United News of Bangladesh

Actor Shahana Goswami has expressed deep disappointment over the Central Board of Film Certification’s (CBFC) decision to block the theatrical release of Santosh in India. Despite receiving international acclaim and being the UK’s official entry for the 97th Academy Awards, the Sandhya Suri-directed film faces censorship hurdles in its home country.  Goswami finds the decision particularly disheartening as the film’s narrative is deeply rooted in India. “It’s upsetting that audiences here — where the film is set — won’t get to watch it. Given its appreciation at international and Indian film festivals, it is unfortunate that it cannot have a theatrical release,” she said.  The film, which premiered at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in 2024, is already available online for Indian viewers. However, the makers had hoped for a wider theatrical release, which now appears uncertain unless a resolution is reached.  “The censor board has provided a list of changes required for approval, but as a team, we do not agree with the cuts,” Goswami stated.  Will Smith reflects on personal growth through music in 'Based on a True Story' Although she refrained from detailing the CBFC’s objections, reports suggest concerns over the film’s portrayal of Islamophobia, misogyny, and police brutality. With inputs from Indian media

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 star Salman Khan made a heartfelt gesture at the trailer launch of his upcoming film, Sikandar, by bringing along his 89-year-old father, veteran screenwriter Salim Khan. The event, held in Mumbai on Sunday evening, saw Salman assisting his father as they arrived at the venue. In a touching moment, Salman was seen walking closely beside Salim, offering support as they climbed the stairs. Surrounded by paparazzi, the actor ensured his father’s comfort and safety. Dressed elegantly in a blue blazer over a deep blue shirt with matching trousers, Salman looked dapper as he attended the launch. He was joined on stage by his co-stars Rashmika Mandanna and Kajal Aggarwal, along with director AR Murugadoss. The actor engaged with the media and even delighted the audience by singing Lag Ja Gale on popular request. A portion of the song, featuring Salman and Rashmika, is included in the film’s soundtrack. The trailer presents Salman in a larger-than-life action role, portraying a character on a mission to dismantle a crime syndicate in Mumbai. Rashmika plays his love interest in the film, which is set for a theatrical release on March 30. BJP highlights real story behind John Abraham’s 'The Diplomat' Meanwhile, Salim Khan, an iconic figure in Indian cinema, is best known for his work with Javed Akhtar as part of the legendary screenwriting duo Salim-Javed. Their journey was chronicled in the docuseries Angry Young Men, released last year on Prime Video. With inputs from Indian media

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has shared its appreciation for John Abraham’s latest film, The Diplomat, which portrays a real-life diplomatic mission led by India. Abraham plays the role of JP Singh, an Indian diplomat who played a pivotal role in rescuing an Indian woman, Uzma Ahmed, from Pakistan. The BJP’s official Twitter handle has now shared a detailed thread explaining the real incident behind the film. The party highlighted how India’s diplomatic strength was demonstrated in May 2017 under the Narendra Modi-led government when Uzma Ahmed was rescued from a forced marriage in Pakistan. The operation was led by the late External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj and diplomat JP Singh. “This real-life operation showcased swift governance, ensuring Uzma’s safe return,” the BJP stated. Yash’s ‘Toxic’ to release on March 2026, set for box office clash with ‘Love & War’ Uzma Ahmed’s ordeal began when she was deceived by a Pakistani man in Malaysia, who lured her to Pakistan under false pretences. Once there, she was drugged, forcibly married at gunpoint, and held captive in Buner, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Recounting her experience upon her return to India, Uzma described Pakistan as a “well of death” and warned, “It is easy to enter Pakistan, but difficult to return.” Trapped in Pakistan, Uzma found a way to trick her captor, Ali, by convincing him to take her to the Indian High Commission under the pretext of collecting dowry. Once inside, she confided in Deputy High Commissioner JP Singh, who took immediate action. He informed EAM Sushma Swaraj, who confirmed Uzma’s Indian citizenship and firmly declared, “Even if we have to keep her at the High Commission for a year or two, we will.” Despite facing legal hurdles, JP Singh played a crucial role in navigating Pakistan’s legal system, which required a husband’s permission for a woman to leave the country. The Islamabad High Court ruled in Uzma’s favour on May 24, 2017. The following day, she crossed the Wagah Border, finally ending her three-week ordeal and marking a significant diplomatic success for India. The BJP underscored that Uzma’s rescue demonstrated the Modi government’s commitment to safeguarding Indian citizens abroad, regardless of their background. Sushma Swaraj’s decisive diplomacy and JP Singh’s swift intervention ensured Uzma’s safe return. Upon reaching India, a relieved Uzma stated, “I am proud to be Indian. Sushma madam saved me; they could have sold me!” The BJP’s Twitter thread concluded by highlighting India’s unwavering commitment to its citizens, citing past evacuations such as Ukraine and reiterating Sushma Swaraj’s famous words: “Even if you are stuck on Mars, the Indian Embassy will help you.” Released on March 14, The Diplomat has received positive reviews from both critics and audiences, earning Rs 4.03 crore on its opening day at the domestic box office. With inputs from Indian media

Kannada superstar Yash has finally unveiled the release date for his much-anticipated action film, Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups. The film is set to hit cinemas on March 19, 2026, setting up a major box office clash with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love & War, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal.  Yash announced the release date via Instagram on Saturday, sharing a striking new poster. The image features him in an all-black outfit, wielding a gun while striding through a rain-soaked battlefield engulfed in flames. Priyanka Chopra becomes India’s highest-paid actress with Rs30cr fee Interestingly, Toxic will see Yash face off at the box office against his Ramayana co-star Ranbir Kapoor. Love & War, scheduled for release on March 20, 2026, remains shrouded in secrecy regarding its plot.  About the Project  Directed by Geetu Mohandas, Toxic is being filmed in both Kannada and English to appeal to a wider global audience. It will also be dubbed in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and several other languages. The film is jointly produced by Venkat K Narayana and Yash under KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations.  The film also marks Kiara Advani’s Kannada debut, with a stellar ensemble cast including Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria, Achyut Kumar, and Akshay Oberoi. With inputs from Indian media

Abhishek Bachchan recently won the Best Actor award for his role in I Want to Talk at a News18 event, but it was his humorous interaction with Arjun Kapoor that stole the show. After receiving the award, Abhishek thanked director Shoojit Sircar and his co-stars. He expressed, "This is my first-ever Best Actor Award. I'd like to thank the esteemed jury - it's an honour that you find me worthy of this award. But the credit for this performance has to go entirely to Shoojit (Sircar) da. He's made such a wonderful film. I'd like to share this with my wonderful daughters in the film, Ahilya and Pearl, who were just absolutely brilliant. They made me look good in the film. To my fellow actors and makers in this room: Your work inspires me, and I am in awe of all of you. Please continue doing what you do. You inspire me to wake up every morning and try to be the best version of myself." Hollywood director arrested for swindling Netflix out of $11 million The mood lightened when Arjun Kapoor jokingly asked, "Kaun hai woh insaan jo jab kehte hain, 'Abhishek, I want to talk,' toh aap stress mein aa jate hain?" implying that someone’s “I want to talk” call makes Abhishek nervous. Abhishek, with his usual wit, responded, "Tumhari shaadi nahi hui hai na abhi tak... jab ho jaayegi, you'll have an answer for that," which had the audience laughing. He then added humorously, "When you get a call from the missus and she says, 'I want to talk,' you know you're in trouble, yeah." Rumours about Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s potential divorce have been circulating for some time, fueled by their separate arrivals at a high-profile wedding in July and a social media post where Abhishek liked a discussion on “grey divorces.” However, the couple has not confirmed or denied these speculations. Abhishek and Aishwarya, who have been married since April 2007 and share a daughter, Aaradhya, continue to keep their personal life private. Professionally, the couple has starred together in several films, including Dhai Akshar Prem Ke (2000), Kuch Naa Kaho (2003), Dhoom 2 (2006), Umrao Jaan (2006), Guru (2007), Sarkar Raj (2008), and Raavan (2010). Source: NDTV

In a case that has sent shockwaves through Hollywood and the global entertainment industry, director Carl Erik Rinsch has been arrested on charges of swindling Netflix out of $11 million (approximately Tk 121 crore) for a sci-fi series that never aired. Rinsch, who is best known for directing the 2013 film 47 Ronin, is facing charges of wire fraud and money laundering after allegedly misusing the funds meant for his unfinished show White Horse. The Allegations According to U.S. federal prosecutors, Netflix had initially paid around $44 million (Tk 484 crore) for the project. However, Rinsch later requested an additional $11 million (Tk 121 crore), claiming he needed the funds to complete the series. Instead of using the money for production, prosecutors allege that Rinsch diverted the funds into high-risk investments and luxury spending. Court documents reveal that Rinsch transferred a significant portion of the money into a personal brokerage account, where he made a series of unsuccessful investments, losing about half of the funds within two months. He then shifted the remaining amount into cryptocurrency investments, which turned out to be lucrative. However, rather than reinvesting in the production, Rinsch allegedly transferred the earnings into a personal bank account and embarked on an extravagant spending spree. Lavish Spending Spree The indictment details Rinsch’s alleged misuse of funds, including: ·         Tk 19.8 crore ($1.8 million) in credit card payments, ·         Tk 11 crore ($1 million) on legal fees to sue Netflix for more money, ·         Tk 40.7 crore ($3.7 million) on luxury furniture and antiques, ·         Tk 26.4 crore ($2.4 million) on a fleet of Rolls-Royces and a Ferrari, ·         Tk 7.2 crore ($652,000) on designer watches and clothing. Authorities arrested the 47-year-old filmmaker in West Hollywood on Tuesday. He is expected to appear in a federal court in California, while his indictment was filed in New York. Netflix’s Response Netflix has declined to comment on the allegations. However, the case has raised concerns over financial oversight and due diligence in Hollywood’s high-stakes entertainment industry.  

Warner Bros has revised its film release schedule, shifting the launch dates of several highly anticipated titles, including Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest project starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Now officially titled One Battle After Another, Anderson’s American crime thriller has been moved from August 8 to September 26. Insiders say the adjustment allows time for US cinemas to install VistaVision projection systems to match the director’s vision, according to Variety. Additionally, the new date positions the film closer to the awards season, a strategy that has benefited previous auteur-driven releases such as Gravity and A Star is Born. ‘Mickey 17’ targets $18M-$20M US debut, earns B CinemaScore The film stars DiCaprio alongside Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro, Regina Hall, and Teyana Taylor. Additionally, Warner Bros Animation’s The Cat in the Hat, featuring Bill Hader and Quinta Brunson, will now arrive on February 27 next year, two weeks ahead of schedule.

The High Court on Wednesday directed the issuance of a certification for the film, The Remand, which is based on the anti-discrimination student movement. A HC bench of Justice Md Akram Hossain Chowdhury and Justice KM Rasheduzzaman Raja passed the order and issued a rule following a preliminary hearing of a writ petition. Lawyer Md Gias Uddin Chowdhury represented the petitioner in the court. Lawyer Gias Uddin said that the high court ordered the issuance of the certification certificate within three days. Earlier, the film's producer and director, Syed Belayet Hossain Belal, had filed a writ petition. The writ named the Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Vice Chairman, and the Deputy Director of the Bangladesh Film Certification Board as defendants. Directed by Ashrafur Rahman, The Remand features actors Zakia Bari Mamo, Parvez Abir Chowdhury, Salha Khanam Nadia, Lutfur Rahman George, and others. After completing production, the film was submitted to the Bangladesh Film Certification Board and previewed on December 30. However, the authorities have not granted permission for its screening, and despite sending two legal notices, no response has been received. Consequently, the petitioner filed the writ seeking a court order to release the film within three days. Producer Belal said that the film is a historical document that aims to preserve the memory of the heroic sacrifices made by students and the public during the July uprising. He explained that after the film's screening process was completed on December 30, the law mandates that any anti-state content must be notified within seven days. Since no letter or notification has been issued by the authorities and no discussions have taken place, he urged that the certification be granted immediately so the film can be released by the Film Certification Board.  

Following riots in Nagpur after protests against Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb's tomb, a curfew was imposed in the city. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assured the public that authorities were managing the situation and noted that the recent Bollywood blockbuster Chhaava had stirred emotions against the Mughal ruler. This led to widespread criticism of the film and its team on social media, with many accusing director Laxman Utekar and lead actor Vicky Kaushal of inciting hatred against Aurangzeb and, by extension, minority communities.  On Twitter (now X), several users blamed Vicky for allegedly promoting ‘majoritarian hatred’ through the film. However, his fans quickly came to his defence, arguing that he was being unfairly targeted.  Supporters of the actor dismissed the criticism, asserting that an actor should not be held accountable for a film’s tone. “The outrage over Chhaava is misplaced! Vicky Kaushal’s brilliant portrayal of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj is a tribute to art. As liberals, we shouldn’t scapegoat actors for doing their jobs. Let’s celebrate cinema instead of blaming it,” one user wrote.  Aamir Khan steps out with girlfriend Gauri in first public appearance post relationship confirmation Another remarked, “The violence in Nagpur is deeply unfortunate, but blaming Vicky Kaushal for it is completely unfair. He is an actor playing a historical character in a film that went through multiple approvals before release. If the movie has triggered strong reactions, discussions should focus on historical interpretation and governance, not an individual performer.”  Some also pointed out that the film did not demonise Aurangzeb. “Chhaava actually portrays Sambhaji as being betrayed by his own people, not the Mughals,” a tweet noted.  Directed by Laxman Utekar, Chhaava is a historical biopic of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, who resisted Mughal rule in the 17th century. Vicky Kaushal stars as the Maratha warrior, while Akshaye Khanna plays Aurangzeb. April 2025 Hindi Films Lineup: Top 10 Most Hyped Bollywood Releases The film, which also features Rashmika Mandanna, Divya Dutta, Ashutosh Rana, and Vineet Kumar Singh, received mixed to positive reviews but emerged as a box office success, earning Rs 764 crore worldwide, including Rs 565 crore in India.With inputs from Indian media