United News of Bangladesh

Ranveer Singh has officially signed on with Maddock Films, NDTV can reveal, to star in an installment of the studio’s popular horror-comedy franchise. While the director for the new project is still being decided, it is being developed under the creative guidance of Amar Kaushik, the architect behind many of Maddock’s supernatural entries. Kaushik—who first made his mark with the genre-defying hit Stree, starring Rajkummar Rao and Shraddha Kapoor—has been instrumental in shaping Maddock’s signature blend of humor and the uncanny. Building on Stree’s success, he expanded the shared universe with Bhediya, featuring Varun Dhawan. At present, Kaushik is directing the supernatural action thriller Mahavatar with Vicky Kaushal, while also overseeing the wider horror-comedy slate curated by producer Dinesh Vijan. He’s additionally involved in Thama, a horror-romance starring Ayushmann Khurrana and directed by Munja filmmaker Aditya Sarpotdar, set for Diwali 2025. Sitaare Zameen Par Day 12 Box Office: Aamir Khan's film maintains momentum With franchise regulars such as Pankaj Tripathi, Akshay Kumar, Rashmika Mandanna, and Khurrana already part of Maddock’s quirky spooky world, Ranveer’s entry marks a significant escalation for the series. Earlier rumors tied him to a secret shoot at Mumbai’s Mehboob Studios—though that turned out to be unrelated—this announcement cements his place in Maddock’s expanding pantheon. More details on the collaboration are expected to follow soon. Source: NDTV 

Dhaka, Jul 3 (UNB) – Mustafa Zaman has stepped down from his role as the director of the Fine Arts Department at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), marking another major leadership change at the country’s premier state-run cultural institution. Confirming the matter, Academy Secretary Mohammad Wares Hossain told several media on Thursday that he received Mustafa Zaman’s resignation letter yesterday (Tuesday). "The letter has not yet been forwarded to the ministry, but it is likely to be sent soon. He cited personal reasons for his resignation,” according to the BSA secretary. Zaman’s departure comes just four months after the Academy’s last Director General, noted theatre personality and academic Professor Syed Jamil Ahmed, abruptly resigned during a public event on February 28. In a later statement, Ahmed had accused the institution of excessive bureaucratic complexity and interference from the cultural advisor. Unmukt Chand’s reinvention explored in new documentary ‘Unbroken’ Following the political reshuffle in August last year, BSA's longtime DG Liaquat Ali Lucky resigned, and Prof Syed Jamil Ahmed was appointed on a two-year term starting September 9. Subsequently, on September 30, the Academy appointed new directors to six of its departments. Mustafa Zaman was given charge of the Fine Arts Department, alongside Faiz Zahir (Theatre and Film), Mehjabeen Rahman (Music, Dance and Recitation), Tanzim Wahab (Research and Publication), Abdul Halim Chanchal (Production), and FM Nurur Rahman (Training). With the DG position currently vacant again, many observers believe that a state of stagnation has gripped the Academy’s operations. Beyond his administrative role, Mustafa Zaman is widely respected as a prominent visual artist, art critic, analyst, and writer. His writings have appeared in The Daily Observer, The Daily Star, Dhaka Courier, and other national and international publications.

The country's popular multiplex chain Star Cineplex is all set to delight Bangladeshi moviegoers with two major Hollywood releases—'Jurassic World: Rebirth' and '28 Years Later'—on July 4 (Friday) Part of the iconic 'Jurassic Park' franchise, 'Jurassic World: Rebirth' is one of the most talked-about films this summer. Directed by Gareth Edwards, the movie is a standalone sequel to 'Jurassic World Dominion' (2022) and marks the seventh installment in the franchise that began in 1993 with 'Jurassic Park'. Produced by Universal Pictures with a budget of $180 million, the film stars Scarlett Johansson in the lead role of Dr Zora Bennett, a specialist tasked with collecting DNA from the last remaining dinosaur species.  The story unfolds five years after the events of Dominion, as Bennett leads a team to a remote island—once home to the original Jurassic Park—where they uncover a long-buried, terrifying secret. The cast also includes Mahershala Ali as Duncan Kincaid and Jonathan Bailey as paleontologist Dr Henry Loomis. Speaking to Pinkvilla, Johansson described her character as “complex and mission-driven,” adding that Zora is not a typical action heroine but the emotional and strategic center of the film’s narrative. Meanwhile, horror fans are in for a chilling treat with '28 Years Later', the third installment in the celebrated zombie-thriller franchise that began with '28 Days Later' in 2002. Directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Danny Boyle, the film has already made a strong impression, grossing $14 million on its opening day in North America. Unmukt Chand’s reinvention explored in new documentary ‘Unbroken’ Set 28 years after the outbreak of the fictional Rage virus, the story follows 12-year-old Spike (Alfie Williams) who leaves a quarantined survivor village to find treatment for his ailing mother. Along the way, they face terrifying hordes of infected zombies and encounter Dr Kelson, played by Ralph Fiennes, who has managed to survive in hiding for decades. The cast also features Jodie Comer and Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Notably, the film was shot entirely on iPhones, a creative choice that allowed the crew to film efficiently across rugged terrains in Northumberland. Boyle noted that the flexibility of the device helped them capture eerie, almost prehistoric landscapes that matched the film’s tone. With action-packed storytelling, gripping performances, and technical innovation, both 'Jurassic World: Rebirth' and '28 Years Later' promise an unforgettable cinematic experience for Bangladeshi audiences this weekend.

Director Raghav Khanna has wrapped production on Unbroken: The Unmukt Chand Story, a new documentary feature tracing the former Indian Under-19 cricket captain’s dramatic shift from national stardom to rebuilding his career in American cricket. The film follows Unmukt Chand’s rise to fame after leading India to victory in the 2012 ICC Under-19 World Cup, only to step away from his childhood dream of playing for the senior national team. Now based in the United States, Chand plays for the Los Angeles Knight Riders in Major League Cricket, symbolising a bold career reinvention that spans continents, according to Variety. Produced by Riverland Entertainment and Tudip Entertainment, the documentary is slated for release soon, with the distribution platform yet to be announced. The project brings together seasoned producers Dipti Agrawal and Tushar Apshankar, with Khanna also serving as producer alongside co-producer Priyanka Chaudhari. “Looking back, life has been a rollercoaster, from winning the Under-19 World Cup to retiring from India at just 28 years of age,” Chand said. “From being a poster boy to being trolled and then forgotten – I have lived in the extremities of public opinion.” F1 Movie Review: Brad Pitt’s Epic Racing Drama Drives Box Office Momentum Chand, who scored a match-winning century against Australia in the 2012 World Cup final and later represented Mumbai Indians and Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in the Indian Premier League, described the documentary process as cathartic. “When Raghav told me about the documentary, at first I was hesitant but the experience of filming the documentary with him was cathartic and it made me look at my own story from a new perspective,” he said. “I feel it’s a story that will resonate with many people who do not get what they want but are still determined enough to keep pursuing their path.” Khanna, known for his previous work at Netflix APAC where he co-commissioned the Oscar-winning The Elephant Whisperers, directed the Netflix special Modern Masters: S.S. Rajamouli and created the series Raja Rasoi aur Anya Kahaniyaan. “What drew me to Unmukt’s story was the sharp contrast between his potential and the outcome – the inversion from being hailed as Indian cricket’s next big superstar to being shunned into obscurity,” Khanna explained. Unbroken marks a significant project for Riverland Entertainment, Khanna’s Mumbai-based studio specialising in unscripted and documentary content, alongside Tudip Entertainment, the media arm of Tudip Digital.

Veteran singer Zeenat Rehana, best known for the famous song 'Shagorer Teer Theke', passed away on Wednesday morning at a hospital in the capital. She was 81. According to her family, the first namaz-e-janaza was held after Zohr prayers at Gulshan Azad Mosque. A second namaz-ejanaza was held at the premises of Channel i at 3 pm, followed by her burial at Banani Graveyard. Sitaare Zameen Par Day 12 Box Office: Aamir Khan's film maintains momentum Zeenat Rehana became a listed artiste of Bangladesh Betar in 1964, and recorded her most famous song 'Shagorer Teer Theke' in 1968, which gained immense popularity among listeners. She also began performing on television in 1965. Despite having a relatively limited presence in the public music scene due to her professional engagements with various international organisations, Zeenat left a lasting mark through several timeless songs. She pursued a long successful career in NGO after finising here BA (Hon's) in Political Science and MS in Political Science and Public Administration, both from Dhaka University.  Among her most notable works are 'Ekti Phul Ar Ekti Pakhi Bolto Ki Name Tomay Daki', 'Ami Kakon Diye Dekhechhilam', 'Kopale To Tikli Porbo Na', 'Ami Jar Kotha Bhabi Mone Anmone', 'Amay Jodi Dako Kachhe', 'Kontho Bina', and 'Mone Rekho, Smriti Theke'. In total, she released 12 albums in her career; and besides modern and spiritual songs, she also contributed to children’s music. Indian court orders Shami to pay Rs 4 lakh monthly to estranged wife and daughter Zeenat Rehana was the wife of the late Mustafa Kamal Syed, a prominent television personality and former Deputy Director General of Bangladesh Television (BTV), who passed away in 2020. She is survived by a son and a daughter.

Aamir Khan's latest sports-comedy drama Sitaare Zameen Par, which premiered in cinemas on June 20, continues to hold strong at the box office. Directed by RS Prasanna, the film uses the backdrop of sports to explore themes of neurodiversity and highlights the potential of individuals with learning differences. According to industry tracker Sacnilk, the film earned approximately ₹4 crore on its second Tuesday, bringing its total domestic collection to ₹130.40 crore. On July 1, the film recorded an overall 18.29% occupancy in Hindi-speaking regions, with night screenings drawing the largest crowds at 25.84%. Among cities, Jaipur led with 25.25% occupancy, followed by Delhi-NCR (22.25%), Mumbai (21.50%), and Bengaluru (20.75%). Produced under the Aamir Khan Productions banner, the film stars Aamir Khan alongside Genelia Deshmukh, Brijendra Kala, and Dolly Ahluwalia in prominent roles. *Sitaare Zameen Par* is considered a spiritual successor to Aamir's acclaimed 2007 film Taare Zameen Par and is an adaptation of the 2018 Spanish film Champions. The story revolves around a basketball coach, suspended from his professional duties, who is assigned community service—training a team of neurodivergent players. Over time, his character undergoes a heartfelt transformation, mirroring the emotional journey of the team. Screenwriter Divy Nidhi Sharma has been praised for crafting a script that promotes empathy, inclusion, and emotional healing. In an interview with NDTV, she shared that writing the film had a profound impact on her personally. She also revealed that Aamir Khan was always her first choice for the role and noted that his involvement lent significant credibility to the project. “I hoped people would talk about our film, and the warmth it has received has been overwhelming,” she said. Source: NDTV

Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami has suffered a legal setback as the Calcutta High Court has directed him to pay Rs 4 lakh per month as maintenance to his estranged wife Hasin Jahan and daughter Aaira. As per the court order, Hasin Jahan will receive Rs 1.5 lakh per month, while their daughter Aaira will be entitled to Rs 2.5 lakh. The maintenance amount will be applicable retroactively for the last seven years. The lower court has been asked to resolve the pending case within six months. The legal battle, filed under the 'Protection of Women from Domestic Violence' Act, has been ongoing for years, alongside other personal disputes between the couple. Last year, Shami made headlines for an emotional reunion with his daughter after a long time. He shared a heartfelt post on Instagram, expressing his love for Aaira. However, Hasin Jahan dismissed the gesture as "show-off," alleging that Shami's motive was linked to renewing their daughter's passport, which requires his signature. She also claimed that during the meeting, Shami took their daughter shopping at a store where he has brand ties and enjoys complimentary purchases but did not fulfil her other wishes like buying a guitar or camera. Their strained relationship has been marked by several controversies, including serious allegations from Hasin Jahan in the past, such as accusations of match-fixing, which led to a BCCI Anti-Corruption Unit inquiry. Despite personal challenges, Shami continues to be regarded as one of India's top seam bowlers. Source: NDTV 

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has approved a total of Tk nine crore in grants for the production of 32 films in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024–25. According to a press release issued by the ministry on Tuesday, the selected projects include 12 full-length feature films and 20 short films. Each feature film will receive Tk 75 lakh, while short films will be granted Tk 20 lakh each. The approved feature films are: ‘Robinhood-er Aschorjo Obhijaan’, ‘Mayer Dak’, ‘July’, ‘Ruher Kafela’, ‘Porotar Swad’, ‘Khoyari’, ‘Jibon Opera’, ‘Jolojuddho’, ‘Kobir Mukh’, ‘Coffiner Dana’, ‘Nawab Fozunnesa’ and ‘Jui’. The selected short films include: ‘Mondo-Bhalo’, ‘Felani’, ‘Jhuki’r Matra’, ‘Jiboner Gaan’, ‘Who Has Made Us Fly’, ‘Bhora Bador’, ‘1230’, ‘Brindarani’r Angul’, ‘Ekti Cinemar Jonno’, ‘Dafan’, ‘Satar’, ‘Mangsho Kom’, ‘Gogon’, ‘Othithi’, ‘Boba’, ‘Advait’, ‘Ashar Alo’, ‘Gorjonpurer Bagha’, ‘Where the Water Sleeps’ and ‘Oposhoy’. According to sources at the ministry, the final decision was made on Monday following a three-tier selection process. The initial phase involved script screening by the screenplay selection committee, which shortlisted around 50% of the submissions. Shakib Khan slams piracy, praises audience support at special screening of ‘Taandob’  This was followed by a review from the grant selection committee. In the final phase, 32 films were selected for funding. The deadline for screenplay submissions was till the end of April. A total of 189 scripts were submitted for the feature category, while 140 entries were received for short films. After evaluation, the ministry finalised 32 films for government funding.

As anticipation builds for the much-awaited return of “Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi”, Smriti Irani has revealed that a sequel to the iconic show was planned more than a decade ago but was shelved due to her political career. Speaking on “We The Women” with Karan Johar and Barkha Dutt in London, Irani disclosed that the show’s comeback was initially scheduled for 2014. “If you look at the “Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi” journey in totality, the most well-kept secret about it was I had a contract to do it again in 2014, and I walked away from it because I had to serve in the Indian Parliament as a cabinet minister,” Irani shared. She added that production was already underway when she received a life-changing call. “The set was ready, but there was a phone call from the Prime Minister's office that you have to take an oath,” she said. Randhir Kapoor, Babita decide to reunite in later years Irani also revealed she turned down a film role opposite the late Rishi Kapoor during the same period. “I remember Rishi Kapoor telling me to leave now because to serve your country is a greater service than just doing a movie or doing television,” she recalled. Originally premiering in 2000, “Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi”, created by Ektaa Kapoor, became a cultural milestone in Indian television, with Irani’s portrayal of Tulsi Virani at its heart. The show’s long-awaited return is now set for 2025, with Irani reprising her role and Amar Upadhyay returning as Mihir. However, the July 3 premiere has been delayed. “Ektaa wanted some changes in the set… she’s a perfectionist,” Upadhyay said. With inputs from HT

Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor has revealed that her parents, Randhir Kapoor and Babita, have decided to spend their old age together after years of separation. During a recent conversation with journalist Barkha Dutt, Kareena opened up about her parents' equation, their journey, and how they have come "full circle" as a family. Randhir Kapoor and Babita, who had a love marriage in 1971, separated due to compatibility issues but never divorced. Speaking about their decision to reunite, Kareena said, "That is something that has come a full circle for Karisma and me, which is absolutely, it's like a divine kind of intervention which has happened. Individually, I think both of them have been wonderful because I mean my father has always supported whatever I wanted to do in my life." She added that after years apart, they chose to spend their old age together "because that's where their journey started and that's where exactly they are together." Kareena also praised her mother, Babita, for breaking the glass ceiling within the Kapoor family by helping Karisma Kapoor become the first woman from the family to pursue a film career. "In a marriage, a man does realise that a woman, the mother, is the primary caregiver, and if he does support the mother in a positive way, you can raise a couple of beautiful children. It does happen, but the men have to know what all the mother does and they have to give them the credit they have to support them," Kareena said. Sardaar Ji 3 to release in Pakistan after skipping India Calling her parents "the best," Kareena added, "Everyone's parents are the best parents in the world. Yes. And my parents are the best parents in the world." Randhir Kapoor and Babita's love story began in 1969 when Randhir saw Babita on the sets of his father Raj Kapoor's film *Sangam*. They began dating soon after and married in November 1971 with their families' approval. However, in 1988, Randhir returned to his parents' home and never filed for divorce. Reflecting on the separation, Randhir Kapoor told Hindustan Times, "She found that I was a terrible man who drank a lot and came home late, which was something she didn't like. And I didn't want to live the way she wanted, and she couldn't accept me as I was, though it was a love marriage. So it's okay. We had two lovely children to look after. She brought them up in the best way and they have excelled in their career. What else could I have asked for as a father?" Kareena said that their decision to spend their later years together has been a meaningful chapter in their family journey. Source: NDTV