United News of Bangladesh

Spotify founder Daniel Ek is stepping down as CEO to become executive chairman, a move that caused the company’s shares to drop in premarket trading on Tuesday. The Stockholm-based streaming giant announced that Ek will be succeeded by two longtime lieutenants as co-CEOs: Chief Product and Technology Officer Gustav Söderström and Chief Business Officer Alex Norström. Both currently serve as co-presidents and will officially take on their new roles on Jan. 1, reporting directly to Ek. Spotify said in a statement that the change “formalizes” how the company has operated since 2023, with Söderström and Norström already leading strategic planning and day-to-day operations. Ek added that he had previously “handed over much of the daily management and strategic direction” to them. “This change simply matches titles to how we already operate,” he said. Since its founding nearly 20 years ago, Ek has helped Spotify transform the music industry and shape modern streaming. The platform now boasts over 700 million subscribers and offers more than 100 million songs, 7 million podcasts, and 350,000 audiobooks. Spotify shares, which had doubled over the past year, fell more than 3% in premarket trading following the announcement.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, often hailed as the original ramp queen, turned heads at Paris Fashion Week 2025, where she walked for L'Oréal Paris. Representing the brand at the “Liberté, Égalité, Sororité” showcase—part of the Spring-Summer 2026 Women’s Ready-to-Wear collection—Aishwarya made a powerful impression in a uniquely styled Indian sherwani designed by Manish Malhotra. The iconic actress redefined elegance with an androgynous twist, wearing a deep blue sherwani paired with her signature ruby red lips and flowing hair. She graced the ramp at the Hotel de Ville in Paris on September 29, exuding confidence and grace. Her warm namaste, followed by waves and flying kisses, won over the crowd and lit up social media, with fans flooding comment sections with praise like "Always the best" and "So beautiful." Designer's Vision Designer Manish Malhotra shared insights into the thought behind the look. He described the outfit as a modern reinterpretation of the traditional Indian sherwani, blending masculine tailoring with feminine elegance. According to him, the sherwani symbolizes both strength and softness—crafted to be bold yet sensuous. One of the standout features was the 10-inch diamond-embroidered cuffs, which Malhotra described as “part armor, part ornament,” representing both emotional strength and vulnerability. Off the Ramp: A Heartwarming Moment A day before the event, Aishwarya made headlines for a touching interaction with a fan outside her hotel in Paris. A viral video captured the actress comforting an emotional fan by wiping her tears before posing for a photo, further endearing herself to admirers online. Aishwarya’s Recent Work Aishwarya was last seen in Mani Ratnam’s epic period film Ponniyin Selvan II, where she starred alongside a powerhouse cast including Vikram, Karthi, Trisha Krishnan, Jayaram, and others. Her performance received widespread acclaim as part of the historical saga.   Source; NDTV      

Singer and actress Selena Gomez has married music producer and songwriter Benny Blanco, sharing the news on Instagram with a photo of the couple kissing and embracing on a lawn. Blanco, 37, responded to Gomez’s post Saturday, writing, “My wife in real life.” Gomez, 33, wore a white halter-style bridal gown adorned with floral details, while Blanco donned a custom Ralph Lauren tuxedo with a bow tie. Preparations for the wedding, including a large outdoor tent, had been spotted earlier in the Santa Barbara area by paparazzi. The couple’s friends and professional associates congratulated them online. The official Instagram account for Gomez’s Hulu series Only Murders in the Building posted, “Our Mabel is MARRIED,” while her cosmetics brand Rare Beauty wrote: “So happy for you two.” Celebrities including Camila Cabello and Amy Schumer also extended their best wishes. Blanco and Gomez met around a decade ago and became engaged late last year. They previously collaborated on the 2019 track I Can’t Get Enough, alongside J Balvin and Tainy. Blanco is known for co-writing and producing hits such as Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream, Britney Spears’ Circus, and Maroon 5’s Moves Like Jagger. Gomez, who began her career as a child on Barney and Friends, rose to fame as a teen star on Disney Channel’s Wizards of Waverly Place. Her recent projects include hit songs like Calm Down, Good for You, Same Old Love and Come & Get It, as well as her role alongside Martin Short and Steve Martin in Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building, earning her multiple award nominations. The singer and actress has a vast social media following, with 417 million Instagram followers, making her the most-followed woman on the platform.

Cricketer Virat Kohli and actress Anushka Sharma, currently in London, delighted fans with a rare glimpse of their personal life. Virat shared a smiling selfie with Anushka on Instagram, leaning his face close to hers, captioned: “Been a minute.” The post quickly drew attention, with fans flooding the comments. Some called the couple “cuties together,” while others hailed them as “King and Queen.” Ashneer Grover could join Bigg Boss 19 as wildcard, shares witty comment online Bollywood stars Alia Bhatt and Athiya Shetty were among those who liked the picture. BackgroundVirat and Anushka tied the knot on December 11, 2017, in Italy. They are parents to daughter Vamika, born on January 11, 2021, and son Akaay, born on February 15, 2024. Professionally, Anushka’s cricket biopic Chakda Xpress, based on Indian cricketer Jhulan Goswami, is yet to be released, with no confirmation on whether the project is on hold. Earlier this year, in May, Virat announced his retirement from Test cricket ahead of India’s tour of England, which also marked the start of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle. Source: NDTV 

Actor Rajat Bedi, who recently returned to the Hindi entertainment industry with his web series debut The Ba**ds of Bollywood, has climbed to the ninth position on IMDb India’s list of popular celebrities. Earlier, he was ranked 954th. IMDb India announced the update on X (formerly Twitter), sharing his picture with the note: “IMDb Popular Indian Celebrities, determined by fans always.” The caption added, “#RajatBedi ranks #9 from #954 for his portrayal of Jaraj Saxena in The Ba**ds of Bollywood*.” The show’s director Aryan Khan also rose sharply in the rankings, moving from 87th to sixth place. Female leads Anya Singh and Sahher Bambba secured the first two spots, while Lakshya ranked fourth and Raghav Juyal twelfth. Rajat later posted a photo with Aryan Khan on Instagram, where he had his arm around Aryan’s shoulder. Sharing the picture, he wrote: “When God sends you an angel, this is what he looks like.” Streaming on Netflix since September 18, The Ba**ds of Bollywood* tells the story of an ambitious outsider (played by Lakshya) trying to make his mark in the Hindi film industry. The cast includes Raghav Juyal, Manoj Pahwa, Mona Singh, Gautami Kapoor, Anya Singh, and Sahher Bambba, along with cameo appearances. Rajat Bedi, who started his acting career with Do Hazaar Ek in 1998, is known for his roles in TV shows like Humrahi, Kasautii Zindagii Kay, and Aahat. His film credits include Koi Mil Gaya, Rakht, Khamoshh Khauff Ki Raat, and Rocky – The Rebel.   Source: NDTV

Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) inaugurated “A Healing Space – Winner’s Showcase,” an international design exhibition organized by Claymire in association with Placemaking Bangladesh, on Friday at La Galerie, Dhanmondi. The opening ceremony was attended by Dr Khandaker Shabbir Ahmed, Ashok Karmaker, and A K M Saleh Ahmed Anik as special guests. “A Healing Space” is Claymire’s second international design ideas competition, inviting participants from around the world to reimagine the built environment as an agent of care, resilience, and ecological renewal. Responding to the global disruptions of recent years, the initiative explored how design can foster healing at three interconnected scales — People, Community, and Planet. From hundreds of submissions worldwide, the exhibition presents the Top 30 shortlisted proposals, addressing themes such as urban–rural transformations, biophilic design, inclusive public spaces, therapeutic landscapes, and playful interventions. This year’s winning projects include “Beyond The Wall” by Mariom Bentee Rahman, Amit Dutta, Jannatul Ferdous Khan Joty, and Md Shihab Pramanik, which reimagines Dhaka’s boundary walls as shared community edges, transforming neglected urban margins into spaces for connection and cultural expression. Another winning project, “Komolar Daake Mononer Paane" by N M Shamsul Islam, Sadika Alam Sayma, Tanvir Ahamed, and Omar Faruk, revives a historic paddle steamer as a living cultural vessel, reclaiming the river as a site of memory, identity, and community gathering. With its preserved orange hull, the project symbolizes heritage, serenity, and civic engagement. Claymire, a creative platform for architects, artists, designers, and students, aims to promote innovative design and collaboration through competitions, exhibitions, and events. Placemaking Bangladesh works to transform everyday spaces into inclusive, ecological, and people-centered places by bridging professional expertise with grassroots perspectives. The exhibition will remain open for visitors on September 27 from 12pm to 9pm at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka.

Telugu superstar Pawan Kalyan’s latest release They Call Him OG has stormed the box office, emerging as the year’s biggest opener. According to trade tracker Sacnilk, the film grossed Rs 70 crore on its opening day in India. Combined with Rs 20.25 crore from paid previews a day earlier, the total reached Rs 90.25 crore. Globally, it is expected to cross the Rs 150 crore mark on day one. The blockbuster debut surpasses Pawan Kalyan’s own Hari Hara Veera Mallu (Rs 34 crore opening) and beats other 2025 big releases including Rajinikanth’s Coolie (Rs 65 crore), Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava (Rs 31 crore), and Ahaan Panday’s Saiyaara (Rs 21.5 crore). Salman Khan admits asking actresses to change outfits Directed by Sujeeth and produced by D. V. V. Danayya, They Call Him OG features Kalyan as a retired gangster who resurfaces in Bombay in 1993 to confront rival crime lord Omi Bhau, played by Emraan Hashmi in his Telugu debut. Priyanka Mohan, Arjun Das, Sriya Reddy and Prakash Raj also star. NDTV critic Saibal Chatterjee noted that while the screenplay falters, “Pawan Kalyan goes full tilt” and his charisma keeps the film’s momentum alive. Source: NDTV 

Coke Studio Bangla on Thursday night released its sixth track of Season 3, 'Moha Jadu,' a cross-cultural fusion of Bangla mysticism and Farsi poetry that celebrates love’s enchantment as a force moving the heart and soul. The 4:14-minute track was composed, arranged and produced by popular music artist Habib Wahid, marking his long-anticipated debut on the Coke Studio Bangla platform.  The piece was written by Baul poet Shah Khowaj Mia, a disciple of revered mystic Durbin Shah, with additional Farsi verses penned by Hadis Dehgan. Habib Wahid himself handled mixing and mastering of the release. In the rendition, Habib Wahid reinterprets the timeless verses with a vibrant electronic-folk arrangement, while Tajikistani singer Mehrnigori Rustam lends her voice, making her introduction to Bangladeshi audiences. The music video of the song, directed by popular director Adnan Al Rajeev, continues the vibrant storytelling that Coke Studio Bangla is showcasing throughout its third season. According to Coke Studio Bangla, 'Moha Jadu' highlights parallels between Bengal’s Baul traditions and Sufi-inspired Persian lineages, carried through by the shared word 'Jadu' (magic) that bridges the two cultures. Producers said the track blends fresh rhythm with devotion, bridging time and borders through music. The song also underscores how Persian once shaped Bengal’s cultural and literary heritage as the court language for centuries, leaving behind enduring words and stories that continue to influence the region’s artistic expressions. With 'Moha Jadu,' Wahid extends his longstanding journey of weaving Baul folk into modern electronic soundscapes, carrying mystic verses to a new generation of listeners while renewing tradition in a contemporary form.

Former narcotics officer Sameer Wankhede has filed a defamation lawsuit against actor Shah Rukh Khan, his production company Red Chillies Entertainment, and the makers of the Netflix series The Ba**ds of Bollywood*. The suit concerns his portrayal in the web series, which is directed by Aryan Khan. The Defamation Claim Wankhede is seeking Rs 2 crore in damages from Shah Rukh Khan and Red Chillies Entertainment, with the request that the amount be donated to Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital to help cancer patients. In his legal filing before the Delhi High Court, Wankhede has requested permanent and mandatory injunctions, a public declaration, and compensation. In his statement, Wankhede stated, "The series has maliciously portrayed me and the anti-drug enforcement agencies in a false and defamatory manner, severely damaging public trust in law enforcement." The Series' Portrayal The first episode of The Ba**ds of Bollywood* features a character resembling Wankhede, who is shown outside a Bollywood party, searching for individuals involved in drug use. Since the series began streaming on Netflix on September 18, social media users have drawn comparisons between Wankhede and this character. Wankhede's Allegations Wankhede alleges that the series was intentionally created to damage his reputation, particularly since the case involving Aryan Khan's drug charges is still ongoing in court. He also criticized the show for a scene in which a character gestures offensively with a middle finger while reciting the national motto “Satyamev Jayate,” calling it a violation of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act. Additionally, Wankhede's statement accuses the series of violating various laws, including the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), for promoting offensive material that could harm national sentiment. Background of the Case Wankhede led the Narcotics Control Bureau’s investigation into Aryan Khan and others in 2021, following a raid on a cruise ship that led to the seizure of illegal drugs. Aryan Khan, along with Ayaaz Merchant and Munmun Dhamecha, was arrested and charged with drug-related offenses. Aryan spent 25 days in jail before being granted bail. In May 2022, all charges against him were dropped, and Wankhede was removed from the case amid allegations of blackmail.   Source: NDTV

A special documentary titled 'Bhabar Bhita – The House that Held Bhaba' will premiere at Bengal Shilpalay in the capital’s Dhanmondi on Friday, commemorating the birth centenary of legendary filmmaker Ritwik Kumar Ghatak. Directed by Molla Sagar as a heartfelt tribute to Ghatak, one of South Asia’s most influential filmmakers, the documentary traces Sagar’s journey to Old Dhaka in search of the ancestral home where Ritwik and his twin sister Pratiti Devi Ghatak, affectionately known as 'Bhaba' and 'Bhabi', were born and spent their childhood. It presents the history and present condition of the house that shaped their early years. The premiere will be attended by noted artists, filmmakers, cultural personalities, critics, journalists and admirers, who will come together to honour Ghatak’s enduring legacy. Born on November 4, 1925, in a house in Old Dhaka, the twins were separated by history after the Partition of 1947 - Ritwik and his family moved to India, while Pratiti stayed back in Bangladesh. Ritwik passed away in 1976, still searching for a new home in his creative imagination. Sharing the inspiration behind the project, Sagar recalled his meeting with Pratiti in Dhaka in 2014. “She was then around 90 and had lost much of her memory, almost bedridden; I requested her for something symbolic, and she gifted me a black-and-white photo of Bhaba, and that was my priceless treasure.” “With that photo in hand, I set out with my camera to find the old house in Old Dhaka. Bhaba, through that photograph, accompanied us on the journey, while conversations with Bhabi gave birth to the film ‘Bhabar Bhita’,” Sagar added. The event is organised by Life Bangladesh in association with Chhut Chhobi Chhaya Adda.