United News of Bangladesh

Filming on the Western movie “Rust” could resume this week in Montana, the production copany said Wednesday, in the aftermath of the fatal shooting of a cinematographer during a rehearsal with actor Alec Baldwin on the original production in New Mexico. Baldwin will continue his involvement as an actor and coproducer, and Rust Move Productions attorney Melina Spadone said via a representative that filming will restart Thursday at the Yellowstone Film Ranch. The production company finalized a settlement last month with New Mexico workplace safety regulars over “serious” violations, agreeing to a $100,000 fine to resolve a scathing safety review that detailed unheeded complaints and misfires on set before cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed in October 2021. Also read: Alec Baldwin to be charged with manslaughter in set shooting Plans to resume filming were outlined last year by widower Matthew Hutchins in a proposed settlement to a wrongful death lawsuit that would make him an executive producer on a rebooted “Rust.” Prosecutors in Santa Fe are pressing forward with involuntary manslaughter charges against actor Baldwin and a weapons supervisor Hannah Gutierrez-Reed. Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed have pleaded not guilty. Baldwin was pointing a pistol at Hutchins during a rehearsal when the gun when off, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza. Baldwin has said the gun went off accidentally and that he did not pull the trigger. An FBI forensic report found the weapon could not have fired unless the trigger was pulled. New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham this month signed a new $360,000 allowance for prosecution of the case. Evidentiary hearings are scheduled in early May in state District Court to decide whether to proceed toward trial. Baldwin has indicated that he won't attend those hearings. Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies says her office is pursuing justice in the death of Hutchins and wants to show that no one is above the law when it comes to firearms and public safety. She says the Ukrainian-born cinematographer’s death was tragic and preventable. “Rust” safety coordinator and assistant director David Halls pleaded no contest in March to a conviction for unsafe handling of a firearm and a suspended sentence of six months of probation. Souza, the director, has said he'll return to the “Rust” production to honor the legacy of Halyna Hutchins. Parts of a documentary about Hutchins' life will be filmed simultaneously with “Rust.”

Bongo BD is releasing the Bangla dubbed version of the popular South Indian film ‘Mersal’. ‘Mersal’ is an action packed romantic movie featuring Vijay Thalapathy, Samantha, Nithya Menon and Kajal Aggarwal. The movie, which has garnered critical acclaim and mass appeal in the south, is now set to enthrall audiences in Bangladesh with its unique storyline, powerful performances and stunning visuals, according to a Bongo BD media release. As the leading OTT platform in Bangladesh, Bongo BD has always strived to bring the best entertainment to its viewers. With the release of ‘Mersal’ in Bangla, Bongo aims to further their commitment to providing top-quality content to Bangladeshi audiences, it said. ‘Mersal’ tells the story of a doctor, played by Vijay, who sets out to expose the corruption in the medical industry. With a mix of action, drama and romance, the movie is a complete package of entertainment that will keep you hooked till the very end, it read. The Bangla dubbed version of ‘Mersal’ will be available exclusively on Bongo BD from April 21, it added.

After fasting for a month during Ramadan, the biggest religious festival for Muslims, Eid-ul-Fitr, arrives. Along with the celebrations, the occasion also brings new hopes and excitement to the entertainment and film industry of Bangladesh. Every year, filmmakers target this festive season to release their big-budget movies, featuring top stars and promising storylines. Eid-ul-Fitr 2023 is no exception. With a lineup of much-awaited movies, Dhallywood and Bangla OTT platforms are all set to entertain their audiences. From action thrillers to romantic dramas, this year's Eid releases promise to cater to a diverse range of tastes. Here's a look at the upcoming Bangladeshi movies that will hit the theaters during Eid-ul-Fitr. 6 Most Anticipated Bangladeshi Movies Releasing on Eid-Ul-Fitr 2023 Leader: Amie Bangladesh Bangladeshi film enthusiasts have been waiting for months for the release of "Leader: Amie Bangladesh." Directed by Topu Khan, the movie features popular actors Shakib Khan and Shobnom Bubly. Directed by Topu Khan, the film is his first directorial venture, and it has been produced by Syed Ashik Rahman, director of Bengal Multimedia. Though started in February 2021, the film’s shooting was halted due to the pandemic. The movie's production was finally wrapped up in October 2022. After getting clearance from the Censor Board, the film is now ready for release. The movie's first look poster was unveiled in May 2021 at a press conference, and a 51-second teaser was released on National Film Day on April 3, 2023. The film is now set to be released during the upcoming Eid ul Fitr in 2023. Read More: Govt allows import of foreign films on five conditions Jinn Jinn, an upcoming Bangladeshi psycho-thriller film, is finally set to hit the theaters after multiple attempts to release it. Directed by Nader Chowdhury and co-produced by Abdul Aziz and Alimullah Khokon under the banner of Jaaz Multimedia, the film features a star-studded cast including Puja Cherry, Ziaul Roshan, Shajal, Jannatun Nur Moon, and Shahid un Nabi in important roles. The story of the film, penned by Abdul Aziz, revolves around the lives of Rafsan, a professional photographer portrayed by Shajal, and his wife Monalisa, played by Puja Cherry.  The film’s shooting began in August 2019, and after numerous delays, it is now scheduled to release in the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr 2023. With Saiful Shahin behind the camera, Mohammad Kalam handling the editing, and Javed Ahmed Kislu composing the music, Jinn promises a gripping cinematic experience for Bangladeshi moviegoers. Read More: May 2023 New Releases: Netflix Original English Movies, Series Kill Him Fans of Bangladeshi cinema can look forward to the release of the action-thriller film "Kill Him" in 2023, featuring popular actors Ananta Jalil and Afiea Nusrat Barsha in lead roles. Directed and produced by Mohammad Iqbal under the banner of Sunan Movies, the film promises to be an exciting addition to the Dhallywood film industry.  In the film, the intense action sequences of Ananta and Rubel will entertain the audience. Fans were recently given a sneak peek of what's to come, as Ananta unveiled the poster of "Kill Him" on 10 April 2023. The film is expected to hit theaters on Eid-ul-Fitr this year. This film marks the first film of Ananta and Barsha outside of their own productions. Read More: True story behind Rani Mukerji’s latest film “Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway”

Nurul Alam Atique's “Pyara Subash” or “The Scent of Sin” has made it to the competition category in the 45th edition of the Moscow International Film Festival, according to the official website and Facebook page of the festival.“Pyara Subash” is one of the 12 films in the competition category. There are also films from Argentina, Russia, China, France, and Japan in this category.Jaya Ahsan played the lead role in the film while Tariq Anam Khan, and Ahmed Rubel, among others, have played as other lead characters.The 45th edition of the Moscow International Film Festival will take place from April 20 to 27.Bangladeshi film “Adim” was also on the list of competition sections in the last edition of the film festival.

Actor Zayed Khan's membership in the Bangladesh Film Artists Association was suspended during a meeting held today. The media was informed about it in a press conference at the FDC premises. According to Simon Sadiq, the reason behind this suspension was Zayed Khan's remarks against the constitution and the president and general secretary of the Bangladesh Film Artists Association on various platforms. Simon stated, "He had taken oath from the president of the current committee on a fake paper and had made false and insulting statements against the current general secretary of the committee in various media, which goes against the constitution of the organisation. We sent him a letter requesting him to respond to these allegations as per the constitution, but he did not respond within the given timeframe." In response to the letter, Zayed Khan wrote, "I was out of the country for professional reasons from February 19 to March 6, and during that time, you sent me an illegal notice on February 22, referring to yourself as the General Secretary of the Bangladesh Film Artists Association. As I was out of the country, I did not receive the notice on time and only received it on March 31. However, I have replied to the notice."

Indian actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas has said that Bollywood’s everlasting “obsession with fair skin” was one of the reasons she left the industry to try her luck in Hollywood eight years ago. Priyanka, also a former Miss World, was at the height of her success in India’s Bollywood when she unexpectedly declared her decision to relocate to the United States, reports The Guardian. The actress had previously declined to clarify her reasons for leaving Bollywood, but recently told Dax Shepard on the podcast “Armchair Expert” that she was “tired of the politics and certain cliques” that needed to be “grovelled” to. Priyanka described how “dark skinned” actresses, such as her, were treated in Bollywood. Read More: True story behind Rani Mukerji’s latest film “Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway” “I was lightened up in many movies. Through makeup and then blasting lighting. There was a song which I still remember. It was called Chitti Dudh Kudi which means a girl who is as white as milk and I ain’t that but I was playing her and I was really lightened up in the movie,” she was quoted as saying. Priyanka Chopra said that fair-skinned actresses had a higher chance of getting picked for lead roles and succeeding, and that even a celebrity like her suffered prejudice. “If you were darker – I’m not even that dark – for darker girls it was: ‘Let’s lighten you up’.” Priyanka, who is married to American musician and actor Nick Jonas, expressed guilt for appearing in an early advertisement for a fairness cream, said the Guardian report. She now believes that such advertisements are harmful to the self-esteem of Indians with dark complexion. She said she then agreed to the ad because big cosmetic companies give prominence and revenue for female celebrities. “A beauty brand is a really big part of an actress’s trajectory,” she said. Read More: Oscars 2023: Vogue misidentifies Deepika Padukone as Camila Alves Moving to Hollywood is risky for Indian actors, but Priyanka has had success – appearing in US TV shows such as “Quantico” and starring in the film “The White Tiger”. Priyanka has maintained a large fan base in India, and her comments have gained widespread attention. They are unlikely to alter much, either in the Bollywood film industry or in wider society, where light skin is still regarded as more attractive, the report said.

“You’re not a lot of fun, are you,” notes barbarian Holga (Michelle Rodriguez) to brave fighter Xenk (Regé-Jean Page) in the new “Dungeons & Dragons” film, making two jokes at once. The first is that Xenk, a paladin (or holy knight) in “D&D” lingo, is everything BUT fun — gorgeous, noble, heroic, smart, and did we mention gorgeous? He’s just REALLY not fun, or funny. He’s so not funny, it’s hilarious. The second, broader joke is that “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,” hotly awaited by devotees of the decades-old role-playing game, makes darned sure to be fun, and funny — enough to laugh at itself. And that’s the thing that makes it work. At least, for a newbie like me. I’ve never played the game, I confess. But this is a movie, not a game, and I’m here to tell you how it works for over two hours at the multiplex. Which is to say, surprisingly, sometimes delightfully well — even if you have no clue what a paladin or Red Wizard or Harper is, or if the term “Dungeon Master” sends your mind straight to “Fifty Shades of Grey.” The most obvious reason for this success, besides fleet-footed direction by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, is star Chris Pine, whose sunny charisma and smooth knack for comedy, plus an ability to seem like he’s both inside the movie and outside looking in, keeps everything bubbling. He’s ably assisted by Rodriguez, plus young accomplices Justice Smith as a confidence-challenged (but sweet) wizard and Sophia Lillis as a shape-shifting druid. And then we have a graying Hugh Grant, playing the heck out of yet another comic villain role — a character almost as curmudgeonly as he was on the Oscar red carpet. READ: Promoting crypto investments: Lindsay Lohan, Akon, Jake Paul to pay to settle claims Plus there’s a cameo from another big star, but more on that in a minute. Because first we have to mention the pudgy dragon. Yes, pudgy. Whatever dragons eat, and we can only try to imagine, he’s had too many. But back to Pine, aka the bard Edgin, whom we first meet in a dank, freezing prison cell. He’s — well, he’s knitting. Nearby sits Holga (Rodriguez), and her own hobby is eating. She’s not a cordial sort, especially when food supply is at risk. An appearance in front of a judicial council, begging for a pardon, gives Edgin the chance to tell his backstory. Turns out he wasn’t always a criminal; he was a Harper, part of a spy guild acting for the greater good, but he attracted the ire of the Red Wizards of Thay, which led to the tragic murder of his wife. Teaming with Holga, he sets out to find the magical Tablet of Reawakening that would return his wife to him and especially their baby daughter Kira (played by Chloe Coleman as a youngster). But they get captured, and their accomplice Forge (Grant), who somehow escapes, swears to take care of Kira. Edgin, a master planner, devises a jailbreak right during the pardon hearing. They discover Kira is now living in a walled city with Forge, a con-man who turns out (gasp!) to have planned the whole thing, and has convinced her that Dad betrayed her for riches. And now he’s allied with Sofina, a terrifying sorceress (Daisy Head). Forge not only refuses to give Kira back but sends Edgin and Holga to their deaths. Holga, however, quickly dispatches all the soldiers meant to kill them — all while Edgin tries, and fails, to untie a rope. Now they need that tablet, but first they need a magical helmet (bear with us.) The quest, upon which they’re joined by Simon (Smith) and Doric (Lillis), leads to the film’s most entertaining scenes. One of these is an impressive, fast-paced sequence where shape-shifter Doric infiltrates enemy lines and then, chased by Sofina, morphs seamlessly into various animal forms and back to herself again. READ: True story behind Rani Mukerji’s latest film “Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway” Another is a comic bit where Pine’s Edgin tries to elicit key information from a series of corpses. Summoned to life by an increasingly effective Simon, each corpse can answer five questions before returning to the grave forever. Edgin keeps wasting his chances with questions like “Did that count as a question?” And a prime comic moment comes from none other than Bradley Cooper (see, worth the wait!). We’ll reveal nothing but the observation that this cameo is small, but packs a punch. Finally we have Xenk (Page), perfectly cast as a paladin so, well, perfect that he delivers babies in between vanquishing enemies, and provides the crucial help Edgin needs. But for all sorts of reasons, Edgin can’t bring himself to like the guy. Most of all, he can’t deal with his lack of understanding of irony, sarcasm, and especially humor. He’s probably right. Heroism is all well and good, but humor is crucial. That’s a lesson this film has, luckily, already figured out. “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,” a Paramount Pictures release, has been rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America “for fantasy action/violence and some language.” Running time: 134 minutes. Two and a half stars out of four. MPAA definition of PG-13: Parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.      

“Naatu Naatu”, the song from Indian film “RRR”, has caused a worldwide frenzy following its Oscar victory. Celebrities, cricketers, and even diplomats have been inspired by the high energy dance performed by actors Jr NTR and Ram Charan. Now, a video of Tesla cars creating a light show to the beats of the Oscar-winning song has appeared on the internet, reports NDTV. The now-viral video was uploaded by RRR's official Twitter account. In the video, multiple Tesla cars in New Jersey, US light up to the beats of the song. “In New Jersey, @Teslalightshows light sync with the rhythms of #OscarWinning Music #NaatuNaatu. Thank you for all of your support. @Tesla @elonmusk, #RRRMovie.” — the caption of the post reads. The Tesla cars' headlights were blinking in sync, and the light display was spectacular, the report said. After only a few hours, the video has received over 175,000 views and 13,000 likes on Twitter. Tesla Light Show also responded to the post, saying, "Amazing! What a night... Congratulations." Many comments were also left on the video. "Damn that's so cool!" one person said. "Nice But how was it done?" — another netizen asked. "Goosebumps," another tweet said. “Naatu Naatu” was the first Telugu song to be nominated for an Oscar in the “Original Song” category. It won, beating out famous names like Rihanna and Lady Gaga. Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava, as well as director SS Rajamouli and star actors Jr NTR and Ram Charan were present on the occasion.

Popular Bollywood film actress Rani Mukerji returned to the big screen after two years with the film 'Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway.' At the same time, Anirban Bhattacharya, the heartthrob of Bengali films, made his Bollywood debut through this film. The film is based on a real-life story and plotted from Sagarika Chakraborty's 2022 book The Journey of a Mother. The film has been released on Friday, March 17, 2023, and appears to be a blockbuster. Details about the Film Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway Main Casts Rani Mukerji as Debika Chatterjee; Anirban Bhattacharya as Aniruddha Chatterjee, Debika's husband; Jim Sarbh as Daniel Singh Ciupek, lawyer of Norway; Neena Gupta as Vasudha Kamat, Indian External Affairs Minister (the character based on Sushma Swaraj). Plot Debika and her family - husband Aniruddha, son Shubha, and five-month-old daughter Shuchi - live in Stavanger. During their last visit, Sia and Matilda of Velfred, a child welfare service, take away Shubha and Shuchi, leaving the Chatterjees in shock. They are informed that they are not allowed to keep custody of their children as they are considered unfit. Read More: 10 Netflix Originals Coming in April 2023 Debika then decides to battle the government to regain her children. In the process, she discovers the shocking truth about the child custody system in Norway, prompting her to take drastic action. The rest of the story follows her journey. Director and Producers Ashima Chibber is an Indian film director who began her career as an assistant director for films such as “Rockstar” and "Chakde! India." Ashima's fame in Bollywood has been enhanced by her appearances in multiple blockbusters and collaborations with elite directors, allowing her career to flourish. Her entry into television was concurrent with a new phase in Indian TV. This Hyderabadi girl, who has studied in Delhi and the UK, made her cinematic debut under the direction of acclaimed filmmaker Shimit Amin. In 2013, she made her directorial debut with the romantic comedy "Mere Dad Ki Maruti." The film received positive reviews and was a box-office success. Now she is back with another sensation, “Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway.” The film is produced by Monisha Advani, Madhu Bhojwani, and Nikkhil Advani. Read More: Top 10 Upcoming South Indian Movies in March 2023

James Gunn is directing a Superman film. “Superman: Legacy,” which Gunn also wrote, is also set for a July 11, 2025, he and his co-chair and fellow CEO of DC Studios Peter Safran announced Wednesday. The film, Gunn said, deals with the superhero’s journey to make sense of both his aristocratic Kryptonian heritage and his small town, midwestern upbringing as Clark Kent. The legacy of Superman has been somewhat fraught recently. In October, Henry Cavill announced that he would be returning to the role starting with a cameo in “Black Adam.” Two months later, though, Cavill was back on social media with the news that he was out. “This news isn’t the easiest, but that’s life,” Cavill wrote. “The changing of the guard is something that happens. I respect that. James and Peter have a universe to build.” Gunn and Safran were announced as the new DC leaders just a few days after “Black Adam” opened in October, replacing Walter Hamada, who had headed DC Films for four years. And Cavill as Superman was one of the casualties of the new guard. “It has been a long road to this point,” Gunn wrote on Twitter Wednesday. “I was offered Superman years ago - I initially said no because I didn’t have a way in that felt unique and fun and emotional that gave Superman the dignity he deserved. ... Then a bit less than a year ago I saw a way in.”Gunn also said the release date is the same as his late father’s birthday. “He was my best friend,” Gunn wrote. “He didn’t understand me as a kid, but he supported my love of comics and my love of film and I wouldn’t be making this movie now without him.” Gunn has for several years been the rare director to bounce between both DC and Marvel films. He first came to DC after directing Marvel’s well-regarded “Guardians of the Galaxy” films. When the Walt Disney Co. temporarily dropped Gunn over old tweets that joked about rape and pedophilia, he jumped to DC and made the supervillain film “The Suicide Squad,” a kind of blockbuster do-over that followed David Ayer’s much-maligned “Suicide Squad.” He and the veteran producer Safran came aboard with several upcoming DC films already on their way to theaters, including “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” (March 17), “The Flash” (out June 16) and “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” (Dec. 25). And he still has “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” coming on May 5. “Superman: Legacy” will be the first film in the new iteration of the connected DC Universe, followed by Matt Reeves’ “The Batman Part II,” which is set for an Oct. 2025 launch. That film, like Todd Phillips’ “Joker” sequel coming in 2024, will lie outside of the DCU.