United News of Bangladesh

Music legend AR Rahman is set to perform for the first time in Varanasi, the sacred city on the banks of the Ganga, as part of NDTV Good Times Soundscape—a new platform blending live concerts with immersive cultural experiences. In a conversation with actor and musician Shruti Haasan, Rahman shared his excitement and deep sense of connection with the city. “I missed the opportunity to visit Varanasi many times. I was supposed to go around 1997 but couldn’t make it. Later, Aanand L Rai called me for Raanjhanaa and asked me to come to Banaras, but again something happened. I think it was meant to be this way. I even wanted to meet Ustad Bismillah Khan’s family but couldn’t. I think the opportunity has come now—the call has come,” Rahman said. The Oscar-winning composer said he is eager to experience “the energy and the million stories” that define Varanasi. “Even just walking through the streets will be inspiring,” he added. Rahman will perform with his raga-based ensemble Jhaala, originally formed for the WAVES Summit 2025. “We curated Jhaala from 500 entries and selected the best 12 musicians. My goal is to take Indian classical music global with a fresh perspective—something immersive and modern,” Rahman explained. The maestro also spoke about his admiration for the late shehnai legend Ustad Bismillah Khan, whose music remains synonymous with Varanasi’s heritage. “After Jhaala, we’ll perform Sufi songs that transcend religion. Bismillah Khan Sahib’s legacy brings a sense of friendship and shared spirituality between communities. Hopefully, this will be the peace concert people long for,” Rahman said. Source: Agency

Aryan Khan has clarified that his Netflix directorial debut The Ba***ds of Bollywood was meant to be “self-deprecating, not disrespectful,” as controversy grows over a defamation suit filed by former NCB officer Sameer Wankhede. In an interview with Variety published Friday, Aryan said the creative team set clear limits to keep the show respectful toward the industry. “We wanted to be self-deprecating, but not disrespectful anywhere. I think we maintained that line correctly,” he said. Wankhede recently filed a ₹2 crore defamation suit against Shah Rukh Khan and Red Chillies Entertainment, alleging the series defames him through a character resembling him. The Delhi High Court has issued summons to the production company and others in the case. The satirical Netflix series, released on September 18, offers a humorous look at Bollywood’s behind-the-scenes realities and features Bobby Deol, Mona Singh, and Raghav Juyal in key roles.   Source: NDTV

Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor on Thursday called himself “a product of nepotism” but emphasized that being born into the legendary Kapoor family did not guarantee success in the film industry. Speaking at the Celebrate Cinema 2025 festival at Whistling Woods in Mumbai, Ranbir, 43, said he always had to work hard and develop his own approach to acting to prove his talent. “You celebrate my family’s successes, but there are many failures too. You learn from both,” he said. The Animal actor, son of Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Kapoor, also shared insights from his early experiences observing music directors, lyricists, and filmmakers at his grandfather Raj Kapoor’s home. He highlighted filmmaking as a collaborative art and stressed flexibility in acting, noting that each director has a unique style. Ranbir expressed his desire to mentor young actors, saying film institutes inspire him with their energy and talent. At the event, filmmaker Subhash Ghai announced scholarships in the names of Raj Kapoor and Guru Dutt for acting students.   Source: NDTV

After earning widespread acclaim for his two original series ‘Shaaticup’ and ‘Sinpaat’ on OTT platforms, filmmaker Mohammad Touqir Islam is set to make his debut in full-length feature filmmaking with his new film, ‘Delupi’. Released in 2022, ‘Shaaticup’, set in the city of Rajshahi, drew praise from critics and audiences alike for its authentic storytelling and strong local essence. Two years later, Touqir followed it up with ‘Sinpaat’, further cementing his reputation as one of the country’s most promising young directors. Speaking about his latest project, Touqir said the name ‘Delupi’ is inspired by Deluti Union in Paikgacha upazila of Khulna. “The story is a work of ‘fictional reality,’ drawn from the lives, struggles and relationships of people in that region,” he said. He added that ‘Delupi’ goes beyond one locality, reflecting experiences of people from all walks of life across the country, making it universally relatable. From filming locations to the cast, everything about the production is local. “I have always wanted to tell stories about real people,” Touqir said, adding: “The film ‘Delupi’ is a continuation of that effort. Every character and every frame in this film reflects real lives and emotions. Conveying genuine feelings mattered far more to me than big budgets or star names.” Produced by Footprint Film Production House, the film was officially announced through the company’s social media pages on Thursday, October 9. According to the director, ‘Delupi’ is  

A novel exploring identity and loss, a sweeping history of Iran’s revolution, and a children’s book celebrating the humble belly button have been named this year’s winners of the Kirkus Prize — each receiving a $50,000 award. Lucas Schaefer won in the fiction category for “The Slip,” which follows a man’s search for his long-missing nephew. The nonfiction prize went to Scott Anderson for “King of Kings: The Iranian Revolution: A Story of Hubris, Delusion and Catastrophic Miscalculation,” an account of the downfall of the Shah of Iran. In the young readers’ category, Thao Lam received the award for “Everybelly,” a playful, illustrated look at belly buttons and the stories they tell. Founded in 2014, the Kirkus Prize is administered by the trade publication Kirkus Reviews. “This year’s Kirkus Prize winners bring us vital messages for our time — about the joys of community, the power of self-transformation, and the mutability of history — all delivered through exhilarating prose and pictures,” said Kirkus Editor-in-Chief Tom Beer in a statement on Wednesday. The finalists included Angela Flournoy’s “The Wilderness”; Nicholas Boggs’ “Baldwin: A Love Story,” a biography of writer James Baldwin; and “Mother Mary Comes to Me,” a memoir by Arundhati Roy. Source: AP

Actor-director Ben Affleck and singer-actress Jennifer Lopez reunited on the red carpet in New York City months after their divorce, showing mutual respect and support for each other’s work. Lopez, 56, attended the premiere of her upcoming musical Kiss of the Spider Woman, which Affleck co-produced through his and Matt Damon’s Artist Equity company. The former couple posed together and interacted on the carpet, while Affleck also spoke to the press about the film. For the occasion, Lopez wore a sculptural gown from Harris Reed’s Spring 2026 collection. During her introduction, she thanked Affleck, saying the film “wouldn’t have been made without Ben and Artist Equity,” expressing her excitement over performing in the project. Affleck, 53, continues to publicly support Lopez following their 2025 divorce. The couple first met in 2002, had an on-and-off relationship over the years, remarried in 2022, and finalized their separation in February 2025.   Source: NDTV

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that Bollywood production house Yash Raj Films will shoot three major films across the United Kingdom starting early 2026, following his visit to the studio in Mumbai on Wednesday. The agreement is expected to create over 3,000 jobs and inject millions of pounds into the UK economy, Starmer said. “Bollywood is back in Britain, bringing jobs, investment and opportunity, while showcasing the UK as a world-class destination for global filmmaking,” he added, highlighting the benefits of the UK-India trade deal. Yash Raj Films CEO Akshaye Widhani noted the historic ties between the studio and the UK, citing iconic films like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge that were shot in the country. He added that the company is also producing the UK-based stage adaptation of DDLJ, titled Come Fall in Love. The announcement comes after an eight-year pause in Yash Raj Films’ UK productions. A cooperation agreement between the British Film Institute (BFI) and India’s National Film Development Commission (NFDC) will support co-productions and shared resources between filmmakers from both countries.   Source: NDTV  

BLACKPINK’s Jisoo is set to release a new single, Eyes Closed, in collaboration with British singer Zayn Malik, the former One Direction member. Jisoo shared the official poster on Instagram, giving fans a first look at the duo together. In the image, both artists appear stylish in matching black outfits, with Jisoo confidently in the foreground and Zayn slightly behind. The post read: “JISOO X ZAYN Digital Single ‘EYES CLOSED’.” This marks Jisoo’s first release since her solo EP Amortage in February, which featured four tracks: Earthquake, Your Love, Tears, and Hugs & Kisses. For Zayn, it continues his successful solo career in R&B and alternative pop after leaving One Direction in 2015. Fans had already spotted a connection between the two. In July, Zayn attended BLACKPINK’s concert at New York’s MetLife Stadium with his daughter, Khai, later posting on Instagram: “@BLACKPINKOFFICIAL THANK YOU :) ME & KHAI LOVED IT.” The single comes while Jisoo takes a break from BLACKPINK’s Deadline world tour, making it a perfect release to keep fans engaged. With Jisoo’s vocals and Zayn’s distinctive tone, Eyes Closed promises to be a treat for fans worldwide.   Source: NDTV

Several prominent Turkish entertainers, including singers, television actors, and social media figures, were questioned and given blood tests on Wednesday as part of a drug investigation, according to officials and local media reports. Istanbul’s chief prosecutor launched the inquiry into individuals suspected of using narcotic or stimulant substances, the prosecutor’s office said. State-run Anadolu Agency reported that 12 well-known figures were summoned, though none were taken into custody and all were expected to be released after testing. The investigation comes amid a broader government clampdown on artists and dissenting voices under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Pop singer Mabel Matiz is already facing up to three years in prison over alleged “obscenity” in his song lyrics, while prosecutors accuse the girl-band Manifest of “indecent acts” during a recent performance.  

A week after Dhanashree Verma alleged that she caught her ex-husband, cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal, cheating in the second month of their marriage, Chahal has responded, dismissing the claims and saying he has moved on with his life. He also suggested that Dhanashree continues to use his name for publicity. Chahal’s response to cheating claims “I am a sportsperson and I do not cheat. If someone were to cheat in the second month, how could the relationship have lasted this long?” Chahal told Hindustan Times. “For me, this chapter is over, done and dusted. I have moved forward with my life, and everyone else should too.” He added, “Our marriage lasted 4.5 years. If cheating had occurred in the second month, who would have continued? I have already moved on from the past, but some people are still stuck there. Some continue to live in that narrative, but I am neither concerned nor affected. I feel this is the last time I will address this chapter of my life.” The 35-year-old further stated, “I have moved on from this chapter. People may say anything on social media — a hundred claims circulate, but the truth is one, and those who matter know it. For me, the chapter is closed. I do not intend to address it again. I am focusing on my life and my game.” Dhanashree Verma’s claims Dhanashree recently appeared on the reality show Rise and Fall, where she hinted at Chahal’s alleged infidelity. Actress Kubbra Sait asked her, “When did you realise your marriage was falling apart?” Dhanashree responded, “First year. Caught him in the second month,” implying that Chahal had an extramarital relationship. Divorce proceedings In February 2025, Dhanashree and Chahal were seen outside Bandra Family Court, filing for divorce by mutual consent. They requested a waiver of the six-month cooling-off period, which the court denied. After living separately for 18 months, the couple officially divorced on 20 March 2025. Source: Agency