United News of Bangladesh

Veteran playback singer Kumar Sanu has served a legal notice to his former wife Rita Bhattacharya after she alleged in a recent interview that he “tortured” her during pregnancy. The notice was sent through his lawyer Sana Raees Khan, according to The Indian Express. An excerpt from the notice stated that Sanu had dedicated over four decades to music and won love worldwide, adding: “Hurtful lies may create noise for a moment, but they cannot erase the legacy of an artist who has given a lifetime of music and memories.” It further warned that defamatory attempts would be met with “the full force of law” to safeguard his dignity and family honour. Bhattacharya, speaking in an interview with Siddharth Kannan, recounted hardships she faced during her third pregnancy while managing divorce proceedings. She alleged Sanu denied their children food and medical care, claiming she survived with help from sympathetic neighbours. She also said he gave her only Rs 100 during the divorce and recalled selling her jewellery to survive. She further claimed Sanu showed indifference when their two sons went missing during the 2005 Mumbai floods, saying she searched all night while he did not enquire about their safety. Kumar Sanu and Rita Bhattacharya married in 1980 and separated in 1994. During that period, Sanu was also linked with actor Kunickaa Sadanand, though the relationship did not last. He later married Saloni Bhattacharya in 2001, with whom he has two daughters.   Source: NDTV

An AI-generated performer named Tilly Norwood has sparked outrage in Hollywood after its Dutch creators revealed it is in talks with talent agencies. At first glance, Norwood appears like a young actress on social media, complete with professional photos and even an AI-generated comedy sketch portraying her as having “girl next door vibes.” Her Instagram posts claim, “I may be AI, but I’m feeling very real emotions right now.” But Hollywood stars and the actors’ union are pushing back. SAG-AFTRA, the powerful actors’ guild, condemned Norwood as “not an actor, but a computer-generated character trained on the work of countless professionals,” stressing it lacks real-life experience, emotion, or authenticity. Oscar-nominated actress Emily Blunt called the creation “terrifying,” while Natasha Lyonne urged boycotts of any agencies that represent it. Whoopi Goldberg also weighed in, saying audiences can easily distinguish synthetic performers from humans. Tilly was created by Dutch comedian and actor Eline Van der Velden, who described the project as “a piece of art, not a replacement for a human being.” She compared it to drawing or writing a character and argued such creations should be seen as their own genre. The backlash comes as Hollywood remains wary of artificial intelligence after the 2023 strikes, where AI use was a central issue. SAG-AFTRA reminded studios that employing Norwood could conflict with contractual protections secured in that strike, accusing AI projects of “using stolen performances” and “jeopardizing human livelihoods.” Despite the criticism, Van der Velden suggested at a recent Zurich summit that studios are already exploring high-profile AI projects, with public announcements expected soon.   Source: BBC

Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan has officially entered the billionaire club, becoming one of the world’s wealthiest actors, according to the Hurun India Rich List 2025. The 59-year-old actor’s net worth is estimated at $1.4 billion (£1.03 billion), placing him alongside global celebrities such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rihanna, Tiger Woods, and Taylor Swift, whose fortunes are valued at $1.6 billion by Forbes. Other Bollywood stars on the list include actress Juhi Chawla, actors Hrithik Roshan and Amitabh Bachchan, and filmmaker Karan Johar. Known as Bollywood’s “king of romance,” Khan has spent over three decades in the Hindi film industry, evolving from actor to entrepreneur, running the production company Red Chillies Entertainment and owning the IPL team Knight Rider Sports. “Khan’s billionaire status comes largely from his stakes in Red Chillies and Knight Rider Sports,” said Anas Rahman Junaid, founder of Hurun India. He added that Khan also earns from films, advertisements, and real estate investments worldwide. Junaid noted that Khan’s rise reflects a shift in India’s wealth landscape, with sports, entertainment, and intellectual property now becoming major wealth creators, similar to trends in the US where celebrities like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Oprah Winfrey dominate rich lists. While other Bollywood celebrities and their families made Hurun’s list this year, Khan’s fortune far surpasses them. Juhi Chawla ranks second at $880 million, Hrithik Roshan third at $260 million, Karan Johar around $200 million, and Amitabh Bachchan with family at $183 million. India’s billionaire count now exceeds 350, with Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani holding the top positions.   Source: BBC

Italian authorities on Wednesday seized 21 artworks allegedly by Salvador Dalí, suspecting them to be forgeries, following a tip-off from the Spanish Surrealist’s foundation regarding irregularities in the pieces. The artworks were part of the exhibition “Salvador Dalí, tra arte e mito” (Salvador Dalí, between art and myth), which was displayed in Rome earlier this year and recently opened at Palazzo Tarasconi in Parma. Italy’s Carabinieri art squad said it received a report from the Fundaciòn Gala – Salvador Dalí while the exhibition was in Rome, highlighting possible anomalies in some works. The foundation, established by Dalí in 1983, aims to “promote, foster, disseminate, enhance, and defend Dalí’s world worldwide,” according to its website. On Wednesday, acting on a judge’s warrant, police seized 21 pieces from the Parma museum, including tapestries, drawings, and engravings. Authorities emphasized that the investigation is ongoing. Dalí, known for his surreal and whimsical creations, is one of the most frequently forged artists, alongside Pablo Picasso and Amadeo Modigliani, according to ArtNews.

This fall, the Van Gogh Museum is reuniting portraits of the Roulin family—models for Vincent van Gogh during his time in Arles, France—for a special exhibition honoring the deep connection between the artist and the family who befriended him during a lonely period of his life. The exhibition, titled "Van Gogh and the Roulins. Together Again at Last," brings together artworks from across the globe, depicting postman Joseph Roulin, his wife, their two sons, and infant daughter. Among the highlights is a portrait of Roulin in his postal uniform, sitting in a willow-wood armchair native to the Provence region. Originally shown at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the exhibition now arrives in Amsterdam with an added surprise—the very armchair from Van Gogh’s studio, featured in the painting, has been discovered in the museum’s own collection. It was deemed too fragile to travel to Boston, making its debut in this Amsterdam showing. “We found the chair in storage—it had never been exhibited before,” said museum director Emilie Gordenker. “It's amazing what turns up when you delve deeper into a subject like the Roulin family. It’s a rediscovery of our own collection.” Between July 1888 and April 1889, Van Gogh created 26 portraits of the Roulin family, 14 of which are featured in the exhibition. These are displayed alongside works by Van Gogh’s contemporary Paul Gauguin and Dutch masters such as Rembrandt and Frans Hals, whose art heavily influenced him. “Many see the Arles period as the peak of Van Gogh’s career,” said Gordenker. “Whether or not you agree, it was certainly a turning point—his full artistic potential began to shine.” A life-size reconstruction of Van Gogh’s iconic yellow house in Arles has been created within the museum, representing the space where he lived and worked. It was there that Van Gogh formed a bond with Roulin, who was more than a model—he became a supportive friend. In a letter to his brother Theo, Van Gogh described Roulin as having a fatherly kindness. Co-curator Nienke Bakker emphasized how vital this period was to Van Gogh's creative development. “He said painting people brought out the best in him and made him feel connected to humanity,” she explained. The armchair, passed down through Van Gogh’s family after he left Arles, now sits beside the Boston portrait in the exhibition. “It’s moving to see not just the painting, but the actual chair Roulin sat in,” Bakker said. “It’s a simple, humble piece of furniture, but deeply meaningful.” The exhibition opens Friday and will run through January 11.

Faruq Mahfuz Anam James, affectionately called "guru" by his fans, turned 61 on Thursday. He spent the last four decades of his life as a dominant figure in Bangladesh’s band music scene. The National Award-winning musician is regarded as one of the subcontinent’s most iconic rock singers, whose career has inspired generations of fans both in Bangladesh and abroad. Born in 1964 in Naogaon, Rajshahi, James was raised in Chattogram. His family did not initially support his pursuit of music, prompting him to leave home in 1976. He began singing live at Aziz Boarding in Pahartali, Chattogram. In 1977, James formed the band Feelings as lead vocalist and guitarist, later renaming it Nagar Baul, a name that has since become synonymous with the musician himself. James released the band’s first album, Station Road, in 1987. Over the years, he has produced many hit songs, including Taray Taray Rotiye Debo, Maa, Bangladesh, Pagla Hawaa, Dushtu Chheler Dol, Guru Ghor Banaila Ki Diya, and Mirabai, which solidified his status as a rock icon. Many of his songs were adapted from poems. Rock icon James thrilled by record crowd in Saudi capital, promises return Alongside contemporaries LRB and ARK, James formed what came to be known as the “Big Three of Bangladeshi Rock” in the 1990s, captivating audiences with his unique psychedelic rock style and stage presence. In addition to his achievements in rock music, James has worked as a playback singer in Dhallywood, earning the Bangladesh National Film Award for the Best Male Playback Singer for Desha: The Leader (2014) and Swatta (2017). He also ventured into Bollywood, debuting in Anurag Basu’s Gangster (2006) and later contributing to Woh Lamhe (2006), Life… in a Metro (2007), and Warning (2013). Despite numerous opportunities to expand his career internationally, James chose to return to Bangladesh to continue his work as a musician in his home country. As a solo artist, he has released eight albums: Anannya (1989), Palabe Kothay (1995), Dukhini Dukkho Korona (1997), Thik Ache Bondhu (1999), Ami Tomaderi Lok (2003), Janata Express (2005), Toofan (2006), and Kaal Jamuna (2009). He has also collaborated extensively with renowned lyricists, composers, and musicians across Bangladesh’s music industry. Beyond performing, James has established himself as a versatile creative professional, working as a photographer and media entrepreneur. He is the founder and chairman of Red Dot Entertainment, a prominent production house in Bangladesh. On his 61st birthday, fans, fellow musicians, and admirers from across the country and abroad took to social media to share photos, concert memories, and heartfelt tributes celebrating James’s life and career. Global Harmony: Bangladeshi rock legend James set to perform in Riyadh Friday Even after six decades of life and over 40 years of music, Nagarbaul James continues to inspire young musicians and entertain audiences, cementing his enduring legacy as a pioneer of Bangladeshi rock music.

The two-day Sharadiya Cultural Festival-2025, organised by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) for the first time, concluded on Wednesday evening at the Academy’s Nandanmancha through a colourful cultural event. The closing ceremony was attended by Sheikh Rezauddin Ahmed (poet Rezauddin Stalin), Director General of BSA; Tanzim Ibn Wahab, Director General of Bangladesh National Museum; Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs Abul Faiz Md Alauddin Khan; Joint Secretary Md Harun-or-Rashid; Secretary of Shilpakala Academy Mohammad Wares Hossain; representatives from the embassies of Italy, Indonesia, Latvia, Switzerland and Russia, officials from different ministries and organisations, leaders of socio-cultural and religious groups, and officials of the Academy. The cultural segment of the programme began with dhak-dhol performance by 50 artistes. Spandan Dance Troupe then presented 'Mangalik Nritya', choreographed by Anik Bose. Artiste Anima Roy performed several solo songs including "Amra Milechi Aaj Mayer Dake," "Oi Ason Tole Matir Pore" and "Ebar Tor Mora Gange Baan Esechhe," while Debolina Sur Dola rendered "Mangal Deep Jele," "Tare Dhori Dhori," "Hrid Majhare Rakhbo Chhere Debo Na" and "Gauri Elo Dekhe Ja Lo." 'Moha Jadu': Habib Wahid debuts on Coke Studio Bangla with cross-cultural fusion

October 2, also celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti, has become a recurring pop-culture reference for fans of Ajay Devgn’s Drishyam, the Hindi adaptation of Mohanlal’s Malayalam blockbuster, thanks to a clever plot twist in the 2015 film. In Drishyam, Vijay Salgaonkar (Ajay Devgn), a school dropout-turned-businessman in Goa, lives a peaceful life with his wife Nandini (Shriya Saran) and their two daughters. The story takes a dramatic turn when the family becomes involved in the disappearance of Sam, the son of Inspector-General Meera Deshmukh (Tabu). To protect his family, Vijay fabricates a detailed alibi tied to October 2. When questioned, his elder daughter Anju (Ishita Dutta) claims that the family traveled to Panaji to attend a satsang at Swami Chinmayanand’s ashram, had pav bhaji for lunch, stayed overnight, and returned on October 3. The family supports the story with bus tickets, movie stubs, and restaurant bills, rehearsing it to perfection. Alia Bhatt skips questions on exes in Kajol–Twinkle Khanna’s talk show The alibi, referenced repeatedly throughout the film, turned October 2 into a cinematic shorthand for secrecy and clever plotting, sparking a decade-long meme trend on social media. Producer Kumar Mangat Pathak celebrated the film’s 10th anniversary on X, writing: “A decade later, and we’re still asking… 2nd October ko kya hua tha?” Fans continue to recall the day each year, cementing it as a playful pop-culture moment in Indian cinema. Source: NDTV 

The two-day 'Sharadiya Cultural Festival 2025' began on Tuesday evening at the open-air stage of Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital, under the initiative of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and management of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA). The inaugural programme started at 7:15 pm, followed by the staging of the traditional Jatra pala 'Mahishasur Mardini, Devi Durga' at 7:45 pm. The play was written by Ujjal Kumar Bepari and performed by Mata Majjulika Religious Theatre Group from Pirojpur. The opening session was presided over by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Director General Sheikh Rezauddin Ahmed, popularly known as poet Rezauddin Stalin. Key remarks were made by Md Harun-or-Rashid, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Ramesh Dutta, Convener of the Bangladesh Puja Celebration Front, and Gazi Belayet, President of the Bangladesh Jatra Shilpi Sangstha. The welcome address was delivered by Deepak Kumar Goswami, Director of BSA’s Theatre and Film Department. Despite afternoon rainfall, a lively audience gathered at Suhrawardy Udyan to enjoy the performance of the traditional Jatra. In his speech, BSA DG Sheikh Rezauddin Ahmed said the festival is a reflection of Bangladesh’s inclusive spirit. “On Maha Ashtami, as we stage ‘Mahishasur Mardini, Devi Durga’, we envision a harmonious, non-communal Bangladesh free of divisions. We dream of a society where no one will dare ask whether you are Hindu, Muslim or Christian, because we will all stand together as one,” he said, adding that this year marks the first time such a Durga Puja festival is being organized under the ministry’s initiative. The Jatra featured performances by Ujjal Kumar Bepari, Ranjit Halder, Rebati Ranjan Majumder, Pramath Ranjan Gomosta, Probir Bepari, Sanjoy Biswas, Sudeb Mondal, Himangshu Howlader, Amal Halder, Manik Boral, Bimal Baidya, Dipak Howlader, Sourav Halder, Md Selim, Nirmal Chandra Dey, Goutam Das, Khokan Biswas (Nurhimlal Biswas), Mukti Chakraborty, Janaki Roy, Shimu Debnath, Md Habib, Rahim Mia, Md Robiul, Bijon Kanti Howlader, Jyoti Roy and others. Home Adviser urges to observe Durga Puja preserving sanctity

Actors Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan are set to appear as guests in the second episode of Amazon Prime’s new chat show Two Much with Kajol and Twinkle Khanna. A teaser of the episode, released recently, has drawn attention online as Alia Bhatt avoided a question related to her former relationships. Teaser highlightsIn the teaser, Kajol remarks that being friends with an ex is a “red flag.” When asked to react, Alia replied, “Can we please move on?” Alia was previously rumoured to be in a relationship with Sidharth Malhotra after they made their Bollywood debut together in Student of the Year (2012) alongside Varun Dhawan. However, neither Alia nor Sidharth publicly confirmed the relationship. Varun Dhawan also added humour to the episode, joking about Twinkle Khanna’s 2000 film Mela. “I didn’t like the film, but I kept on rewatching it,” he quipped. When asked which film he meant, Varun replied, “Mela.” The film, directed by Dharmesh Darshan, starred Aamir Khan, Twinkle Khanna, and Faisal Khan. Recently, Akshay Kumar revealed that Twinkle agreed to marry him only if Mela flopped. Paris Fashion Week 2025: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan greets crowd with namaste About the showThe opening episode of Two Much featured Aamir Khan and Salman Khan, who shared stories about their personal and professional journeys in an engaging conversation with the hosts. Nikhil Madhok, Director and Head of Originals at Prime Video India, said the show is designed to bring a fresh take on celebrity conversations. “Kajol and Twinkle will combine wit, feistiness, and insight in unfiltered, unapologetic conversations,” he said, adding that the collaboration with Banijay Asia aims to deliver something “bold, fresh, and unforgettable” for audiences. Source: NDTV