United News of Bangladesh

The fifth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival, one of the Middle East’s largest film festivals, opened Thursday in the coastal city of Jeddah, marking a significant moment for the kingdom’s growing film industry. Running from Dec. 4 to 13, the Red Sea International Film Festival brings together filmmakers and talent from around the world, screening more than 100 films from over 70 countries. The festival’s prestigious “Red Sea: Competition” strand features a selection of 16 narrative features, animations and documentaries from the Arab world, Asia and Africa, all vying for the top honor: the Yusr Awards, which will be presented at the closing ceremony. The festival takes place in Jeddah’s Al-Balad district — a UNESCO World Heritage site — blending Saudi heritage with international cinema. This year, the selection jury is being led by the Academy Award-winning filmmaker Sean Baker, best known for “Anora,” which won five Oscars, four of which went to Sean Baker himself. “This festival is really exciting because of how big it’s become just in the last five years,” Baker said. “It’s rare that I see a festival just exploding in terms of importance and impact on world cinema.” The festival opens with “Giant,” a true story of legendary British-Yemeni boxing champion Prince Naseem ‘Naz’ Hamed. The film stars Egyptian-British actor Amir El-Masry as Hamed and Pierce Brosnan as his Irish trainer, Brendan Ingle, and is directed by British filmmaker Rowan Athale. “It was probably one of the hardest roles I’ve ever done,” El-Masry said, noting that his preparation involved four and a half weeks of training, during which he lost about eight kilos. “It’s been a passion project for me for a long time,” said Athale. “I come from a similar neighborhood — actually within a few miles of Naz. He was a hero of mine growing up, particularly being multiracial in the region. I’ve always wanted to make a film about him. So it’s a privilege to make it.” Reflecting on the premiere, he added, “To have it as the opening night film here — I mean, look at this. I’ve never seen anything like this. Not at Cannes, not anywhere. It’s daunting, it’s terrifying, but it’s an honor.” The opening night drew a wide range of international stars, including Hollywood and Bollywood figures including Adrien Brody, Sir Michael Caine, Vin Diesel and Ana de Armas walking the red carpet. Veteran actor Giancarlo Esposito, also attending the festival, said the gathering reflects the unifying power of cinema. “This celebration at the Red Sea Film Festival is really about celebrating film,” he said. The Red Sea International Film Festival was founded by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture and supported by the Red Sea Film Foundation. It is funded by the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund sovereign wealth fund and private sponsors. It aims to play a vital role in promoting regional filmmakers and fostering global connections. The festival is part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives, which include diversifying the economy, strengthening cultural infrastructure and fostering local creative talent. The event comes as Saudi Arabia invests heavily in sectors like film, gaming and sports as part of its broader transformation efforts. However, various rights groups have criticized these actions, saying they serve to draw away attention from the kingdom’s human rights record, including its high rate of executions and restrictions on free expression.

Ireland, Spain and the Netherlands have announced they will not take part in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest after Israel was allowed to compete. The three countries were among those urging organisers to bar Israel over the rising humanitarian toll in Gaza and concerns about unfair voting practices. Despite the calls, contest members chose not to vote on Israel’s participation. Instead, they approved new rules aimed at protecting the integrity of the event. Dutch broadcaster Avrotros said taking part “under the current circumstances” goes against its core public values. Spain’s broadcaster RTVE said earlier that it would withdraw if Israel remained in the competition. It confirmed Spain will not join Eurovision 2026 and will not air the final or the semi-finals. RTVE also said its request for a secret ballot on Israel’s participation was rejected. The broadcaster said the refusal showed political pressure around the contest and increased its distrust in the organisers. Broadcasters in other countries, including Slovenia and Iceland, are also expected to pull out next year.   With inputs from BBC

US pop star Miley Cyrus has confirmed that she is engaged to her long-time partner, musician Maxx Morando. The 33-year-old singer appeared with a gold and diamond ring on her engagement finger at the Los Angeles premiere of Avatar: Fire and Ash on Monday. Speaking to Good Morning America on Wednesday, Cyrus said Morando proposed during a recent trip to Asia. She said she was “very surprised” because she usually likes to stay in control of situations. Cyrus, known for hits like Flowers and Party in the U.S.A., was previously married to Australian actor Liam Hemsworth in 2018. They divorced the following year after a decade-long on-and-off relationship. She told British Vogue last year that she met Morando, now 27, after being set up on a blind date. He plays drums for the Los Angeles band Liily, which performed on NBC’s Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party in 2022. Showing her ring during the interview, Cyrus said Morando “did good” with his choice. She added that their four-year relationship has helped her grow and that she values having someone who always encourages her. Cyrus’s new song Dream as One appears in the latest Avatar film. She released her ninth album earlier this year but said she has no plans to tour, noting that the pressures of touring make it harder to maintain her sobriety and mental well-being.   With inputs from BBC

Dhanush and Kriti Sanon’s Tere Ishk Mein has raked in Rs 76.75 crore at the box office in its first six days, ahead of the release of Dhurandhar tomorrow (December 5). Despite a slight dip on Wednesday, the film continued to perform steadily. According to Sacnilk, Tere Ishk Mein earned Rs 6.75 crore on Wednesday, taking its total to Rs 76.75 crore. The film had earlier seen strong numbers, with Rs 17 crore on Saturday, Rs 18.75 crore on Sunday, and Rs 16 crore on its opening day. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh noted that discounted ticket pricing helped sustain audience interest, adding that the film is on track to cross the ₹100 crore mark. The film marks Dhanush’s third collaboration with director Anand L. Rai, following Raanjhanaa (2013) and Atrangi Re (2021). Its trailer, highlighting a love story with a toxic lover, generated significant buzz on social media. NDTV critic Saibal Chatterjee praised the lead actors’ performances, noting their effort to convey intensity and passion, though he felt the film’s plot remained overly complicated. Source: NDTV

Anticipation for Ranveer Singh’s upcoming film Dhurandhar is mounting, not only as the actor returns to the big screen after a two-year hiatus but also because the film has achieved a rare milestone: it is the longest Bollywood release in 17 years. Clocking in at 214 minutes (3 hours 34 minutes), Aditya Dhar’s action drama surpasses Ashutosh Gowariker’s Jodhaa Akbar (3 hours 33 minutes), released in 2008. CBFC Clearance and ModificationsThe Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) recently granted Dhurandhar an ‘A’ certificate — the first in Ranveer Singh’s career. The board confirmed that the film underwent several modifications before certification, including selective removals, replacements, and insertions, though its total runtime remained unchanged. These changes addressed regulatory concerns, such as replacing overly violent opening visuals, removing intense scenes in the second half, altering a character’s name, muting a cuss word, and adding anti-drug disclaimers in relevant sequences. Daniel Radcliffe and Tom Felton reunite after 14 years Legal Challenge and CBFC’s DecisionThe film faced a legal hurdle when the parents of late Major Mohit Sharma approached the Delhi High Court, alleging that the story mirrored their son’s life without consent. Director Aditya Dhar clarified on X that the film is fictional and would have sought permission if based on a real individual. After reassessment, the CBFC confirmed that Dhurandhar is “a work of fiction” with “no direct or indirect resemblance” to Major Sharma’s life and ruled that no additional review by the Indian Army was required, clearing the path for its December 5 release. The film features an ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi, alongside Ranveer Singh. Source: NDTV 

Daniel Radcliffe and Tom Felton, who played Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter films, reunited in New York City recently, 14 years after their last public appearance together. The actors attended a special screening of Merrily We Roll Along, the filmed version of the 2023 Stephen Sondheim revival starring Radcliffe. A photo and video of the reunion, showing the two hugging and exchanging greetings, went viral online. They were last seen together at the premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 in New York in 2011. Radcliffe and Felton, who played rivals on screen, have remained close friends over the years. Felton has also been praised for his recent Broadway performance, reprising his role as Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. In November, Felton told Good Morning America that seeing Radcliffe succeed on Broadway over the years made the experience special for him. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is set 19 years after the events of Deathly Hallows and focuses on the adventures of the next generation, including Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy.   With inputs from NDTV

“Zootopia 2” stormed the box office with a massive and history-making opening weekend. Disney’s sequel to the animated hit earned $96 million in North America from Friday to Sunday, collected $156 million over the five-day Thanksgiving stretch, and reached an astonishing $556 million worldwide since opening on Wednesday, according to studio estimates released Sunday. The sequel now holds the record for the biggest international opening for an animated film, the fourth-largest global debut ever, and the strongest overseas launch of 2025. Universal Pictures’ “Wicked: For Good” continued to soar in its second weekend, bringing in another $62.8 million domestically for a North American total of $270.4 million. Internationally, the film has reached $393 million. Together, the two PG-rated sequels turned Thanksgiving weekend into a rare bright spot in what has otherwise been a sluggish year for theaters. The five-day holiday frame hit $290 million overall, with $188 million from the traditional Friday-through-Sunday period. Whether this signals a turnaround—or just a brief upswing—remains to be seen. Major releases like “Avatar: Fire and Ash” and “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” are still looming later in 2025. “This is an excellent result and a huge confidence boost for the box office heading into the last month of the year,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore. Arriving nearly ten years after the original, “Zootopia 2” reunites Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) in another adventure through their bustling, animal-filled metropolis. Dergarabedian said the film delivered exactly what fans around the world were hoping for from the franchise. It also posted the sixth-largest domestic opening of 2025. But its standout performance came from China, which drove nearly half the global total with an extraordinary $272 million. No U.S. animated film has ever debuted bigger in China, and it ranks as the second-largest opening for a non-Chinese movie there, trailing only “Avengers: Endgame.” Such results used to be common for Hollywood, but in recent years, strained geopolitics and tighter Chinese censorship have made the market unpredictable. While a few franchises—like “Jurassic World”—still break through, most studios have significantly lowered expectations. The blockbuster Chinese turnout for “Zootopia 2” could be a one-off or a sign of improving conditions. The original film, called “Crazy Animal City” in China, became an unexpected sensation, earning $236 million there. Shanghai Disneyland also features a themed land based on the franchise, helping fuel its popularity. Meanwhile, “Wicked: For Good” held its ground despite the competition. Universal’s decision to split the Broadway adaptation into two films continues to pay dividends, generating a global weekend take of $92.2 million. Another notable performer was “Hamnet,” which is expected to be a major awards contender. After a strong festival run, it opened in limited release but still cracked the top 10, earning $1.35 million across 119 theaters from Wednesday to Sunday, including $880,000 over the weekend—a per-theater average of more than $11,000. Director Chloé Zhao’s Shakespeare-inspired drama starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal expands next week. Top 10 films at the domestic box office(Estimated ticket sales for Friday–Sunday in the U.S. and Canada, per Comscore) “Zootopia 2,” $96.8 million“Wicked: For Good,” $62.8 million“Now You See Me: Now You Don’t,” $7 million“Predator: Badlands,” $4.8 million“The Running Man,” $3.7 million“Eternity,” $3.2 million“Rental Family,” $2.1 million“Hamnet,” $880,000“Sisu: Road to Revenge,” $810,000“Nuremberg,” $749,325

Veteran actress Mumtaz, who starred alongside Dharmendra in films like Jheel Ke Us Paar (1973) and Loafer (1973), shared memories of her co-star and revealed she was unable to meet him at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital before his passing. “I went to see him at the hospital, but the staff told me he was on a ventilator and no visitors were allowed. I sat there for 30 minutes hoping to see him, but couldn’t. I left without meeting him,” Mumtaz told ETimes. She last met Dharmendra in 2021 at his residence. “That was such a pleasant meeting. It was the last time we met,” she recalled. Speaking about his family, Mumtaz expressed sympathy, particularly for his wife, actor Hema Malini. “I feel sorry for his family, and for Hema ji. She was always devoted to him and must be feeling this loss deeply. She truly loved him,” she said. Mumtaz also remembered Dharmendra as a kind and warm co-star. “We worked together on a few films, and he was always a wonderful co-star — a man with a golden heart. He was milansar — friendly, warm, and connected to everyone. People loved him and always will. He was a legend and is irreplaceable,” she added. Dharmendra’s final Instagram video goes viral after his passing: “Bhagwan Aapko Lambi Sehat De” On Tuesday, Mumtaz shared photos with Dharmendra, including film stills and one featuring him with Anju Mahendru, Poonam Sinha, Jackie Shroff, Danny Denzongpa, Talat Aziz, and herself. She wrote, “Dharam ji, you were and you are always with us! May you rest in peace.” Dharmendra passed away on November 24 at age 89. He had been hospitalized on October 31 due to breathlessness and was discharged on November 12. The veteran actor was cremated at Pawan Hans Crematorium in Mumbai, and a prayer meet is scheduled this evening at Seaside Lawns, Taj Lands End, Bandra, from 5 pm to 7:30 pm. Source: NDTV  

Actress Girija Oak, who recently became a viral sensation after pictures of her in a blue saree circulated widely online, has spoken about the less glamorous side of sudden fame. The veteran actress, who has been in the entertainment industry for more than two decades, said that along with admiration, she received unsolicited and often inappropriate messages from men on social media. Speaking to News18, she said, “Eventually, you become thick-skinned. I started acting very early in my life. I've been around for 20–25 years now. Now, when some things happen, you take them with a pinch of salt.” Oak added that while she has developed resilience over the years, she is still human and not immune to being affected. “This time around, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't affected at all. Things do get to me. But eventually, you figure out ways to handle it,” she explained. She also expressed her surprise at the sense of entitlement some men display in their messages, calling it “quite amusing.” SRK pays tribute to terror attack victims, calls for unity and peace About Girija Oak Girija Oak is recognized for her work in Marathi, Hindi, and Kannada films. Her notable Marathi films include Gulmohar, Lajja, and Navra Maza Bhavra, while in Bollywood, she appeared as Jabeen in Aamir Khan’s Taare Zameen Par (2007), and in Shor in the City (2010) and Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan (2023). On television, she starred in Sony TV’s Ladies Special, a show about the lives of women commuting on Mumbai’s Ladies Special train. Oak has also featured in several OTT projects, including Modern Love: Mumbai, 13th: Some Lessons Aren’t Taught in Classrooms, and most recently, Inspector Zende alongside Manoj Bajpayee. Source: NDTV

Jimmy Cliff, the iconic reggae singer and actor known for hits like “Many Rivers to Cross,” “You Can Get It If You Really Want” and “Vietnam,” as well as his starring role in the groundbreaking film The Harder They Come, has died at the age of 81. His wife, Latifa Chambers, confirmed his passing Monday. A joint message posted on Cliff’s social media accounts by Chambers and the couple’s three children said he died from a “seizure followed by pneumonia.” No further details were immediately available. “To all his fans around the world, please know that your support was his strength throughout his career,” the announcement read. “He truly appreciated every fan for their love.” A native of Jamaica, Cliff rose to prominence in Kingston’s vibrant music scene as a teenager and became a leading figure in the 1960s reggae movement alongside future stars such as Bob Marley, Toots Hibbert, and Peter Tosh. In the early 1970s, he accepted an offer from director Perry Henzell to star in The Harder They Come, portraying aspiring musician Ivanhoe “Ivan” Martin, who turns to crime when his music career stalls. The film’s title was suggested by Henzell as a potential song for Cliff. “Ivanhoe was a real-life figure in Jamaica,” Cliff told Variety in 2022 on the film’s 50th anniversary. “He was feared because he had guns and even shot a policeman. Perry wanted to turn him into an anti-hero in a Hollywood way.” Despite initial funding delays, The Harder They Come became Jamaica’s first major commercial film release. Though its first run drew modest audiences, it is now celebrated as a cultural milestone, with its soundtrack considered among the greatest ever and a key factor in bringing reggae to the global stage. At the height of his career, Cliff rivaled Bob Marley in prominence. He contributed to an album featuring Toots and the Maytals, the Slickers, and Desmond Dekker, performing four of the eleven tracks that have become reggae classics. Songs like “Sitting in Limbo” conveyed reflective hope, while “You Can Get It If You Really Want” and the film’s title track offered messages of determination. In “Many Rivers to Cross,” Cliff delivered a heartfelt gospel-inspired reflection on facing racism during his time in England in the 1960s. Cliff continued recording and performing for decades, collaborating with artists including the Rolling Stones, Wyclef Jean, Sting, and Annie Lennox. His music also inspired political movements, including the Sandinistas in Nicaragua, and reached wider U.S. audiences through Bruce Springsteen’s cover of “Trapped” on the 1985 charity album We Are the World. Other artists to cover his songs included John Lennon, Cher, and UB40. He was nominated for seven Grammys, winning twice for Best Reggae Album—1986’s Cliff Hanger and 2012’s Rebirth, widely regarded as a career highlight. His discography also includes the Grammy-nominated The Power and the Glory, Humanitarian, and the 2022 album Refugees. Cliff performed on Steve Van Zandt’s protest anthem “Sun City” and appeared in the Robin Williams comedy Club Paradise, contributing songs to its soundtrack. Among his honors were induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Jamaica’s Order of Merit. In 2019, Montego Bay renamed its popular “hip strip” Jimmy Cliff Boulevard, and in 2021 he received an official Jamaican passport recognizing his status as a Reggae Ambassador. Born James Chambers in Saint James Parish, he moved to Kingston in his youth, following a path similar to the character he later portrayed in The Harder They Come. By the early 1960s, reggae—then evolving from ska and rocksteady—was beginning to define Jamaica’s post-independence soundscape. Cliff achieved early local hits including “King of Kings” and “Miss Jamaica” and represented Jamaica at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York City. “Reggae is a pure music born of the poorer class of people,” he told Spin in 2022. “It emerged from a need for recognition, identity, and respect.” Cliff’s international breakthrough came after signing with Island Records, although founder Chris Blackwell struggled to market him to rock audiences. Hits like his cover of Cat Stevens’ “Wild World” and the uplifting “Wonderful World, Beautiful People” cemented his global appeal. His protest song “Vietnam” drew inspiration from friends affected by the war. Henzell persuaded Cliff to star in The Harder They Come, believing in his acting potential. Cliff later reflected on the cultural impact of his fame: “Seeing your face and name on the side of buses in London was astonishing,” he told The Guardian in 2021. “It was a moment of recognition for African descendants like us.”