United News of Bangladesh

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ lawyers want the hip-hop mogul sent to a low-security federal prison in New Jersey to serve his four-year, two-month prison sentence, telling a judge Monday that the facility’s drug treatment program will help him stay clean. In a letter, Combs’ lawyers urged the judge presiding over his case, Arun Subramanian, to “strongly recommend” that the federal Bureau of Prisons place Combs at FCI Fort Dix, a massive prison located on the grounds of the joint military base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. FCI Fort Dix, one of several dozen federal prisons with a residential drug treatment program, will best allow Combs “to address drug abuse issues and to maximize family visitation and rehabilitative efforts,” Combs lawyer Teny Geragos wrote. Also Monday, President Donald Trump told reporters that Combs had asked him for a pardon. Trump, referring to Combs by the nickname “Puff Daddy,” did not say if he would grant the request. Messages seeking comment on Trump’s remarks was left for Combs’ lawyers and his publicity team. Combs’ sentencing Friday on charges he transported people across state lines for sexual encounters capped a federal case that featured harrowing testimony about violence, drugs and so-called “freak-offs,” and exposed the sordid private life of one of the most influential figures in music. The “I’ll Be Missing You” singer was convicted in July under the federal Mann Act, which bans transporting people across state lines for any sexual crime. His trial ended in a split verdict, with acquittals on sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have put him behind bars for life. Combs has been locked up at a federal jail in Brooklyn, the Metropolitan Detention Center, since his September 2024 arrest. His time there will be subtracted from his sentence, meaning he could get out in about three years. In a letter to Subramanian on the eve of sentencing, Combs said he has gone through a “spiritual reset" in jail and is "committed to the journey of remaining a drug free, non-violent and peaceful person.” “I thank God that I’m stronger, wiser, clean, clear and sober," he wrote. Subramanian has not yet acted on the request to recommend placement at FCI Fort Dix. Judges often make recommendations about where inmates should serve time, but it’s up to the Bureau of Prisons to decide. Those decisions, the agency has said, are based on a variety of factors, including the severity of the offense, the required security level and an inmate’s programming needs. FCI Fort Dix, the largest single federal prison by population with just under 3,900 inmates, is about 64 miles (103 kilometers) southwest of New York City, where Combs was born and rose to fame as a rapper and entrepreneur in an array of businesses, including fashion, television and liquor. An adjacent minimum-security prison camp has 210 inmates. Combs once owned a home in New Jersey, selling it nearly a decade ago. His primary residence, according to court papers, has been a $48 million mansion on an island near Miami. That home and a mansion he owns in Los Angeles were raided by federal agents last year during the investigation that led to his arrest. FCI Fort Dix has been home to a number of high-profile inmates over the years, including reputed mobsters, drug traffickers, corrupt politicians and “Pharma Bro” Martin Shkreli. For a time, it was run by the warden who had been in charge of a Manhattan federal jail when financier Jeffrey Epstein killed himself at the jail in 2019. That warden, Lamine N’Diaye, has since retired. In 2021, a 27-year-old Fort Dix inmate was stabbed in the eyeball by a fellow prisoner. In 2019, a Fort Dix inmate, a former inmate and two other people were arrested for using a drone to smuggle in contraband including cellphones, tobacco, weight-loss supplements and eyeglasses. The same year, a Fort Dix correctional officer pleaded guilty in a separate case to pocketing bribes to smuggle in contraband. During his time at Fort Dix, Shkreli ended up in solitary confinement amid allegations he was using a contraband smartphone to run his drug company from behind bars. Inmates are forbidden from conducting business and possessing cellphones.

Dame Jilly Cooper, the best-selling British novelist famed for Riders, Rivals, and her Rutshire Chronicles series, has passed away at the age of 88 following a fall at her Gloucestershire home. Cooper, whose novels explored the scandals, romances, and social circles of Britain’s horse-loving elite, sold over 11 million books in the UK alone. Her 1985 debut Riders launched the beloved series, followed by Rivals in 1988, recently adapted into a hit Disney+ series. Queen Camilla led tributes, calling Cooper a “legend” and a “wonderfully witty and compassionate friend,” while praising her role in creating a new literary genre. Cooper’s agent Felicity Blunt described her as “emotionally intelligent, fantastically generous, sharply observant and utter fun,” highlighting her incisive storytelling and satirical take on class, marriage, and society. Starting her career as a journalist, Cooper published her first book, How To Stay Married, in 1969, before rising to fame with her romance and social satire novels. She remained married to her husband Leo from 1961 until his death in 2013. Tributes also poured in from celebrities, fellow writers, and broadcasters, celebrating her wit, warmth, and influence on British literature. Cooper’s funeral will be a private family event, with a public service of thanksgiving planned at Southwark Cathedral in the coming months.   Source: BBC

Saiyaara star Aneet Padda has opened up about her early struggles in the film industry, revealing how, at just 17, she unknowingly sent her audition materials to dubious casting websites while trying to find work. In an interview with Cosmopolitan, Aneet said she was unaware of how the film industry’s casting process worked and, out of desperation, submitted her photos and biodata to several unverified online platforms. “Almost every production house in the Hindi film industry has my audition tape, a terrible biodata, and Snapchat filter pictures,” she recalled. The young actor said that during the COVID-19 pandemic, she sent cold emails to as many as 50–70 production houses, only to later realize that professional casting agencies are meant to handle such negotiations for actors. Aneet discovered her love for acting at the age of 10 after performing in a school play. However, she received little encouragement from her family and friends at the time. “For the longest time, I told myself I was silly for even wanting to pursue acting,” she said, adding that even her father — who once dreamed of becoming an actor himself — wasn’t supportive initially. Before her breakthrough role in Saiyaara, Aneet made her debut in Revathi’s Salaam Venky alongside Kajol and Vishal Jethwa, followed by the Amazon Prime web series Big Girls Don’t Cry. Her performance in Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara, opposite debutant Ahaan Panday, earned her nationwide fame. The romantic drama became the year’s second highest-grossing film, collecting ₹569.75 crore globally, and is now the highest-grossing romantic film of all time.   Source: NDTV

Ba***ds actor Rajat Bedi has accused veteran actor Mukesh Khanna of misquoting him in an old interview, alleging that Khanna used his comments “to generate views.” In a recent conversation with Siddharth Kannan, Rajat clarified that he has great respect for filmmaker Rakesh Roshan and that his earlier remarks were taken out of context. “I share a good bond with Rakesh Roshan sir. He is the most helpful director I’ve worked with. As for my comment about moving to Canada, it was blown out of proportion because of Mukesh Khanna,” Rajat said. He claimed Khanna twisted his statement from an earlier 2023 interview to imply that he left India after being sidelined during the promotions of Koi Mil Gaya. “I told him I moved to Canada after the film’s release, but he made it sound like I left because I was ignored. That was wrong. A week before that interview came out, I had actually met Rakesh ji,” he added. In the 2023 interview, Rajat had expressed disappointment over being “cut out” from the publicity campaign of Koi Mil Gaya and said several of his scenes with Hrithik Roshan and Preity Zinta were removed from the final version. Explaining his decision to move to Canada, Rajat said he struggled financially despite working on several projects. “I was getting films and fame, but no financial stability. Some producers’ cheques even bounced,” he recalled. Rajat Bedi, who began his acting career in 1998, appeared in over 40 films including Rakht (2004), Khamoshh... Khauff Ki Raat (2005), and Rocky – The Rebel (2006). He also gained recognition on television through Kasautii Zindagii Kay and Aahat. Most recently, Bedi played Jaraj Saxena in Aryan Khan’s Netflix series Ba**ds*, earning praise for portraying a forgotten actor trying to reclaim his fame.   Source: NDTV

Star Cineplex, a popular multiplex chain in the country, is set to celebrate its 21st anniversary on October 8 with a special event for moviegoers. The multiplex chain is marking the milestone with a gesture of appreciation for its loyal audience - the moviegoers. Marking the occasion, Mesbah Uddin Ahmed, AGM of the media and marketing department of Star Cineplex, said that the viewers will receive a special gift on the anniversary. On October 8, at all branches of Star Cineplex and for all shows, customers can buy one ticket and get another ticket free for any movie. He also said that entertainment journalists have supported and collaborated with the cineplex since its inception. “Along with the love of viewers, the support from journalists has played a vital role in bringing Star Cineplex to this stage,” he added. Started in 2004, Star Cineplex was the country’s first multiplex chain. At present, it operates a total of 22 halls across Dhaka and other regions, with additional branches under construction. The authorities have announced that the number of halls will increase further next year.

Rishab Shetty’s Kantara Chapter 1 continues its blazing run at the box office, collecting Rs 223.25 crore across all languages by Sunday — maintaining figures close to its opening day numbers. The film grossed Rs 61 crore on Sunday, after an opening day haul of Rs 61.85 crore across Kannada, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam. According to industry tracker Sacnilk, Kantara Chapter 1 had earned Rs 47.6 crore in Kannada alone till Saturday, while its Hindi version continued strong with Rs 50.5 crore at the domestic box office. Produced on a budget of Rs 125 crore, the film has already broken multiple records and is now the second highest-grossing Kannada film of 2025, trailing only Mahavatar Narsimha, which has earned between Rs 300–325 crore worldwide. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh hailed the film’s performance on X (formerly Twitter), writing: “#KantaraChapter1 roars back on Saturday, witnessing a solid jump over Friday, powered by glowing word of mouth. Sunday’s numbers are expected to further strengthen its business, and going by current trends, a ₹70 cr extended opening weekend total looks well within reach... EXCELLENT.” Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji urges public to fight rising cybercrimes About the film Directed and written by Rishab Shetty along with Anirudh Mahesh and Shanil Guru, Kantara Chapter 1 stars Rishab Shetty, Jayaram, Rukmini Vasanth, and Gulshan Devaiah in lead roles. The film serves as a prequel to the 2022 blockbuster Kantara, which also starred and was directed by Shetty. The original Kantara had earned Rishab Shetty the National Award for Best Actor in 2024, while the film won the National Award for Best Popular Film. Critical reception In his review for NDTV, critic Saibal Chatterjee described the film as “a manic, sometimes befuddling, mix of history, myth, cinematic craft, and performative power.” He added: “When the disparate components and conceits blend well, it is an undeniably compelling watch. At all other times, it is immersive enough to keep the audience glued to the screen in an attempt to scan and decipher the riot of colours, the grand gestures, the larger-than-life action sequences, and the portentous dialogue that have gone into the project.” Source: NDTV

A 15-day training workshop on wood carving began on Sunday at the National Art Gallery auditorium under the auspices of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) and organized by its Training Division. The inaugural ceremony was held at 12 pm on Sunday. Sheikh Rezauddin Ahmed (poet Rezauddin Stalin), Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, attended the event as the chief guest. Shaheen Dill-Riaz, Director of the Training Division, delivered the welcome speech. The workshop’s chief instructor, Dr Pintu Chandra Dev, and assistant instructor, Dr Md Mofidul Alam Khan, were also present. In his inaugural speech, Sheikh Rezauddin Ahmed said, “The aim and philosophy of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy is to preserve and promote traditional art forms that are on the verge of extinction, and today’s workshop is a step forward in implementing that mission. Participants should not only take training but also apply the skills in personal and social life for the benefit of the nation, and BSA always supports creative and thoughtful work.” Following the speech, the Director General distributed bags and training materials to the participants. The workshop will continue daily from 10 am to 5 pm until October 19, at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. Twenty participants from various universities are attending the 15-day programme. Begum Kamrun Nahar, course coordinator of the Training Division, is serving as the course director, while Jannatul Ferdous Keya, instructor (Fine Arts), is the course coordinator.

As speculation continues over Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda’s reported engagement, an old interview of the actress has resurfaced in which she firmly addressed rumours about her relationship with the Arjun Reddy star. According to sources close to the actors, the two got engaged in an intimate ceremony on Friday (October 3) in the presence of family members and close friends. The couple is reportedly planning to marry in February 2026, although neither has officially confirmed the engagement. Rashmika and Vijay first starred together in the 2018 romantic hit Geetha Govindam and later appeared in Dear Comrade (2019). Since then, rumours about their off-screen relationship have circulated widely, though both have repeatedly avoided confirming them. In a throwback interview with Hindustan Times, Rashmika urged fans not to draw conclusions based on gossip. Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda engaged, wedding set for February 2026 “You can talk nonsense about us, you can say negative things about it,” she said. “Because, in the end, we are public figures. We can’t choose only the good bits — thinking people will focus on work and not our personal life. They are free to talk about anything, just don’t conclude. Until you hear from me, that is not true.” As fans continue to speculate online, neither Rashmika nor Vijay has commented publicly on their reported engagement. Source: NDTV

In a dramatic twist to the probe into the death of Assamese music icon Zubeen Garg, his bandmate Shekhar Jyoti Goswami has alleged that the singer’s manager Siddharth Sharma and festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta may have poisoned him and tried to pass off his death as accidental. According to statements recorded under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), Goswami told investigators that Sharma behaved suspiciously in the hours before Garg’s death in Singapore. Sharma, named in the FIR, faces serious non-bailable charges including criminal conspiracy, murder, and culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Goswami claimed that during the yacht trip where the incident occurred, Sharma took control of the vessel and later stopped others from arranging drinks, saying he would provide them himself. He further alleged that when Garg began gasping for breath, Sharma was heard saying, “Let him go.” The bandmate said Garg was an experienced swimmer and could not have drowned accidentally. He accused Sharma and Mahanta of poisoning the artist and choosing Singapore as the venue to cover up the act. Both Sharma and Mahanta have denied the allegations during police interrogation. Assam Police sources said evidence, including documents and financial records, indicates Sharma’s possible involvement. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax Department are also likely to join the probe into suspected financial crimes linked to Mahanta, who is additionally under CID investigation for alleged irregularities during his previous job at a non-banking financial company.   Source: NDTV

Popular actors Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda are engaged and plan to marry in February 2026, sources close to the couple confirmed. The engagement took place on Friday, October 3, in an intimate ceremony attended by family and close friends. While the couple has not officially announced the news, fans were quick to speculate following Rashmika’s recent viral social media post. On Dussehra, Rashmika shared a picture in traditional attire with a tilak on her forehead, captioning it with gratitude for the support she has received for her upcoming film Thamma and its song. The post fueled excitement among fans about her engagement. Professionally, Rashmika will next appear in the horror-comedy Thamma, directed by Aditya Sarpotdar, starring opposite Ayushmann Khurrana and featuring actors like Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Paresh Rawal. The film is scheduled for release on October 21, 2025. Vijay Deverakonda was last seen in the Telugu spy action-thriller Kingdom (2025). The couple had previously worked together in hit films Geetha Govindam and Dear Comrade.   Sourc:NDTV