United News of Bangladesh

Universal Music Group and AI song generator Udio have reached a settlement in a copyright infringement lawsuit and announced a partnership to launch a new AI-powered music creation and streaming platform. In a joint statement issued Wednesday, the companies said they finalized a “compensatory legal settlement” and new licensing agreements for recorded music and publishing that will create additional revenue opportunities for Universal’s artists and songwriters. The deal marks the first resolution since Universal, along with Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Records, sued Udio and another AI platform, Suno, last year for alleged misuse of copyrighted works. “These new agreements with Udio demonstrate our commitment to do what’s right by our artists and songwriters — whether that means embracing new technologies or developing new business models,” said Universal CEO Lucian Grainge. Financial details of the settlement were not disclosed. AI song generation tools such as Udio have shaken the $20 billion global music streaming market by allowing users to instantly create songs in various genres using text prompts — from classic rock and 1980s synth-pop to West Coast rap — without needing musical skills. The technology has sparked debates over copyright and artistic integrity, with critics warning about a flood of low-quality, automatically generated content and the rise of fictitious “AI artists.” Under the new agreement, Universal and Udio will launch an AI subscription service next year that will allow users to “customize, stream and share music responsibly” using authorized and licensed content. Udio CEO Andrew Sanchez said the partnership “empowers artists and fans alike” and represents “a collaboration that unites AI and the music industry in a way that truly champions creativity.” Universal’s roster includes global stars such as Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Drake and Kendrick Lamar.  

Actor Paresh Rawal has responded to the controversy surrounding his upcoming film The Taj Story, which is facing legal challenges just days before its release. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a BJP leader from Ayodhya has sought a ban on the film, alleging that it is based on the subject of a petition he had filed in the High Court in 2022. Another PIL, submitted by Shakeel Abbas, called for a review of the movie’s certification and demanded a disclaimer stating that the film “deals with a contested narrative and does not claim to be a definitive historical account.” However, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday refused to grant an urgent hearing on the plea. Ayushmann Khurrana says Thamma is ‘biggest film of career’ Speaking exclusively to NDTV, Paresh Rawal, along with co-star Zakir Hussain, addressed the controversy and the claims that the film could provoke communal tension. “Every problem cannot be solved,” Rawal said, suggesting that art should be viewed separately from political or religious interpretations. The film is set to release this week despite the ongoing debates around its theme and portrayal of historical events. Source: NDTV 

Paramount Skydance is set to lay off about 1,000 employees on Wednesday, less than three months after completing its $8 billion merger, a source familiar with the matter told AFP on Monday. The company has not immediately responded to requests to confirm the layoffs. Skydance finalized its acquisition of Paramount in August. At the merged entity’s first press conference, executives had warned that staff reductions would be announced during the quarterly earnings report on November 10. New CEO David Ellison aims to speed up the company’s technological transition while achieving at least $2 billion in synergies. The merged company combines Skydance Studios, known for the “Mission: Impossible” and “Transformers” films, with Paramount’s movies, streaming service Paramount+, and television channels including CBS, MTV, and Nickelodeon. David Ellison, like his father Oracle founder Larry Ellison, is an ally of US President Donald Trump, who approved the Paramount acquisition after a yearlong review.   Source: NDTV  

Spanish pop star Enrique Iglesias arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday for his first concert in India in 13 years. The award-winning singer will perform on October 29 and 30 at the MMRDA Grounds in Bandra Kurla Complex, event organizers said. The shows are being produced by EVA Live in partnership with BEW Live. Photos and videos shared on social media showed Iglesias greeting photographers at the airport. He was seen wearing a casual T-shirt as he waved to fans. Deepak Chaudhary, Founder and Managing Director of EVA Live, said bringing Iglesias back to India is a major moment for the country’s live music scene. He said fans have been waiting to see the global superstar perform again. The concerts will feature some of Iglesias’ biggest hits from his long music career, according to the organizers. Iglesias last performed in India in 2012 as part of his Euphoria World Tour, with shows in Pune, Gurugram and Bengaluru.   Source: NDTV

A now-viral clip from the 2000 film Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke shows Salman Khan making a cameo alongside Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan. The film, directed by Raj Kanwar, featured Aishwarya and Abhishek in lead roles, while Salman appeared as a truck driver in a surprise scene. In the clip, Aishwarya waves for a lift as Salman drives by with Abhishek seated beside him, later dropping Abhishek off at his destination. Salman and Aishwarya’s on-screen romance became widely discussed in the early 2000s after they dated for three years following Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. However, Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke remains lesser known for featuring all three stars together. Aishwarya and Abhishek have shared screen space in multiple films, including Kuch Naa Kaho, Umrao Jaan, Dhoom 2, Guru, Sarkar Raj, and Raavan. The couple married in April 2007 and have a daughter, Aaradhya, born in November 2011. Currently, Salman Khan is hosting Bigg Boss 19 and will appear in the film Battle of Galwan. Aishwarya was last seen in Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan: II (2023), while Abhishek starred in Kaalidhar Laapata, which premiered on ZEE5 in August.

Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi has responded to the viral popularity of a cameo scene from the OTT series Ba**ds of Bollywood, saying he expected it would go viral. The series, directed by Aryan Khan, depicts the Hindi film industry and features Emraan as an actor and intimacy coach for the characters played by Lakshya and Sahher Bambba. In one scene, Raghav Juyal’s character, a die-hard fan of Hashmi, performs his hit song Kaho Na Kaho and delivers a line: “Akkha Bollywood ek taraf, Emraan Hashmi ek taraf” (Whole of Bollywood on one side, Emraan Hashmi on the other). At the trailer launch of his upcoming film Haq, Emraan said, “We knew it would go viral, but we never imagined it would happen in this way. I’m happy that people now associate me with this dialogue instead of my previous on-screen image.” Emraan also reflected on his former “serial kisser” tag, saying fans now remember the viral dialogue when they think of him. Ba**ds of Bollywood features an ensemble cast including Bobby Deol, Aanya Singh, Manish Chaudhari, Mona Singh, Vijayant Kohli, Manoj Pahwa, Gautami Kapoor, and Rajat Bedi. The seven-episode series is streaming on Netflix. Emraan’s upcoming film Haq, a courtroom drama based on the 1980s Mohd Ahmed Khan vs Shah Bano Begum case, stars Emraan and Yami Gautam and is set to release on November 7, 2025.   Source: NDTV

The latest weekend episode of Bigg Boss 19 delivered a major surprise for fans after a double eviction sent Baseer Ali and Nehal Chudasama out of the house. The twist left viewers stunned, especially since Baseer had been regarded as one of the strongest contenders this season. What happened • The weekend episode hosted by Salman Khan turned emotional as both Baseer and Nehal were declared eliminated.• Fans were bracing for a single eviction, but the makers opted for a surprise double exit instead.• Four contestants — Gaurav, Baseer, Pranit and Nehal — were nominated this week, keeping viewers anxious during voting.• Baseer’s exit shocked many due to his consistent performances and competitive approach throughout the show.• Nehal, meanwhile, had a controversial run, often drawing criticism from housemates and Salman for attention-seeking behavior and unnecessary fights.• This was her second stint in the house after being previously evicted and kept in a Secret Room before re-entering the game. Her departure this time appears to be final. Shah Rukh Khan announces theatrical re-release of his films on 60th birthday Background This marks the second double elimination of the season, which is being promoted under the theme Iss Baar Chalegi Gharwaloon Ki Sarkar. The show premiered on August 24, 2025, on JioHotstar and Colors TV, and has featured unpredictable turns and shifting alliances. There had been speculation that one of the evicted housemates might once again be sent to a Secret Room for a re-entry. However, reports suggest the makers scrapped the plan, confirming that both Baseer and Nehal’s departures are permanent. Source: NDTV

There are songs that hit your playlist, and then there are songs that feel like an invitation to a destination. Shayan Chowdhury Arnob’s latest curated piece, "Café," is definitely the latter. This track isn’t just a performance; it’s a perfectly captured moment where the fiery rhythm of Latin Jazz walks right into the quiet, soulful introspection of Bengali music. It’s a warm, dimly lit room captured in sound, and a beautiful reminder that life’s "Real Magic" often lives in the gentle silence between two heartbeats. What makes it truly special is how it balances respect with innovation. This composition is built on a stunning dual inheritance: drawing deeply from the beloved nostalgia of Gautam Chattopadhyay’s “Amar Priya Caffe” (Moheener Ghoraguli) and the foundational, iconic rhythm of Eddie Palmieri’s original “Café.” Producer Shuvendu Das Shuvo manages to weave these two profound, separate traditions into a singular, rich tapestry that somehow feels both instantly familiar and excitingly new. Read more: Classic Ibsen heroine reimagined in new film adaptation Tanzir Tuhin's vocals are the undisputed heart of the piece. His voice carries the Bengali "nostalgia" beautifully, delivering the lyrical sentiment of the idea of a café as a living book of small, private stories with a stirring, authentic warmth. This is instantly grounded by the masterful performance of the ensemble. Gaboo’s percussion carries the legacy of rhythm, providing a complex yet effortless groove, while Lívia Mattos’s accordion adds a magical, almost unexpected layer of European folk-jazz charm. When the brass section (Francis on trombone, Apurba on trumpet) kicks in, the song takes flight, transforming the quiet reflection into a vibrant, swirling dance. "Café" is an emotion first and a fusion second. It captures the quiet energy described in the notes: the last goodbye, the first hello, the "gentle pause between two hearts." It’s a flawless piece of music that proves that some feelings like a perfectly brewed coffee or a shared moment of silence transcend language. This single piece of music is a spectacular achievement from everyone involved from the artists like Mithun Chakraborty and Pradyut Chatterjea to the immense creative and sound squads led by Faizan R Ahmad (Buno) and Syed Gousul Alam Shaon. They haven't just produced a song; they have bottled the timeless hush of a place where everyone leaves a piece of their story behind. Read more: Thamma box office Day 5: Ayushmann, Rashmika's film nears Rs 100 crore mark

The iconic anti-heroine Hedda Gabler, often dubbed the “female Hamlet,” returns to the screen in a bold new adaptation, simply titled Hedda, now showing in select US and UK cinemas and set for international streaming on Prime Video from October 29. The film, directed by Nia DaCosta (Candyman, The Marvels), reimagines Ibsen’s 1891 play in 1950s England, exploring themes of desire, power, gender, race, and class. Tessa Thompson stars as Hedda, a complex, manipulative, yet vulnerable woman navigating societal constraints, while Nina Hoss plays the gender-swapped former lover, Eileen. Hedda Gabler, a discontented bride trapped in a loveless marriage, has fascinated audiences for over a century. Known for her cunning, cruelty, and unpredictable impulses, the character continues to divide opinion. The film condenses the story into one night, during a decadent soirée where Hedda manipulates those around her, questioning norms and testing human behavior. Scholars note that Ibsen created Hedda as a woman who defied contemporary expectations of femininity, a reflection of the patriarchal society of his time. Over the decades, celebrated actresses including Cate Blanchett, Maggie Smith, and Fiona Shaw have portrayed the role, cementing its status as one of the greatest female roles in theatre history. DaCosta said the film highlights Hedda’s many masks, her vulnerability, and the tension between survival and desire. The adaptation also emphasizes the interplay of three women—Hedda, Eileen, and Thea—each negotiating freedom and power in a restrictive society. The film’s release continues Hedda Gabler’s enduring legacy as a complex figure, both monstrous and sympathetic, whose story resonates across different eras.   Source: BBC

Renowned actor Satish Shah, celebrated for his role as Indravadan Sarabhai in the popular sitcom Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai, passed away on Saturday at the age of 74 due to kidney failure, confirmed filmmaker Ashoke Pandit. Pandit shared the news on Instagram, saying Shah fell seriously ill at home and was rushed to Hinduja Hospital in Shivaji Park, where he later died. “It is a huge loss for our industry. Satish was not only a brilliant actor but also a wonderful human being,” he added. A Kutchi Gujarati from Mandvi, Shah studied at St. Xavier’s College and later joined the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). He appeared in several notable films, including Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983), Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), Main Hoon Na (2004), and Om Shanti Om (2007). Shah gained immense popularity through his television roles in Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, Filmi Chakkar, Ghar Jamai, and Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai. He also co-judged the reality show Comedy Circus in 2008 and served as a member of the FTII society from 2015. He was last seen in the 2023 TV series United Kacche alongside Sunil Grover, Manu Rishi, Sapna Pabbi, and Nayani Dixit. His final film appearance was in Dibakar Banerjee’s Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar, featuring Arjun Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra. Shah is survived by his wife, Madhu Shah.   Source: NDTV