United News of Bangladesh

On festive occasions, such as the two Eids in the country, movies were the only premium medium of mass entertainment in Bangladesh. Sadly the situation suffered a drastic change ever since Dhallyood — mainstream Dhaka film industry— took a turn for the worse, courtesy of periods marked by obscenity and substandard films. Especially when it comes to Eid, television dramas conquered more media space and grabbed public discourse than Bangladeshi movies — at least that has been the scenario for a while. Thanks to the latter’s recent resurrection with meaningful stories, melodious songs and increasing fandom among urban crowds, Bangladeshi movies are being discussed on Eid once again, even with lasting aftermaths. 10 Most Hyped Bangladeshi Movies Releasing on Eid-ul-Azha 2023 It can be said that the Dhallywood film industry is returning to a new horizon in terms of business. After suffering the wrath of COVID-19 pandemic for two years, the industry bounced back with films like 'Poran' and 'Din - the Day' on last year's Eid-ul-Azha, followed by the massively successful 'Hawa'.  Until a few years ago, actor Shakib Khan was considered the only strong pillar in the entire industry. Although he still is, a handful of young and talented actors and brilliant filmmakers have changed the face of Dhallywood including Mezbaur Rahman Sumon, Raihan Rafi, Topu Khan and others. Shortage of talented young filmmakers has been in the industry for a long time. Along with this, audience demand for quality Bangla cinema also increased during the Eid festivals. 10 Most Anticipated Bangla Natoks to be Aired during Eid-ul-Azha 2023 What was needed next was regularity. Audience demand for quality films during this year's Eid-ul-Fitr and now, Eid-ul-Azha, are the results of that continuation. This Eid-ul-Azha, a total of five movies are having their theatrical release on Eid day — 'Priyotoma', 'Surongo', 'Prohelika', 'Lal Shari' and 'Casino'. Shakib Khan's movies are always ahead in terms of hall bookings, and this Eid-ul-Azha is no exception. His interesting looks for the film 'Priyotoma' already stunned the anticipating audiences, and director Himel Ashraf told UNB that this movie is releasing in 107 halls. Produced by Arshad Adnan, the film is a romantic action story written by the late Faruk Hossain. Indian actress Edhika Pal is the lead actress opposite Shakib, and the film also has an ensemble cast including Kazi Hayat, Shahiduzzaman Selim, Elina Shammi, Don, Shahid Nabi and others. Afran Nisho, widely considered as one of the finest actors of the television and OTT industry in the country, is all set to make his big screen debut this Eid-ul-Azha. Directed by Raihan Rafi, the film 'Surongo' is going to be released on Eid and already got about 30 halls across the country which will be increased later, according to Rafi. Actress Toma Mirza stars in 'Surongo' opposite Nisho, and this movie will be released in Kolkata after Eid, the makers confirmed at a recent press conference.  Another surprise this Eid is the Mahfuz Ahmed starrer film 'Prohelika'. Mahfuz, one of the superstars of the television industry, who has been off the screen for a long time, is returning with the movie alongside Shobnom Bubly, and the duo teamed up with acclaimed director Chayanika Chowdhury for this movie. The film is produced by Jamal Hossain with the story, dialogues and screenplay by Pantha Shahriar. Actress Apu Biswas is debuting as a producer this Eid as her movie 'Lal Shari', which received a government grant, is being released.  Apart from the production, Apu Biswas is also acting as the female lead and the film is directed by Bandhan Biswas. Actor Symon Sadiq has teamed up with Apu for the first time in this film. After the Eid-ul-Fitr, director Saikat Nasir is back with another release on this Eid as well. Popular actors Nirab Hossain and Shobnom Bubly have teamed up in this movie titled 'Casino' alongside Taskin Rahman,m and others. "There was a time when we suffered due to the shortage of quality films," said Mesbah Uddin Ahmed, Senior Manager, Media and Marketing at Star Cineplex. "Thankfully, the filmmakers are now bringing up such good stories that we have been getting great responses from our audiences on festive occasions like Eid."

The most hyped Bangladeshi movies releasing on Eid-ul-Azha 2023 promise captivating entertainment. Moviegoers’ eager eyes have started scanning the news feeds on social media. This excitement extends not only to theatre releases but also to the OTT (over-the-top) web films in Bangladesh. With the passionate audience of Bangladeshi cinema in mind, this is a sneak peek at the most anticipated movies set to release in halls and on OTT platforms this Eid. Let's delve into the world of these highly awaited films and discover what makes them truly exciting. 10 Most Anticipated Bangladeshi Movies Coming on Eid-ul-Azha 2023 Priyotoma Since the release of the first look on May 10, Shakib Khan's fans have been in a frenzy. Shakib's new avatar, sporting long hair and a man bun, quickly went viral on social media. His enigmatic pose left millions of fans captivated. Read more: Animated film 'Mujib Bhai' premiers at Star Cineplex Director Himel Ashraf revealed that this spontaneous moment featuring Shakib is a first in the film 'Priyotoma'. Himel Ashraf himself collaborated with Farooq Hossain in crafting the screenplay and dialogues. The movie is a Versatile Media production owned by Arshad Adnan. Kolkata star Idhika Paul is set to appear as the female lead alongside Shakib Khan. Shurongo Afran Nisho, a popular face in the realm of television, has become the talk of the town since the release of the teaser for his debut film. 'Shurongo' is a thrilling tale directed by the renowned Raihan Rafi. The plot revolves around an audacious heist. The movie stars Toma Mirza opposite Nisho, with Mustafa Monowar and Shahiduzzaman Selim also featuring in pivotal roles. 'Shurongo' will be released on the OTT platform Chorki and in local theaters this Qurbani Eid. Prohelika Esteemed drama director Chayanika Chowdhury presents her first full-length film. The song 'Megher Nowka' from 'Prohelika' has already garnered significant popularity. Pantha Shahriar weaves together mystery and romance in his story, dialogues, and screenplay, offering viewers a captivating experience. Veteran actor Mahfuz Ahmed makes a comeback to cinema after a prolonged hiatus, starring opposite the popular screen star Shabnam Bubli. Produced by Jamal Hossain, the film boasts a talented ensemble cast, including Nasir Uddin Khan, Rashed Mamun Apu, and AK Azad Setu. Read more: New details of ‘Squid Game’ season 2 revealed Nikosh Tasnia Farin, who has made a mark in both drama and films, returns with a thrilling surprise. In a captivating promotional stunt, Farin appeared on Facebook live, pleading with the audience to help find her missing sister. Netizens swiftly realized that it was a teaser for 'Nikosh’. The story follows Sultana, who embarks on a search for her suddenly vanished younger sister, Liza. The screenplay, story, and dialogues were penned by Mejbah Uddin Sumon, while Rubel Hassan directed this web film in the thriller genre. Mahima Sultana portrays the role of the younger sister, and the movie features a diverse cast, including Mir Nawfel Ashrafi, Joy Raj, Rakib Hossain Ivon, Khalekuzzaman, Israt Jahan Hridika, Sabiha Zaman, and many more in various roles. MR-9 Jazz Multimedia has long contemplated bringing the renowned spy Masud Rana to the big screen. Their aspirations finally materialised with the adaptation of Kazi Anwar Hossain's 1966 novel ‘Dhongsho Pahar’, titled ‘MR-9: Do or Die’. Directed by Asif Akbar and produced under the banner of Jazz Multimedia and Avel Entertainment, the film stars ABM Suman as Masud Rana. The movie is expected to be released in both Bangla and English languages and will also hit theatres in Kolkata, India. Following its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival this year, Premiere Entertainment is working on a worldwide release for the film. Tariq Anam Khan, Jessia Islam, Irfan Sajjad, Sayeda Tithee Omni, Anisur Rahman Milan, and Shahidul Alam Sacchu are among the talented actors gracing the screen in various roles. Read more: Shakib Khan’s ‘Priyotoma’ receives uncut censor certificate

Portraying a heartfelt tribute to the charismatic leadership of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, an exclusive animation film titled 'Mujib Bhai' was premiered on Friday at the Star Cineplex, Shimanto Shambhar in the capital.  Proudly presented by the ICT Division, the animation film is based on Oshomapto Attojiboni (The Unfinished Memoirs), the autobiographical book of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and got premiered when Bangladesh Awami League is celebrating its 74th founding anniversary on Friday.  A joint directorial by Chandan K Barman and Sohel Mohammad Rana, with Adnan Adib Khan as the screenwriter, the film was developed through the Skill Development Project on Mobile Games and Applications of the Department of Information and Communication Technology.  Also Read: IAB celebrates World Music Day The 45-minute film depicts how the beloved 'Khoka' of his parents became 'Mujib Bhai' (brother Mujib) to the oppressed people of Bengal, his life struggle and his victory over the Pakistani oppressors.  Narrating the story of Bangabandhu from the timeline between 1952 to 1969, the film showcases how the great man became a leader while he was a student of Law department of Dhaka University, how he won a place in the hearts of people, how he became politically successful, and shaped Bangladesh, how he became the undisputed 'Mujib Bhai' of the Bengali commoners. On Friday, ICT minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak inaugurated the exclusive premier of the film with a number of street children at the Star Cineplex. "The animation film is an attempt to beautifully present this chapter of the life of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to the audience of all ages including the young audience of the country," Palak said before the premier.  Also Read: Shakib Khan’s ‘Priyotoma’ receives uncut censor certificate  

Shakib Khan’s upcoming movie ‘Priyotoma’ has received an uncut clearance from the censor board a day after the Dhallywood superstar’s stunning first look revealed which took the social media by storm. Also read: Shehzad Khan Bir is their son, confirm Shakib Khan & BublyThe movie is set to release on Eid-ul-Azha. The film's director Himel Ashraf confirmed the news of censor board approval to the media. Also read: Shakib Khan goes to DB, files written complaint against allegations of rapeThe first look of superstar Shakib Khan – which was revealed yesterday – gained immense popularity on various social media platforms. Numerous individuals associated with the entertainment industry expressed their admiration for Shakib, including his former spouse Dhallywood superstar Apu Biswas. Also read: I was blamed even though I did nothing wrong: Shakib KhanProduced by Arshad Adnan, Priyotoma is a romantic action story written by late Faruk Hossain. Edhika Pal, Kazi Hayat, Shahiduzzaman Selim, Elina Shammi, Don, Shahid Nabi and others are among the cast of the film.

Veteran actor Sir Anthony Hopkins has described his work in Marvel's Thor films as "pointless acting". The veteran Welsh actor joined the cast of Thor as Odin – father of Thor and one of the principal gods in Norse mythology – in Kenneth Branagh's film version of the Marvel comic in 2011.Later, he also appeared in 2013's Thor: The Dark World and 2017's Thor: Ragnarok. Read more: Guess who’s returning to the ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise? "If you're sitting in front of a green screen, it's pointless acting," Sir Anthony, 85, told the New Yorker. "They put me in armour; they shoved a beard on me," he told the magazine. "Sit on the throne, shout a bit." Anthony Hopkins made history in 2021 by becoming the oldest person to win an Academy Award for acting, winning a second Oscar for his role as a man with dementia in The Father, BBC reports. His performance as Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs earned the actor his first Oscar in 1992. Read more: ‘Kill The Weeknd’? Who’s Abel Tesfaye? Meanwhile his Thor co-star Chris Hemsworth told GQ magazine he loved the experience of making Thor movies, but joked he got sick of the character pretty quickly every couple of years, According to BBC. "I love the fact that I've been able to do something fairly different throughout the process. Thor and 2 were their own thing, Thor 3 and 4 were a very different feel," he said. He told the magazine that he was interested in returning to Thor and "seeing what they have to offer creatively, if there is something new" for the character. "But I really wanna do some other stuff for a while," the Australian actor said. Read more: Farhan Akhtar looks to revive DON franchise; Shah Rukh Khan exits  

After much speculation, it has been confirmed that a fan favorite character will be returning to the "Fast & Furious" franchise. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, last Thursday (June 1, 2023), revealed the news on social media that he is "one hundred percent confirming" that his character Luke Hobbs will be returning to the fray. Aslo read: The Rock announces wedding on Instagram Johnson also praised viewers for their enthusiasm and support for his unexpected appearance in "Fast X," which came out in May, reports CNN. The Rock also hinted that there would be more between Hobbs and Jason Momoa's character Dante, it said. “If you thought that ‘The Rock’ versus ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin headlining three WrestleManias was earth-shattering, well, wait until you see Dante and Hobbs collide,” he said, calling back to his days as a professional wrestler. Also read: 'Hobbs & Shaw' is No. 1 but trails 'Fast & Furious' pace While Johnson wasn’t explicitly clear on what the next “Fast” installment is, The Wrap is reporting that an untitled Hobbs movie is in the works at Universal Pictures that will be a “bridge” between “Fast X” and “Fast X: Part II,” instead of Johnson returning in a “Hobbs & Shaw” sequel film (“Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw” was a 2019 “Fast & Furious” spinoff starring Johnson and Jason Statham as Deckard Shaw) The "Black Adam" actor starred as Hobbs in 2011's "Fast Five" and went on to star in five more flicks in the franchise.

June 2023 is set to be an exciting month for South Indian cinema, promising a range of buzzworthy films. From intense drama and epic adventure to thrilling, action-packed stories, this month's lineup is bound to mesmerise audiences across the south Asia region. This article unveils the highlights of the most anticipated South Indian releases in June. 12 Upcoming South Indian Movies in June 2023 Vimanam "Vimanam" is an upcoming drama film in Telugu and Tamil, directed and written by Siva Prasad Yanala. The movie boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Samuthirakani, Meera Jasmine, Anasuya Bharadwaj, Rahul Ramakrishna, Motta Rajendran, Dhruvan, and Dhanraj. Scheduled to release on June 9, 2023, the story revolves around a young boy's desire to travel by aeroplane and his efforts to fulfil this dream, even in the face of adversity. The film beautifully portrays the theme of dreams and determination, with cinematography by Vivek Kalepu and music composed by Charan Arjun. Read more: Cannes 2023: Johnny Depp overcome with emotion as film gets 7-min standing ovation Adipurush "Adipurush" is an Indian film based on the Hindu epic Ramayana, directed and written by Om Raut. Produced by T-Series and Retrophiles, this star-studded movie features Prabhas as Raghava (Lord Rama), Kriti Sanon as Janaki (Sita), Saif Ali Khan as Lankesh Ravan (Ravana), Sunny Singh as Lakshmana, and Devdatta Nage as Bajrang.  With a whopping budget of over BDT 900 crore (US$88 million), "Adipurush" is touted as the most expensive Indian film ever made.  The movie revolves around Raghava and Lakshmana's mission to rescue Raghava's abducted wife, Janaki, from the demon king Lankesh Ravan. Prepare for a grand spectacle when it hits theatres on June 16, 2023, with music composed by Ajay-Atul and Sachet–Parampara. Read more: Farhan Akhtar looks to revive DON franchise; Shah Rukh Khan exits Hari Hara Veera Mallu Set in the 17th-century Mughal Empire, "Hari Hara Veera Mallu" is an Indian Telugu-language period action adventure film directed and written by Krish Jagarlamudi. It is an epic tale as Veera Mallu embarks on a mission to steal the Koh-i-Noor diamond from the Mughals.  The movie delves into the life of the legendary outlaw Veera Mallu, portrayed by Pawan Kalyan. The stellar cast also includes Nidhhi Agerwal, Bobby Deol, Nargis Fakhri, and Vikramjeet Virk.  Although the film's release has been postponed several times due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other commitments of the lead actor, it is finally set to hit theatres in June 2023. "Hari Hara Veera Mallu" will be released in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada languages. Read more: Pathaan released in Bangladesh amid huge response Kolla "Kolla" is an upcoming Malayalam movie directed by Suraj Varma, slated for release on June 9, 2023. Crafted by Jasim Jalal and Nelson Joseph, the film presents a captivating plot that revolves around Rajisha Vijayan, Priya Prakash Varrier, and Vinay Forrt as the main stars.  Produced by K.V. Rajeesh and Ravi Mathew under the banners of Rajeesh Productions, "Kolla" offers enchanting music composed by Shaan Rahman. Rajavel Mohan handles the cinematography, while Arjun Ben takes charge of the editing. Sree Gokulam Movies and Ravi Mathew Productions are the production companies behind this project. Read more: Films and TV Drama based on Samaresh Majumdar’s Literary Works

Johnny Depp was overcome with emotion as his film received a standing ovation at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday. Variety uploaded a video on social media of an obviously affected Depp during a seven-minute standing ovation for his film "Jeanne du Barry," in which he plays the French King Louis XV, reports CNN. It was the actor's first film role since a defamation trial last summer involving his ex-wife Amber Heard. In their defamation cases against one other, a jury held them both responsible for slander, but awarded Depp substantially more damages, it said. At the film's Cannes press conference, Depp discussed  “abstract whispers” and said that “the majority of what you have been reading the last four or five years…with regard to me and my life what you’ve read is fantastically, horrifically written fiction.” "Jeanne du Barry" chronicles the narrative of Jeanne Bécu, Comtesse du Barry, also known as Madame du Barry, who was King Louis XV's mistress. Cannes chief Thierry Frémaux told Deadline in April that the decision to launch the festival with the Depp feature was because it is "a beautiful film."  “The opening film also has to come out simultaneously in French cinemas; we don’t put platform films in that slot, because we want France to participate in the festival,” Frémaux said. “The film is a success, and Johnny Depp [as Louis XV] is magnificent in it.”  

“I’ll be back.” The catchphrase that defined an era for sci-fi movie fans. Arnold Schwarzenegger in and as "The Terminator" — the 1984 science fiction blockbuster that sealed his image as a box office juggernaut — is about as iconic as it gets, yet one of the film's most unforgettable sequences apparently happened by coincidence.In a recent interview with the Hollywood Reporter released on Tuesday, Schwarzenegger described the catchphrase in the film, "I'll be back," as an "accident" caused by a disagreement with his director, James Cameron, reports CNN.“Cameron and I were debating how to say the line because I was not comfortable with saying ‘I’ll,’” the former California governor reminisced. “I said, I think it’s stronger to say, ‘I will be back.’ Cameron said, ‘Are you the scriptwriter now? It’s just one word. Don’t tell me how to write. I don’t tell you how to act.’”Schwarzenegger recalled his reaction, telling his director that he told him how to act "every f**king minute!"But, in the end, the outspoken director triumphed, telling Schwarzenegger, “Arnold, you think it sounds weird. It doesn’t. What makes it great is that you sound different than me…That’s what makes it work.”Cameron then told his star to “just say it 10 times. Say it different ways. I’ll keep rolling the camera. Then we’ll choose one.”Of course, after a few trials, they found one that worked, said the report.“The movie comes out. I’m in Central Park. This guy comes up and says, ‘Say the line!’” Schwarzenegger continued. The line has followed him to this day, he said, adding, “A few days ago, I was skiing in Aspen, and the concierge comes up asking me to say the line.”“So that’s where it started and where it ended up. It’s wild.”In other parts of the interview, Schwarzenegger stated that while he may be done playing the Terminator — a robot from the future entrusted with either saving or killing mankind, depending on whatever series edition you're talking about — the franchise itself "is not done."“I’m done. I got the message loud and clear that the world wants to move on with a different theme when it comes to ‘The Terminator,’” he said. “Someone has to come up with a great idea. ‘The Terminator’ was largely responsible for my success, so I always would look at it very fondly. The first three movies were great.”

Popular Indian action thriller movie franchise DON starring Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan, is set to return with its third film but not with Shah Rukh Khan as its lead and the title character. The director Farhan Akhtar and his team at Excel Entertainment are now looking to reboot the Don franchise with a new lead to play Don 3.0, reports Indian entertainment and lifestyle platform Pinkvilla on Tuesday. The website reports that according to sources close to the development, Shah Rukh Khan has decided to exit the Don franchise. “Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani have had multiple detailed discussions with Shah Rukh Khan on Don 3. Before the pandemic, a couple of ideas were also discussed, which took the shape of a script through the pandemic. Meetings have happened recently too, but Shah Rukh is not too keen to get back as Don again at this point in time. According to the report, Khan is willing to do commercial films that cater to a universal section of the audience, and Don certainly doesn’t fit the bracket of cinema that he is willing to do for the coming few years. “He has conveyed his decision to the stakeholders at Excel,” revealed a source close to the development. To make the franchise bigger, Farhan and the team had also come up with a unique idea of bringing 3 generations of Don together – Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and a gen-next star – to lay down a platform for the generational shift of Don. “But SRK felt the idea of spinning Don's universe would be gimmicky and hence advised the team about his exit,” the source added. Farhan meanwhile is working on a new script for Don reboot now. Amitabh Bachchan featured in Don back in 1978. The same was rebooted with Shah Rukh Khan in 2005. And now, come 2024, Farhan is planning to reboot the franchise with a new leading man, Pinkvilla reported.  “The talks are on with a hero who has done two films with Excel in the last decade. He is keen to step into the shoes of Don, but has his reservations too, as the legacy of the franchise and the actors who portrayed Don before can’t be replicated by anyone. Don will be rebooted once one of the younger actors takes up the challenge,” the source signed off. Recently, the iconic Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan starrer film ‘Pathaan’ got its official theatrical release in Bangladesh on May 12, which is currently storming at the multiplexes in the country. Referred to in the media as the "Baadshah of Bollywood" and "King Khan", Shah Rukh Khan is currently busy shooting for the much-anticipated Rajkumar Hirani film ‘Dunki’ which is slated for a December 2023 release.