United News of Bangladesh

Cricket fans attending the opening match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Mumbai on February 7 can look forward to more than just on-field action, as a star-studded musical lineup is set to entertain the crowd. The ICC announced on Friday that rapper Badshah, Bollywood star Nora Fatehi, acclaimed neo-classical sitarist Rishab Rikhiram Sharma, and renowned percussionist Sivamani will lead the official opening ceremony of the tournament. Sharing his excitement, Badshah said he was thrilled to be part of a global event that blends sport, music, and culture, noting that music, much like cricket, has the power to unite people. He added that he is eager to bring his energy to such a prestigious platform. Rishab Rikhiram Sharma said performing at the T20 World Cup opening was an unexpected but meaningful opportunity, calling it a major step in showcasing Indian music on the world stage. He expressed his honour at sharing the stage with Sivamani in front of an audience of nearly 60,000 fans. Sivamani echoed similar sentiments, saying that both music and cricket transcend borders. He described performing at the opening ceremony in Mumbai as a privilege and said he looks forward to engaging the audience through rhythm ahead of the match. India have been placed in Group A alongside arch-rivals Pakistan, Namibia, the Netherlands, and the United States. The hosts will begin their campaign against the USA in Mumbai on February 7. If India successfully defend their title, they will become the first team to do so in T20 World Cup history. A third title would also make them the most successful team in the tournament’s history. India’s T20 World Cup squad: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Rinku Singh.

Sunny Deol’s Border 2, released on the eve of India’s Republic Day, has witnessed a slowdown in earnings during its second week at the domestic box office, with total collections reaching Rs 294.25 crore. The film recorded its first single-digit earning day on Monday, February 2, and revenues gradually declined throughout the week. According to Sacnilk, the film earned Rs 3.35 crore on Thursday. Border 2 had a strong opening week, collecting Rs 224.25 crore, largely driven by the extended Republic Day weekend. The second weekend also saw a spike in collections, with Friday contributing Rs 10.75 crore, Saturday Rs 17.75 crore, and Sunday Rs 22.5 crore. Monday, coinciding with Republic Day, marked the highest single-day collection of Rs 59 crore, the biggest haul for the film to date. Border 2 has already outperformed the opening weekend of Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar. According to film trade analyst Taran Adarsh, the movie has amassed approximately Rs 300 crore at the domestic box office after its second weekend. Abhijeet Sawant raises exploitation concerns after Arijit quits playback In a review for NDTV, film critic Saibal Chatterjee noted, “Border 2 effectively highlights the exceptional bravery of the soldiers it portrays while briefly exploring the vulnerabilities and emotional struggles that make them human. The narrative captures separations, losses, hopes, fears, and uncertainties alongside acts of heroism.” Directed by Anurag Singh, Border 2 stars Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh, Varun Dhawan, and Ahaan Shetty. Produced by Bhushan Kumar, JP Dutta, Nidhi Dutta, and Krishan Kumar, the film is a sequel to JP Dutta’s 1997 blockbuster Border.

February 2026 brings a mix of thrillers, dramas, comedies, and animated films for movie lovers worldwide. From Hollywood blockbusters to independent films, several new releases are drawing attention this month. Among the highlights is “Wuthering Heights”, directed by Emerald Fennell and starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. The film presents a fresh take on the classic Brontë novel, exploring teenage passion and rivalry. It will be released internationally on February 11–13. Another notable release is “Scream 7”, returning Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott. Set in a quiet small town, the slasher thriller promises suspense and horror, hitting cinemas on February 27 in the US, UK, and Canada. Animated film fans can enjoy “GOAT”, about a young goat pursuing a professional roarball career in a world of talking animals. Co-produced by NBA star Stephen Curry, it releases on February 11–13 globally. Other major releases include “Cold Storage”, a horror comedy about a mutant fungus outbreak; “The President’s Cake”, a story of a child in Saddam Hussein’s Iraq; and “Pillion”, a romantic drama exploring unconventional love. Films like “Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die”, “How to Make a Killing”, “EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert”, and “Dreams” also debut this month, offering a mix of genres and experiences for audiences worldwide. Film experts say February’s lineup highlights both mainstream and independent storytelling, giving viewers opportunities to explore thrilling narratives, emotional journeys, and innovative animation.   With inputs from BBC

Popular singer Arijit Singh recently announced that he will no longer work as a playback singer. His decision has once again brought attention to how singers are paid in the film industry. Many wonder why top singers leave and what happens to lesser-known artists who have less influence. The discussion grew after singer Abhijeet Sawant spoke about the issue. He shared his thoughts on whether playback singers are paid fairly and recognized for their work. During an interview on Pentarise Studios' YouTube channel, Abhijeet said, “People don’t want singers to become bigger than the film. That is why they are paid a fixed amount. Singers don’t get royalties for film songs. For example, Biddu worked on ‘Lafzon Mein’ and also made a few songs in the West. He earns enough royalties from those songs to live comfortably. We don’t even get enough to live on.” “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3” team wanted Arijit not Sonu Nigam": Mallik He added, “The system is made this way. Singers want opportunities and hope a hit song with a big star will help their career. We accept the money we get, because if we don’t, someone else will. Singers are often exploited.” On January 27, Arijit shared on social media that he will stop taking new playback songs. He wrote, “Hello, Happy New Year to all. Thank you for your love over the years. I will not take any new playback assignments. It was a wonderful journey.” His announcement came days after he released ‘Maatrubhumi’, a song recorded with Shreya Ghoshal for Salman Khan’s upcoming film ‘Battle of Galwan’. #With inputs from NDTV

Comedian Trevor Noah poked fun at Nicki Minaj and former President Donald Trump during his opening monologue at the 68th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, prompting a sharp reaction from Trump on social media. “Noah said Nicki Minaj is still at the White House with Donald Trump discussing very important issues,” the host quipped to cheers from the audience at Crypto.com Arena. He then impersonated Trump, joking, “Actually Nicki, I have the biggest ass, everybody’s saying it Nicki.” Minaj recently visited and praised Trump, signaling her move toward the MAGA platform, which Noah targeted during his monologue. Later, Noah joked about Trump’s alleged desire for Greenland following Epstein’s Island closure, prompting the former president to call the comment “false and defamatory” in a Truth Social post and threaten legal action. Noah, hosting the Grammys for the sixth and reportedly final time, largely avoided heavy political commentary during his monologue, though he made other pointed jokes referencing award winners Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, and Bad Bunny. He also highlighted Lauryn Hill’s first performance at the Grammys since 1999 and playfully bantered with Bad Bunny about living in Puerto Rico if the U.S. became too difficult. Noah, a four-time Grammy nominee, said he supports term limits for hosts, joining only Andy Williams, who hosted the Grammys seven times, as having more appearances.  

Rani Mukerji’s crime thriller’ Mardaani 3 ‘continues to perform steadily at the Indian box office, with its total earnings nearing the Rs 25 crore mark within five days of release. The film, which hit theatres on January 30, collected Rs 2.50 crore on its fifth day, slightly higher than its Monday earnings, according to trade website Sacnilk. With this, the movie’s total box office collection stands at Rs 22.25 crore so far. Directed by Abhiraj Minawala, the third installment of the popular’ Mardaani ‘franchise recorded an overall Hindi occupancy of 20.72% on Tuesday. Night shows drew the highest audience turnout at around 33.62%, followed by evening shows at 21.45%. Afternoon and morning shows saw lower attendance, largely due to regular working days. Among cities, Jaipur reported the highest occupancy at 33.75%. It was followed by the National Capital Region (29.50%), Mumbai (26.25%), Lucknow (22.50%) and Pune (21.25%). Trade analyst Taran Adarsh praised the film’s opening performance, saying it posted a “healthy” collection during its first weekend. He noted that while competition from ‘Border 2’ affected business in some mass-market areas, major cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Pune and Bengaluru showed encouraging audience response. He added that holding steady weekday collections will be crucial for the film’s continued success. Music rights of "Dhurandhar 2" shift from Saregama to T-Series ‘Mardaani 3’ also features Janki Bodiwala and Mallika Prasad in key roles. Produced by Yash Raj Films, the movie marks another strong outing for Mukerji in a female-led action franchise. With steady earnings and positive word of mouth, the film is expected to cross the Rs 25 crore milestone soon. With inputs from NDTV

Music rights for Dhurandhar: The Revenge, the upcoming sequel starring Ranveer Singh, have been acquired by T-Series, marking a shift from Saregama, which handled the soundtrack of the first film. Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar 2 is scheduled for theatrical release on March 19, 2026. The makers on Tuesday unveiled the film’s first poster, confirming T-Series as the official music label for the sequel. Industry insiders say the soundtrack is expected to be a major commercial success. “It’s a massive, chart-topping album, and the response from those who have heard it so far has been extremely positive,” a source close to the project told The Hollywood Reporter India. Another source added that the album will once again feature a wide range of songs, maintaining the genre diversity of the first film while expanding its overall scale. “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3” team wanted Arijit not Sonu Nigam": Mallik In addition to the music deal, JioHotstar has secured the digital streaming rights for the film, reportedly outbidding Netflix. According to sources quoted by India Today, the sequel has generated strong pre-release buzz and has already been labelled a potential blockbuster by trade analysts. The film sees Ranveer Singh in the role of Hamza Ali Mazhari, an Indian intelligence operative who has entrenched himself in Pakistan’s underworld after eliminating dreaded gangster Rehman Dakait. However, his rise draws the attention of Major Iqbal, a shrewd and ruthless ISI strategist known as Bade Sahab, setting the stage for a high-stakes confrontation. Dhurandhar 2 features an ensemble cast including R Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal and Sara Arjun. It is the second installment in a planned two-part franchise centred on espionage, terrorism and intense action. #With inputs from NDTV

Composer Amaal Mallik opened up about the hurdles he faced to bring Sonu Nigam on board for the reprised song “Mere Dholna 3.0” from Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, citing restrictive practices in the Hindi music industry. In a conversation with Pinkvilla, Amaal said composers often lack freedom to choose singers and may be replaced if their choices conflict with production or label decisions. He recalled how Sonu Nigam, despite being a legendary singer, had to “prove” himself before being confirmed for the track. “They weren’t sure about someone like Sonu Nigam. Yet he finished the toughest song I’ve recomposed in just 45 minutes,” Amaal said, adding that the final sargam at the song’s end is extremely challenging. Grammys fuel celebrity pushback against Trump’s immigration drive Amaal also highlighted the industry’s arbitrary decisions, noting that teams frequently suggest popular singers like Arijit Singh or Vishal Mishra over classical talents. He said Sonu Nigam was the only singer capable of delivering the classical depth he wanted. The composer further revealed the financial imbalance in the industry, citing his party hit “Sooraj Dooba Hain,” which earned Rs 60–70 crore for the label, while he only received minimal publishing rights.  #With inputs from NDTV

Tech billionaire Elon Musk has stirred controversy online by criticising acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan amid casting debates for his upcoming epic film The Odyssey. Musk responded on X (formerly Twitter) to a post questioning reports that Lupita Nyong’o might portray Helen of Troy in the movie. The post argued that casting Nyong’o could be "an insult" to the ancient Greek poet Homer, who described Helen as fair-skinned and blonde in The Odyssey, famously dubbing her “the face that launched a thousand ships.” Reacting to the post, Musk tweeted, “Chris Nolan has lost his integrity.” Nyong’o’s potential involvement was first reported by Variety in November 2024, with the film’s title officially revealed in December. Her role in the production remains unconfirmed. The Odyssey features a star-studded ensemble including Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, Charlize Theron, Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, and Elliot Page. Rapper Travis Scott, a ten-time Grammy nominee, has also joined the cast, appearing in a promotional TV spot aired during Fox’s broadcast of the NFL AFC Championship game. The film is being hailed as a technical milestone, marking the first narrative feature to be shot entirely on IMAX cameras. Nolan revealed that a new “blimp” casing system now allows intimate scenes to capture usable sound despite IMAX cameras’ previously loud operation. Details regarding Nyong’o’s character and the official release date for The Odyssey have yet to be announced.   With inputs from NDTV

At 90, the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, has won his first-ever Grammy Award, adding a new milestone to his long list of global honours. The Tibetan spiritual leader received the accolade in the Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording category for his spoken-word album Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The award was accepted on his behalf by musician Rufus Wainwright, who collaborated on the project. Meditations combines the Dalai Lama’s reflections on peace, compassion, mindfulness, and humanity’s interconnectedness with musical elements influenced by Hindustani classical traditions. In a statement shared by his office, the Dalai Lama said the recognition was not a personal triumph but “a recognition of shared universal responsibility.” He added, “I receive this recognition with gratitude and humility. Peace, compassion, care for our environment, and understanding the oneness of humanity are essential for the collective well-being of all eight billion human beings. I hope this Grammy helps spread these messages more widely.” The album’s nomination in late 2025 had already drawn global attention, highlighting the Dalai Lama’s work beyond spiritual and philosophical circles. Although this is his first Grammy, he has previously been honoured with numerous prestigious awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his lifelong nonviolent struggle for Tibet and advocacy of peace and human values. Other accolades include the Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion in 2012, academic honours such as Doctor Honoris Causa degrees from institutions in the United States, Italy, and India, as well as the Liberty Medal in the U.S. and the Syedna Qutbuddin Harmony Prize in India. These recognitions reflect his enduring influence as a moral and spiritual leader worldwide.   With inputs from The Indian EXPRESS