United News of Bangladesh

Kajol and Twinkle Khanna welcomed Salman Khan and Aamir Khan in the premiere episode of their new talk show, Too Much With Kajol and Twinkle Khanna, where Salman spoke candidly about his career and personal views. During the episode, Salman Khan revealed that he has, at times, asked actresses on his sets to “change and come back” to avoid awkwardness for the audience. He explained, “Our culture is such that when families watch films together, including parents and grandparents, some scenes can make them uncomfortable. I believe it’s important that viewers in their 20s and 30s enjoy films without feeling awkward about the content.” On the subject of women navigating a male-dominated world, Salman added humorously, “Even in kitchens, it’s mostly men—every chef, every home chef, is male.” Kajol countered, highlighting that male chefs earn salaries while women often continue household chores unpaid. The playful discussion continued as Salman asked both Kajol and Twinkle if they cooked at home, joking about the male actors in their households. Actor Rajat Bedi: “Aryan Khan shares Shah Rukh’s confidence and focus” Salman also opened up about his personal life, sharing his desire to have children one day. “Children, I will have, one day, soon. Eventually, one will have kids, but let’s see,” he said. The premiere episode, featuring Salman and Aamir Khan, was filled with candid and entertaining moments, giving audiences insight into Salman’s unfiltered opinions on relationships, parenting, and professional conduct on film sets. Source: NDTV

Fresh speculation has gripped the Harry Potter fandom as rumours suggest HBO’s upcoming adaptation of The Philosopher’s Stone could feature a female incarnation of Lord Voldemort. The new series, billed as a fresh take on J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world, is expected to introduce Voldemort earlier than in the original films — possibly through flashbacks and his possession of Professor Quirrell. Entertainment scooper Daniel Richtman reported on X that HBO is auditioning both men and women for the role of Voldemort. “So it’s possible we could see a female Voldemort in the series,” Richtman wrote. The report has triggered heated debate online, with some fans coining names such as “Lady Voldemort” or “She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.” Reactions have been sharply divided. “Nope. No thank you. Don’t care if I sound sexist. Voldemort should not be a female character. Put the whole thing in the trash if they do that,” one user posted. Another joked: “I present to you Lady ‘She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named’ Voldemort!” Rumours have also swirled around big-name casting. Cillian Murphy, of Oppenheimer fame, dismissed speculation during Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast. “I don’t know anything about that… it’s really hard to follow anything Ralph Fiennes does. The man is an absolute acting legend. So, good luck to whoever is going to fill those shoes,” he said. Ralph Fiennes, who played Voldemort in the original films, previously praised Murphy, calling him a “wonderful suggestion.” Fans have also floated names such as Tom Hiddleston, but HBO has yet to make any official casting announcements. In the original franchise, Ralph Fiennes portrayed Voldemort, while Christian Coulson, Richard Bremmer and Ian Hart played earlier versions of the character. Unlike the films, HBO’s series is expected to feature the Dark Lord from the first season, including flashbacks to Harry’s parents’ murder and Voldemort’s early return. Source: Agency

Actor Rajat Bedi has opened up about working with Aryan Khan in his directorial debut web series The Ba**ds of Bollywood* and noted the striking similarities between the Bollywood superstar and his son. Bedi, who returned to acting with the series, played Jaraj Saxena, a character on the fringes of the industry, banned by the movie mafia. In an interview with the Indian Express, he recalled his early experience working with Shah Rukh Khan in the 1995 film Zamaana Deewana, where he served as an assistant director under Ramesh Sippy. “I am grateful to be part of Aryan’s first project. My journey with his father goes way back. When I was 18, I started in the industry as an assistant director to Ramesh Sippy on Zamaana Deewana. For two and a half years, I worked closely with Shah Rukh sir,” Bedi said. He added that Aryan personally offered him the role, saying, “‘Sir, please will you consider it?’ I told him you had me at hello; there was no need to narrate. My only condition was that just as I started with his father, my son Vivaan would work with Aryan. He has assisted on the show for two years.” Speaking on Shah Rukh and Aryan, Bedi noted, “There are many similarities between Shah Rukh sir and Aryan. Both have high energy and are very clear about what they want. I often told Aryan that he is so good-looking he should be in front of the camera, but he is passionate about directing. His enthusiasm and focus are very much like his father’s.” Produced by Gauri Khan, The Ba**ds of Bollywood also features Lakshya, Raghav Juyal, and Bobby Deol, following the story of an ambitious outsider navigating the challenging world of Bollywood.   Source: NDTV  

The death of renowned Assamese singer Zubeen Garg on September 19 in Singapore has rekindled reflection on the enduring cultural bonds between the Indian state of Assam and Bangladesh. Garg, aged 52, died from drowning while swimming at Lazarus Island without a life jacket. While initial reports speculated about scuba diving, a post-mortem conducted in Singapore confirmed drowning as the official cause of death. He was transported to Singapore General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead in the ICU at approximately 3 pm BST. A voice beyond borders Though widely recognized for his contributions to Assamese and Bollywood music, Garg also left a lasting imprint on Bangladeshi audiences through his Bengali songs. Tracks such as Aaina Mon Vanga, Mon Mane Na, Piya Re Piya Re, and Mayabini are celebrated on both sides of the border for their lyrical emotion and melodic sophistication. His music often blurred linguistic and cultural lines, resonating with listeners in both Assam and Bangladesh and emphasizing their shared heritage. Garg often spoke of his multicultural roots. In an interview with TV9 Bangla, he remarked: “I say I am half Bengali. From childhood, I grew up with Bengali and Assamese together.” His understanding of identity as layered rather than rigid reflects a broader cultural sentiment - similar to the views of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani, who in the 1970s asserted a pan-regional sense of belonging: “Assam is mine, West Bengal is mine, Tripura is also mine…” (Weekly Haq Katha, February 25, 1972). These expressions champion a vision of cultural unity that transcends political boundaries. Historical and linguistic linkages The Barak Valley region of Assam, comprising Silchar, Hailakandi, and Karimganj, is predominantly Bengali-speaking and has historical ties to linguistic activism. In 1961, when Assamese was proposed as the sole official language, widespread protests in the Barak Valley led to the deaths of 11 demonstrators at Silchar Railway Station. This event is commemorated annually as Bhasha Shahid Divas (Language Martyrs’ Day), and it eventually led to Bengali being granted official status in the region. Moreover, the dialect spoken in Barak Valley closely aligns with Sylheti, a language widely used in Bangladesh’s Sylhet region. These linguistic overlaps reflect the deep-rooted cultural affinities between the two areas. Several reports state that Zubeen Garg spent a part of his childhood in Karimganj (officially Sribhumi) and maintained ties there. People in Silchar within Barak Valley recall his early days, school friends and teachers in Karimganj. He completed his Higher Secondary education at Karimganj College. Local news also mentions that his father (pen name Kapil Thakur) stayed in a government magistrate’s quarter in the Settlement area of Hatment Road, Karimganj, where Zubeen’s family lived during some of his early years. Bangladesh itself is linguistically diverse. For instance, the Chatgaiya dialect spoken in Chattogram differs significantly from standard Bengali in both vocabulary and pronunciation. Such internal linguistic variation underscores the multifaceted nature of cultural identity, even within a single nation. Grief and recognition in Bangladesh The reaction from Bangladesh to Zubeen Garg’s death has been heartfelt and multifaceted. Bangladesh’s Assistant High Commissioner, Z. Hasan Fahad, acknowledged Garg’s cross-border appeal, stating: “His music transcended borders and touched countless hearts, including in Bangladesh, where his soulful voice and Bangla compositions were warmly cherished.” Also, he emphasized that Garg’s artistic legacy would endure across generations. Fans in Bangladesh responded with deep sorrow, sharing his music on social media, reminiscing about his influence and expressing collective grief. Many Bangladeshi commentators recognized Garg’s passing as not just a loss for Assam or India, but for a broader community connected through language, art, and shared cultural identity. Md Mokbul Hasan, a Bangladeshi fan, wrote on the Memorial Tribute by Eskay Movies’ YouTube channel: “My heart is bleeding. We will miss you forever.” Sara Begum commented: “Huge respect for you from Bangladesh. You brought life to our childhood.” Another fan, AS Mahid, wrote: “Why did you have to leave so early? It should have been me instead of you.” Garg’s personal identification as part Bengali and part Assamese mirrors the lived experiences of many across South Asia whose identities straddle artificial borders. His Bengali songs evoke deep emotional responses in regions like Barak Valley and Sylhet, where language and identity have long been subjects of both pride and struggle. Undoubtedly, he has a special place in the hearts of Bengali talking people, all over the world. Garg’s ability to bridge dialects, cultures, and regions through his music serves as a reminder that diversity—within and across borders—can be a unifying force rather than a dividing one.  

Bollywood actress Parineeti Chopra has stepped into a new phase of life as she publicly flaunted her baby bump for the first time in her YouTube comeback video. Parineeti, who married politician Raghav Chadha in September 2023, announced in August that the couple is expecting their first child. In a joint post then, they shared, “Our little universe on its way. Blessed beyond measure.” After an eight-month break, the actress returned to her YouTube channel with a light-hearted relaunch video. She admitted her earlier attempt at vlogging did not go well, saying, “The launch was on a grand scale, but it was a disaster from my end. I launched and then disappeared because I didn’t know what I wanted to say.” Kumar Sanu’s ex-wife Rita Bhattacharya alleges abuse and neglect during marriage In the new video, Parineeti tried out different formats, including a mock cooking show titled Pakao with Pari. In a playful dig at filmmaker Farah Khan, she jokingly prepared only black coffee, quipping that Farah’s cook Dilip should take over since he knows all the recipes. Despite the humor, she confirmed her channel will mainly feature music and reflect her true personality. Parineeti’s latest video not only marked her return to YouTube but also gave fans the first glimpse of her glowing pregnancy journey. Source: Agency 

While Kumar Sanu is widely celebrated for his iconic songs, his personal life continues to draw public attention. In a recent candid interview, his former wife, Rita Bhattacharya, shared emotional details about the hardships she claims to have endured during their marriage. What Rita Said In an interview with Film Window, Rita alleged that she was instrumental in Kumar Sanu’s rise to fame but was later left humiliated and ignored. “He is a great singer, but as a person, the less said, the better,” she remarked. “He had no ambitions — I was the one who pushed him to become a singer. I supported him and helped him become who he is today.” Reflecting on their early struggles in Mumbai, Rita said they had no money or transport and lived in extreme poverty. “We had nothing when we arrived in Mumbai. He used to wear a lungi. He lies about how he got here, claiming his family sent him. He should just stay quiet instead of lying constantly. My children also believe it's time the truth is told. We used to sleep on the floor, without even a fan,” she shared. Rita claimed that after the success of the film Aashiqui, Kumar Sanu changed drastically. She described him as becoming “ill-mannered” and distancing himself from family. She also revealed that he ignored the wedding of their eldest son, Jiko, and even blocked both her and their son Jaan on social media. “He enjoys being talked about — good or bad. But his behavior towards his family has been deeply hurtful,” she said. Allegations of Mistreatment During Pregnancy Rita opened up about what she called the most traumatic period of her life — her third pregnancy — during which she said she was subjected to cruelty by both Sanu and his family. “I lost my father while I was pregnant with Jaan. The torture I endured during that time was unbearable,” she said. “He took me to court, accusing me of cruelty — while I was pregnant. And he was having an affair during that time. That’s the reality.” She further alleged that she was deliberately denied food while pregnant. “One time they locked the kitchen cabinets before going out. I had to ask the watchman to get a kilo of rice so I could eat. They stopped buying milk for the children and even told the pediatrician they wouldn’t pay him. Calling them human would be too generous,” she said. Background Kumar Sanu married Rita Bhattacharya in 1986, and they had three children together: Jiko, Jassi, and Jaan Kumar Sanu. Their marriage ended in 1994 after reports of Sanu’s alleged affair with actress Kunickaa Sadanand surfaced. Following the separation, Rita was given custody of their children. While Kumar Sanu went on to achieve legendary status in the music industry, Rita's revelations offer a glimpse into the struggles she says she endured behind the scenes. She concluded by saying she still has unanswered questions and hopes to one day understand why her marriage ended the way it did. Source: NDTV

A fresh autopsy of popular singer Zubeen Garg will be conducted at Guwahati Medical College on Tuesday morning as part of the probe into his sudden death, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. The Chief Minister told reporters that the step was taken following public demand to ensure full transparency. The procedure will be supervised by a team from AIIMS Guwahati. Zubeen’s body will be brought for the post-mortem at 7 am and taken back around 9 am for the funeral procession. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju will attend the cremation on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Assam government has also acquired 10 bighas of land in Kamarkuchi to set up a memorial in honour of the late singer, Minister Keshab Mahanta said. How he diedZubeen, 52, died on September 19 in Singapore. Initial reports claimed he drowned while scuba diving, but Assam CM Sarma said he drowned while swimming in the sea without a life jacket. A video showed him jumping into the sea with a life jacket, but later he was found unresponsive and was declared dead at Singapore General Hospital. The organisers of the North East India Festival, which Zubeen had travelled to attend, said they were unaware of his yacht trip before the incident. Zubeen Garg, best known for his hit Bollywood song Ya Ali and numerous Assamese films and albums, was regarded as one of Assam’s greatest cultural icons.   Source: NDTV

Popular singer-actor Tahsan Khan has announced that he will gradually step away from his music career, sharing the news with fans during his silver jubilee tour in Australia. The celebrated artiste, who has been performing with his band across five Australian cities, made the disclosure at a concert in Melbourne on Saturday. The tour will conclude on September 27 with a final show in Perth. Videos circulating on social media show Tahsan telling fans, “Many people are saying this is my last concert. It’s not the last show, but I will slowly wind down my music career.” The 44-year-old performer added with a touch of humour, “It’s very natural. With a beard now, I don’t enjoy jumping on stage anymore. My daughter is growing up—how can I still sing ‘Dure Tumi Dariye’ in front of her?” Tahsan also revealed that he has deactivated all his social media accounts, a move that surprised many of his admirers who have followed his career both in music and acting. Earlier, in a Facebook post before embarking on the tour, Tahsan hinted that this might be his “last time in Australia.” Reflecting on his career during the Melbourne show, he said, “I stopped acting several years ago. Now I’m also taking a break from music. Maybe this night will remain memorable for you; and maybe I won’t return to Melbourne again to sing, but I will miss you.” Tahsan’s journey in music began with an alternative rock band before he joined Black in 1999.  Five years later, he left the band to pursue a solo career, releasing his debut album Kothopokothon in 2004. Songs like Irsha, Choturtho Matra, and the title track earned him wide popularity. His second album Kritodasher Nirban, featuring hits such as Prematal, cemented his reputation as a versatile singer-songwriter. Since then, he went on becoming a popular music artist and also worked in films such as 'Chhuye Dile Mon' and 'Daagi' as a playback singer. Alongside music, Tahsan steadily built a career in acting, appearing in dramas, web series, and films, with his last major screen appearance being the 2024 Chorki web series 'Baaji'. Besides his successful journey in the country’s entertainment industry, Tahsan is also known as a famed academician. He is a former Senior Lecturer at Brac University and also served as a Brand Ambassador and Assistant Professor at the Canadian University of Bangladesh.

English singer and songwriter Harry Styles completed the Berlin Marathon in under three hours on Sunday. Organizers confirmed to German news agency dpa that Styles joined the race, while local daily Der Tagesspiegel first reported his participation. The 31-year-old former One Direction star was among around 55,000 runners who took part in the marathon, considered one of the fastest courses in the world. Running under the pseudonym Sted Sarandos and sporting a headband and sunglasses, Styles finished the 42.195-kilometer course in 2 hours, 59 minutes, and 13 seconds — breaking the coveted sub-three-hour mark pursued by many marathoners. Der Tagesspiegel also reported that Styles had been spotted training in Berlin ahead of the event. At the finish line, Styles posed for a photo with Paralympic double gold medalist Richard Whitehead, who is aiming to complete 20 marathons this year. Whitehead later shared the photo on Instagram. Styles’ self-titled debut album topped charts in the U.S., Britain, and several other countries, while his 2019 follow-up Fine Line featured the Grammy-winning hit “Watermelon Sugar.”

Actor and activist George Takei is dedicating his next project to a cause he has long championed: the right to read. The American Library Association announced on Monday that Takei, 88, will serve as the honorary chair for Banned Books Week, which will be held from October 5-11. During this week, libraries and bookstores across the country will spotlight books that have been censored, including Maia Kobabe's Gender Queer and Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye. Takei, who spent part of his childhood in a Japanese internment camp during World War II, reflected on his personal experience: "I remember all too well the lack of access to books and media that I needed growing up. First as a child in a barbed-wire prison camp, and later as a gay young man in the closet, I felt confused and hungry for understanding about myself and the world around me." He continued, "Please stand with me in opposing censorship, so that we all can find ourselves — and each other — in books." Banned Books Week, which began in 1982, has previously been led by honorary chairs such as Ava DuVernay, LeVar Burton, and Jason Reynolds. Takei will share this year’s leadership with honorary youth chair Iris Mogul, a first-year student at the University of California, Santa Cruz, who has been actively involved in anti-book-banning efforts for several years.