United News of Bangladesh

Janhvi Kapoor opened up about the challenges she faced after her mother Sridevi’s death in 2018. Despite making her Bollywood debut with Dhadak just months later, she said public empathy was lacking. In an interview with Vogue, Janhvi said both she and her sister Khushi hid their grief, which led people to treat them harshly. She called the experience “cynical,” noting that media scrutiny amplified their pain. “Imagine losing your mother and it’s entertainment for half the nation,” she said, recalling constant paparazzi attention and criticism over her every reaction. On the work front, Janhvi’s latest film, Param Sundari, starring Sidharth Malhotra, is currently in theatres.   Source: NDTV

French cinema icon Gérard Depardieu has been ordered to stand trial in Paris on charges of rape and sexual assault involving fellow actor Charlotte Arnould. Arnould welcomed the decision, writing on Instagram Tuesday that she felt “relieved” by the judge’s order, calling it “a form of judicial truth.” Her lawyer, Carine Durrieu-Diebolt, told Franceinfo she was “extremely satisfied,” describing the ruling as a key step in the case. The allegations date back to 2018, when Arnould accused Depardieu of raping her at his home. Prosecutors launched an investigation and last year requested the case be sent to trial. “The acts of rape and sexual assault have been acknowledged,” Arnould said, adding that she now awaits the next stage of the proceedings. Depardieu, 76, was convicted earlier this year of sexually assaulting two women on a film set in 2021, receiving an 18-month suspended sentence and being added to France’s sex offender registry. Once nominated for an Oscar for Cyrano de Bergerac in 1991, the veteran actor has appeared in more than 250 films. Over 20 women have accused him of sexual misconduct in recent years, but most cases were dismissed for lack of evidence or expired limitations.

Renowned artist and cultural personality Mustafa Monwar was celebrated on his 90th birthday through a special television programme titled 'Amader Mustafa Monwar', aired on Channel i at 6:15 pm on Monday. The programme, directed and produced by Anonna Ruma, highlighted Monwar’s illustrious life and contributions to art, puppetry, theatre, and television.  Eminent painter Monirul Islam and renowned actor-filmmaker–painter Afzal Hossain joined the show to share their reflections on Monwar’s extraordinary career. Fulfilling the artist’s birthday wish, over a hundred birds were released into the sky as a symbolic gesture of freedom. A group of young performers also sang to honour him, while rare artworks painted by Mustafa Monwar were showcased at the programme. Born on September 1, 1935 in Jashore, Monwar was the youngest of six siblings. His father was renowned poet Golam Mostafa. Mustafa Monwar studied at Narayanganj Government School before briefly enrolling in science at Scottish Church College, Kolkata. He later shifted to the Government College of Art & Craft, Kolkata, graduating in 1959 with first class first in Fine Arts. After beginning his professional career as a lecturer at the then East Pakistan College of Arts and Crafts, Mustafa Monwar went on to serve as Deputy Director General of Bangladesh Television, Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and National Institute of Mass Communication.  In his illustrious career Mustafa Monwar also held the positions of General Manager at BTV's Dhaka station, and Managing Director of Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC). He also chaired the Population Development Centre and directed the Educational Puppet Development Centre. An eminent cultural personality in the country, Mustafa Monwar made remarkable contributions to fine arts, puppetry, theatre, and television. He received the Ekushey Padak in 2004, along with numerous other honours including the Tenashinas Award for television drama (1990), Bangladesh Charushilpi Sangsad Award for fine arts (1992), Kids Honour Medal from Chittagong’s Kids Cultural Institute (1999), and special recognition from Shishu Kendra in 2002 for his contributions in painting, theatre direction, and puppet-making. Mustafa Monwar married Mary Monwar in 1965, and the couple has a son, Sadat Monwar, and a daughter, Nandini Monwar.

Pop star Sabrina Carpenter’s seventh studio album, Man’s Best Friend, chronicles a messy breakup, contrasting the romance celebrated in her earlier work Short n’ Sweet. Known for blending pop with R&B and country influences, Carpenter has never hidden her sensuality. The album’s original cover, showing her in a submissive pose with a suited man, drew mixed reactions online, with some calling it misogynistic and others seeing it as satirical. The album opens with Manchild, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in June, portraying the immature men Carpenter often encounters. Subsequent tracks like Tears and My Man on Willpower explore disappointment in relationships, leading to the breakup-themed songs Nobody’s Son and We Almost Broke Up Again Last Night. While expressing heartbreak, Carpenter maintains her signature sensual edge, with tracks like When Did You Get Hot? and House Tour highlighting post-breakup confidence and fun. With a mix of catchy choruses, playful lyrics, and emotional depth, Man’s Best Friend offers a varied, provocative, and engaging take on love, loss, and moving on.

Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi are set to attend the Venice Film Festival on Saturday for the world premiere of Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, marking the start of what is expected to be a major awards season campaign for the film. Isaac stars as Victor Frankenstein, while Elordi takes on the role of the monster in del Toro’s long-anticipated adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic novel. “It’s the movie that I’ve been in training for 30 years to do,” del Toro recently told The Associated Press. Some disruption is possible around the premiere, as an anti-war march is scheduled that evening near the festival, aiming to draw attention to the crisis in Gaza. Del Toro last attended Venice in 2017 with The Shape of Water, which won the festival’s top prize and later went on to claim the Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director in 2018. Netflix, which has yet to secure a Best Picture Oscar, is betting heavily on Frankenstein. Del Toro’s previous project, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, earned the streaming giant its first Oscar for Best Animated Film. Like The Shape of Water, Frankenstein is considered a strong contender for Venice’s top awards, competing against films including Yorgos Lanthimos’s Bugonia, Kathryn Bigelow’s A House of Dynamite, Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice, and Kaouther Ben Hania’s The Voice of Hind Rajab. The winners, chosen by an Alexander Payne-led jury, will be announced on Sept. 6. Netflix plans to release Frankenstein in theaters on Oct. 17, followed by streaming on Nov. 7.

Tamil film stars Vishal and Sai Dhanshika have officially announced their engagement. The couple exchanged rings in an intimate ceremony held at Vishal’s residence in Chennai, surrounded by close friends and family. Vishal shared joyful moments from the event on social media platform X, posting pictures of the couple in traditional outfits, smiling and showing off their engagement rings. One photo featured a happy family group portrait. Alongside the pictures, Vishal wrote: "Thank you to all my lovely friends from every corner of this universe for your warm wishes and blessings on my special birthday. I'm thrilled to announce the wonderful news of my engagement that took place today with @saidhanshika, surrounded by our families. Feeling grateful and blessed. Always seeking your blessings and positive vibes." Wedding Plans Postponed Earlier this year, in May, the couple had announced plans to tie the knot on August 29, 2025, during a press event in Chennai. However, Vishal recently confirmed that their wedding has been postponed, citing the unfinished Nadigar Sangam building as the reason. The Couple Opens Up About Their Relationship At the Yogi Da press conference, both actors spoke about their growing relationship and decision to marry. Sai Dhanshika shared,"Vishal and I plan to get married on August 29. We've known each other for 15 years. He has always treated me with respect. During a difficult time, he visited my home and stood by me — no other hero has ever done that. It was a very touching gesture." She added, "We only recently started speaking more often and realized our bond was growing. We mutually decided to take the next step. I love him and just want him to be happy." Vishal confirmed the relationship with heartfelt words: "My marriage is set. I’ve found my partner. With Dhanshika’s father’s blessings, I am introducing her as the one I’m going to marry. She is truly a wonderful person." He added, "I believe God saves the best for last — and that’s Dhanshika for me. I’m excited to build a beautiful life with her. We share great understanding and trust, which I hope continues always." Vishal and Sai Dhanshika are now engaged. While they had originally planned to marry on August 29, 2025, the wedding has been postponed due to delays in completing the Nadigar Sangam building. Vishal shared the engagement news with heartfelt messages and photos online, expressing gratitude for the blessings and support.  

Julia Roberts and director Luca Guadagnino faced questions about feminism and #MeToo at a Venice Film Festival news conference on Friday for their film After the Hunt. The movie, set in academia, follows a philosophy professor (Roberts) whose colleague is accused of misconduct by her mentee (Ayo Edebiri). The screenplay by Nora Garrett avoids easy answers, sparking debate about its stance on feminist issues. Roberts said the film does not pit women against each other, adding it aims to provoke discussion and reflection. Guadagnino described it as exploring “clash of truths” rather than promoting any manifesto. After the Hunt screened for press Thursday and premieres publicly Friday. Roberts emphasized the film encourages conversation, capturing characters in complex, self-deceptive moments. The film, releasing in North America on Oct. 10, uses a Windsor-style font for its opening credits, a nod to Woody Allen’s 1985–1991 films, which Guadagnino said reflects on the responsibilities of working with an artist one admires. Not in the main competition, the film won’t compete for awards on Sept. 6. Roberts and Guadagnino are familiar faces at Venice, with past films and premieres, though this is Roberts’ first visit. The 82nd Venice Film Festival continues with major upcoming premieres including Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine, and Kathryn Bigelow’s A House of Dynamite.

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift were seen in public together for the first time since announcing their engagement earlier this week, attending the Nebraska-Cincinnati game at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday night. Kelce, who played football for the Bearcats, spent time on the field during warm-ups wearing a red-and-white striped sweater before heading to a suite to watch the game. Swift joined him and several others shortly before kickoff. The couple revealed their engagement in a five-photo Instagram post on Tuesday after dating for about two years. The engagement ring is an old mine brilliant-cut diamond from Kindred Lubeck, confirmed by Swift’s publicist Tree Paine. The Chiefs did not make Kelce available to reporters this week. The Chiefs are preparing for their season opener against the Chargers next Friday night in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, one of Kelce’s closest friends, was also at the game. Mahomes reportedly enjoyed seeing another No. 15 in action—Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola—who has drawn comparisons to the three-time Super Bowl MVP because of their similar looks and jersey number. Kelce’s older brother, Jason Kelce, retired Eagles center and TV personality, co-host of the “New Heights” podcast with Travis, was also present. Chiefs safety Bryan Cook attended as well. Fans of the Huskers were also at the stadium. Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt’s son, Dawson, plays linebacker for Nebraska, and defensive line coach Terry Bradden, who helped Kansas City reach five Super Bowls, was among the spectators.

On August 29, 2025, Maddock Films' Param Sundari, directed by Tushar Jalota, hit the silver screens. This 136-minute "North-meets-South" romantic comedy highlights cultural discovery, family conflict, and fate that is determined by algorithms. Let's take a look at the first review of the movie Param Sundari and the box office earnings. Casting & Performances The key roles are played by Sidharth Malhotra as Param Sachdev and Janhvi Kapoor as Sundari Damodaram Pillai.  Janhvi Kapoor emerges as the emotional anchor in this film. The critics laud the sincerity and grounding effect in her performance. She kept the film afloat despite its uneven pacing. The narrative flourishes when she is on screen. She gave a romantic feel with a touch of sorrow. Sidharth Malhotra's charm and physicality are entertaining. However, his comic timings lack deeper emotional engagement. Malhotra and Kapoor's chemistry on screen is "electric" or "breezy". Read more: The Voice of Hind Rajab (2025): Gaza’s Cry Echoes Through Cinema Among the supporting cast of Param Sundari, Sanjay Kapoor, Manjot Singh, Renji Panicker, and Inayat Verma contribute commendably. They added emotional heft, comic flair, or narrative drive in the film where needed. Plot & Storyline Besides direction, Tushar Jalota contributes to the screenplay of the Param Sundari film. He shared writing credits with Aarsh Vora. The story is further enriched by Gaurav Mishra and Vora.  The storyline follows Param (starred by Sidharth Malhotra), a tech entrepreneur and son of a wealthy businessman. Several failed startups lead him to a dating app that matches soulmates through an algorithm. This app connects Param with Sundari (starred by Janhvi Kapoor), a Malayali homestay owner. Thus, Param starts his journey in pursuit of love. The storyline leads to cultural differences and romantic possibility. In the film, the lush backdrop, rolling backwaters, vibrant festivals, and charming village corners of scenic Kerala enthral the audience. Read more: Vash Level 2 (2025) Movie: Review, Ratings, Earnings But the narrative feels well‑worn. Critics pointed out its thin emotional texture. Some people might get bored with the story because of the forced cultural stereotypes and lazy writing. Tone, Pacing & Overall Reception The tone is breezy and light‑hearted, aiming for rom‑com comfort. However, in the second half, the storyline drags, diminishing earlier charm. Bollywood Hungama praised it as a "pleasant rom‑com" with a youth‑friendly emotional hang‑up, rating it 3.5/5. Positive early reception on social media similarly highlights its feel‑good energy. On the other hand, critics like News18 explained this film as nostalgic, safe, and without surprise. Some others criticise it for lacking depth, unreal romance, or artificial humour. Read more: Top 10 Korean Dramas Releasing in September 2025 Musical Tunes This music of the Param Sundari (2025) has got praise. The soundtrack by Sachin–Jigar, with standout lyrics from Amitabh Bhattacharya, features catchy tracks like “Pardesiya”, already earning acclaim, and “Bheegi Saree”. Reviews frequently cite music as a highlight; its energy, mood‑setting skills, and emotional resonance underscore many of the film’s better moments. Box‑Office Buzz & Early Booking Momentum Bookings for the Pram Sundari (2025) film started 3 days before release. It got over 10,000 tickets sold within 24 hours. It was anticipated that opening day net will be around Rs 7 to 10 crore, backed up by positive buzz and social media traction. The film has since been cleared by the CBFC, though with muted dialogue in select spots. As for streaming, an OTT release is expected roughly eight weeks post‑release, tentatively landing on Amazon Prime Video around late October 2025. Param Sundari collected Rs. 7.37 crores on its opening day (August 29, 2025). Conclusion The Param Sundari (2025) is a film of two halves. First, it offers majestic visuals, entertaining music, and the introduction of two leads. Second, the predictable story, intermittent pacing, and occasional cultural clichés hold the film back from becoming a memorable drama. Read more: 9-1-1: Nashville - What we know so far about Season Nine For viewers looking for a light, visual delight, scenic splendour, catchy tunes and easy charm, this film can be enjoyable. However, for those who prefer depth in storytelling or a romance that leaves them truly moved, Param Sundari may feel a little too surface‑level.

Julia Roberts is making her Venice Film Festival debut with the psychosexual drama After the Hunt, which premieres Friday evening. Set in the world of higher education, the film stars Roberts as a respected professor whose mentee, played by The Bear’s Ayo Edebiri, accuses her friend and colleague (Andrew Garfield) of misconduct. Venice Film Festival kicks off with premieres starring George Clooney and Emma Stone Directed by Italian filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, the film also features Michael Stuhlbarg and Chloë Sevigny. Amazon MGM Studios will release it in North American theaters on Oct. 10. Though strong enough for the main lineup, After the Hunt is screening out of competition at Venice at the studio’s request. The 82nd festival continues with major premieres, including Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein and Kathryn Bigelow’s A House of Dynamite. Source: Agency