United News of Bangladesh

The finale of The Great Indian Kapil Show, which was set to feature Bollywood star Akshay Kumar, has landed in controversy after a skit involving the iconic character Baburao Ganpatrao Apte from the Hera Pheri franchise. Producer Firoz A. Nadiadwala has reportedly sent a legal notice worth Rs 25 crore to Netflix and the show’s makers, objecting to comedian Kiku Sharda performing in the guise of Baburao—a role originally portrayed by Paresh Rawal. “Baburao is not just a character, but the soul of Hera Pheri. This legacy was built with our sweat, vision, and creativity, and no one can misuse it without permission. Paresh Rawal nurtured this role with heart and soul. We will protect what we have created because culture is for preservation, not exploitation,” Nadiadwala said. His legal team has cited copyright and trademark infringement, misuse of exclusive rights under the Copyright Act, and demanded the immediate removal of the segment from all platforms, a written undertaking barring future use, a public apology within 24 hours, and monetary compensation. They warned of both civil and criminal proceedings if the demands are not met. Singer Zubeen Garg dies in scuba diving tragedy in Singapore Nadiadwala’s lawyer, Sana Raees Khan, added, “The unauthorised use of my client’s iconic character is blatant theft for commercial gain. The law will protect creative legacies from exploitation.” Baburao Apte, introduced in the 2000 film Hera Pheri directed by Priyadarshan, became one of Indian cinema’s most beloved comic characters, with the franchise attaining cult status alongside stars Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty. Netflix has been contacted for comment on the matter. Source: NDTV 

Canada has banned the Irish-language rap group Kneecap, accusing it of endorsing political violence and supporting militant groups, officials said Friday. Vince Gasparro, parliamentary secretary for combating crime, said Kneecap has “openly supported organizations such as Hezbollah and Hamas,” which he stressed goes beyond free expression. “Canada stands firmly against hate speech, incitement to violence and glorification of terrorism,” he added. The group rejected the accusations, saying it is being targeted for supporting the Palestinian cause during Israel’s war in Gaza. In a statement, Kneecap called Gasparro’s claims “false and malicious” and said it would take legal action. Kneecap had been scheduled to perform in Toronto and Vancouver next month. Jewish groups in Canada welcomed the ban, while the band’s critics have also pushed for restrictions in the U.S. following their performance at Coachella earlier this year, where they accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians.

Renowned Indian singer and cultural icon Zubeen Garg has passed away following a tragic scuba diving accident in Singapore. The 52-year-old artist from Assam was in the city to perform at the North East India Festival, scheduled for September 20–21. While diving, Garg experienced severe breathing issues. He was pulled from the water and administered CPR but was declared dead at Singapore General Hospital around 2:30 PM IST. Sources told NDTV that despite attempts to revive him at the scene, he had likely passed away before reaching the hospital. Authorities confirmed that his body will undergo a post-mortem before being returned to Assam, either today or tomorrow. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated he was in direct contact with the Indian High Commission in Singapore to ensure the swift return of Garg’s remains. Incident Took Place Without Organisers’ Knowledge Festival organisers were reportedly unaware of Garg's decision to go scuba diving. According to Shyamkanu Mahanta, one of the event’s organisers, the singer had gone out on a yacht with local members of the Assamese community without informing the festival team. News of the accident reached them during a meeting with Singaporean industrialists. Following the tragedy, the organisers cancelled the remainder of the festival. Mahanta expressed deep sorrow, calling the loss “monumental.” Zubeen Garg: A Musical Legend Zubeen Garg was celebrated for his contributions to music across Assamese, Hindi, and Bengali films. He rose to national fame with the hit song "Ya Ali" from Gangster and followed it with popular tracks like "Dil Tu Hi Bata" from Krrish 3. He also worked as an actor and director, with successful films like Mission China, Kanchanjunga, and Dinabandhu. In 2022, he sustained a minor head injury during a fall at a resort in Dibrugarh but had recovered after treatment. Just days before his death, on September 16, he posted a video inviting fans to attend the festival in Singapore, promising performances in Hindi, Bengali, and Assamese. Nationwide Condolences and Tributes The news of Garg’s death triggered an outpouring of grief across India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed shock over Garg’s untimely death, highlighting his musical legacy and popularity across all sections of society. Rahul Gandhi called it a “terrible tragedy” and said Garg’s music had redefined Assamese culture. Minister Kiren Rijiju shared his condolences, calling him a “magical voice” and praising his contribution to Indian music. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said her prayers were with Garg’s family and fans, describing him as a true musical icon. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma called the loss “tragic beyond words,” saying Garg passed away far too soon and left a void that would never be filled. He described Zubeen as someone whose music touched the soul and whose bond with the people of Assam was deeply personal. Assam Health Minister Ashok Singhal wrote that the state had lost its "heartbeat," and Zubeen was more than a singer—he was the pride of the region. Former MP Ripun Bora also paid tribute, calling Garg’s spirit and artistry inspirational to generations. Survived by His Wife Zubeen Garg is survived by his wife, fashion designer Garima Saikia Garg. Source: NDTV

Cardi B is back with her long-awaited second album, “Am I the Drama?”, seven years after her debut “Invasion of Privacy.” The Grammy-winning rapper released the 23-track project on Friday, just days after announcing her fourth pregnancy — her first child with New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs — and weeks after winning a court battle in Los Angeles. The album title nods to the constant scrutiny around her career. Cardi channels that spotlight into music marked by her trademark confidence, wit and boldness. It features collaborations with Janet Jackson, Lizzo, Selena Gomez, Megan Thee Stallion, Cash Cobain, Kehlani, Summer Walker and Tyla. Older hits like “Up” and “WAP” also appear on the album. When criticized for including them, Cardi fired back on X in June, saying the songs are among her biggest and “deserve a home.” New tracks such as the hard-hitting “Outside” and smoother “Imaginary Playerz” show her range. Her personal life has fueled attention too. The pregnancy reveal with Diggs capped a turbulent stretch that included her recent courtroom victory. Cardi has three children from her previous marriage with Offset, while Diggs has a daughter from an earlier relationship. Next year, Cardi will launch the Little Miss Drama Tour, her first arena trek, kicking off Feb. 11 in Palm Desert and ending in Atlanta in April, with major stops in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York and Toronto.

In the latest episode of Bigg Boss 19, contestants Nehal Chudasama, Ashnoor Kaur, Baseer Ali, Pranit More, and Abhishek Bajaj were nominated for elimination. The show, hosted by Salman Khan, continues to captivate viewers with its mix of friendships, rivalries, and house drama. Recently, tensions flared between Baseer Ali and Zeishan Qadri after a prank involving Baseer’s personal belongings went wrong, leaving their friendship strained. Fans can vote for their favorite contestants via the JioHotstar app until Friday, with up to 99 votes per user per day, split across multiple contestants if desired. Bigg Boss 19 streams daily at 9 PM on JioHotstar, with a repeat telecast at 10 PM on Colors TV.

Aryan Khan’s directorial debut The Ba***ds of Bollywood* makes a striking entry with a mix of scandals, satire, and star power. The seven-episode series follows Delhi boy Aasmaan Singh (Lakshya) as he rises in the film industry, navigating ruthless contracts, power games, and staged relationships. The show balances masala entertainment with inside jokes about Bollywood’s underbelly, from nepotism to PR spin. Packed with cameos, the series features Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, and Emraan Hashmi, while Karan Johar parodies his own “Bollywood mafia” label. Aryan even nods to his past controversies, including the drug case, with cheeky humour. Despite weak romantic subplots and predictable twists, the show stands out for its wit, sharp writing, and lively performances, especially by Raghav Juyal and Bobby Deol. With slick visuals and countless Easter eggs, Aryan’s debut is messy, indulgent, but highly watchable – a chaotic celebration of Bollywood itself.   Source: NDTV

ABC’s suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s show following comments he made about the killing of Charlie Kirk drew reactions from across the entertainment and political worlds, including from President Donald Trump. Fellow late-night host Stephen Colbert got the news Wednesday while taping an episode of his own show in New York, telling a stunned studio audience that “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” had been suspended. “It was a mix of shock and bewilderment,” said audience member Monserrat Lopez, recounting how Colbert left the stage before coming back to say he would call Kimmel to talk privately. Just this summer, CBS said Colbert’s “Late Show” would end next year due to financial reasons — a decision made just after Colbert criticized a settlement between Trump and CBS’s parent company over a “60 Minutes” story. During Kimmel’s Monday night monologue, he suggested that the suspect in Kirk’s killing might have been a pro-Trump Republican. Kimmel’s show was suspended not long after Nexstar Communications Group announced plans to pull the program from its 23 ABC affiliates starting Wednesday. The Federal Communications Commission’s chairman called Kimmel’s comments “truly sick” and said his agency had a strong case for holding Kimmel, ABC and network parent Walt Disney Co. accountable for spreading misinformation. There was no immediate comment from Kimmel, whose contract is up in May 2026. In its statement announcing the suspension, ABC didn’t cite a reason. Here's are some other notable reactions posted on social media: Trump “Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done. Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even Colbert, if that’s possible. That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers, on Fake News NBC," he wrote, referring to late-night hosts Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers. "Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!! President DJT” Neither Fallon nor Meyers had commented publicly about Trump's post as of Thursday. Former President Barack Obama “After years of complaining about cancel culture, the current administration has taken it to a new and dangerous level by routinely threatening regulatory action against media companies unless they muzzle or fire reporters and commentators it doesn’t like. This is precisely the kind of government coercion that the First Amendment was designed to prevent — and media companies need to start standing up rather than capitulating to it." Brendan Carr, FCC chairman “Local broadcasters have an obligation to serve the public interest. While this may be an unprecedented decision, it is important for broadcasters to push back on Disney programming that they determine falls short of community values.” Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee chairman “The state under Donald Trump has amassed a chilling record of restricting speech, extorting private companies, and dropping the full weight of the government censorship hammer on First Amendment rights. This is no exaggeration. Trump’s attorney general has directly confirmed that they’ll come after you for your speech, and now his FCC chair has doubled down. It’s not the bully pulpit anymore — it’s the thought police presidency.” Wanda Sykes, comedian “I was supposed to go over and have a chat with my friend Jimmy Kimmel on his show, but as you have heard by now, the Jimmy Kimmel Show has been pulled indefinitely. Abruptly, because of complaints from the Trump administration. So let’s see. He didn’t end the Ukraine war or solve Gaza within his first week. But he did end freedom of speech within his first year. Hey, for those of you who pray, now’s the time to do it. Love you Jimmy.” Megyn Kelly, conservative podcaster “I’m not sure who needs to hear this but Jimmy Kimmel got on the air and falsely stated as a fact that Charlie Kirk’s killer was MAGA, smearing an entire movement and Trump in particular with a vile disgusting lie — and at a time when the threat against those on the right is at an all-time high.” Kelly was fired from her NBC morning show in 2018 after suggesting it was OK for white people to wear blackface at Halloween. Jean Smart, actor “I am horrified at the cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel Live. What Jimmy said was FREE speech, not hate speech. People seem to only want to protect free speech when it suits THEIR agenda. Though I didn’t agree at ALL with Charlie Kirk; his shooting death sickened me; and should have sickened any decent human being. What is happening to our country?” Mike Birbiglia, comedian “I've spent a lot of time in public & private defending comedians I don't agree with. If you're a comedian & you don't call out the insanity of pulling Kimmel off the air — don't bother spouting off about free speech anymore.” Mark R. Levin, conservative radio host and podcaster "Kimmel canned for disgusting Kirk comments. ... Jimmy Kimmel is a pathetic hate monger. He should’ve been canned a long time ago. Better late than never.”

Popular author and renowned screenwriter Nazim Ud Daula has announced that he is stepping away from professional scriptwriting, voicing deep frustration over the lack of credit, proper honorarium and respect for writers in Bangladesh’s entertainment industry. In a Facebook post on Thursday followed by a conversation with UNB, Nazim shared his disillusionment, saying he no longer feels the satisfaction of being a creative writer, but rather the emptiness of becoming a “commissioned writer.” He elaborated his decision, explaining that writers are routinely sidelined at award functions, overlooked by producers and directors, and ignored by the media. On his Facebook post, he stated that many production houses still owe him payments. “Many times when I ask for my dues, they behave as if I am asking for a loan. Writers are treated as if our work doesn’t matter; even when my scripts are nominated for awards, I haven’t been invited to the events,” according to Nazim. Nazim Ud Daula’s career trajectory reflects a deep passion for storytelling. A graduate of Dhaka University’s Marketing Department, he left behind opportunities abroad and a corporate career to pursue creative writing.  Beginning with advertising, he later transitioned to screenwriting, where his name became attached to a range of successful projects in cinema and web content. Over the past decade, he has written scripts for several notable films and OTT productions that resonated with audiences, while also building a readership through his short stories and novels. His literary journey began with the thriller Incarceration, followed by popular novels such as Bloodstone, Mithya Tumi Dosh Pipra, Scarlet, Bridge Rokkhok, Mahajatra, Prohelika, Kuhelika, Jabonika, Sottyer Moto Bodmash and more. In the world of cinema and OTT, Nazim has written screenplays for big-budget and widely discussed productions such as Shaan (2022), Damal (2022), Operation Sundarban (2022), Surongo (2023), the international spy thriller MR-9: Do or Die (2023), Insaaf (2025) and Neelchakra (2025). He is also the writer of the Hoichoi mystery series Buker Moddhye Agun and has credits in projects like The Dark Side of Dhaka and Shuklopokkho. “Financially, I was not doing great, but I found peace in doing what I loved. That peace has now faded, because I realized I have been turned into a commissioned writer rather than a creative one,” he wrote in the post and also told UNB, stressing that in Bangladesh, “a writer here rarely gets proper credit, honor or fair payment.” Nazim said he will finish the projects already committed to but will not take on new commissioned work. Instead, he has recently launched a startup and plans to focus on literature. Best Free AI Content Writers in 2025 “My readers should not be disappointed. I will continue to write stories and devote more time to literature,” he said, thanking his audience for their long-standing love and support. Creative writers are not getting proper social recognition and financial comfort, and this has been impacting the overall entertainment industry in general, as per the industry experts and critics. 

Aryan Khan and his rumoured girlfriend Larissa Bonesi attended the star-studded premiere of his debut Netflix show The Ba**ds of Bollywood* at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre in Mumbai on Wednesday night. The event saw Bollywood heavyweights including Ranbir Kapoor-Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal, Tamannaah, Kajol-Ajay Devgn, and Madhuri Dixit-Shriram Nene in attendance. Shah Rukh Khan, along with his family, also turned up in support of Aryan, with Suhana Khan in a yellow bodycon dress, while Shah Rukh, Gauri, and AbRam opted for black. Aamir Khan has not seen Rajinikanth’s Coolie and denies criticism reports Aryan and Larissa, however, made separate entries and did not pose together for photographers. Aryan looked dapper in all-black attire, while Larissa, a Brazilian model-turned-actor, turned heads in an off-shoulder black gown. Rumours linking the duo romantically have circulated after they were spotted together on multiple occasions. The Ba**ds of Bollywood*, produced by Red Chillies Entertainment, was co-created by Bilal Siddiqi and Manav Chauhan, who also share writing credits with Aryan. The show features a talented ensemble including Bobby Deol, Lakshya, Sahher Bambba, Mona Singh, Anya Singh, Raghav Juyal, Gautami Kapoor, and Manoj Pahwa. Source: NDTV 

Cardi B is expecting her fourth child, her first with boyfriend Stefon Diggs, the New England Patriots wide receiver. The Grammy-winning rapper shared the news Wednesday in an interview with Gayle King on “CBS Mornings.” “I’m excited. I’m happy,” she said. “I feel very strong and powerful, doing all this work while creating a baby. My man and I are very supportive of each other.” She added that both she and Diggs are ambitious and excel in their respective fields. Cardi B also said Diggs makes her feel safe and confident. She recalled a recent moment of anxiety during the rollout of her upcoming album, Am I the Drama?, due Friday. “People were saying very mean things about me,” she said. “He makes me feel very confident. Feeling safe is feeling confident.” Cardi B has three children with her ex-husband, rapper Offset: daughters Kulture, 7, Blossom, 1, and son Wave, 4. Diggs has a daughter, Nova, born in 2016, from a previous relationship. Cardi B had filed for divorce from Offset in 2024 after claiming their marriage, secretly wed in 2017, was “irretrievably broken.” Representatives for Cardi B and Diggs did not immediately respond to requests for comment.