United News of Bangladesh

Music director and filmmaker Palash Muchhal has confirmed that Indian women’s cricket star Smriti Mandhana will “soon become the daughter-in-law of Indore,” putting to rest months of speculation about their relationship. Rumours about the couple have circulated for some time, fuelled by their frequent public appearances and photos on social media, though neither had previously confirmed being together. Speaking at an event at the State Press Club in Indore on Friday, the 30-year-old composer said with a smile, “She will soon become the daughter-in-law of Indore... that’s all I want to say.” He then added, “I’ve given you the headline.” Shah Rukh Khan’s witty take on Salman’s ‘outsider’ remark goes viral Mandhana, the vice-captain and opening batter of the Indian women’s cricket team, is currently in Indore for Sunday’s ICC Women’s World Cup ODI match against England. Muchhal, known for composing songs alongside his sister Palak Muchhal, is presently directing his upcoming film Raju Bajewala, starring Avika Gor and Chandan Roy. Source: NDTV 

Bollywood’s iconic trio — Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan — reunited at the Joy Forum in Riyadh, sparking laughter and nostalgia among fans. During their conversation, Salman Khan mentioned that while he and Aamir come from film families, Shah Rukh “came from Delhi and struggled.” In his signature witty style, Shah Rukh interrupted, saying, “I also come from a film family — Salman’s family is my family, and Aamir’s family is my family. That’s why I’m a star.” His clever remark left both Salman and Aamir smiling as the audience erupted in applause. The three Khans, who began their film careers around the same time, continue to share mutual respect and camaraderie despite decades in the industry. Recently, they have been seen supporting each other’s projects and attending family events, reinforcing their enduring friendship.   Source: NDTV

Paul Telfer of Days of Our Lives and Nancy Lee Grahn of General Hospital won lead acting honors at the Daytime Emmys on Friday, as ABC’s General Hospital dominated with six major awards, including drama series. Sir David Attenborough, 99, became the oldest Daytime Emmy winner, surpassing Dick Van Dyke, by winning for daytime personality, non-daily, as host of Netflix’s Secret Lives of Orangutans. Attenborough was not present. Telfer, 45, who plays Xander Kiriakis on Peacock’s Days of Our Lives, first joined the show in 2015. “Winning this as a villain on a soap my mom loved is really amazing. Thanks, Mom,” he said. Grahn, portraying Alexis Davis on General Hospital since 1996, earned her third Emmy. She used her speech to advocate for democracy, carrying a silver clutch inscribed with “Democracy dies in silence,” and urged the audience to “stand up” for human decency. Supporting acting trophies went to Jonathan Jackson (General Hospital) and first-time nominee Susan Walters (The Young and the Restless). Jackson plays Lucky Spencer, a role he has held since 1993, while Walters plays Diane Jenkins, appearing in the series in three stints. Alley Mills won for guest performer on General Hospital, marking her second career Emmy. The show also received awards for its writing and directing teams. Mills, 74, encouraged the audience to “keep our spirits high” amid challenging times. Drew Barrymore won her first Emmy as daytime talk series host for The Drew Barrymore Show, defeating Kelly Clarkson, Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa, Jenna Bush Hager and Hoda Kotb, and Jennifer Hudson. Live With Kelly and Mark won daytime talk series. Lisa Yamada of CBS’ The Bold and the Beautiful won the emerging talent award, portraying Luna Nozawa. Culinary host Kardea Brown of Food Network’s Delicious Miss Brown won for both culinary host and culinary instructional series, celebrating her achievement as a young Black woman from Charleston, South Carolina. Journalist Deborah Norville received the career achievement award after leaving Inside Edition in May to host the game show The Perfect Line.

As Shah Rukh Khan prepares to celebrate his 60th birthday on November 2, fans are being treated to a special cinematic celebration of his legacy — right where it all began: on the big screen. India’s top multiplex chain, PVR INOX, has announced a two-week Shah Rukh Khan Film Festival to honor the actor’s immense contribution to Indian cinema. The festival will begin on October 31 and run across 75 theatres in over 30 cities, giving audiences a chance to revisit some of his most iconic films. Whether as Raj waiting at a station, Rahul with open arms, Kabir Khan leading a women’s hockey team, or Raees challenging the system — Shah Rukh Khan doesn’t just portray characters; he makes them unforgettable. His films are more than just movies — they are emotional milestones that have shaped generations of viewers. The curated film line-up includes:Chennai Express – blending Shah Rukh’s comedic flair with Rohit Shetty’s high-octane action, Devdas – Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s epic tale of heartbreak and longing, Dil Se – a gripping story of love, obsession, and political turmoil, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Na – the endearing journey of a lovable underdog in love, Main Hoon Na – a patriotic action-drama filled with friendship and flair, Om Shanti Om – a reincarnation saga full of nostalgia and 70s-style grandeur, Jawan – SRK’s latest blockbuster that reaffirms his reign over hearts and the box office In a statement, Shah Rukh Khan reflected on the festival “Cinema has always been my home, and watching these films return to the big screen feels like a heartwarming reunion. These movies belong as much to the audience as they do to me. I hope people relive the joy, the music, and the shared magic of these cinematic journeys.” Niharika Bijli, Lead Strategist at PVR INOX Ltd, echoed the excitement: “Shah Rukh Khan is more than a star — he’s a feeling. This festival is our way of celebrating his incredible legacy and the joy he’s brought to audiences over the years.” For fans, this isn’t just about nostalgia — it’s about reconnecting with the moments that made them believe in love, resilience, and cinematic magic. Whether it's Raj reaching out for Simran, Kabir's unforgettable pep talk, or Om’s iconic line — “Picture abhi baaki hai mere dost” — the emotions are timeless. With Shah Rukh Khan, the magic of cinema never ends.  

Popular Bangladeshi rock band Aurthohin has released its highly anticipated album “Phoenixer Diary 2” worldwide today (Friday), marking a powerful return to the country’s rock scene with a new sound and storytelling style. The album, filled with emotion, darkness, and the spirit of revenge, portrays a musical journey of transformation—from the rebirth of the Phoenix to an image of destruction. Each song in the album unfolds a narrative, with melodies that echo pain, loss, and a call for vengeance. Available from today on major streaming platforms including YouTube Music, Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, and Qobuz, the full album can be streamed. With “Phoenixer Diary 2,” Aurthohin introduces a new sub-genre of Bangla rock titled Bangla Nu Rock. The album features international collaborations, including Grammy-nominated guitarist Frank Gambale, saxophonist Bob Franceschini, bassist Babbie Lewis, and Ahnaf Salehin, son of Aurthohin’s frontman and bassist Saidus Salehin Suman (Bassbaba Suman). The album is dedicated to the memory of late sound engineer and artist A.K. Ratul. Aurthohin also expressed gratitude for the sponsorship and partnership of Mercedes-Benz Bangladesh, Shell, Framework Finance Limited, Get Set Rock, Verse Imagine, and other supporting partners—Heavy Metal T-Shirt, Music Castle, SP Rhythm, Skyfall, Tune & Bite Music Café, Universal Medical College & Hospital Limited, and Cool Exposure—for making the release possible.  

Former US First Lady Michelle Obama will promote her upcoming fashion book, “The Look,” through a six-part companion podcast series tied to her show “IMO” co-hosted with her brother, Craig Robinson. Her media company, Higher Ground, announced Thursday that “IMO: The Look” will debut on November 5, with new episodes released weekly. Guests will include Jane Fonda, model and activist Bethann Hardison, and designer Jenna Lyons. Obama’s new book, set for release on November 4, explores her fashion journey from the White House to public life. Her 2018 memoir “Becoming” remains one of the best-selling political memoirs in history. She will kick off the podcast series with a live event at the Brooklyn Academy of Music alongside entertainer Tracee Ellis Ross.

Grammy-winning R&B singer Michael Eugene Archer, widely known as D’Angelo, has passed away at the age of 51 after battling cancer, his family announced on Tuesday. The family described him as leaving behind “a legacy of extraordinarily moving music” and urged fans to celebrate “the gift of song that he has left for the world.” D’Angelo was a pioneer of neo-soul, blending R&B with hip-hop, jazz, and other genres. He released three acclaimed albums, earning four Grammy Awards. His 1996 hit Lady reached No. 10 on Billboard’s Hot 100, and his 2000 album Voodoo won two Grammys. His 2014 comeback album Black Messiah also earned a Grammy for Best R&B Album in 2016. Born in Richmond, Virginia, D’Angelo began performing locally as a child and won a talent competition at Harlem’s Apollo Theater at 18, which led to a publishing deal with EMI. Over his career, he collaborated with Lauryn Hill, The Roots, and other prominent artists. Fans and fellow musicians, including DJ Premier, mourned his passing, praising his artistry and impact on music.   Source: BBC

Hollywood star Blake Lively was reportedly offered a $1.75 million package to lead It Ends With Us, complete with a private jet, family travel coverage, and other luxury perks, according to a draft contract obtained by Us Weekly. The proposed deal, though never finalized, detailed a base salary close to $2 million along with a 10% share of the film’s gross proceeds and multiple bonus clauses tied to box office milestones and award nominations. Lively would have reportedly earned $250,000 if the film’s revenue tripled its production cost, with additional rewards for surpassing higher targets. Beyond direct pay, the contract included extensive travel and lifestyle provisions — private jet trips to Las Vegas, expenses for her four children, two nannies, a personal assistant, and a security team. It also offered a private driver, on-location assistant, and weekly allowances for meals and fitness. While It Ends With Us—based on Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel—has achieved box office success, Lively’s final compensation remains undisclosed as the draft agreement was never officially signed.   Source: NDTV

Actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut has claimed that her journey to success in Bollywood was far more difficult than that of superstar Shah Rukh Khan, pointing to her humble beginnings in a remote village compared to his urban upbringing in Delhi. Speaking at a PHDCCI event in the capital, Kangana said, “Why did I get so much success? There is probably nobody else who came from a village and achieved such recognition in the mainstream. You talk about Shah Rukh Khan—he is from Delhi, convent-educated. I was from a village that nobody would have even heard of—Bhamla. Maybe others may disagree, but I feel it’s because I am brutally honest, not just with people but with myself too.” Leaving her hometown Bhamla in Himachal Pradesh at just 15, Kangana debuted in Gangster at 19 and went on to win four National Film Awards. Meanwhile, Shah Rukh Khan, who began his career on television before moving to Mumbai in 1991, rose to become one of India’s biggest film icons. Kangana recently directed and starred in Emergency, portraying former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. She will next appear in a Tamil psychological thriller opposite R Madhavan and in Bharat Bhagya Vidhata. Shah Rukh, on the other hand, will be seen in King, alongside Suhana Khan and Deepika Padukone, directed by Siddharth Anand.   Source: NDTV

Actor Kartik Aaryan had an emotional moment as he accepted his first Filmfare Best Actor Award, made even more special by the presence of his parents in the audience. Clearly moved, the Dhamaka star took to Instagram to share a video from the night along with a heartfelt message. He wrote, “This hits different when you remember where you started that night… every emotion I'd ever felt found its voice. From the small town boy who only dreamt of this stage, to the man living it — thank you, universe. I didn't just speak that night, I felt every word. This speech wasn't prepared. It was live.” In his acceptance speech, Kartik expressed disbelief and deep gratitude. “There are moments in life where you wonder if it’s all real — and this is one of those nights,” he said. Speaking about Chandu Champion, the film that earned him the honour, he praised director Kabir Khan and said the story of Murlikant Petkar — India’s first Paralympic gold medalist — deeply resonated with him. “When others stopped believing in Murlikant, he didn’t give up. That felt very personal to me. It wasn’t just a film; it was the most meaningful journey of my career,” Kartik shared. He credited Kabir Khan for his vision, saying, “You don’t just create films, you create worlds.” He also thanked producers Sajid Nadiadwala and Vardha Nadiadwala for their unwavering support during the making of the film, which brought Petkar’s story to the spotlight after nearly five decades. Kartik also noted the symbolic timing — shortly after the film's release, Petkar received the Lifetime Arjuna Award. The actor became visibly emotional as he acknowledged his parents, who were present during the ceremony. “Growing up, I remember watching award shows on TV, dreaming of holding that trophy. And now, it’s happening in front of them,” he said. Kartik also thanked Filmfare, his fans, and dedicated his award to dreamers everywhere: “My Godfathers are my fans… To everyone chasing a dream — even when you feel like giving up — remember, there’s a champion in you. A champion may fall, but never stops.” Kartik Aaryan won the Filmfare Best Actor Award for his powerful performance in Chandu Champion, marking a major milestone in his career. Source: NDTV