United News of Bangladesh

Hollywood star and UN Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie has made a surprise visit to Ukraine’s southern frontline city of Kherson, days after Russian drone strikes hit the war-torn region, Ukrainian media reported Thursday. This marks Jolie’s second visit to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022. During her trip, she visited children’s hospitals and maternity wards, where she was seen wearing a bulletproof vest with Ukrainian insignia and interacting with young patients. Local media reported that Jolie arrived in Kherson wearing full protective gear, including a helmet, amid continuing Russian bombardment. Her visit drew wide attention both locally and internationally. According to reports circulating online, Jolie’s bodyguard was briefly drafted into the Ukrainian army during the trip, prompting her to contact authorities for his release before continuing her humanitarian mission. Kherson lies across the Dnipro River from Russian-occupied territory and remains a frequent target of airstrikes and shelling. Jolie, who served as a UN special envoy for refugees from 2012 to 2022, first visited Ukraine shortly after the invasion to meet displaced families in the western city of Lviv. On the work front, the Oscar-winning actress was last seen in Couture, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, and is currently filming Anxious People.   Source: NDTV

Celebrated filmmaker and choreographer Farah Khan has revealed that she turned to YouTube content creation after her decade-long break from directing films — partly because of family expenses and partly for fun. Farah, who last directed Happy New Year in 2014, launched her YouTube channel in April 2024, starting with casual cooking vlogs featuring her and her longtime cook, Dilip. The series quickly went viral, earning her nearly 3 million subscribers on YouTube and 4.5 million followers on Instagram. Speaking on the latest episode of Two Much with Kajol and Twinkle, the 60-year-old filmmaker explained how she embraced YouTube when film projects weren’t materializing. “Even when my movie was not happening, I said, ‘chal (come on), let me do YouTube,’ because I could see where things were going. Also, I have three kids who go to university next year — and that’s bloody expensive,” she said, referring to her 17-year-old triplets Czar, Anya, and Diva, whom she shares with filmmaker-husband Shirish Kunder. Salman Khan faces legal notice over “misleading” pan masala ads Known for directing blockbusters like Main Hoon Na, Om Shanti Om and Tees Maar Khan, Farah said she finds joy and purpose in continuing to work. “Your life can’t revolve around another person. Happiness has to come from within and from your work. Work gives me a lot of pleasure,” she said, adding that she hopes to work well into her 80s. The new episode of Two Much with Kajol and Twinkle, featuring actor Ananya Panday alongside Farah Khan, premieres Thursday midnight on Prime Video. Source: NDTV

On November 4, 1979, 66 Americans were taken hostage at the US Embassy in Tehran during the Iran hostage crisis. Forty-six years later, their daring escape remains one of the most remarkable rescue operations in history. Six Americans avoided capture with the help of CIA officer Tony Mendez. He created a plan, known as the “Canadian Caper,” that disguised the diplomats as a Canadian film crew scouting locations for a science-fiction movie named Argo. After hiding in Canadian officials’ homes, the six diplomats followed Mendez’s plan to leave Iran safely in January 1980. The operation involved careful planning, fake documents, and a convincing cover story developed with Hollywood experts. The story inspired the 2012 Hollywood film Argo, directed by Ben Affleck, who played Mendez. The film also featured actors portraying the six Americans, Canadian Ambassador Kenneth Taylor, and the CIA and Hollywood team who helped make the escape successful. The rescue combined intelligence, courage, and creativity, showing how art and real-life espionage intersected to save lives during a critical moment in history.   Source: NDTV

Bollywood actor Salman Khan has been issued a legal notice by the Kota Consumer Court following a complaint alleging that advertisements for Rajshree Pan Masala, endorsed by him, are “misleading.” The complaint was filed by senior BJP leader and Rajasthan High Court advocate Inder Mohan Singh Honey, who requested a ban on such ads and questioned claims that the product contains “saffron-infused cardamom” and “saffron-infused pan masala.” Honey argued that saffron, priced at nearly Rs 4 lakh per kilogram, could not realistically be an ingredient in a product costing just Rs 5. Shah Rukh, Priyanka were first considered for 2 States: Chetan Bhagat The petitioner also raised concerns about the influence of these ads on young people, noting the link between pan masala consumption and rising cancer cases. “Salman Khan is a role model for many. Celebrities should not promote products that encourage youth to consume pan masala, a leading cause of mouth cancer,” Honey told ANI. The Kota Consumer Court has taken cognisance of the matter and scheduled a hearing for November 27, 2025, while responses from the actor and the company are still awaited.

An exclusive solo exhibition of acclaimed Irish artist Oona Hyland titled "An Duanaire: Visual Poems of the Dispossessed," was inaugurated on Tuesday - the first of its kind by an Irish artist in Bangladesh. "Oona Hyland is spending three weeks in Dhaka for an artistic cultural exchange - the first Irish qartist to do it. She is a visual artist with over 25 years experience working as a professional artist," Ambassador of Ireland to Bangladesh Kevin Kelly, who is based out of New Delhi, said at the inauguration at the Garden Gallery in Baridhara. Honorary Consul of Ireland in Bangladesh Masud Khan hosted the event. The residency, jointly organized by Gallery Cosmos and the Embassy of Ireland as part of the Ireland-Bangladesh Art Exchange Programme, serves as a dynamic platform for cultural dialogue and artistic collaboration between the two nations. Thanking Masud Khan and his team for supporting, Ambassador Kelly said this initiative aims to foster artistic collaboration and deepen cultural ties between Bangladesh and Ireland, through the medium of printmaking. He said "Though we have no embassy in Bangladesh, we have a long history of partnership with Bangladesh, development co-operation and business and hope to grow the relationship." "During her time in Dhaka, Oona will explore how art connects memory, healing, and collective reflection. Inspired by Rabindranath Tagore's vision of creativity as a moral and spiritual force, her work will focus on Bangladesh's history and artistic resilience," he commented. He also hoped that the success of this residency fosters deeper artistic collaboration between Ireland and Bangladesh not only have Irish artists come to Bangladesh but also Bangladeshi artists travel to Ireland. Welcoming all guests from home and abroad, Masud Khan, also Deputy Managing Director of the Cosmos Group, said: "You know, I was a little bit worried at first — whether we’d have enough time, and how everything would turn out. But thanks to all our efforts, and especially to Oona, who worked tirelessly every single day — very hard — it all came together beautifully." Mentioning the Irish artist as incredibly dedicated, hardworking, and "pleasant of personality", he said everyone has been saying so many nice things about her, and he truly hoped that she would come back here again. "We also had a wonderful exchange at Dhaka University — meeting the faculty and students there was really great. After today, you’ll finally have some free time, and we have a few more outings planned for you. Maybe you can visit some more galleries and explore the city a bit," he added.    

Popular actor Allu Arjun wins ‘Most Versatile Actor’ at Dadasaheb Phalke Awards 2025has added another accolade to his illustrious career, winning the Most Versatile Actor of the Year award at the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards 2025, one of India’s most prestigious celebrations of cinema. The announcement was made through the festival’s official social media channels, which hailed the actor’s achievement, stating, “Congratulations to Allu Arjun for this prestigious recognition, celebrating his exceptional range and cinematic impact!” The grand award ceremony took place on October 30 at the NSCI Dome, SVP Stadium in Mumbai, bringing together leading names from Indian cinema to honour excellence in film, art, culture, and heritage. Expressing his gratitude after receiving the honour, Allu Arjun wrote on social media:“Thanks to the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Awards for this incredible honour. Truly humbled. My warm congratulations to all the winners across categories this year. A sincere thank you to my audience for your continued love and support... I humbly dedicate this award to my fans.” The recognition follows a string of successes for the acclaimed actor. Earlier this year, Allu Arjun won the Best Actor title at both the South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA) 2025 and the Gaddar Telangana Film Awards for his powerful performance in Sukumar’s “Pushpa 2: The Rule.” Released in 2024, Pushpa 2: The Rule — the sequel to the 2021 blockbuster Pushpa: The Rise — became a major box-office success, featuring an ensemble cast including Rashmika Mandanna, Fahadh Faasil, Jagapathi Babu, Sunil, and Rao Ramesh. Allu Arjun is now set to headline an upcoming untitled sci-fi action film directed by Atlee, currently referred to as Project AA22 x A6, alongside Deepika Padukone. Further details about the project are yet to be announced.   Source: NDTV

As the clock struck midnight in Mumbai, the streets outside Shah Rukh Khan’s residence, Mannat, were filled with fans celebrating the superstar’s 60th birthday on Sunday. Devoted fans from across India gathered to wish the “King of Bollywood” and catch a glimpse of him on his balcony. Crowds held banners and posters reading “We love you SRK” and “Happy Birthday King Khan,” while chanting his name. Many traveled long distances to join the celebrations. Among them was Prince Singh, a devoted fan from Kolkata and member of the “SRK Warriors.” He told ANI, “We undertook a 33-hour train journey just to catch a glimpse of SRK. We hope to see him today or tomorrow. It was difficult to reach here because thousands want to come, but the police are controlling the crowd.” Shah Rukh Khan’s journey from a young soldier in the TV series Fauji to one of the world’s biggest movie stars has inspired fans across generations. Born and raised in Delhi, he first appeared as Abhimanyu Rai in Fauji in 1989, quickly winning hearts. He later acted in Circus and other television shows before making his Bollywood debut in 1992 with Deewana, earning the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut. From ‘Stranger Things’ to ‘All’s Fair’: 10 must-watch TV shows this November His breakthrough came with Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge in 1995, where he played Raj, a charming NRI in love, earning the title of the ultimate “King of Romance.” Over the years, he has delivered memorable performances in films such as Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Swades, Devdas, and My Name Is Khan, strengthening his bond with audiences. Even at 60, Shah Rukh Khan continues to dominate both the box office and the hearts of millions of fans, who eagerly await his next project, King. Source: NDTV 

Putting an end to all speculation, the highly popular subcontinental 'Jal The Band' is once again coming to Bangladesh to rock the Dhaka stage. The year's best open-air musical event, the 'Sound of Soul' concert, will be held on November 28, 2025, at the 'Shodesh Arena' grounds near Dhaka's 300 Feet Road. Sharing the stage with Jal will be the pioneer of the country's rock music, Warfaze, and the popular contemporary band, Level Five. Read more: Top Pakistani Dramas in 2025 Showcasing Strong Female Leads The organizers promise this will be the biggest and most musically rich open-air concert of the season. Attendees will experience Jal's emotional melodies and live performance, along with the electrifying rock performances of Warfaze and Level Five. After a long one-year hiatus, 'Stage Co.' is primarily responsible for organizing this international-standard concert for music lovers. Interested audience members can purchase tickets online by visiting the link: getsetrock.com/buy-ticket/sound-of-soul-2km

November is packed with new TV releases, from Kim Kardashian’s legal drama All’s Fair to the final season of Stranger Things. Here are 10 shows fans should not miss this month. 1. I Love LA (Nov 2, HBO Max)Rachel Sennott stars in this witty comedy about friends reuniting in Los Angeles. The series explores love, friendship and rivalry with sharp humour and guest appearances from Leighton Meester and Elijah Wood. 2. All’s Fair (Nov 4, Hulu/Disney+)Kim Kardashian plays a glamorous divorce lawyer who starts an all-female law firm. With Naomi Watts, Sarah Paulson and Glenn Close, Ryan Murphy’s latest series mixes law, luxury and high drama. 3. All Her Fault (Nov 6, Peacock/Sky)Sarah Snook leads this tense mystery as a mother whose son vanishes during a playdate gone wrong. Each episode deepens the web of guilt, suspicion and shocking secrets. 4. Death By Lightning (Nov 6, Netflix)Michael Shannon plays US President James Garfield in this historical thriller about power and betrayal. Matthew Macfadyen stars as his assassin in a drama by the creators of Game of Thrones. 5. Pluribus (Nov 7, Apple TV+)From Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan, this sci-fi drama follows a writer (Rhea Seehorn) who’s immune to a virus making everyone else unnaturally happy. It blends mystery, social satire and suspense. 6. The Beast in Me (Nov 13, Netflix)Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys star in a psychological thriller about grief, obsession and hidden truths. A writer researching her neighbour’s dark past finds herself in danger. 7. Last Samurai Standing (Nov 13, Netflix)Set in Japan in 1878, this action-packed drama follows hundreds of samurai fighting to survive in a deadly contest. The show mixes historical detail with Squid Game-style tension. 8. Malice (Nov 14, Prime Video)Jack Whitehall surprises in a dark revenge thriller as a charming nanny hiding dangerous motives. The story unfolds between London and Greece, exposing a family’s secrets. 9. The American Revolution (Nov 16, PBS)Documentary master Ken Burns returns with a sweeping look at America’s fight for independence. The series highlights the untold roles of women, Black and Indigenous people, and loyalists. 10. Stranger Things (Nov 26, Netflix)The long-awaited fifth and final season brings Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and her friends back to Hawkins in 1987 for a final battle against Vecna. Expect explosions, emotions and nostalgia. With comedy, mystery, history and sci-fi all on the list, November promises something for every kind of viewer.   Source: BBC

Ahead of the release of late singer and actor Zubeen Garg’s final film Roi Roi Binale, his wife Garima Garg has shared a heartfelt handwritten letter he wrote to fans just days before his death. Zubeen, one of Assam’s most loved singers, composers and actors, died in Singapore on September 19, leaving millions of fans in shock and grief. Garima posted the letter on Instagram on Wednesday, along with an emotional message addressed to her late husband. “The letters you wrote on 15th September… a loving appeal to your beloved people! Every word hits the heart, Goldie! But among all this, there’s a burning in my chest. What happened on September 19? How, why? I can’t find peace until I get this answer,” she wrote. Zubeen’s handwritten note, now going viral, reads: “Wait, wait a little – my new film is coming. Do come and watch it. Love, Zubeen Da.” The letter was originally part of a promotional campaign for Roi Roi Binale, which releases on October 31. The film marks Zubeen’s last on-screen appearance, where he plays a visually impaired musician. Director Rajesh Bhuyan, who worked closely with Zubeen on the film, said releasing it is an emotional and heavy responsibility. “This was Zubeen’s last project, and we are going to release the film. It’s a very difficult time for us. This was his dream, and though we may not be able to do 100%, we will do whatever we can,” he told NDTV. Garima has also called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances of Zubeen’s death. “We have to know what exactly happened. The investigation is ongoing, and the law will take its course,” she said earlier. Zubeen Garg passed away while swimming off an island in Singapore, just hours before he was scheduled to perform at the North East India Festival. During a career spanning more than three decades, Zubeen sang in over 40 languages and left behind a rich legacy of music and films. His final film Roi Roi Binale will be released across nearly 50 locations in India, including 31 major cities.   Source: NDTV