United News of Bangladesh

Yash-starrer action thriller Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups is set to arrive in cinemas on August 26, with the film securing an 'A' certificate from India’s Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Directed by Geetu Mohandas, the film was certified by the CBFC’s Bengaluru regional office on August 13, 2026. According to the certification details, Toxic is in Kannada and has a certified length of 194.12 metres. The official synopsis describes the film as the story of a gangster grappling with loyalty, morality and the search for redemption in post-independence Goa, where violence and jealousy dominate. Set against a dark and atmospheric backdrop, the film features intense action and morally conflicted characters while exploring the sacrifices involved in love and the pursuit of redemption. Toxic is produced by Venkat K Narayana under KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations, with Geetu Mohandas directing. The film has been written and filmed in Kannada and English and will also be released in dubbed versions in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam. The movie features an ensemble cast led by Yash and including Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria and Rukmini Vasanth. #Source: NDTV

The everyday and often invisible barriers that hold women back from leadership are at the heart of ‘Bihan’ (The Beginning), a new fiction film produced by Oxfam in Bangladesh under its ‘Rise & Lead’ initiative. Directed by Hemanta Sadeeq and featuring Dilruba Hossain Doyel and Nishat Priom in the central roles, the film follows two working women whose professional ambitions are shaped by expectations surrounding behaviour, care responsibilities, confidence and power. The film will be released on Oxfam in Bangladesh’s social media platforms on August 14 at 8pm, according to a media release issued on Thursday. Developed under the supervision of Md Sariful Islam and written by Shawon Koiri, the film also features Bappy Ashraf, Nazmul Hasan, Aadnan Chowdhury, Prionmoyi Prio and Sayan Rahman.

Emraan Hashmi-starrer Awarapan 2 appears to have gained an early advantage over Sunny Deol’s Batwara 1947 ahead of their box-office clash on Aug. 14. The two films are set to release on the eve of India’s Independence Day. Early booking trends show Awarapan 2 leading the race, helped by nostalgia surrounding Hashmi’s popular 2007 film Awarapan and his strong fan following. Meanwhile, Batwara 1947 is relying on Sunny Deol’s established appeal among mass and family audiences. Trade analyst Ramesh Bala told NDTV that Awarapan 2 currently has the upper hand in the opening-day battle. “Awarapan 2 has the edge in the opening battle, thanks to strong nostalgia and Emraan Hashmi’s cult following. But Batwara 1947 could score big with the mass and family audience. Ultimately, word of mouth will decide the Independence Day winner,” Bala said. He said the sequel has nostalgia and a loyal fan base working in its favour, while Batwara 1947 benefits from Deol’s strong mass appeal. According to early advance-booking figures, Awarapan 2 has sold nearly 68,000 tickets and generated about ₹2.20 crore in advance sales, compared with around 37,600 tickets for Batwara 1947. Bala said the difference represents an 81% lead in ticket sales for Awarapan 2, reflecting the anticipation surrounding the film. “The first round of the Independence Day clash clearly belongs to Awarapan 2,” he said, adding that the stronger advance booking gives the Hashmi-starrer a better platform heading into its opening day. He said Awarapan 2 is setting the pace before release, with advance ticket sales almost twice those of Batwara 1947. Sunny Deol’s film, however, could narrow the gap through stronger walk-in audiences. Trade analyst Sumit Kadel also expects Awarapan 2 to lead the opening battle. He told NDTV that the Emraan Hashmi film could earn nearly twice as much as Batwara 1947 on its opening day and over the weekend. However, the final winner of the Independence Day box-office clash is expected to depend largely on audience response and word of mouth.

Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo has married his longtime partner, model and influencer Georgina Rodríguez, in a civil ceremony in Portugal, according to Portuguese media. The couple reportedly got married on Aug 11 in the coastal town of Cascais, near Lisbon, with their five children attending the ceremony. Ronaldo shared a photo on Instagram showing two hands wearing wedding rings, apparently his and Rodríguez's. He described the occasion as the "wedding of the year." The post received more than 3 million likes within 30 minutes. Ronaldo and Rodríguez have been together for about 10 years. They met at a Gucci store in Madrid, where Rodríguez was working while Ronaldo was playing for Spanish giants Real Madrid. The couple announced their engagement on Aug 11 last year after Rodríguez shared a photo of a large diamond ring and wrote in Spanish, "Yes I do. In this and in all my lives." Ronaldo has five children, including two with Rodríguez. She has also helped raise his other three children. The family currently lives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Their first daughter together, Alana Martina, was born in 2017. Their second daughter, Bella, was born in April 2022. Bella's twin brother was stillborn. Ronaldo, 41, has scored nearly 1,000 goals during a career that has included spells at Sporting in Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr and the Portugal national team. The Portugal captain recently appeared at his sixth and final World Cup, matching Argentina's Lionel Messi for the most appearances in the men's tournament. Ronaldo has won the Ballon d'Or five times, second only to Messi, who has claimed the award eight times. Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in 2022. The Saudi club confirmed last year that he had signed a new two-year contract, keeping him at the Riyadh-based side until 2027. The Bloomberg Billionaires Index estimated Ronaldo's wealth at $1.4 billion last year, making him the first football player to reach billionaire status. With inputs from BBC

Oscar-winning actor Sir Anthony Hopkins is stepping into a new role as a recording artist with his debut album, “Life Is a Dream,” featuring 12 compositions he has written over six decades. The album, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel and performed by the Philharmonia Orchestra, was recorded at London's Alexandra Palace in April. Decca Records will release it on Aug 21. For Hopkins, 88, music has always been more than a hobby. “My first love, or vocation really, is music,” he said, recalling how music influenced him while growing up in postwar Wales. He began playing the piano at age 4 and wrote his first composition, a waltz, in 1960 when he was 22. Hopkins said composing gives him greater freedom than acting. “Acting is a discipline, you have to know your stuff,” he said. “But music for me is a freewheeling kind of art form.” He has already composed music for several films, including “Shadowlands,” in which he played author C.S. Lewis. He later worked on the music for “August,” “Slipstream” and “Elyse,” films in which he also acted and, in some cases, directed. Album draws on childhood memoriesHopkins said “Life Is a Dream,” named after a play by Spanish playwright Pedro Calderón de la Barca, reflects his childhood, teenage years and life growing up in Wales. The album also carries a sense of sadness and nostalgia, he said, reflecting on the passing of time and the realities of life. “From the moment we're born, we begin to die,” Hopkins said, joking about the rather gloomy thought. The album's first single, “1947: Suite for Solo Piano and Orchestra: II. Bracken Road,” is part of a three-part suite inspired by a summer in South Wales. Hopkins said the piece carries a feeling of melancholy and nostalgia, particularly through its cello sounds. He described the song as reflecting “the strange, whimsical pain of life” and the human sense of longing. Another composition, “Stella Aria,” is named after his wife, actor and director Stella Hopkins. The piece explores loneliness but ultimately leads toward happiness, he said. Hopkins has also been looking back on his life in his memoir, “We Did OK, Kid,” released last year. Reflecting on his career, he said he never expected to achieve the success that came after choosing acting about 70 years ago. “I couldn't have planned any of this,” he said, adding that he initially became an actor partly because he did not know what else to do. Hopkins said he is grateful for his long life and has no fear of death. “I'm just so grateful I've lived this long,” he said. Bradley Cooper helped connect Hopkins with DudamelActor Bradley Cooper played an important role in bringing Hopkins and Dudamel together. Cooper had seen Hopkins' music performed by the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra under conductor Michael Seal several years ago and introduced him to Dudamel. When Hopkins later attended the recording session at Alexandra Palace, he admitted he was surprised by the complexity of his own compositions. “I'm sitting there thinking, ‘How the hell did I write this?’ I have no idea,” he said. Dudamel, however, praised the music and described Hopkins as a composer with a strong sense of storytelling and emotion. “The same depth of imagination, humanity and emotional truth that has defined his extraordinary work on stage and screen is present in his music,” Dudamel said. Hopkins hopes to perform liveWith the album set for release, Hopkins is already considering live performances, with Carnegie Hall at the top of his wish list. The venue has special meaning for him because of the 1947 film “Carnegie Hall,” which he remembers from his childhood. He also recalls his mother telling him that one day he would perform there. Now, decades later, Hopkins says playing at Carnegie Hall is a dream he still hopes to fulfil. END/UNB/SB

Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan playfully called out actress Preity Zinta for not responding to his birthday wishes during the premiere episode of the 18th season of popular quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC). Preity Zinta, actor Sunny Deol and filmmaker Aamir Khan appeared as special guests on the opening episode of the show. During the episode, Bachchan reminded Zinta that he sends her a birthday message every January 31 but has never received a reply. "I have a complaint with you. I wish you every January 31 on your birthday, but you never reply to me," Bachchan said. Zinta quickly responded that she does reply, but sometimes takes about a week to do so. Bachchan then displayed an old post from his X account on the show's big screen, in which he had wished Zinta a happy birthday while joking that she had not replied to his message. The exchange left Zinta momentarily speechless and drew laughter from the audience. Bachchan and Zinta previously worked together in Karan Johar's 2006 film Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. During another light-hearted moment, Zinta revealed that Bachchan is especially popular with her children — but not because of his films. She said her children enjoy one of Bachchan's songs and refer to it as the "sherwala gana". Bachchan responded by saying that parents often tell him their young children recognise him as "KBC uncle" whenever they see him on television. Zinta, who has worked in the film industry for more than two decades, joked that despite her long career, her children do not remember her by any particular character, while Bachchan is widely recognised through KBC. Bachchan has hosted the quiz show for most of its run and has become closely associated with the programme, which has attracted viewers across generations. The 83-year-old actor has also spoken about the demanding schedule involved in filming the latest season. In a recent blog post, he said he worked for 24 hours, starting at 7am one day and finishing at the same time the following morning. He said he had to complete the work on time because KBC's new season was scheduled to begin broadcasting the following day. Kaun Banega Crorepati 18 airs on Sony Entertainment Television and is also available on Sony LIV. Source: NDTV

Twenty-five years after its release, Farhan Akhtar’s Dil Chahta Hai continues to attract attention for its fresh take on friendship, relationships and the challenges of growing up. The 2001 film, which marked Akhtar’s debut as a filmmaker, is remembered for its portrayal of close friendship, road trips, changing relationships and the uncertainties of young adulthood. But one of its most notable themes was the unconventional romance between Siddharth, played by Akshaye Khanna, and Tara Jaiswal, portrayed by Dimple Kapadia. Siddharth is shown as a quiet, thoughtful painter who develops feelings for Tara, a divorced, middle-aged interior designer who lives alone. Their relationship challenged the usual idea of what an acceptable romantic pairing should look like in mainstream Hindi cinema. Rather than focusing on a conventional love story, the film explored how emotional connection can develop between two people from different generations. Siddharth’s relationship with Tara grows through their conversations about art, books and life. His approach to love is also different from that of his two close friends, Akash, played by Aamir Khan, and Sameer, played by Saif Ali Khan. When Siddharth’s mother and friends object to his feelings for Tara, he refuses to hide them or apologize for falling in love. His relationship with Akash becomes strained after Akash makes fun of his feelings. His mother also questions his decision, reflecting the social pressure surrounding relationships that do not fit traditional expectations. Tara herself initially rejects Siddharth’s feelings. She tells him that his emotions are unrealistic and insists that she never encouraged him or gave him false hope. Her reaction reflects the same social concerns that trouble those around Siddharth. But Siddharth remains firm about his feelings. For him, love is not something that can always be explained through age, social expectations or conventional ideas. The film therefore raises a broader question about why people fall in love and whether love can always be judged through logic. The story also follows the friendship of Siddharth, Akash and Sameer as they navigate personal changes, relationships and self-discovery. Set partly against the scenic backdrop of Goa, the film combines humour and friendship with more serious questions about love and life. Tara’s struggle with alcohol eventually leads to her death, marking a major turning point for Siddharth. Her death leaves him with a deeper understanding of life and forces him to move forward while holding on to the feelings he had for her. The film’s treatment of Siddharth and Tara’s relationship was considered unusual for mainstream Hindi cinema at the time. Instead of presenting their age difference as the sole focus, Akhtar placed greater emphasis on their emotional connection. That approach helped Dil Chahta Hai challenge some traditional ideas about romance and relationships. The film’s music also played an important role in expressing Siddharth’s feelings. The song Kaisi Hai Yeh Rut, composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, captured the quiet and unspoken side of his affection for Tara. Twenty-five years later, Dil Chahta Hai remains relevant not only for its memorable friendship and youthful energy but also for the way it explored relationships that did not fit conventional expectations. Its enduring appeal may lie in that very imperfection — characters who make mistakes, relationships that do not always work out and emotions that cannot always be explained logically. Source: NDTV

Music fans in India and around the world had recently assumed that Arijit Singh had stepped away from playback singing and was unlikely to return anytime soon. But his involvement in Awarapan 2 has changed that perception. Music composer Amaal Mallik has now explained how Arijit became part of the project, stressing that the singer's return was not driven by pressure from anyone. Amaal said the song Yeh Awarapan was not an old track that had been recorded earlier and was simply waiting for release. Instead, he had been singing the song himself for nearly a year before Arijit heard it. Speaking with Pinkvilla, Amaal said there was no pressure on Arijit and that the singer had made his own decision about returning to playback singing. He explained that he and Arijit often share music with each other. Amaal said he usually sends Arijit five or six songs, and if the singer likes one, they work on it together for a film. According to Amaal, Arijit was initially not convinced that he should record Yeh Awarapan. The singer felt that Amaal had already sung the song well and questioned why he needed to record his own version. However, Amaal told him that he specifically wanted Arijit to sing the song. Arijit eventually agreed and recorded it a few months ago. Amaal said Arijit made a genuine effort while recording the song. He described the singer as a rare talent because of his ability, dedication and willingness to step away from film music when he chooses to. Amaal also said Arijit's return should not be viewed as a final appearance in playback singing. If Arijit likes another song in the future, he may decide to sing it, and Amaal said he would be happy to work with him again. He also noted that Arijit has not completely withdrawn from film music. Awarapan 2, starring Emraan Hashmi, Disha Patani and Shabana Azmi, is scheduled to release on August 14.  #From NDTV

Tom Holland-starrer Spider-Man: Brand New Day has crossed the $1 billion mark at the global box office just six days after its theatrical release, becoming the second-fastest film in history to reach the milestone. Sony Pictures said on Aug 4 that the latest instalment in the Spider-Man franchise had earned about $1.05 billion worldwide in its first six days. The film trails only Avengers: Endgame, which earned around $1.2 billion during its opening weekend in 2019. Strong opening weekendThe film has also set several box-office records. According to Sony, Spider-Man: Brand New Day earned $360 million domestically during its opening weekend, surpassing Avengers: Endgame’s $357.1 million to claim the biggest domestic opening weekend ever. Endgame still holds the record for the biggest global opening weekend, with $1.2 billion. The new Spider-Man film also recorded the biggest Thursday preview, the highest Friday opening and the largest launch in Sony Pictures’ history. Fourth billion-dollar film of 2026Produced by Marvel Studios and Amy Pascal with a reported budget of $225 million, the film is the fourth movie released in 2026 to cross $1 billion worldwide. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Michael and Toy Story 5 have also reached the milestone this year. Meanwhile, The Odyssey has crossed $900 million globally and is closing in on the billion-dollar mark. IMAX changes screening plansFollowing the film’s strong performance, IMAX has adjusted its screening plans and will share screens between Spider-Man: Brand New Day and The Odyssey. The decision comes as the superhero film enters its second weekend, with Sony expecting it to maintain strong business despite competition from new releases including One Night Only, Super Troopers 3 and Ice Cream Man. About the filmSpider-Man: Brand New Day, the fourth instalment in Sony and Marvel’s Spider-Man series, hit theatres on July 30. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and written by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, the film stars Tom Holland as Peter Parker/Spider-Man. Robert Downey Jr. returns to the Marvel universe as Doctor Doom. The cast also includes Zendaya, Jon Bernthal, Jacob Batalon, Michael Mando and Mark Ruffalo. New additions to the franchise include Sadie Sink, Tramell Tillman, Liza Colón-Zayas and Marvin Jones II.

Priyanka Chopra is set to share the screen with Hollywood star Russell Crowe in Bluefly, an upcoming military science-fiction thriller directed by Nimród Antal, known for Predators. The film centres on a secret mission in the Congo, where a team is sent into dangerous territory to recover a crashed aircraft that is not supposed to exist. The screenplay has been written by David Frigerio, William Eubank and Carlyle Eubank. Production is expected to begin in the coming months on Australia's Gold Coast. Antal described Bluefly as an intense, character-driven thriller built around a bold science-fiction concept. He said the project would combine a grounded and fast-paced story with a strong sense of suspense. Chopra announced the film on Instagram with the caption, “Onto the next.” Her husband, singer Nick Jonas, showed his support in the comments with fire emojis. According to the film's official synopsis, a grieving UN translator is recruited for a covert operation to retrieve a mysterious aircraft that has crashed deep in the Congo. As a Special Operations team travels upriver through territory controlled by militias, the mission takes an unexpected turn. The closer they get to the aircraft, the more they realise they were never supposed to bring it back. The filmmakers have yet to disclose the roles Chopra and Crowe will play. No other cast members have been announced so far. Crowe has several projects in the pipeline, including Netflix's Unabomber, The Weight, Billion Dollar Spy and a reboot of Highlander. Chopra recently appeared alongside Idris Elba and John Cena in The Bluff. She is also set to star in SS Rajamouli's Varanasi and Reset, opposite Orlando Bloom. Source: NDTV