United News of Bangladesh

Aamir Khan’s latest film Sitaare Zameen Par continued its steady performance at the domestic box office on its fifth day, matching Monday’s earnings of ₹8.50 crore on Tuesday (June 24). With this, the film's total domestic collection has reached ₹75.15 crore, already surpassing the India business of Aamir’s previous release Laal Singh Chaddha, which had earned ₹61.36 crore. According to a report by Sacnilk, the film held strong on Tuesday despite not offering discounted tickets under the "#BlockbusterTuesdays" scheme. Sitaare Zameen Par had opened with ₹10 crore on its first day and gained significant momentum over the weekend, accumulating around ₹60 crore by Sunday. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh praised the film’s consistent run in urban centres, noting on social media, "Sitaare Zameen Par maintains a steady grip at key urban centres on its first working day, following an excellent weekend. Monday’s figures look strong when compared to Friday, but given the sharp rise over the weekend, a double-digit Monday would’ve been ideal." Directed by RS Prasanna, the film stars Aamir Khan alongside Genelia Deshmukh, Brijendra Kala, Dolly Ahluwalia, and ten debutant neurodivergent actors in key roles. In a review for NDTV, film critic Saibal Chatterjee awarded the film 3.5 out of 5 stars, stating, "Sitaare Zameen Par blends humour, emotion, and the high energy of a physically demanding sport to portray the resilience of the human spirit in the face of physical, psychological, and societal challenges." With a strong five-day total and consistent weekday earnings, Sitaare Zameen Par is expected to maintain momentum as it enters the second half of its opening week. Source NDTV

After the record-breaking success of Pushpa 2, Allu Arjun has begun work on his next major project, this time under the direction of blockbuster filmmaker Atlee. The much-anticipated film, being produced on a massive scale with extensive use of VFX, began shooting its first schedule in Mumbai on the 12th of this month. The latest reports reveal that this schedule will span three months, making it the longest outdoor schedule of Allu Arjun’s career. The shoot is crucial for the film’s action sequences and is taking place on a specially built, massive set.  According to Asianet News, director Atlee asked his production design team to construct a set capable of handling all the major scenes. The set has been built using blue matte technology and is equipped with state-of-the-art cameras, making it suitable for extensive AI-enhanced post-production. This film marks the 22nd in Allu Arjun’s career and the sixth for Atlee, who has delivered several major hits, including Jawan. The film is being produced by Sun Pictures, a well-known Tamil production banner. Tere Naam look inspired by former president: Salman Khan In a unique turn, Allu Arjun will be seen portraying three different roles in the film, which is said to explore a parallel universe. One of these characters is reportedly an animated figure. Earlier reports had pegged the budget of the film at a massive ₹800 crore. Of this, ₹250 crore is being allocated to the overall production cost, with ₹200 crore specifically designated for shooting. Notably, Sun Pictures is investing ₹250 crore solely for VFX, which is being handled by top Hollywood studios. Director Atlee is charging ₹100 crore for his sixth film, while Allu Arjun will receive ₹175 crore as remuneration, along with 15 percent of the profits. It is learnt that Atlee is planning the project as a pan-Indian release, aiming to draw global attention. With its star power, high production values, and cutting-edge technology, the film is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious projects in Indian cinema.

Dhallywood megastar Shakib Khan conveyed his heartfelt gratitude to the audiences for rallying behind his Eid-ul-Azha release ‘Taandob’ despite its early piracy, and vowed strong stance against piracy in the industry at the special screening of the film held on Sunday night at Star Cineplex’s Sony Square branch in the capital. Shakib joined the cast and crew to watch the film alongside his co-actress and the debutant Sabila Nur, the film’s producer Shahriar Shakil, director Raihan Rafi, co-producer and Chorki CEO Redoan Rony, and the rest of the cast and crew of the film, journalists and renowned media personalities. Despite being one of the most hyped films of this Eid, ‘Taandob’ fell victim to online piracy just a week into its release. However, audiences across the country have continued to flock to theatres, rejecting pirated copies and demonstrating strong support for local cinema. Addressing the press before the screening, Shakib Khan condemned the piracy, calling it a deliberate attack on the country’s cultural progress. “A vested quarter circulated pirated copies of 'Taandob', yet our audience has given a bold response; they said no to piracy and came to theatres to watch the film, and I’m truly grateful for this love,” he said. Ali Fazal Exclusive: "Mirzapur Is Only Growing, I'm Glad People Connect With It" Calling cinema one of the most powerful cultural mediums, Shakib expressed concern over the repeated targeting of major local releases. “We’ve seen this before with films like ‘Borbaad’, and now ‘Taandob’ which was pirated just within a week. It’s clear that when a film starts to succeed globally, it’s being sabotaged,” he added. Despite the setback, he noted that ‘Taandob’ continues to run housefull shows at many theatres, calling it a sign of the growing awareness and loyalty among Bangladeshi moviegoers. “We must all be vocal against piracy. The way audiences are showing up even after the leak proves we’re united. With this support, we’ll push back against those trying to destroy our film industry,” Shakib said. He also thanked law enforcement for arresting three individuals allegedly involved in the piracy. “They’ve taken quick action, and investigations are ongoing to find the main culprits. Those who act against our cultural interests must be held accountable,” he stated. Speaking at the event alongside Shakib Khan, producer of the film Shahriar Shakil remarked, “The audience has rejected pirated versions and embraced the theatrical experience. That is the strongest message we could hope for.” According to the Facebook-based Bangla Movie Review-BMR, ‘Taandob’ has made a grand total of 9.05 crore taka in 16 days, and Shakil also announced the film as a ‘Blockbuster’ at the special screening. ‘Taandob’ is a joint production of SVF Alpha-i Entertainment Ltd and OTT platform Chorki, with support from Deepto TV. The story of the film revolves around an attack made on a private television channel which leads to unfold several socio-political issues such as unemployment, exploitation of power, enforced disappearance and extrajudicial killing.    

Marking a significant moment in Dhanush’s film career, ‘Kuberaa’ has sparked fresh conversations across the industry. Released on June 20, 2025, this political thriller film has quickly ignited interest among fans and analysts alike. With growing buzz around its storyline and star power, its box office journey is drawing widespread attention. Let’s explore how this much-anticipated release is performing where it matters most – at the ticket counters. About Kuberaa Starring Dhanush, this crime drama boasts the directorial mark of Sekhar Kammula. He also co-wrote its screenplay with Chaithanya Pingali. Backed by Amigos Creations and Sree Venkateswara Cinemas LLP, the movie was simultaneously shot in Tamil and Telugu. In this star-studded production, Dhanush’s co-stars were Nagarjuna, Rashmika Mandanna, Jim Sarbh, Sunaina, Dalip Tahil, and Nassar. Devi Sri Prasad’s music intensifies the emotional and dramatic arcs. Notably, Dhanush lent his voice to the catchy track ‘Poyiraa Mama’ in Telugu and its Tamil counterpart ‘Poyivaa Nanba’. Read more: Amazon Prime Video Originals' Lineup For July 2025 The plot centres on a beggar’s transformation as he navigates moral complexities in his pursuit of wealth. The digital streaming rights were secured by the renowned OTT, Amazon Prime Video. Kuberaa’s Box Office Performance A steady and confident start at the box office marked the arrival of ‘Kuberaa’. It opens with a solid Rs 14.75 crore India net on Day 1. The film’s momentum was primarily driven by its performance in the Tamil and Telugu markets. Telugu audiences contributed Rs 10 crore, while the Tamil version followed with Rs 4.5 crore. According to Sacnilk, the movie recorded a global first-day collection of Rs 27.50 crore. This marked the highest opening for Dhanush in his career, surpassing ‘Raayan’ (2024), which had debuted at Rs 23 crore. ‘Kuberaa’s Day 1 record included Rs 14.75 crore from the Indian net market and Rs 10.15 crore from overseas territories. Smaller contributions came from Kannada (Rs 2 lakh) and Hindi (Rs 23 lakh) versions, underscoring its broad release strategy. A positive trend continued into Saturday, with an additional Rs 17.75 crore added to the tally. Read more: Netflix Originals July 2025 Lineup: Top 10 Must-Watch Titles The latest update adds a new figure, USD 2.20 million (Rs 19 crore), from overseas markets to the title. This brings the worldwide total to Rs 53.75 crore. Made on a Rs 120 crore budget, it is now firmly on track. The global earnings are expected to near Rs 80 crore within three days. Nationwide Occupancy Rates Strong regional turnout played a vital role in shaping the theatrical success of ‘Kuberaa’ over the weekend. The significant momentum came from Telugu-speaking territories, where packed theatres became a common sight by Saturday. Telugu screenings recorded an overall occupancy of 66.19%. Night shows surged further, touching an impressive 83.67%. Tamil audiences responded with moderate enthusiasm. The version maintained a 35.89% occupancy, which strengthened during the evening and night slots. In the Hindi belt, initial footfall was slow but showed promise by the end of the day. From a 4.68% occupancy in the morning, it climbed steadily to reach 19.91% by night, averaging at 10.87%. Location-specific data painted a clearer picture of regional engagement. For Tamil, Chennai led with 48%, followed by Dindigul, Mumbai, Trichy, and Vellore. Telugu saw the highest turnout come from NCR at 78.50%, closely followed by Mahbubnagar, Mumbai, Chennai, and Hyderabad. Read more: June 2025 South Indian Film Slate: Top 12 Pan-Indian Releases Verdict ‘Kuberaa’ draws a wide audience nationwide, thanks to the stardom of Dhanush, Nagarjuna, and Rashmika Mandanna. This Sekhar Kammula-directed film offers yet another showcase of Dhanush's singing prowess. Building on the record first-day momentum, Saturday maintained strong performance and pushed the total higher. Regional occupancy rates, especially in the Telugu zone, played a key role in driving footfall. This strong local response has significantly boosted the film’s theatrical performance and overall gross earnings.

Actor Salman Khan has revealed that his iconic look in the 2003 film Tere Naam was inspired by none other than former Indian President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. Known for setting fashion trends with his hairstyles and outfits, Salman’s long hair parted down the middle in Tere Naam became one of his most memorable looks. While appearing as the first guest on Season 3 of The Great Indian Kapil Show on Netflix, the actor shared an interesting anecdote about the inspiration behind the look,reported Hindustan Times. Makers Of The Raja Saab Warns About "Serious Action" Over Leaked Teaser Of Prabhas's Film (My hair in Tere Naam is inspired by Abdul Kalam sir, even Rahul Roy had the same hairstyle. I thought a small town hero would have long hair like this. The yesteryear heroes all had long hair, which inspired me.) In Tere Naam, Salman played Radhe Mohan, a jobless rowdy youth with a strong sense of justice, a character far removed from the dignified figure of Dr. Kalam. The contrast, however, adds a unique depth to the film’s cultural legacy. The third season of The Great Indian Kapil Show premiered on June 21 with Salman Khan as the opening episode's guest.

Fans eagerly waiting for the sequel to Son of Sardaar were in for a surprise as Ajay Devgn took to social media on Thursday to announce the release date of his upcoming action comedy, Son of Sardaar 2. “Sardaar is back!” the actor declared, sharing the poster on his X account. “The Return of the Sardaar  #SOS2 in cinemas near you on 25th July,” he wrote. The poster shows Ajay sporting a turban, standing atop two army tanks, confidently twirling his moustache. Directed by Vijay Kumar Arora, Son of Sardaar 2 features Mrunal Thakur in the lead alongside Ajay. Unlike the original 2012 film which starred Sonakshi Sinha, the sequel is reportedly starting afresh rather than continuing the earlier storyline, according to HT. Akshay Kumar's controversy with Paresh Rawal: "Whatever is happening, is happening in front of you" The film has been surrounded by controversy from the outset. According to Pinkvilla, actor Vijay Raaz was removed from the project due to unprofessional behaviour. Additionally, Sanjay Dutt, who was originally cast to play Jassi opposite Ajay’s Billu, was reportedly dropped over visa issues. He has been replaced by actor Ravi Kishan. Meanwhile, Ajay is also gearing up for the release of Maa, a film he has co-produced, starring his wife Kajol. Directed by Vishal Furia, the film sees Kajol as a fiercely protective mother defending her daughter from mysterious forces. Maa is set to hit theatres on June 27. Ajay was last seen in Raid 2, reprising his role as IRS officer Amay Patnaik.

Paresh Rawal’s abrupt departure from Hera Pheri 3 has deeply disappointed fans of the popular film series. Although viewers were eager to see him return as Baburao, Rawal had previously described the character as a “gale ka fanda” (a noose around the neck) during an interview with The Lallantop, suggesting his hesitation to reprise the role. Meanwhile, Akshay Kumar, who is currently engaged in promoting his upcoming film Kannappa, addressed the ongoing controversy. He expressed confidence that things will eventually work out, reassuring fans that he believes everything will turn out well. What's Happening· Akshay Kumar shared fresh insights regarding Hera Pheri 3 and the ongoing conflict with Paresh Rawal. · In an interview with Pinkvilla, he said, “Whatever is happening is unfolding in front of everyone. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. I hope everything turns out well. It definitely will—I’m sure of it.” The Raja Saab creative producer claims there was a negative campaign against prabhas's film What Paresh Rawal's Public Withdrawl From Hera Pheri 3 Resulted inParesh Rawal’s departure from the project prompted Akshay Kumar’s production house, Cape of Good Cinema, to file a ₹25 crore lawsuit against him. The suit was based on Rawal initially committing to the film but later causing disruption to the project’s schedule and planning due to his abrupt exit. As the situation escalated into a legal dispute, Rawal eventually returned the signing amount he had received for Hera Pheri 3, along with interest. Paresh Rawal On Not Wanting To Repeat Previous MistakesParesh Rawal has repeatedly stated in multiple interviews that he was dissatisfied with the way Phir Hera Pheri (2006) deviated from the original brand of humour the franchise was known for. Citing this concern, he insisted on reading the script before agreeing to be part of Hera Pheri 3. Source: NDTV

Sreenivas Kumar Naidu (SKN), the creative producer of Prabhas’s upcoming horror fantasy film The Raja Saab, claimed on Monday that a producer from the Telugu film industry had attempted to sabotage the project during its initial stages. Speaking at the teaser launch event in Hyderabad, SKN refrained from naming the individual but alleged that a Tollywood producer ran a deliberate negative campaign against the film when shooting began. “I know very well how a producer tried to malign the film in its early days. But just wait — that same person will soon start praising the film,” SKN said at the event. Directed by Maruthi and produced by People Media Factory, The Raja Saab is scheduled for release on December 5. SKN expressed unwavering confidence in the project’s potential and Prabhas’s performance. Makers Of The Raja Saab Warns About "Serious Action" Over Leaked Teaser Of Prabhas's Film “Everyone who doubted this film will change their opinion. Audiences will get to see the ‘rebel god’ version of Prabhas they’ve been missing for the last ten years,” he added. He also lauded Prabhas for his commitment to the film despite early criticism. “This movie became possible only because Prabhas gave it his all, ignoring the negativity,” SKN noted. Reflecting on his own journey, SKN shared how Prabhas’s trust in him helped him stay motivated during challenging times. “I often questioned why he believed in me so much. But then I reminded myself that I didn’t come to Hyderabad to give up,” he said. SKN also spoke about his long-standing friendship with director Maruthi, which spans over two decades. “Just like a wife understands her husband best, only a friend can truly know another friend’s potential,” he remarked. The Raja Saab has generated significant buzz in Tollywood, especially after the recent teaser release. The film features Prabhas in a mass avatar, the kind that earned him the moniker ‘rebel star’, and fans are eagerly anticipating his return to such a role. The film also stars Nidhhi Agerwal, Malavika Mohanan, Riddhi Kumar, and Sanjay Dutt. Last week, the teaser was leaked online, prompting the makers to issue a warning and vow strict action against those responsible for the breach. Source: NDTV  

The live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon had a strong lift-off at the box office this weekend, earning an impressive $83.7 million in its North American debut, according to Comscore’s Sunday estimates. Directed by Dean DeBlois, who returns to the franchise, the film follows the story of Hiccup (played by Mason Thames), a young Viking, and his unlikely bond with the dragon Toothless. The movie outperformed the 2019 animated installment, The Hidden World, which debuted with $55 million. Internationally, the film brought in an additional $114.1 million, pushing its global earnings to $197.8 million. “This is a prime example of a live-action remake fulfilling the promise of its promotional campaign,” said Paul Dergarabedian, a senior analyst at Comscore. “Summer releases like this continue to perform exceptionally well.” The film dethroned Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, which had been No. 1 for three consecutive weekends. The hybrid live-action version of the animated classic earned another $15 million, raising its domestic total to over $386.3 million. In third place was Materialists, a modern romantic comedy set in New York and starring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans. It debuted with $12 million and centers on a savvy matchmaker entangled between a struggling actor ex and a wealthy new suitor. Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning came in fourth with $10.3 million, just holding on to double digits. Ballerina, a spinoff of the John Wick franchise starring Ana de Armas and featuring Keanu Reeves in a supporting role, earned $9.4 million to land in fifth place. Despite good reviews, it has yet to break out, though analysts suggest it could follow the slow-burn success of the original John Wick after streaming. Other notable entries in the top 10 included: 6th: Karate Kid: Legends – $5 million 7th: Final Destination: Bloodlines – $3.9 million 8th: The Phoenician Scheme – $3 million 9th: The Life of Chuck – $2.1 million 10th: Sinners – $1.4 million, notable for still drawing audiences two months after release and while being available for home streaming Overall, the 2025 box office is currently 23% ahead of this time last year. Dergarabedian expressed optimism for upcoming summer releases like Eilo, F1, Superman, and 28 Days Later to keep momentum strong. Weekend Top 10 (Domestic Box Office Estimates): How to Train Your Dragon – $83.7M Lilo & Stitch – $15.5M Materialists – $12M Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning – $10.3M Ballerina – $9.4M Karate Kid: Legends – $5M Final Destination: Bloodlines – $3.9M The Phoenician Scheme – $3M The Life of Chuck – $2.1M Sinners – $1.4M

Matthew McConaughey and “True Detective” creator Nic Pizzolatto are reuniting for another epic detective story, a feature film adaptation of the iconic private investigator Mike Hammer. McConaughey is in talks to lead the Skydance film based on the bestselling crime novels by Mickey Spillane and Max Allan Collins, with Pizzolatto writing the screenplay. According to Variety, the project marks the pair’s first major collaboration since the acclaimed first season of HBO’s “True Detective” in 2014. Skydance has acquired the rights to the Mike Hammer franchise and is developing the adaptation as a high-profile crime thriller. The film will be produced by Skydance’s David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger, along with Guymon Casady of Entertainment 360. Benjamin Forkner and Ken F Levin are also producing, with Collins as executive producer and Jane Spillane as co-producer. Carin Sage will oversee the project for Skydance. How Johnny Depp once earned $10m per minute, outshining Hollywood’s top stars McConaughey recently returned to acting after a six-year break with “The Rivals of Amziah King”, and will next star in Apple TV+’s “The Lost Bus” alongside America Ferrera. “I needed to write my own story, direct my own story on the page,” he said earlier this year, reflecting on his time away from the screen. Pizzolatto, a multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominee, is known for his literary and television work, including his recent directorial debut “Easy’s Waltz” and a Netflix project in development. Pizzolatto is represented by WME, Gillett Management, Eric Brooks of Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher.