United News of Bangladesh

Tramell Tillman became the first Black man to win an Emmy for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series for his role in Apple TV+’s Severance. Backstage Sunday, Tillman paid tribute to Black actors who inspired him, including the late Andre Braugher and Michael K. Williams. He also thanked his mother, saying she “was there for me when no one else was and when no one else could be.” Tillman’s win contributed to Severance’s total of eight Emmy awards, out of 27 nominations this year. Britt Lower won best lead actress in a drama for the show, which revolves around employees whose memories are surgically split between work and personal life. Tillman plays Seth Milchick, a floor manager and key antagonist loyal to the company, Lumon. He said the character’s Blackness was central to the storyline, exploring “how race folds into the world of Lumon” and portraying Milchick as aware of his identity in a mostly white workplace. Originally a medical student, Tillman pursued acting despite warnings of limited prospects. “I was inspired by classmates pursuing their passions, and I said, ‘If they can do that, why can’t I do what I’m passionate about?’” he said.

Former world champion Ricky Hatton has died at the age of 46. He was found at his home in Greater Manchester on Sunday. Police confirmed his death is not being treated as suspicious. Hatton, a beloved figure in British boxing who held world titles at light-welterweight and welterweight, was remembered by his family as a devoted father, grandfather, and friend. In a statement, they described him as someone whose "heart was as big as his smile" and who remained humble despite his fame. Known for his fierce body punches and spirited fights against legends like Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, Hatton inspired many with his fighting spirit and down-to-earth personality. Tributes, including flowers and Manchester City memorabilia, were left outside his home. Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said the city is considering how best to honor Hatton’s legacy. Hatton's family has requested privacy as they mourn his loss.

Priyanka Chopra has expressed her delight over 15-year-old Owen Cooper’s Emmy victory, calling it a historic achievement. On Instagram, the Bollywood-Hollywood star shared a video of Cooper receiving the award for his performance in Netflix’s Adolescence. She captioned the post with emojis reflecting her happiness and pride. Cooper became the youngest actor ever to win an Emmy, bagging the award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie. In his acceptance speech, the teenage actor said, “Wow, it’s so surreal. Honestly, when I started these drama classes back then, I didn’t expect to be winning this award. I think tonight proves that if you learn and focus and step out of your comfort zone, you can achieve anything in life. I’m thankful. I was nothing about three years ago, but I’m here now.” He added, “It says my name on the statue, but it really belongs to all of the people who worked on the show.” TIFF 2025: ‘Hamnet’ wins People’s Choice Award Cooper’s fellow nominees in the category included Javier Bardem for Netflix’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, Rob Delaney from FX’s Dying for Sex, Peter Sarsgaard and Bill Camp from Apple TV+’s Presumed Innocent, and Ashley Walters, also from Adolescence. With this win, Cooper broke the record held by Michael A. Goorjian, who was 23 when he became the youngest winner in the category in 1994. He also surpassed Scott Jacoby’s milestone as the youngest male actor to win an Emmy in any acting category. Jacoby was 16 when he won in 1973 for The Certain Summer. Source: NDTV 

“Hamnet," Chloé Zhao’s drama about William Shakespeare's marriage and the death of their 11-year-old son, won the People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday, putting it on an enviable track to Academy Awards contention. Winners of the top honor at TIFF have historically almost always gone on to land a best-picture Oscar nomination. That was the case every year since 2012, until the streak was likely snapped last year when “The Life of Chuck” won the award. Mike Flanagan’s Stephen King adaptation wasn't released until the following June, and isn't expected to figure into the Oscar race. “Hamnet,” starring Paul Mescal as William Shakespeare and Jessie Buckley as Agnes Shakespeare, has drawn an especially emotional reaction in its screenings at the Telluride Film Festival and at TIFF. The film, adapted from Maggie O'Farrell's 2020 novel, is about how grief, following the death of their son, Hamnet, may have inspired Shakespeare's greatest tragedy, “Hamlet.” The film, which Focus Features will release in theaters Nov. 27, is likely to return Zhao and her two stars to the Academy Awards. Zhao's 2020 drama “Nomadland” won best picture and best director for Zhao. It, too, won the People's Choice Award in Toronto. Festival attendees vote for People's Choice Award. The runners-up were a pair of Netflix releases: Guillermo del Toro's “Frankenstein" and Rian Johnson's ”Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery." The audience award for international film went to Park Chan-wook's “No Other Choice.” In the festival’s Midnight Madness section, the audience prize went to Matt Johnson “Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie.” The prize in the documentary category was awarded to Barry Avrich's “The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue.”  

The Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), which represents about 160,000 entertainment and media professionals, has elected actor Sean Astin as its new president. Astin, known for his roles in The Lord of the Rings, Stranger Things, and Rudy, will succeed Fran Drescher, the union announced Friday. He is the son of the late Academy Award-winning actress Patty Duke and John Astin, star of the 1960s TV series The Addams Family. Astin won the election with 79% of the vote, defeating rival candidate Chuck Slavin, who secured 21%. Michelle Hurd was elected secretary-treasurer. Notably, Astin’s mother, Patty Duke, previously served as president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1985 to 1988. SAG-AFTRA, formed through the merger of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, represents actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, program hosts, recording artists, and others. During Drescher’s tenure, the union led two major strikes — one involving film and television actors and another concerning video game and interactive media performers.

Actor and casting director Abhishek Banerjee has reflected on past casting practices in Bollywood, noting how requesting sexual favours was once common but has significantly reduced following the #MeToo movement. Speaking to Mid-Day, Banerjee said his casting agency has always prioritised talent and maintained strict professional guidelines. “I had a very strict rule in my casting company that nobody could meet an actor outside the office for casting. Any violation would result in dismissal,” he stated. He recalled how, earlier, actors often doubted professional intentions. “I remember when I used to cast, it was difficult for people to accept that we were working purely professionally,” Banerjee said. He added that today, female colleagues are more aware and cautious, reflecting a positive shift in the industry’s approach.   Source: NDTV

Just days before their 29th wedding anniversary, singer Akon’s wife, Tomeka Thiam, has filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. According to court filings obtained by People, Thiam listed the couple’s date of separation as “to be determined.” The pair share a 17-year-old daughter, Journey. She has requested joint legal custody of Journey, while seeking primary physical custody for herself and visitation rights for Akon. Thiam has also asked for spousal support and urged the court not to grant any support to the 52-year-old singer. Akon, who made his Bollywood debut with songs like Chammak Challo and Criminal in Shah Rukh Khan’s 2011 sci-fi film Ra.One, has been vocal about his belief in polygamy. In a 2022 interview, he said he has nine children and described having multiple wives as “part of our culture.” “(Polygamy is) part of our culture. Absolutely,” Akon said at the time, adding, “For me, it looks normal, because it's culture for us. We didn't go outside of our African culture when we got to the Western world.” The “Smack That” hitmaker has said he remains actively involved in his children’s lives, stressing that his role is to ensure they grow up “responsible and understanding,” while providing for their mothers. “My job ain't to be doing all that extra stuff and these holidays and recitals. While I’m taking care of my responsibility to make sure the family has a roof over their head and food, if I have the time to do that and show love, yes, I will do that,” he said, noting that technology helps him stay connected. He has also said that both marriage and dating qualify as “real relationships.” Source: NDTV

Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) inaugurated the solo art exhibition 'Harmony' by artist Rubaiya Saom Dina at its Galerie Zoom on Friday evening. The opening ceremony was held at 6 pm, drawing art enthusiasts and cultural figures to witness Dina’s unique interpretation of riverine life in Bangladesh. The exhibition reflects rivers as an inseparable part of nature, culture, and human existence. Through her works, Dina reimagines the flow of rivers, the lives of people along their banks, and their struggles, joys, and hopes. At times portraying rivers as a source of life and at times as a symbol of death, the artist brings forth this duality with her lines and colors. Born in Faridpur on the banks of the Padma, Dina has drawn inspiration from the rhythm of rivers since childhood. Naturally, rivers and riverine life have become recurring themes in her artistic journey. Harmony features a wide range of works across mediums, including performance art, video art, oil and acrylic paintings, watercolors, ink, and line drawings. Each piece reflects the intimate connection between rivers and people, as well as the continuous dialogue of life in motion. Alongside her creative practice, Rubaiya Saom Dina is also an educator, teaching at Nalonda High School (Chhayanaut), Bangladesh Shishu Academy, and Shilparannya. The exhibition will remain open to all until September 23, from 3 pm to 9 pm, Monday to Saturday, with Sundays closed.  

Jenny Han's The Summer I Turned Pretty has become a hit with Indian audiences, thanks to its engaging plot, strong performances, and compelling writing. Recently, Karan Johar humorously compared the show to his film Student of the Year, recalling the rivalry between Varun Dhawan and Sidharth Malhotra after the film’s release. He shared a playful post on Instagram, writing, “Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah? It’s Team Rohan or Team Abhimanyu! #WeWereHereFirst #SummerShanayaTurnedPretty." While The Summer I Turned Pretty centers on two brothers competing for the same girl, Student of the Year also explores a love triangle between friends. The latest episode of The Summer I Turned Pretty (Season 3, Episode 10) was released this Wednesday, continuing the year-long journey of healing and longing. It shows Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah navigating their lives after a year, with Belly in Paris, Jeremiah rebuilding, and Conrad trying to reconnect with his loved ones. With the finale set to air on September 17, fans are eagerly speculating whether Belly will choose Conrad, Jeremiah, or focus on herself.   Source: NDTV

Actress Tamannaah Bhatia, promoting her new Amazon Prime Video show Do You Wanna Partner with co-star Diana Penty, opened up about her personal life and friendships. Tamannaah said she is currently focusing on becoming “a great life partner” and wants to be someone her future partner feels lucky to have. She added that despite trying, she could not convince her best friend Billy, a makeup artist, to go into business with her. The series follows two best friends starting a business together and navigating its ups and downs. Diana Penty said the show changed her view on working with friends, calling it “fun” since partners don’t need to explain everything to each other. Both actors highlighted the importance of friendships. Tamannaah shared how friends Pragya and Billy make time for her despite her busy schedule, while Diana described her ideal friendships as “low maintenance, chill, and non-dramatic.”   Source: NDTV