, which had closed its opening-day pre-sales at Rs. 3.31 crore gross. The first-day collections told a similar story. Around Rs. 12 crore net from India alone put the film ahead of Aamir’s recent outing, which had opened at Rs. 10.70 crore. Read more: Vash Level 2 (2025) Movie: Review, Ratings, Earnings Piling Up ‘Baaghi 4 (2025)’ starred by Tiger Shroff, Harnaaz Sandhu, and Sanjay Dutt has triggered considerable hype across Bollywood, riding on both star power and franchise memory. Sajid Nadiadwala’s production and pen, however, leave the story uneven and often predictable. What it does deliver without restraint is action at full throttle and unsettled music. Advanced bookings underline its staggering pull at the box office. That momentum alone proves how spectacle can outweigh storytelling lapses.

The final film in The Conjuring franchise, The Conjuring: Last Rites, is now in theatres, starring Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. Early reactions on social media are mixed. Some fans praised the movie as a “beautiful end to the series,” while others called it “a slow burn” with “predictable jump scares.” Many highlighted the performances of Wilson and Farmiga as a strong point. The ninth and final installment is based on the real-life Smurl hauntings in West Pittston, Pennsylvania, and also explores the history of the Warrens’ family.   Source: NDTV