United News of Bangladesh

Veteran lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar has said he would not choose to remake Amitabh Bachchan’s classic film Don, arguing he has no creative regret about the script, and therefore sees no reason to rewrite it. The comments resurfaced as Akhtar recently disclosed that he was approached by the makers of Border 2 to rewrite songs from the 1997 blockbuster Border, but he declined, calling the idea a sign of “creative bankruptcy” and saying he did not want to create nostalgia. In an earlier interview, Akhtar said if he were to remake any of his own films, he would prefer one where he felt he had made mistakes and could improve it on a second attempt. Since he felt satisfied with Don, he said he would not remake it. Akhtar’s son and filmmaker Farhan Akhtar had earlier explained that he picked Don for a remake because he believed the film’s storytelling style and language were modern for its time and could fit easily in a contemporary setting. Javed Akhtar also said he would rather revisit other films where he felt the second half could have been stronger, naming Kaala Patthar, Mashaal and Arjun. Farhan Akhtar remade Don in 2006 with Shah Rukh Khan in the lead, with Priyanka Chopra and Kareena Kapoor also featuring in the film.   With inputs from NDTV

Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan faced difficulty leaving a location in Surat after a small crowd surge broke out during his visit to the city. The incident occurred when he stopped by the Pal-area residence of his friend, businessman Sunil Shah, at Casa Rivera. Bachchan had traveled to Surat to attend the inauguration of Season 3 of the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL), which begins this evening at the Lalbhai Contractor Stadium. Several former cricketers and film celebrities are taking part in the opening ceremony. After landing at Surat Airport in the afternoon, the actor went directly to Shah’s home, where the crowd gathered. A video circulating on social media shows Bachchan standing outside the building as a large group of fans surrounded him. Amid the commotion, a glass entrance gate reportedly shattered and collapsed. Some individuals suffered minor injuries during the incident. Police personnel were present at the scene to manage security and crowd control. The ISPL Season 3 officially kicks off on Friday at the Lalbhai Contractor Stadium and will run for a month. The tournament features fast-paced tennis-ball T10 matches and celebrates India’s vibrant street-cricket culture, according to an official ISPL statement. Amitabh Bachchan proud as grandson Agastya Nanda debuts in Ikkis Earlier in the day, Bachchan was spotted at Kalina Airport in Mumbai, where he acknowledged photographers with a wave before departing. Work update Amitabh Bachchan was most recently seen in Vettaiyan, directed by T.J. Gnanavel. The film also featured Rajinikanth, Manju Warrier, Fahadh Faasil, Rana Daggubati, Ritika Singh, Dushara Vijayan, Rohini, Rao Ramesh, Abhirami, and Ramesh Thilak. Details about Bachchan’s upcoming projects have not yet been officially announced.

Veteran actor Mohanlal has revealed that Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan and South Indian superstar Rajinikanth were highly impressed by the trailer of his upcoming film, L2: Empuraan. In an interview with News18, he spoke about their reactions and how they genuinely appreciated the film’s scale and production value.  Speaking about their feedback, Mohanlal emphasised that their praise was heartfelt and not driven by competition. “I shared the trailer with Amitabh Bachchan saab, and Rajini sir personally called me. He was astonished and said, ‘What have you done? Oh my god!’ It was genuine appreciation, not a reaction stemming from a need to create something better,” he said.  The ‘Drishyam’ actor further explained that Rajinikanth, who is also a producer, understood the level of effort put into the film. “He could see the investment made in the movie and acknowledged it. His compliment was sincere, coming straight from his heart after watching the trailer. It wasn’t just a casual social media post praising the film,” Mohanlal added.  Directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, L2: Empuraan is one of the most anticipated films of 2025. Serving as a sequel to the 2019 blockbuster Lucifer, the film sees Mohanlal reprising his role as Khureshi-Ab'raam. The trailer hints at an intense socio-political drama with high-stakes action and gripping storytelling.  BJP highlights real story behind John Abraham’s 'The Diplomat' The film also stars Tovino Thomas, Abhimanyu Singh, Indrajith Sukumaran, and Manju Warrier. Produced by Antony Perumbavoor and Gokulam Gopalan under Aashirvad Cinemas and Sree Gokulam Movies, the film will release in Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Telugu.  Set to hit cinemas on March 27, L2: Empuraan marks Mohanlal and Prithviraj’s third collaboration after Lucifer and Bro Daddy. With inputs from Indian media

Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan recently sparked concern among his fans after sharing a cryptic post on X (formerly Twitter). The legendary actor's brief yet intriguing message, "Time to go," left followers puzzled and anxious about its meaning. Fans React to Big B’s Post Shortly after the post was shared, fans flooded the comments section with questions and messages of concern. One user wrote, "Where are you going?" while another asked, "Are you leaving?" Some attempted to reassure themselves, with one fan commenting, "Come soon." The ambiguity of the message has led to widespread speculation. Akshay’s film ‘Sky Force’ nears Rs100cr mark in India As of now, the reason behind Amitabh Bachchan’s post remains unclear. The actor, known for frequently engaging with his audience on social media, has not yet provided any clarification. Big B’s Social Media Presence Amitabh Bachchan is highly active on social media and often shares personal anecdotes, reflections, and updates about his work. Recently, he celebrated his son and fellow actor Abhishek Bachchan’s birthday with a heartfelt post, sharing a nostalgic throwback picture alongside a sweet note. Ongoing and Upcoming Projects On the professional front, the veteran actor was last seen in Vettaiyan, starring Tamil superstar Rajinikanth, with Malayalam actor Fahadh Faasil playing a key role. After Coldplay's India tour, Chris Martin to perform at Grammy Awards ceremony Currently, Amitabh Bachchan is hosting the latest season of Sony TV’s widely popular quiz show, Kaun Banega Crorepati. Despite the concerns surrounding his cryptic message, fans remain hopeful that Big B will soon clarify the intent behind his post. Until then, speculation continues to grow on social media.

As the world steps into 2025, Indian cinema icon Amitabh Bachchan took a poignant moment to honour the luminaries India lost in 2024. The megastar shared a heartfelt illustration titled "Our Heroes in Heaven" that depicted Ratan Tata, Shyam Benegal, Zakir Hussain, and Manmohan Singh together, embodying India’s unity in diversity. Accompanying the powerful artwork, Bachchan wrote, “.. the picture says it all.” His post, which quickly gained traction on social media, served as a reminder of the shared humanity and collective mourning that transcends religious and cultural boundaries. The illustration highlighted four distinguished figures—a Parsi, a Muslim, a Sikh, and a Hindu—whose contributions to the nation left an indelible mark. Bachchan’s caption read: "A Parsi, a Muslim, a Sikh, and a Hindu passed away in 2024, and the whole nation mourned and remembered them only as Indians!" Family confirms death of tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain The tribute resonated deeply with fans and netizens, drawing comments such as, “How thoughtful,” and, “One nation, one religion ~ Humanity.” Among the mourned was former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who passed away on 26 December 2024. Known as the architect of India’s economic liberalisation, Singh’s tenure as Finance Minister (1991–1996) and later as the 13th Prime Minister (2004–2014) ushered in transformative changes for the nation. Ratan Tata, revered for his contributions to industry and philanthropy, and Zakir Hussain, celebrated for his exceptional contributions to music, also left a void in their respective fields. Shyam Benegal, a pioneer of Indian cinema, was remembered for his groundbreaking films that redefined storytelling. Bachchan’s tribute underscored the essence of India's unity amid diversity. In a nation often defined by its rich mosaic of cultures, his message served as a poignant reminder of the shared values that bind its people together. India's former prime minister Manmohan Singh passes away As India remembers its heroes, the sentiment expressed by Amitabh Bachchan resonates profoundly: these individuals, regardless of their backgrounds, will forever be cherished as Indians first. Source: With inputs from wires

About 80 chartered flights have landed at the new international airport of India's holy city of Ayodhya for Monday’s partial opening of the controversial grand temple for one of Hinduism’s most revered deities, Lord Ram. Ayodhya’s airport can barely accommodate the influx of private jets. “The planes will depart after dropping guests,” airport manager Saurabh Singh said. The temple was built over an ancient razed mosque, and most political opposition leaders are boycotting the temple's opening, saying it doesn't befit a secular India. However, the list of attendees boasts some of India's most influential people: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, industrialists Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani and Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan. Ahead of the upcoming general election, Modi’s Hindu nationalist party is using the elaborate consecration ceremony to lobby the country's Hindu majority. Read more: Ancient Temples of Bangladesh: Remembering Their Past Glory THE LEGEND OF RAM, THE PRINCE OF AYODHYA The temple will be the sacred abode of one of the Hindu pantheon's most popular gods Ram, who Hindus believe was born at the exact site in Ayodhya. Millions of Hindus worship Lord Ram with an intense belief that chanting his name in times of adversity will bring peace and prosperity, and most of those who practice Hinduism keep idols of Ram in their homes. Major Hindu festivals like Dussehra and Diwali are associated with mythological tales of Ram extolling the virtues of truth, sacrifice and ethical governance. The mythological Hindu epic “Ramayan," which tells the story of Ram’s journey from prince to king, has often been adapted in popular culture. One of the most-viewed fabled shows is the TV series “Ramayan” created in the 1980s which continues to have a faithful audience. Ram’s divinity is not only the dominant religious force in India but also part of the ancient cultural heritage in countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar and Malaysia. Read more: A Hindu temple built atop a razed mosque in India is helping Modi boost his political standing A TEMPLE RISES Spread over nearly 3 hectares, the temple — which is still being built— has an estimated cost of $217 million. It's made with pink sandstone, adorned with intricate carvings, and has 46 doors — 42 of which will have a layer of gold. Anil Mishra, a member of the trust overseeing the construction, said the temple blends traditional design with cutting-edge technology and is “crafted without the use of iron, steel, or cement." A 1.3-meter (4.25-foot) dark stone sculpture depicting Ram was installed in the temple’s inner sanctum for Monday’s consecration. The religious ritual of “Pran Pratishtha," which signifies giving life to the idol, will be conducted according to Hindu Vedic scriptures. The deity can then receive and bless devotees. After the ceremony, the temple will open to the public and an estimated 100,000 devotees are likely to visit daily, authorities say. AYODHYA, PAST AND PRESENT The city known for its narrow lanes crowded with Hindu pilgrims and shops selling miniature Ram idols, has been given a facelift with modern infrastructure and services. Ayodhya’s modest airstrip has grown into an expansive international airport with a 2.2-kilometer (about 1.4-mile) runway in the first phase. The clean railway station has a daily passenger capacity of about 50,000 people. “The historical and spiritual significance of Ayodhya makes it a compelling destination,” and a huge surge in demand is anticipated, said Ravi Singh, a representative of the Indian Hotels Company Limited. THE CONTROVERSY Ayodhya has been at the center of India’s turbulent politics and the Hindu majoritarian quest to redeem the country’s religious past for decades. Its diverse, multicultural past was overrun by strident Hindu nationalism after mobs demolished the 16th-century Babri mosque in 1992. Hindus won a prolonged legal battle in 2019, allowing them to build the temple. Hindus make up about 80% of India’s population but the country is also home to some 200 million Muslims who have frequently come under attack by Hindu nationalists. Modi has been the face of an unprecedented, and unapologetic, fusion of religion and politics in India and led the temple’s groundbreaking ceremony in 2020. Critics say the idea of a diverse, constitutionally secular state leading a Hindu religious ritual is deplorable. Most opposition leaders have declined the invitation, saying the event is being used for political campaigning by Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which promised to build a Ram temple as part of its election strategy. Modi has asked people to publicly celebrate the consecration by lighting lamps at homes and temples. The message is clear: Mobilization of Hindu voters will be a key issue in the upcoming national election as Modi looks to extend his rule for a record third-consecutive term. Read more: India's Modi is set to open a controversial temple in Ayodhya in a grand event months before polls

Amitabh Bachchan said he was injured while shooting a film in southern India and is recovering at home. The 80-year-old Bollywood superstar posted on his blog Sunday (March 05, 2023) night that he sustained a rib injury while working in Hyderabad on the science-fiction film “Project K.” It’s being made in Hindi and Telugu languages and is slated for release in 2024. Bachchan wrote that he had broken rib cartilage and a muscle tear. He said the injury was “painful” and he consulted a doctor before he flew home to Mumbai, where he has been advised to rest. Read More: Registration now open for Joy Bangla Concert 2023 “I shall be unable to meet the well wishers at Jalsa Gate this evening.. so do not come,” the actor said to fans who often gather outside his home in Mumbai. “All else is well,” he wrote. He said his work on the film was suspended until he’s healed. Bachchan has acted in more than 200 Indian films. His breakthrough came in the 1973 film “Zanjeer,” or “The Chain,” and he rose to superstardom playing bold characters, inspiring fans to copy his hairstyle, clothes and deep voice. Read More: Top 10 Netflix Originals Shows, Movies Coming in March 2023 The hugely popular actor is also a former politician and a television host.

Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan was discharged from a Mumbai hospital on Sunday after undergoing three weeks of treatment for the coronavirus.

Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan, his son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter have tested positive for coronavirus in Mumbai, a government minister said Sunday.

Amitabh Bachchan, one of the biggest superstars of Indian cinema, has tested positive for COVID-19.