United News of Bangladesh

Actor Ranbir Kapoor had a light-hearted exchange with photographers in Mumbai on Thursday evening, asking, “Saiyaara dekhi?” as he posed for the cameras before entering a Bandra eatery. The paparazzi responded in unison that they had watched the film, prompting a smile from the Bollywood star, who has seemingly joined the long list of fans celebrating Mohit Suri’s romantic musical Saiyaara. Starring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda in lead roles, Saiyaara has become one of the year’s biggest box office successes. The film, produced by Yash Raj Films, tells the emotional story of Krish Kapoor, a struggling musician, and Vaani Batra, a young writer diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi Season 2: Return of Star Plus's Popular Soap Opera Globally, the film has now grossed over ₹400 crore, surpassing Shahid Kapoor’s Kabir Singh (₹379 crore) and Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par (₹264 crore). It also recorded one of the highest-grossing opening weekends of the year. Despite a slight dip in earnings — ₹6.5 crore on Thursday following ₹7.5 crore on Wednesday — the film’s strong momentum continues. Source: NDTV 

Television audiences are once again drawn into a world of familial drama with the arrival of ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’ Season 2. Premiered on July 29, 2025, this Hindi soap opera marks the return of a legacy that once shaped prime-time viewing. Let’s explore what makes this sequel a fresh yet nostalgic experience. The Team Behind the Camera and Onscreen Smriti Irani and Amar Upadhyay return to their iconic roles as Tulsi and Mihir Virani, rekindling the emotional core of the original. Their presence bridges the past with the present, offering a sense of continuity that long-time viewers instantly recognise. Joining them is a fresh cast like Shagun Sharma, Rohit Suchanti, and Aman Gandhi, bringing renewed energy to the story. Read more: New Korean Drama Lineup for August 2025 : 10 Binge-worthy Releases The series is created by Ekta Kapoor, with writing credits shared by Rajesh Joshi, Anantica Sahir, and Dheeraj Sarna. Muzammil Desai and Khwaja Mughal helm the direction. The familiar opening theme, ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’, voiced by Priya Bhattacharya, returns to set the mood. Ekta and Shobha Kapoor steer the production under the banner of Balaji Telefilms. The show premiered on Star Plus and is also available for streaming on JioHotstar. Shifts in the Virani Household with Echoes of the Past Season two opens on a reverent note. A Ganapati idol graces the screen, setting a spiritually charged tone. Alongside it, sweeping archival footage of temples across India builds a sense of cultural continuity and reverence. The Virani household, now more lavish than ever, quietly signals their rise in wealth and stature. Yet, some things have quietly changed beneath the surface. Beloved matriarch Baa, once played by the late Sudha Shivpuri, is no more. Read more: South Indian Movies Launching in August 2025: 12 Must-watch Films Hitting Screens Savita, Tulsi’s strong-willed mother-in-law, portrayed by Apara Mehta, has also passed. Yet, her presence hasn’t faded. In a touching moment, Savita reappears as a luminous spirit to bless Tulsi on her 38th wedding anniversary. With her red bindi and kohl-lined eyes, she teases Tulsi for spoiling the saas-bahu bond by being too peaceful. The family itself feels smaller now. Karan, Hemant, and Gautam have left Shanti Niketan, each with their own households. New faces, Pari, Angad, and Hrithik, represent the emerging generation. Meanwhile, Mihir, now a business tycoon, begins his days with Bluetooth earbuds and a protein shake made by Tulsi. Gayatri Chachi, formerly Kalesh, returns with old grievances. Played by Kamalika Guha Thakurta, she lashes out at Tulsi and Mihir. She accuses them of casting the rest of the family into exile while they rule the household like modern-day Ram and Sita. Read more: August 2025 Bollywood Movies: Top 10 Must-watch Hindi Film Releases Final Words The sequel to ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’ brings back the beloved drama, thanks to creator Ekta Kapoor. The return of lead actress Smriti Irani restores the classic ambiance of drama that long-time fans cherish. The opening theme fuels nostalgia for long-time fans, setting the tone. A mix of returning and new cast members paves the way for fresh storylines. At the same time, they honour the legacy and keep anticipation alive for fans.

Mohit Suri’s musical drama Saiyaara has seen a slight dip in collections during its second week, following a blockbuster debut. However, the film remains steady at the domestic box office, amassing a total of Rs 273.50 crore within just 13 days of release. Box Office PerformanceOn Wednesday alone, the film earned Rs 7 crore, bringing the total domestic collection to Rs 273.50 crore. Earlier in the week, it raked in Rs 9.25 crore on Monday and Rs 10 crore on Tuesday. In its first week, Saiyaara recorded an impressive Rs 172.75 crore, establishing itself as the second highest-grossing Hindi film of the year, following Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava. Globally, Ahaan Panday’s debut venture has surpassed the Rs 400 crore mark. This achievement puts it ahead of Shahid Kapoor’s Kabir Singh (Rs 379 crore) and Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par (Rs 264 crore) in worldwide earnings. The film has also set a historic benchmark by becoming the highest-grossing Hindi film led by two debutants. Additionally, Saiyaara enjoyed one of the biggest opening weekends of the year. Ajay Devgn's Son of Sardaar 2 battles for screens amid Saiyaara and Mahavatar Narsimha box office surge Upcoming CompetitionAfter enjoying an uninterrupted two-week theatrical run, Saiyaara will now face box office competition with the release of Dhadak 2, produced by Dharma Productions, and Ajay Devgn’s Son Of Sardaar 2, both slated to hit cinemas on August 1. These upcoming titles could challenge Saiyaara’s continuing success. About the FilmProduced by Yash Raj Films, Saiyaara explores themes of love, loss, and heartbreak through a poignant narrative. The film stars newcomer Ahaan Panday as Krish Kapoor, a struggling musician, and Aneet Padda as Vaani Batra, a young writer battling early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. SummaryDespite a slowdown in its second week, Saiyaara remains a box office juggernaut, maintaining a strong domestic performance with Rs 273.50 crore collected in 13 days. With global earnings surpassing Rs 400 crore, the film continues to make history in Indian cinema.   #Source: NDTV

Ajay Devgn’s comedy sequel Son of Sardaar 2, initially slated for release on July 25, 2025, has been pushed back to August 1 in hopes of securing more theatrical screens. However, the delay may not be enough to turn the tide. The unexpected breakout success of Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara—a romantic drama featuring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda—has disrupted the box office landscape. Since its release on July 18, the film has grossed an impressive ₹266 crore in just 12 days, becoming the highest-earning Hindi film led by debutants. This strong performance has forced other films, including Son of Sardaar 2, to recalibrate their release strategies. Despite the date shift, Devgn’s film is still struggling to secure enough shows, especially in single-screen cinemas and smaller multiplex chains. Distributor PVRINOX had aimed to claim 60% of total Indian screens for the film, but reports suggest it may only receive around 35%. According to Pinkvilla, PVRINOX is lobbying for at least four daily shows at single screens. But many theatres are choosing to stick with Saiyaara and another surprise hit—Mahavatar Narsimha, an animated mythological feature from Hombale Films, the studio behind KGF and Kantara. Mahavatar Narsimha has pulled in ₹29.26 crore within its first five days and continues to perform strongly. To complicate matters further, Shazia Iqbal’s Dhadak 2—a reimagining of the 2018 hit Dhadak starring Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri—is also scheduled to release on August 1. Dharma Productions is taking a modest approach by opening the film on just 1,000 screens, with the potential to expand if it receives positive word of mouth. Both Son of Sardaar 2 and Dhadak 2 are offering 50% ticket discounts through select promo codes to draw audiences, but with Saiyaara still dominating and Mahavatar Narsimha holding firm, the road ahead remains challenging for these new entrants. Source: NDTV

Bollywood actor Rajkummar Rao has landed in legal trouble over a scene in his 2017 film Behen Hogi Teri, which has sparked allegations of hurting religious sentiments. The case also names the film’s director Nitin Kakkar, producer Amul Vikas Mohle, and actress Shruti Haasan. The controversy stems from a particular poster and scene in the film that allegedly depicts Lord Shiva wearing slippers — a portrayal that has offended a section of the public. The case, originally filed in 2017, was lodged by Ishant Sharma, a Hindu leader and film producer, at Police Division No. 5 in Jalandhar. Sharma claimed that the portrayal was disrespectful and could hurt religious sentiments, triggering widespread backlash. Legal proceedings were revived after Rajkummar Rao failed to appear for a previously scheduled court hearing, prompting the issuance of a non-bailable warrant. However, on July 29, 2025, the actor surrendered before a Jalandhar court and marked his presence at 4 PM. Judge Srijan Shukla subsequently granted him bail. Shah Rukh Khan taught me the language of cinema: Wedding filmmaker Vishal Punjabi Notably, Rao had earlier secured anticipatory bail in the case. The fresh warrant was issued only after he missed the mandated court date. As of now, no official statement has been released by Rajkummar Rao or his representatives. The next course of legal action will be determined following today’s hearing in Jalandhar. The incident highlights the continued scrutiny of artistic content in India and the legal challenges that actors and filmmakers may face over religious sensitivities. Source: NDTV 

After a successful seven-week run in the country’s multiplexes since its Eid-ul-Azha release, Tanim Noor-directed film 'Utshob' and Raihan Rafi-directed, Shakib Khan starrer 'Taandob' are all set for its digital premiere on popular Bangladeshi OTT platform Chorki. The platform announced on its verified Facebook page that viewers from both home and abroad will be able to stream 'Utshob' and 'Taandob' starting at 12:01 am on August 7 (midnight, August 6).   Known for the bold tagline “Not to be watched without family,” 'Utshob' brought viewers of all ages to cinema halls. Now, director Tanim Noor hopes the digital release will bring that festive feeling into every household. Speaking about the film’s journey, Tanim Noor said, “In my childhood, watching TV dramas and films with family was a tradition. With Utshob, I wanted to bring families back to theatres. Whether I succeeded is up to the audience, but their reactions have been heartwarming and inspiring.” South Indian Movies Launching in August 2025: 12 Must-watch Films Hitting Screens On the film’s OTT release, he added, “OTT has emerged as a new distribution channel for films. Chorki is a trusted platform for Bangla-speaking audiences worldwide. With this release, those in remote areas without cinemas and international viewers can finally watch 'Utshob'; and I hope they enjoy it at home with their families, just like in the old days.” Presented by BRAC Bank and powered by Edison Real Estate, 'Utshob' features a star-studded cast including Zahid Hasan, Jaya Ahsan, Aupee Karim, Chanchal Chowdhury, Afsana Mimi, Tariq Anam Khan, Azad Abul Kalam, Intekhab Dinar, Sunerah Binte Kamal, Soumya Jyoti, and Sadia Ayman. The story was developed by Tanim Noor, Ayman Asib Shadhin, Susmoy Sarkar, and Samiul Bhuiyan, while the screenplay and dialogues were written by Shadhin and Bhuiyan. Rashed Zaman worked as the director of photography. Meanwhile, the much-anticipated Taandob' - directed by Raihan Rafi - is produced by SVF Alpha-i Entertainment Limited in collaboration with Chorki, with production support from Deepto TV. The film features an ensemble cast including Afzal Hossain, Tariq Anam Khan, Fazlur Rahman Babu, Salauddin Lavlu, Gazi Rakayet, Shahiduzzaman Selim, Ashok Bepari, Dr Ejajul Islam, Rosey Siddiqui, Suman Anwar, A K Azad Setu, FS Nayeem, and Shiba Shanu. With both 'Utshob' and 'Taandob' premiering simultaneously, August 7 promises to be a landmark date for Bangladeshi OTT cinema lovers, according to Chorki.

Vishal Punjabi, widely known as The Wedding Filmer, has credited Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and Red Chillies Entertainment for shaping his cinematic journey as he completes 15 years in the industry. Punjabi, the creative mind behind the breathtaking visuals of celebrity weddings — from Deepika Padukone-Ranveer Singh to Virat Kohli-Anushka Sharma — said in an interview with NDTV, “Everything I know about filmmaking, I have learnt from my time at Red Chillies.” Before becoming India’s foremost name in wedding cinematography, Punjabi worked as a line producer and visual artist with Red Chillies, contributing to films like Asoka, Main Hoon Na, and Paheli. He later shifted to directing TV commercials within the company. Saiyaara Box Office Day 10: Ahaan Panday’s debut flm earns Rs 30 crore, aims for Rs 250 crore milestone Reflecting on a memorable lesson from Shah Rukh Khan, he recalled being told: “Filmmaking requires a lot of maturity, time and love. Only make a film when you reach that level of maturity.” Now, having filmed over 50 celebrity weddings, Punjabi says, “It’s been quite a journey.” Source: NDTV 

Musician AK Ratul, vocalist, bassist and sound engineer of the popular rock band ‘Owned’, was laid to rest beside his father, legendary Bangladeshi actor Jashim, at Banani Graveyard on Monday morning. Ratul passed away on Sunday afternoon after suffering a cardiac arrest, leaving behind a profound void in the country’s music industry. He was the middle son of late film star Jashim, among three brothers—all of whom are active in the local band music scene. His elder brother AK Samee is the drummer of Owned, while the youngest, AK Rahul, has been affiliated with the bands Trainwreck and Poraho and a prominent music content creator. Sharing his grief on Facebook, AK Samee wrote, “I just buried my baby brother...” while Rahul posted a childhood photo with Ratul and their father, writing in Bangla, “My hand on my brother’s chest.” Ratul’s untimely demise sparked an outpouring of tributes across Bangladesh’s music fraternity. Prominent bands and artists expressed their condolences and memories of Ratul, highlighting his immense talent, kindness, and influence behind the scenes. Veteran band Warfaze posted, “We are deeply saddened and shocked by the news of Ratul’s passing. The Warfaze family expresses heartfelt condolences to his family and prays for his departed soul. The music industry has lost a true gem.” Popular rock band Artcell shared: “We were devastated to hear the news. Ratul was a gifted vocalist, bassist, composer, producer, and sound engineer. His departure is an irreparable loss to our music industry. The time we spent together at his studio and during concerts will forever remain in our hearts. Rest in peace, Ratul, in music and melody.” Ratul also worked with multiple other bands as a sound engineer, notably contributing to Aurthohin’s "Phoenix er Diary 1." Mourning his death, Aurthohin wrote: “Our sound engineer AK Ratul left us today due to cardiac failure. Please keep him in your prayers. You made us all cry, bro. Wherever you are, be well. Love and respect.” Another band Ratul worked closely with, Level Five, penned an emotional tribute: "He was not only a top-class producer but a true friend and humble soul. He believed in us when no one did. Ratul, your smile, your heart, and the memories will live with us forever. Only God knows how much we’ll miss you.” Band Shunno expressed disbelief, saying: "Ratul produced some of our songs with unmatched heart and talent. This loss feels surreal. You’ll be deeply missed.” Popular rock band Nemesis shared: “We’ve lost a gem, an immensely talented human, a brother and a friend. You were one of the kindest among us. You’ll live forever in our hearts, Ratul. Rest in peace.” Many other renowned bands including Black, Shironamhin, Chirkutt, Ashes, Indalo, Arbovirus, Shonar Bangla Circus, Arekta Rock Band, Dads In The Park, Dreek, Aftermath, Aseis, and EIDA also posted tribute messages honoring Ratul’s contribution to Bangladesh’s independent and mainstream music scenes. Individual tributes also poured in from celebrated musicians such as Bappa Mazumder, Raef Al Hasan Rafa, Md Zohad Reza Choudhury, Sufi Maverick (Ashrafuzzaman Yousufi), Zunayed Evan, Oni Hasan, Elita Karim, Alif Alauddin, and Sharmin Sultana Sumi, among others. AK Ratul’s death is being widely mourned not only for the loss of a talented artist but for the departure of a beloved figure in the country’s modern music movement.

Saiyaara wrapped up its first week with a staggering Rs 172.75 crore and continues its dream run into the second weekend. Directed by Mohit Suri, the film collected an impressive Rs 30 crore on its second Sunday, bringing its domestic total to Rs 247.25 crore. It has now become the second-highest-grossing film of the year, setting its sights on overtaking Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava. Performance Overview According to Sacnilk, Saiyaara earned Rs 30 crore on Day 10 and Rs 56.5 crore overall during its second weekend. Released on July 18, the film benefited from a clear run at the box office, with no major Hindi releases up until July 25. Since its premiere, the film has consistently delivered double-digit earnings. First-week earnings closed at an impressive Rs 172.75 crore. Sunday’s turnout reinforced the film’s unstoppable momentum: Afternoon shows recorded 56.38% occupancy Evening shows rose to 63.46% Night shows maintained a strong 42.99% attendance Industry Buzz Film trade analyst Taran Adarsh shared his thoughts on Saiyaara’s second Saturday: "SPLENDID SATURDAY – 'SAIYAARA' REMAINS A MAJOR FORCE... Now eyeing the ₹300 crore mark after crossing ₹200 crore on its second Saturday. What's extraordinary: its second Saturday outperformed its first Saturday [₹26.25 crore] – a rare accomplishment these days. This blockbuster shows no signs of stopping!" About the Film Produced by Yash Raj Films, Saiyaara explores themes of love, loss, and emotional turmoil. The story follows Krish Kapoor (played by newcomer Ahaan Panday), a struggling musician, and Vaani Batra (played by Aneet Padda), a young writer grappling with early-onset Alzheimer’s. In Summary Saiyaara, Mohit Suri’s musical drama, is proving to be a record-breaking success at the box office. With only Chhaava left to surpass, the film is on track to become the year’s biggest hit. Source NDTV  

Chaos erupted at the premiere of the Hindi crime thriller So Long Valley on Friday night when actress-model Ruchi Gujjar publicly confronted and allegedly slapped co-producer Karan Singh, accusing him of financial fraud. In a viral video from the event, Gujjar is seen hitting Singh with her sandal while arguing with him in the presence of protestors. Some held placards defaming the producers and shouted slogans during the premiere. Gujjar claims Singh took ₹23 lakh from her between July 2023 and January 2024, promising a co-producer role and profit share in a Sony TV-bound project that never materialised. She alleges the funds were instead used to make So Long Valley. Loved Saiyaara? Here Are 10 Intensely Romantic Films to Watch on OTT A case has been filed at Mumbai’s Oshiwara police station under cheating charges. Gujjar’s lawyer also plans to lodge a separate assault complaint. In response, director Man Singh dismissed the allegations as a “publicity stunt,” claiming the court had already rejected Gujjar’s attempt to stay the film’s release. So Long Valley, starring Tridha Choudhury and Vikram Kochhar, was released as scheduled on July 27. Source: NDTV