United News of Bangladesh

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Thursday criticized filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri after a Kolkata-based organisation announced the first screening of his controversial film The Bengal Files in the city on September 13. The screening, organised by BJP-backed group Khola Hawa, will take place at Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Bhasha Bhavan in the National Library. The film, starring Mithun Chakraborty and Pallavi Joshi, is set against the backdrop of the 1946 Great Calcutta Killings and will be shown behind closed doors, with attendance by invitation only. Speaking at a press conference, Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu said, “They have the right to screen the movie. But The Bengal Files has been rejected nationwide. Its box office performance is poor, and the director is not receiving support from media or party, which is why he is complaining.” Since its all-India release on September 5, Agnihotri has repeatedly raised concerns about screening issues in West Bengal. In an interview with NDTV, he claimed that even after booking theatres in advance, distributors have refused to screen the film, citing fears of political unrest. Former BJP Rajya Sabha MP Swapan Dasgupta, associated with Khola Hawa, confirmed the Kolkata screening. The film, which portrays the communal riots of August 1946 in Kolkata, faced a censorship petition, which the Calcutta High Court dismissed on September 8. Despite this, The Bengal Files is yet to be screened in theatres across West Bengal. Agnihotri has alleged political pressure and intimidation by the ruling TMC, calling it an “unofficial ban.”   Source: NDTV

The globally popular streaming space Netflix is set to impress its audiences with an exciting Originals lineup for October 2025. The release slate features a blend of movies, series, and animation with the most beloved genres. The categories stretch across crime, thriller, romance, comedy, action, and fantasy. Let’s look at the most-hyped 10 Netflix Originals set to kick off in October 2025, bringing together stories shaped by diverse cultures. 10 Must-Watch Netflix Originals Releasing in October . Monster – The Ed Gein Story / Crime Drama / October 3, 2025 The third season of Monster takes its story to 1950s rural Wisconsin. At its centre is Ed Gein, a convicted murderer whose crimes left lasting marks on American culture and film. The season also draws in his mother, Augusta, and the legendary horror film director Alfred Hitchcock and his wife, Alma Reville. Charlie Hunnam takes the lead as Gein, with Laurie Metcalf as Augusta, Tom Hollander as Hitchcock, and Olivia Williams as Reville. Directed by Max Winkler, the modern horror series continues under the banner of Prospect Films and Ryan Murphy Television. Read more: Baaghi 4 Starring Tiger Shroff, Harnaaz Sandhu, Sanjay Dutt: Review and Earnings The Resurrected / Crime Thriller / October 9, 2025 Made under the direction of Leste Chen and Chao-jen Hsu, ‘The Resurrected’ examines grief and vengeance through stark storytelling. The Taiwanese series boasts Shen Yang, Yi Shuai-jie, and Luo Hsiao-rui as its writers. Set in the fictional city of Benkha, the crime drama follows two mothers united by loss. They bring back a scam ringleader to settle the score for their daughters’ deaths. Lee Sinje and Shu Qi headline the cast, supported by Fu Meng-po, Chung Hsin-ling, Caitlin Fang, and Patrick Finkler. Bernard T. K. Yang and Emma Duan jointly produce the series. Read more: Lokah Chapter 1 – Chandra: Female-Led Malayalam Superhero Blockbuster Splinter Cell: Deathwatch / Anime Action / October 14, 2025 Drawn from Tom Clancy’s well-known video game franchise, ‘Splinter Cell: Deathwatch’ arrives in animated form. Produced by Ubisoft Film & Television, the animated series is shaped by writer and executive producer Derek Kolstad. Guillaume Dousse takes on the director’s seat with Felicien Colmet-Daage co-directing. Liev Schreiber voices Sam Fisher, the franchise’s central operative. He is joined by Janet Varney, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, and Joel Oulette in supporting roles. The narrative tracks Fisher’s covert missions under the Fourth Echelon, a secretive U.S. government division. Read more: Wednesday Season 2 Part 2: Jenna Ortega Fronts Netflix's Star-Studded Mayhem The Diplomat – Season 3 / Political Thriller / October 16, 2025 Debora Cahn’s ‘The Diplomat’ returns for a third season under Well Red Films and Netflix Studios. The new chapter begins with Kate accusing Vice President Grace Penn of plotting terror and openly admitting her calculated move toward the office. But the sudden death of the president forces her into a position she neither sought nor desired. Her bond with Austin grows tangled, while her uneasy closeness with Todd deepens. The regular cast lineup includes Keri Russell, Rufus Sewell, David Gyasi, Ali Ahn, Ato Essandoh, Allison Janney, and Rory Kinnear. Bradley Whitford joins the cast as First Gentleman for the new season. Read more: Top 10 Korean Dramas Releasing in September 2025 Romantics Anonymous / Romantic Comedy / October 16, 2025 A joint production between Japan and South Korea, ‘Romantics Anonymous’ adapts the 2010 French-Belgian romantic comedy. Developed by Park So-yeon, the romantic series flourishes with Kim Ji Hyun and Yoshikazu Okada as its scriptwriters. Han Hyo-joo, Shun Oguri, Jin Akanishi, and Yuri Nakamura embody the protagonist roles, joined briefly by Song Joong-ki in a special appearance. The feel-good story follows a gifted chocolatier whose shyness makes everyday life a struggle. She begins working in a small chocolate shop, where a quiet transformation unfolds. Read more: September 2025 South Indian Movies: 12 Biggest Releases Sho Tsukikawa takes on the directorial role for this series, backed by Yong Film and Ryu Film.

Coke Studio Bangla has released its fifth track of Season 3 titled 'Long Distance Love', premiered on Wednesday night across YouTube and all of its social platforms. The song has been performed by rising stars Ankan Kumar and Sheikh Mumtahina Mehzabin Afrin. Music for the track was composed by Shuvendu Das Shuvo, and the lyrics were jointly penned by Ankan and Canada-based Bangladeshi singer-songwriter Pragata Naoha. On its official YouTube channel, Coke Studio Bangla described the song as: “In a world where voices cross oceans in seconds and connection is only a click away, #LongDistanceLove still finds a way to test the heart. Silence lingers, words remain unsaid, and miles exist without measure." "This song captures that quiet void, the echo of waiting, the ache of being near yet apart. From the soulful composition of Shuvendu Das Shuvo and the heartfelt words of Ankan, it drifts through the spaces technology cannot fill, like unsent letters carried by the wind. It’s a reminder of the #RealMagic that survives beyond closeness and absence, the kind of love that lingers in whispers, memories, and stars too far to hold, yet too close to forget,” it stated. The music video, directed by Adnan Al Rajeev and produced by Runout Productions, was shot inside an abandoned gallery where contemporary dancers depict the struggles and resilience of love across distance. Season 3 of Coke Studio Bangla began on April 13, 2024, featuring 180 musicians and artistes. After releasing its third track 'Obak Bhalobasha' on May 25, the platform went on a yearlong break before returning on August 23 with 'Baaji', composed, directed and performed by noted musician Emon Chowdhury alongside singer-songwriter Hashim Mahmud, the original creator of the song. Launched in 2022, Coke Studio Bangla has already gifted audiences a number of widely appreciated songs before the start of its third season.

The trailer of Jolly LLB 3, featuring Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi, has created a buzz among movie lovers after its release on Wednesday morning in Kanpur. Another launch event is set to take place in Meerut later in the day. Soon after the trailer dropped, fans rushed to social media platform X to share their reactions. Most of them praised the film, calling every scene “pure paisa vasool.” Some fans described Gajraj Rao’s villainous role as “absolute fire,” while many admired Akshay Kumar’s wit and comic timing. Others wrote that when Akshay and Arshad appear together on screen, “the laughter doubles.” One user summed it up by saying the trailer offers “fun, hard-hitting dialogues, drama, social message and entertainment.” Directed with a mix of humour and social message, Jolly LLB 3 this time deals with a high-voltage farmer-versus-politician case. Along with Akshay and Arshad, the film features Saurabh Shukla as the judge, Huma Qureshi, Amrita Rao, and Seema Biswas as a grieving mother. Gajraj Rao appears as the antagonist, while Ram Kapoor makes a cameo. With the trailer already trending, fans say they are eagerly waiting for the film’s release.   Source: NDTV

In a significant development in the ongoing succession dispute, the children of actress Karisma Kapoor and her late ex-husband Sunjay Kapur have approached the Delhi High Court seeking their rightful share in his multi-thousand crore estate. They allege that their stepmother, Priya Sachdev Kapur, attempted to forge their father’s will in an effort to take control of assets reportedly worth nearly ₹30,000 crore. As per ANI, Sunjay’s children — Samaira (20) and Kiaan (14) — have filed a civil suit through their mother and legal guardian, Karisma Kapoor. They have requested the court to partition the estate, disclose the complete list of assets, and issue a permanent injunction against the accused parties. The petition claims that the children are unaware of the full extent of their father’s wealth and accuse Priya Kapur of withholding key information. The suit notes that Priya initially denied the existence of a will and maintained that all assets were under the RK Family Trust. However, she later presented a document dated March 21, 2025, claiming it to be Sunjay’s will. The children have challenged the legitimacy of the document, alleging it was forged. The legal action names several parties, including Priya Kapur, her minor son, Sunjay’s mother Rani Kapur, and another woman identified as the alleged executor of the contested will. Corporate Holdings and Sunjay Kapur’s Wealth Sunjay Kapur, who passed away from a heart attack during a polo match in England on June 12, 2025, left behind substantial wealth and complex business interests. He was the Chairman of Sona BLW Precision Forgings Ltd. (Sona Comstar), a major global automotive component company with a market capitalization of roughly ₹31,000 crore. His unexpected death led to a 7% decline in the company’s share value due to succession-related concerns. According to Forbes, Sunjay’s net worth at the time of his death was estimated at $1.2 billion (₹10,300 crore), having peaked at $1.6 billion (₹14,100 crore) in earlier years. He was also the sole beneficiary of the RK Family Trust, which reportedly holds the promoter stake in Sona Comstar through Aureus Investments Pvt. Ltd. Potential Inheritance for Samaira and Kiaan Despite the legal complications, sources suggest that Sunjay had undertaken legacy planning for his children with Karisma Kapoor. He is believed to have gifted each of them bonds worth ₹14 crore and arranged for a monthly income of ₹10 lakh. Additionally, Karisma Kapoor was given ownership of a property previously belonging to Sunjay’s father. The children argue in court that their father had expressed a long-term commitment to their financial security — involving them in his business interests and naming them as beneficiaries of the family trust. They cite shared vacations, business discussions, and personal milestones as proof of his intentions. Family Tensions Escalate The inheritance dispute has deepened internal conflicts within the Kapur family. Following Sunjay’s death, his mother Rani Kapur raised objections over being excluded from critical corporate matters. In a letter addressed to SEBI and Sona Comstar shareholders, she claimed emotional distress and alleged coercion into signing documents. She also criticized the rapid appointment of Priya Kapur as a non-executive director on the company’s board. In response, the company denied her claims, stating: “Rani Kapur has not been a shareholder in the company since 2019. No documents were presented to her or signed after Sunjay’s passing. All board appointments, including that of Priya Kapur, followed due process and received shareholder approval.” Ongoing Legal Proceedings As the Delhi High Court prepares to examine the case, the legal battle between Sunjay Kapur’s children, their stepmother, and other family members is poised to decide the future distribution of his vast estate and his legacy in the corporate world. Sunjay Kapur and Karisma Kapoor were married in 2003 and had two children — Samaira in 2005 and Kiaan in 2011. The couple filed for divorce in 2014, which was finalized in 2016. source: NDTV

Tiger Shroff’s Baaghi 4, Vivek Agnihotri’s The Bengal Files, and Michael Chaves’s The Conjuring: Last Rites, all released on September 5, have so far struggled to make an impact at the box office. On the fifth day of release, The Conjuring: Last Rites earned Rs 5.50 crore, bringing its total collection to Rs 61 crore. Baaghi 4 collected Rs 4 crore on the same day, taking its overall total to Rs 39.75 crore. Meanwhile, The Bengal Files has managed Rs 9.19 crore in five days. About The Bengal Files and Baaghi 4 The Bengal Files is the third film in Vivek Agnihotri’s Files trilogy, following the National Award-winning The Tashkent Files (2019) and The Kashmir Files (2022). The film features Mithun Chakraborty, Saswata Chatterjee, Anupam Kher, Priyanshu Chatterjee, and Darshan Kumar. NDTV’s review noted, “This lesser-known bloodied chapter about Indian history needed a much more nuanced filmmaking. The imagery is in-your-face, and the performances are screechy and over the top.” The Baaghi franchise, which established Tiger Shroff as a leading action hero, could not recreate the magic with its fourth instalment. NDTV critic Saibal Chatterjee wrote, “Shroff has the skills to dive into high-octane action sequences with his hero poise intact. But when the script is only superficially visceral, even a capable actor cannot inject credibility into the protagonist’s exploits.” About The Conjuring: Last Rites Directed by Michael Chaves and written by Ian Goldberg, Richard Naing, and David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, The Conjuring: Last Rites is the ninth instalment in The Conjuring Universe. The film, based on the true-life Smurl haunting, stars Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga reprising their roles as paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, alongside Mia Tomlinson and Ben Hardy.    

Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) has inaugurated the exhibition 'A Drawing Room' by emerging artist Hridita Anisha on Tuesday at its La Galerie, Dhanmondi in the capital. The exhibition offers visitors a whimsical and emotive journey into drawings and illustrations infused with nostalgia and imagination. Through this showcase, Anisha evokes the landscapes of her childhood — where cats, fishes, and fantastical creatures roamed freely — transforming the gallery into a living, breathing space of creativity. What sets 'A Drawing Room' apart is its participatory nature. Throughout the exhibition, Anisha will be present daily, drawing directly onto the gallery walls while inviting both children and adults to contribute their own lines and symbols.  Visitors are encouraged to join in by sketching simple elements such as the sun, birds, huts, cats or fishes, making the exhibition an evolving and collaborative display.

A special musical evening featuring a guitar orchestra (Orchestra Kithara) along with instrumental and vocal performances was held on Monday at the auditorium of the Goethe-Institut Bangladesh in the capital’s Dhanmondi. Organised in collaboration with the Spanish Guitar (Afternoon) Center of the Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts (BAFA), Waizghat, Dhaka, the event was supported by the Goethe-Institut Bangladesh. The 70-minute programme was conducted by Ashraf Mahmud Uzzal, who led a repertoire blending Western and South Asian traditions. A total of 28 guitarists performed celebrated local and international pieces, captivating the audience with their artistry. Founded in 1955, BAFA is one of the country’s leading fine arts institutions, offering instruction and research in music, dance, painting and other art forms. Over the decades, the academy has nurtured generations of singers, musicians and dancers, while also representing Bangladesh abroad through cultural delegations. The institution continues to play a vital role in major national and cultural events, including Martyrs' Day, Independence Day, Pahela Baishakh and the birth anniversaries of eminent figures, inspiring future generations to embrace both South Asian and Western artistic traditions.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court to protect her personality rights, citing unauthorized use of her name, photos, and public image across digital platforms and commercial products. Justice Tejas Karia heard the matter and expressed the court’s willingness to issue injunctions to stop such misuse. The case is set for its next hearing on January 15, 2026. Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi, representing Rai, argued that her identity is being exploited for commercial gain and inappropriate content. He pointed out that several websites falsely claim to be her official platforms, misleading the public and violating her publicity rights. Sethi showcased examples of unauthorized merchandise — including mugs, T-shirts, and drinkware — featuring her image and name without consent. In one alarming case, a company called Aishwarya Nation Wealth falsely listed Rai as its Chairperson in official records, despite having no legitimate connection to her. Sethi called this fraudulent and confirmed that Rai had no knowledge of the company. Sethi also highlighted the circulation of digitally altered, obscene, and AI-generated images of Rai online, calling it a serious violation of her dignity. He emphasized that her likeness was being misused for sexually explicit content, which he described as deeply offensive and unacceptable. Google's legal representative, Advocate Mamta Rani, addressed the technical side of content removal, stating that specific URLs would be required to take down the offending material. Justice Karia noted that while a single, unified order would be ideal, the court may have to issue separate injunctions depending on the extent and nature of the violations. The court advised Rai’s legal team to either provide specific URLs for takedown or follow the Blocking and Screening Instructions (BSI) process. It added that any orders issued would be tailored to each defendant, unless a broader ruling could be applied across the board.

Netflix has released the trailer of “The Ba*ds of Bollywood,”** marking the directorial debut of Aryan Khan. Fans are thrilled as the trailer features Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan appearing together on screen for the first time. The series follows Aasmaan Singh (Lakshya), an aspiring actor trying to make it big in the competitive world of Bollywood. While the story promises drama, fans are captivated by seeing the three biggest superstars of Indian cinema together. Salman Khan had a brief appearance in the series preview, but the full trailer also shows Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan, creating a wave of excitement on social media. Fans flooded platforms with reactions, praising Aryan Khan for bringing the three Khans together. Farida Jalal recalls meeting Aryan Khan on SRK’s film set, says she is proud he has become a director The show also features Aasmaan’s friends and family, including Raghav Juyal, Anya Singh, Mona Singh, Vijayant Kohli, and Manoj Pahwa. Superstar cameos include Ranveer Singh, Sara Ali Khan, SS Rajamouli, Karan Johar, Disha Patani, and rapper Badshah. The soundtrack is composed by Shashwat Sachdev, with a chartbuster by Arijit Singh and contributions from Anirudh Ravichander. Set to premiere on September 18, Aryan Khan’s debut series is being called one of the most anticipated OTT launches of the year.   Source: NDTV