United News of Bangladesh

Ibrahim Ali Khan recently made his acting debut with Nadaaniyan, sharing the screen with Khushi Kapoor. Despite the buzz surrounding the film, it failed to meet expectations and received a lukewarm response upon release. Both Ibrahim and Khushi were heavily criticized on social media for their performances. Nevertheless, Ibrahim’s family — including Soha Ali Khan and Sharmila Tagore — have shown unwavering support, recognizing that he is just starting out in his career. In a recent interview with Filmfare, Ibrahim opened up about his bond with his mother, Amrita Singh. Reflecting on her influence, he said, “She pampers me, praises me, and keeps me grounded. She does it all.” Earlier, while promoting her comeback Bengali film Puratawn, veteran actress Sharmila Tagore shared her thoughts on Nadaaniyan and Ibrahim’s performance. She candidly remarked, “The film wasn’t great, but Ibrahim looked very handsome and gave it his best. These things shouldn’t always be said publicly, but to be honest, the movie wasn’t strong. In the end, it's the quality of the film that matters.” Ibrahim Ali Khan responds to Palak Tiwari dating rumours: "She's Sweet" Responding to her comments, Ibrahim acknowledged her perspective and added, “She’s seen it all. Like we were discussing, things are tougher now than before. I’m sure my dad also had challenges being her son, considering my grandmother was a huge star. He must’ve felt that pressure. I think she saw him struggle in his early films too.” He continued, “So she understands what it’s like. She’s been through it. And what have I even accomplished yet? Sure, I’ve done one film, but what does that really mean? The fact that she believes in me — that’s what matters most.” As of now, the spotlight is on Ibrahim’s next move in the film industry. Source: With input from NDTV

Pakistani dramas led by dynamic, resilient women are shaping the television landscape like never before. Blending drama, romance, and light-hearted humour, this content wave continues to capture audiences with its emotional depth. Streaming freely on YouTube, these gripping narratives have turned casual viewers into devoted followers. Let’s explore the standout Pakistani dramas led by strong women, capturing both hearts and headlines alike. Must-Watch Pakistani Dramas Led By Powerful Women Characters . Aas Paas At the core of this romantic series is Arshia, whose world is built on hope and resilience. She dreams of piecing together the fragments of her broken family after her father walks away. In the midst of her struggle, fate introduces her to Dr. Saham, a man balancing personal sacrifices with professional dedication. Their lives intertwine, testing both their loyalty to loved ones and their capacity for personal joy. Behind her composed strength, Arshia quietly fights an uphill battle against a world quick to judge a daughter’s hope. Her journey is about both family and carving space for herself in a world fractured by betrayal. Read more: May 2025 Bollywood Releases: 10 Most Hyped Hindi Films To Watch Helmed by Mohammad Iftikhar Iffi and written by Samra Bukhari, this drama headlines Laiba Khan and Ali Ansari as the central characters. Since its debut on March 2, 2025, HarPalGeo TV’s YouTube platform has aired the binge-worthy series every day. Link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdZNFVCDo_1fl-kRzohA6tAAXHCk8P4Df Judwaa Two faces, one bond, and a future shaped by difference- this narrative threads through the lives of twin sisters portrayed by Aina Asif. While one radiates quiet grace and caution, the other thrives on defiance and bold choices. Destiny, however, writes its own script, steering them through life-altering surprises. Read more: May 2025 Amazon Prime Video Originals Streaming Lineup: Movies, Series, Shows The gentle sister silently wrestles with the weight of being overlooked in favor of her outspoken twin. Meanwhile, the fearless one bears the scars of her impulsive decisions. Their individual struggles shape a story where survival is as much about the heart as it is about fate. Penned by Orooj Binte Arsalan and Fizza Jafri, this series flourishes with Furqan Adam as its director. Adnan Raza Mir, Sabreen Hisbani, Zhalay Surhadi, and Shahood Alvi assume supporting roles. Marking its start on February 6, 2025, the marathon-worthy show continues to be aired every day on Hum TV’s YouTube. Link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbVdwtmx18suuF0meUSymnXvbc6yCtoQd Read more: Sunny Deol's Jaat Movie Review: Is It Worth Watching Dastak Crafted under the direction of Marina Khan, this drama series boasts Sarwat Nazir as its writer. In this emotionally layered tale, Sohai Ali steps into the shoes of a woman left to rebuild her life post-divorce. She is determined to shield her son’s future from the shadows of her past. With society's judgement pressing in, her path to independence becomes her quiet rebellion. She stands at the crossroads of survival and dignity, refusing to let the world define her by loss. Every step forward is a hard-won reminder that identity is not inherited or gifted; it is earned through courage. Feroz Kadri, Ali Raza, and Momina Iqbal round out the lead cast. Read more: 10 Best Films, Documentaries on Palestine That Everyone Should Watch Launched on January 24, 2025, “Dastak” finds its audience every Friday and Saturday on the ARY Digital YouTube Network. Link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb2aaNHUy_gGJruANTdvOM5HBVpvmXySY Dayan Shattered by a cruel twist of fate, Nihaal’s once-simple life collapses overnight. The tragedy leaves her altered—no longer the same girl, but a woman shaped by resolve, fuelled by a hunger for justice. Beneath her quiet strength lies a heart scarred by betrayal yet unwilling to surrender. Her journey is about both healing alone and confronting the very people who reduced her world to ruins. Read more: Top 10 Netflix English Originals Releasing in May 2025 With this plot, “Dayan”, scripted by Amber Azhar and Fatima Faizan, excels with Siraj ul Haq as its director. Mehwish Hayat embodies the protagonist role, while Ahsan Khan and Hira Mani play the other pivotal roles. The HarPalGeo YouTube network reserved Monday and Tuesday slots for the saga after its debut on February 24, 2025. Link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdZNFVCDo_1egEMTIHT4pl8uPq2Wyef_P Read more: April 2025 K-Drama Lineup: Top 10 Binge-worthy Premieres Umme Ayesha (Season 2) Directed by Saleem Ghanchi, the drama highlights the creative writing of Huma Hina Nafees. In the series, a life steered by devotion and unshakeable belief, Umme Ayesha walks a path where faith lights every choice she makes. Her world, disciplined and peaceful, collides with Azmeer, a spirited soul unbound by tradition, living life by modern codes. One careless act on his part tears through her serene existence, forcing her to battle both circumstance and inner doubt. Behind her composed demeanour, Ayesha’s strength is stretched thin as the world tests the depth of her convictions. Holding firm to her values becomes both her greatest shield and her heaviest burden. Taking centre stage, Kanwal Khan stars as the titular character, with Farhan Ahmed Malhi playing Azmeer. Read more: Pakistani Dramas Taking Over 2025: 10 Top Picks for Your Watchlist Fresh episodes have found their way to YouTube via Hum TV since its kick-off on March 2, 2025. Link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdZNFVCDo_1fbyTV0rfKFS7GOuoJmRKxb

Saudi actor and comedian Ibrahim Al Hajjaj is set to reprise his role in a sequel to the comedy film Esaaf (Ambulance), the first Arabic-language feature to be released in IMAX format. The follow-up will again be helmed by British director Colin Teague, known for his work on Doctor Who and Torchwood, according to Variety. Ambulance debuted on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone as IMAX’s inaugural Arabic release. The screwball comedy centres on two quarrelling Saudi paramedics who discover a briefcase containing SAR 2 million (approximately $533,300), inadvertently drawing them into a dangerous kidnapping and ransom scheme. The film follows Al Hajjaj’s box office hit Sattar (2023), a wrestling-themed comedy that grossed over $30 million, largely within Saudi Arabia. Sattar remains the highest-grossing Saudi film since the country lifted a 35-year ban on commercial cinemas in 2017. 'Star Wars' fans wave lightsabers as an upcoming film gets announced in Japan Penned by Alberto Lopez (Rupture), Ambulance is co-produced by Al Hajjaj’s House of Comedy, Talal Anazi’s Black Light Operations, and Peter Smith, former head of MBC Studios, in collaboration with Saudi Media Company. The film premiered to a full house at Muvi Cinemas’ IMAX screen in U Walk, Riyadh on April 15, attended by media, celebrities, and industry professionals. It is set to compete at the upcoming Saudi Film Festival—the Kingdom’s longest-running film event—and will soon roll out across the Gulf and Middle East.

  Akshay Kumar's latest film, Kesari Chapter 2, had a quiet start at the box office, bringing in ₹7.5 crore on its first day, as reported by Sacnilk. The movie, which also features R Madhavan and Ananya Panday, is a historical courtroom drama centered around the life of renowned lawyer C. Sankaran Nair. Despite being made on an estimated budget of ₹150 crore, the film saw limited footfall on Friday, with overall theatre occupancy averaging 20%. Attendance picked up slightly throughout the day—from 12.67% in the morning to 27.80% for the night shows. 'Star Wars' fans wave lightsabers as an upcoming film gets announced in Japan Kesari Chapter 2 delves into the events surrounding the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, a tragic episode in India’s colonial history that took place on April 13, 1919, during Baisakhi in Amritsar. Thousands had assembled at Jallianwala Bagh to peacefully protest the Rowlatt Act and demand the release of leaders Dr. Satyapal and Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew. The peaceful gathering turned deadly when Brigadier General Reginald Dyer ordered his troops to open fire without warning. According to the Ministry of Culture, 1,650 bullets were discharged until the ammunition was depleted. British reports claimed 291 deaths, while Indian accounts estimate the death toll exceeded 500. This film serves as a spiritual sequel to the 2019 release Kesari, which portrayed the Battle of Saragarhi where 21 Sikh soldiers of the British Indian Army stood against 10,000 Pashtun fighters. The original film featured Parineeti Chopra in a pivotal role. Source: NDTV  

The Force was with many Japanese, as well as visitors from abroad, at a “Star Wars” event on Friday where Lucasfilm announced that the next installation in the franchise will hit theaters in May 2027 starring Ryan Gosling. Appearing on stage before a lightsaber-waving crowd at Makuhari Messe center outside Tokyo, Gosling showed a photo of his childhood bedsheets, plastered with illustrations from the space epic created by George Lucas, AP reports. “I guess I was dreaming about ‘Star Wars’ even before I saw the film,” Gosling said. Shawn Levy, who will direct the movie, told the crowd that “Star Wars: Starfighter” will not be a prequel or a sequel, but a new standalone adventure with new characters set several years after “Episode Nine.” Filming starts later this year, he said. Levy, who also directed the 2006 film “The Pink Panther” and the recent Netflix series “Stranger Things,” said little else, noting: “I can’t say much about it because I understand the rules.” Only the title was shown on a giant screen, although that was enough for the crowd to burst into cheers. The event, called Star Wars Celebration, which runs through Sunday, is full of "Star Wars"-themed merchandise including T-shirts, toys, books, manga comics, AC chargers, cellphone covers, autographs, posters and more. Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt role may face dramatic end The Lego booth featured a man wearing the ominous black mask and cloak of Darth Vader, made out of Legos. The deep-breathing villain also appeared as traditional Japanese lacquerware decorating earphones in a limited edition of 10, each selling for 990,000 yen ($7,000). Darth Vader T-shirts were more affordable at 8,000 yen ($56). “It makes me so happy to think everyone here loves ‘Star Wars,’” said Yoshiki Takahashi, 26, who was holding a remote-controlled R2-D2 miniature robot. “I love the directing, the sound of the gun and the lightsaber, but above all the story, with great fight scenes and, of course, human drama,” he added. Another Japanese man, who said he goes only by Hiro, was dressed as the “Star Wars” character Mandalorian, in a detailed costume he made himself, complete with a plastic sword and armor. Also present were “Star Wars” fans from around the world, including a robed Raul Herrera, a computer science teacher from Chile, who was there with friends. “All of them,” said Herrera, when asked which ‘Star Wars’ films he’d seen. “The sense of commitment of the characters, I really like it.” With offshoot stories spanning generations and literally the cosmos, “Star Wars” is one of the highest-grossing franchises of all time since its 1977 debut, starring Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker. It may be natural that “Star Wars” appeals to Japanese: Its story about a samurai-like hero who befriends various characters along his journey echoes the nation’s fables, as well as legendary Akira Kurosawa films.

Tabu recently opened up about her experience working on Crew, a Rhea Kapoor production known for its female-led cast and light-hearted storyline. Featuring Tabu alongside Kareena Kapoor Khan and Kriti Sanon, the film hit theatres on March 29, 2024, and emerged as a box office success. During a conversation on the BBC Asian Network podcast, Tabu described Crew as a unique and exhilarating project. “Shooting for Crew was a crazy experience — but in a fun way. I’m glad everything fell into place,” she said. “In films like this, what really matters is the chemistry and timing among the actors. Luckily for us — Kareena, Kriti, and myself — we shared a great rhythm. We got the jokes, and that really helped.” Kesari Chapter 2 Advance Bookings: Akshay Kumar’s courtroom drama off to a steady start, collects ₹1.86 crore Talking about working with producer Rhea Kapoor, Tabu admitted that while she might initially resist or hesitate, Rhea’s process is impossible to sidestep. “Eventually, you have to give in to Rhea’s way of working,” she said. “I trusted her and ended up enjoying the process.” She also highlighted Rhea Kapoor’s emphasis on aesthetics. “For Rhea, beauty and glamour are essential. She envisions her characters in a particular style and likes to showcase them accordingly,” Tabu added. Ibrahim Ali Khan responds to Palak Tiwari dating rumours: "She's Sweet" Tabu was last seen in the series Dune: Prophecy. She will next appear in Bhooth Bangla with Akshay Kumar and Puri Sethupati opposite Vijay Sethupathi. Source: With input from NDTV

Kesari Chapter 2, the much-awaited courtroom drama starring Akshay Kumar, is all set to release in theatres on Friday, April 18. Directed by Karan Singh Tyagi, the film also features Ananya Panday and R Madhavan in key roles. Ahead of its theatrical debut, the film has generated considerable buzz among audiences, with advance ticket sales picking up pace. As per data from Sacnilk, Kesari Chapter 2 has sold 24,935 tickets across 3,503 shows so far, bringing in ₹82.85 lakh from advance bookings alone. Including blocked seats, the total pre-release collection has reached ₹1.86 crore. On Tuesday, the makers hosted a grand premiere in Delhi at a cinema in Chanakyapuri. The special screening was attended by several high-profile political figures and dignitaries, with Akshay Kumar and R Madhavan personally greeting guests at the event. Nate Bargatze will host the 2025 Emmy Awards Before the screening began, Akshay Kumar addressed the audience, urging them to stay off their phones during the film. “I humbly request you all to please keep your phones in your pockets and listen to every dialogue of this film. It will mean a lot. If you try to check your Instagram during the movie, it will be a humiliation for the film. So I request everyone to keep their phones away,” he said. Set in the aftermath of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Kesari Chapter 2 is a thematic successor to Akshay Kumar’s 2019 film Kesari. While the original, directed by Anurag Singh, focused on the legendary Battle of Saragarhi in 1897, the sequel continues the narrative of valor and sacrifice with a fresh perspective. The film also stars Regina Cassandra, Simon Paisley Day, and Alexx O'Nell in prominent roles. Ibrahim Ali Khan responds to Palak Tiwari dating rumours: "She's Sweet" Kesari Chapter 2 is jointly produced by Hiroo Yash Johar, Aruna Bhatia, Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, Amritpal Singh Bindra, and Anand Tiwari under the banners of Dharma Productions, Leo Media Collective, and Cape of Good Films. Source: With input from NDTV

Bollywood’s cinematic universe has always been a vibrant mosaic of emotions and larger-than-life narratives that echo across generations. As May 2025 approaches, the diverse slate of Hindi film releases covers crime, thrillers, romance, comedy, horror, historical epics, and action-packed sagas. With a mix of celebrated stars and promising new talents gracing the screen, fans are eagerly counting down the premiere days. Here’s the list of most-anticipated Bollywood movies coming in this May. 10 Must-watch Bollywood Films Debuting this May . Raid 2 | Crime Thriller | May 1, 2025 A direct successor to the 2018 movie Raid, this thriller thrives under the direction of Raj Kumar Gupta, who co-wrote the movie with Ritesh Shah, Karan Vyas, and Jaideep Yadav. The narrative sharpens its lens on Amay Patnaik, an Indian Revenue Service officer. His unyielding pursuit of black money has already led to the recovery of over Rs. 4,200 crores. Now, he prepares for his landmark 75th raid, locking horns with Dada Manohar Bhai, a formidable figure entrenched in white-collar crime. Read more: May 2025 Amazon Prime Video Originals Streaming Lineup: Movies, Series, Shows The major cast members are Riteish Deshmukh, Vaani Kapoor, and Ajay Devgn. The film showcases item songs featuring special cameos by Tamannaah Bhatia, Jacqueline Fernandez, and Yo Yo Honey Singh. Headlined by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Honey Singh, the soundtrack brings together an ensemble featuring White Noise Collectives, Sachet-Parampara, Rochak Kohli, and Amit Trivedi. Trivedi also orchestrates the background score. The production credit goes to Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Kumar Mangat Pathak, and Abhishek Pathak. The Bhootnii | Horror Comedy | May 1, 2025 Initially slated for premiere on April 18, this Sanjay Dutt-fronted action-horror spectacle is now set to make its theatrical debut on May 1. Alongside Dutt, “The Bhootnii” stars Sunny Singh, Mouni Roy, Palak Tiwari, Aasif Khan, Beyounick, and Navneet Malik in crucial roles. Read more: Sunny Deol's Jaat Movie Review: Is It Worth Watching Besides directing and writing the movie, Sidhaant Sachdev contributes to its screenplay along with Vankush Arora. The narrative unwraps with St. Vincent College’s Virgin Tree awakening a love-starved spirit every Valentine’s Day. When Shantanu's wish stirs her obsession, 27 days of eerie love and growing horror unfold. As dread grips the campus, a parapsychicist, Baba, faces a force beyond his lifetime of ghost-hunting. The horror-comedy makes its way to theatres courtesy of producers Deepak Mukut, Hunar Mukut, Sanjay Dutt, and Maanayata Dutt. Costao | Crime Drama | May 1, 2025 This film draws inspiration from the real-life grit of customs officer Costao Fernandes, who, in the 1990s, dismantled Goa’s most entrenched smuggling empire. This crime drama charts Fernandes’ lone-wolf crusade against one of India’s largest gold trafficking syndicates. The directing of Sejal Shah and the writing of Bhavesh Mandalia and Meghna Srivastava elevate the drama. Read more: 10 Best Films, Documentaries on Palestine That Everyone Should Watch Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Priya Bapat, Kishore Kumar G., and Davina Colaco portray the main characters. Kamlesh Bhanushali, Vinod Bhanushali, Bhavesh Mandalia, Sejal Shah, Faizuddin Siddiqui, and Shyam Sunder oversee the production. Bhool Chuk Maaf | Comedy Drama | May 9, 2025 Bankrolled by Dinesh Vijan, this joint production of Maddock Films and Amazon MGM Studios highlights the writing and directing prowess of Karan Sharma. The lead cast consists of Wamiqa Gabbi, Rajkumar Rao, and Seema Pahwa, supported by Sanjay Mishra and Zakir Hussain. The storyline drifts through the narrow places of Varanasi, where the charm of small-town love meets the twists of destiny. Ranjan, a lovestruck dreamer, lands a secure government post to marry his beloved Titli. But as wedding bells near, fate traps him in an inexplicable time loop. Read more: Farewell to ACP Pradyuman: Tribute to Sony TV Crime Drama CID's Legendary Character Abir Gulaal | Romantic Comedy | May 9, 2025 Flourished with Aarti S. Bagdi as the director, this romantic movie headlines actors Vaani Kapoor and Fawad Khan. The story unfolds as fate entwines the lives of two wounded hearts, each carrying silent scars of their past. Through shared moments of vulnerability, their companionship deepens, slowly blossoming into a love rooted in solace. The supporting cast members are Riddhi Dogra, Lisa Haydon, Farida Jalal, Soni Razdan, and Parmeet Sethi. With Amit Trivedi composing the music, this movie is a collaborative production of Vivek B. Agrawal, Avantika Hari, Rakesh Sippy, and Firuzi Khan. Read more: Top 10 Netflix English Originals Releasing in May 2025

Stand-up comedian Nate Bargatze will host the 77th Emmy Awards, CBS announced Wednesday. One of the most popular stand-ups currently working, Bargatze will emcee the Sept. 14 ceremony at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. While the Oscars have found success with Conan O'Brien, set to return in 2026, and the Golden Globes with returning host Nikki Glaser, the Emmys have had a harder time finding a regular host. The last four Emmys have been hosted by Eugene and Dan Levy, Anthony Anderson, Kenan Thompson and Cedric the Entertainer. “Nate is one of the hottest comics in the business with a remarkable and hilarious brand of comedy that deeply resonates with multi-generational audiences around the globe,” said Cris Abrego, chair of the Television Academy. ‘The Great Moose Migration’ captivates devoted fans of Swedish slow TV sensation Bargatze, while yet to emcee a major awards show, is among the most sought-after entertainers, releasing three Netflix specials including December's “Your Friend, Nate Bargatze” and hosting “Saturday Night Live.” With more than 1.2 million tickets sold in 2024, according to Pollstar, he was the top-earning comedian of the year. “It’s a huge honor to be asked to host such an iconic awards show and I’m beyond excited to work with CBS to create a night that can be enjoyed by families around the world,” Bargatze said. Last year's Emmys, hosted by the father-son Levy duo, reached 6.87 million average viewers, according to Nielsen, up 54% from the previous year.

Ibrahim Ali Khan, son of actors Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh, has been the subject of ongoing dating rumours involving Palak Tiwari, daughter of Shweta Tiwari and Raja Chaudhary. Even before his film debut, speculations about their relationship made headlines. In a recent conversation with Filmfare, Ibrahim finally addressed the rumours, offering a subtle response when asked about Palak. “She’s a good friend. Yeah, she’s sweet. That’s all,” he said, without divulging further details. The duo has been spotted together in public on several occasions and are said to have vacationed together in destinations like the Maldives and Goa. Palak herself has previously stated that she and Ibrahim share a good friendship. During the same interview, Ibrahim opened up about having a childhood crush on actress Deepika Padukone. He recalled realizing his father's stardom when Saif Ali Khan starred alongside Deepika in Love Aaj Kal. “I must have been seven or eight. My dad was shooting for Imtiaz Ali’s Love Aaj Kal in the UK. I was like, wow, Deepika Padukone! That was my first-ever crush. I was so little, but obsessed. That’s when I realised—my dad's a big star, if he’s acting with Deepika,” he shared. Akshay backs Salman amid ‘Sikandar’ setback: ‘Tiger Zinda Hai, Hamesha Rahega’ Recently, Ibrahim enjoyed a vacation in Switzerland with his sister Sara Ali Khan and their mother Amrita Singh. Sara posted a series of cheerful photos from the trip on social media. Ibrahim made his Bollywood debut alongside Khushi Kapoor in Shauna Gautam’s Nadaaniyan, which premiered on Netflix. Despite the hype, the film faced criticism online for its storyline and performances. His grandmother, veteran actress Sharmila Tagore, also commented on the film. “He looked handsome. He tried his best, but the film wasn’t good,” she remarked. Source: With inputs from agencies