United News of Bangladesh

Singer and actor Lady Gaga has reportedly joined the cast of Disney’s upcoming sequel to the 2006 hit film The Devil Wears Prada. Variety reported that Gaga was spotted at the filming location, confirming her involvement. Details about her role are yet to be revealed. The sequel will see the return of Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci. Filming began in June, and the movie is scheduled for release on May 1, 2026. Directed again by David Frankel, the story continues from the original film, which followed Andy (Hathaway) as she navigates her role at the prestigious Runway magazine under editor Miranda Priestly (Streep). Other actors joining the sequel include Kenneth Branagh, Lucy Liu, Justin Theroux, B J Novak, Pauline Chalamet, and Simone Ashley. The film is produced by Wendy Finerman and Karen Rosenfelt and written by Aline Brosh McKenna.   Source: NDTV

Bollywood star Salman Khan has clarified his long-rumoured fallout with singer Arijit Singh, calling it a misunderstanding from his side. Speaking on a recent episode of Bigg Boss 19, Salman said there was never any real enmity between him and Arijit. He said, “Arijit and I are very good friends. That misunderstanding happened from my side. After that, he even sang songs for me — in Tiger 3 and now in Galwan.” The rumours about a rift began after the 2014 Star Guild Awards, when a light-hearted exchange between Salman and Arijit was reportedly misinterpreted. Following this, reports suggested Arijit was replaced on songs in films like Kick, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, and Sultan. In 2016, Arijit had also addressed the speculation on social media, asking Salman for forgiveness and clarifying that there was no intention to offend. Salman’s latest statement finally confirms that the issue was a personal misunderstanding and that both continue to share a friendly relationship.   Source: NDTV

Comedian and podcaster Marc Maron has wrapped up his long-running show WTF With Marc Maron after 16 years and nearly 1,700 episodes, with former US President Barack Obama joining him as his final guest. Obama, who famously appeared on Maron’s podcast a decade ago while still in office, helped close the show by interviewing Maron at his Washington office. It was a fitting full circle moment for the podcast that once brought global attention to the medium. “How are you feeling about this whole thing — the transition, moving on from something that’s been such a defining part of your life?” Obama asked at the start. “I feel OK,” Maron replied. “I’m ready for a break, but there’s also some fear — like, what do I do now? I’ve got a lot of people who’ve come to rely on me.” Maron laughed as he compared ending his podcast to leaving the presidency. “I think it’s pretty similar,” Obama quipped. The former president’s identity was kept secret until the episode was released on Monday, though many fans had correctly guessed it. In July, Maron had told Variety that Obama would be his ideal final guest. “It became clear the guest had to be someone singular,” Maron said in his brief introduction. “Someone who could speak to the importance of this being our final episode — and how we move through a frightening world.” Offering advice, Obama told Maron not to rush into his next chapter: “Take a beat. Take some satisfaction looking backward. You’ve still got a few chapters left.” Reflecting on Maron’s legacy, Obama said, “Part of the reason you had such a big fan base is because there was a core decency to you and to the conversations you had. I think that speaks to who we are.” Maron avoided overtly sentimental goodbyes during the episode, having shared an emotional farewell with listeners in the previous one. “I’m grateful to have been part of your lives,” he had said then. “We’ve been through a lot — breakups, death, cats, the world.” The final episode, No. 1,686, marked the end of a pioneering podcast that began in 2009 in Maron’s Los Angeles garage — affectionately called The Cat Ranch. Over the years, WTF featured an array of cultural figures, including Robin Williams, Paul McCartney, and countless comedians and artists. Maron signed off with a tribute to his beloved pets: “Cat angels everywhere.” Earlier this year, Maron and longtime producer Brendan McDonald announced their decision to end the show, citing no specific reason other than exhaustion and satisfaction. As he wrapped up, Maron humorously read a mock legal document for Obama to sign, releasing McDonald “from the professional responsibility of listening to me talk.”  

Dhallywood megastar Shakib Khan has expressed his heartfelt support and prayers for veteran actor and 'Nirapad Sarak Chai' activist Ilias Kanchan, who has recently been diagnosed with a brain tumor and is currently undergoing treatment at Harley Street Clinic in London. In a Facebook post on Sunday, Shakib described Kanchan as a “beloved elder brother, whose life has been a symbol of activism and a journey of light.” He praised Kanchan for his dual role as a beloved hero on the silver screen and as a humanitarian in real life. “Today, Kanchan Bhai is battling silently in London. Millions of people in the country are praying for him to return healthy, energetic, and inspiring as always." "I pray to Almighty Allah to grant him speedy recovery and a peaceful, healthy life. We all stand with Kanchan Bhai in love and prayers,” Shakib wrote. Recently, another Dhallywood superstar actress Rozina, who shared the silver screen in numerous films with Kanchan as the lead duo, met him during his treatment in London. Known for his longstanding contributions to Bangladeshi cinema and his activism for road safety, Ilias Kanchan has earned admiration both on and off screen, making him one of the most respected figures in the entertainment industry.

Popular Bangladesh rock band Aurthohin unveiled a new chapter in their musical journey with a ‘Secret Listening Party’ on Friday at the Mercedes-Benz Bangladesh showroom on Tejgaon–Gulshan Link Road in the capital. The exclusive event marked a special preview of their new upcoming album 'Phoenixer Diary 2'. The gathering was a vibrant celebration of music, attended by leading musicians and close friends of the band, including Hamin Ahmed and Iqbal Asif Jewel from Miles, Sakib Chowdhury of Cryptic Fate, Alif Alauddin, Kazi Faisal Ahmed, Gibran from Bhoutist, and Sumon’s son Ahnaf Salehin. Fans were treated to a first listen of tracks from the album such as Phoenix 2, Shikari, Cactus featuring Ahnaf Salehin, Ichchhe, Bedonar Chorabali 2 featuring Frank Gambale and Bob Franceschini, Unmad, Brishtir Gaan, and the highly anticipated sequel Nikrishto 4. With this release, Aurthohin introduces their new musical style, Bangla Nu Metal, to listeners for the first time. Bassbaba Sumon introduced his son to the audience, saying, “We’re really lucky to have Gen Alpha among us today. Aurthohin is evolving with time and will continue to do so.” Aurthohin set to unleash darkness, vengeance with new album ‘Phonixer Diary 2’ The event also carried a heartfelt tribute to the late A K Ratul, sound engineer and bassist of the band Owned, with the album dedicated to his memory. 'Phoenixer Diary 2' is scheduled for a global release on October 17, across streaming platforms including YouTube Music, Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, and Qobuz. The first single, Unmad, was released on October 2 by Aurthohin’s official YouTube channel. Aurthohin extended gratitude to their main sponsor Mercedes-Benz Bangladesh, along with supporting partners Shell, Framework Finance Limited, Get Set Rock, Verse Imagine, and contributors Heavy Metal T-Shirt, Music Castle, SP Rhythm, Skyfall, Universal Medical College & Hospital Ltd., and Cool Exposure for their support in the album’s promotion.  

Music legend AR Rahman is set to perform for the first time in Varanasi, the sacred city on the banks of the Ganga, as part of NDTV Good Times Soundscape—a new platform blending live concerts with immersive cultural experiences. In a conversation with actor and musician Shruti Haasan, Rahman shared his excitement and deep sense of connection with the city. “I missed the opportunity to visit Varanasi many times. I was supposed to go around 1997 but couldn’t make it. Later, Aanand L Rai called me for Raanjhanaa and asked me to come to Banaras, but again something happened. I think it was meant to be this way. I even wanted to meet Ustad Bismillah Khan’s family but couldn’t. I think the opportunity has come now—the call has come,” Rahman said. The Oscar-winning composer said he is eager to experience “the energy and the million stories” that define Varanasi. “Even just walking through the streets will be inspiring,” he added. Rahman will perform with his raga-based ensemble Jhaala, originally formed for the WAVES Summit 2025. “We curated Jhaala from 500 entries and selected the best 12 musicians. My goal is to take Indian classical music global with a fresh perspective—something immersive and modern,” Rahman explained. The maestro also spoke about his admiration for the late shehnai legend Ustad Bismillah Khan, whose music remains synonymous with Varanasi’s heritage. “After Jhaala, we’ll perform Sufi songs that transcend religion. Bismillah Khan Sahib’s legacy brings a sense of friendship and shared spirituality between communities. Hopefully, this will be the peace concert people long for,” Rahman said. Source: Agency

Aryan Khan has clarified that his Netflix directorial debut The Ba***ds of Bollywood was meant to be “self-deprecating, not disrespectful,” as controversy grows over a defamation suit filed by former NCB officer Sameer Wankhede. In an interview with Variety published Friday, Aryan said the creative team set clear limits to keep the show respectful toward the industry. “We wanted to be self-deprecating, but not disrespectful anywhere. I think we maintained that line correctly,” he said. Wankhede recently filed a ₹2 crore defamation suit against Shah Rukh Khan and Red Chillies Entertainment, alleging the series defames him through a character resembling him. The Delhi High Court has issued summons to the production company and others in the case. The satirical Netflix series, released on September 18, offers a humorous look at Bollywood’s behind-the-scenes realities and features Bobby Deol, Mona Singh, and Raghav Juyal in key roles.   Source: NDTV

Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor on Thursday called himself “a product of nepotism” but emphasized that being born into the legendary Kapoor family did not guarantee success in the film industry. Speaking at the Celebrate Cinema 2025 festival at Whistling Woods in Mumbai, Ranbir, 43, said he always had to work hard and develop his own approach to acting to prove his talent. “You celebrate my family’s successes, but there are many failures too. You learn from both,” he said. The Animal actor, son of Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Kapoor, also shared insights from his early experiences observing music directors, lyricists, and filmmakers at his grandfather Raj Kapoor’s home. He highlighted filmmaking as a collaborative art and stressed flexibility in acting, noting that each director has a unique style. Ranbir expressed his desire to mentor young actors, saying film institutes inspire him with their energy and talent. At the event, filmmaker Subhash Ghai announced scholarships in the names of Raj Kapoor and Guru Dutt for acting students.   Source: NDTV

After earning widespread acclaim for his two original series ‘Shaaticup’ and ‘Sinpaat’ on OTT platforms, filmmaker Mohammad Touqir Islam is set to make his debut in full-length feature filmmaking with his new film, ‘Delupi’. Released in 2022, ‘Shaaticup’, set in the city of Rajshahi, drew praise from critics and audiences alike for its authentic storytelling and strong local essence. Two years later, Touqir followed it up with ‘Sinpaat’, further cementing his reputation as one of the country’s most promising young directors. Speaking about his latest project, Touqir said the name ‘Delupi’ is inspired by Deluti Union in Paikgacha upazila of Khulna. “The story is a work of ‘fictional reality,’ drawn from the lives, struggles and relationships of people in that region,” he said. He added that ‘Delupi’ goes beyond one locality, reflecting experiences of people from all walks of life across the country, making it universally relatable. From filming locations to the cast, everything about the production is local. “I have always wanted to tell stories about real people,” Touqir said, adding: “The film ‘Delupi’ is a continuation of that effort. Every character and every frame in this film reflects real lives and emotions. Conveying genuine feelings mattered far more to me than big budgets or star names.” Produced by Footprint Film Production House, the film was officially announced through the company’s social media pages on Thursday, October 9. According to the director, ‘Delupi’ is  

A novel exploring identity and loss, a sweeping history of Iran’s revolution, and a children’s book celebrating the humble belly button have been named this year’s winners of the Kirkus Prize — each receiving a $50,000 award. Lucas Schaefer won in the fiction category for “The Slip,” which follows a man’s search for his long-missing nephew. The nonfiction prize went to Scott Anderson for “King of Kings: The Iranian Revolution: A Story of Hubris, Delusion and Catastrophic Miscalculation,” an account of the downfall of the Shah of Iran. In the young readers’ category, Thao Lam received the award for “Everybelly,” a playful, illustrated look at belly buttons and the stories they tell. Founded in 2014, the Kirkus Prize is administered by the trade publication Kirkus Reviews. “This year’s Kirkus Prize winners bring us vital messages for our time — about the joys of community, the power of self-transformation, and the mutability of history — all delivered through exhilarating prose and pictures,” said Kirkus Editor-in-Chief Tom Beer in a statement on Wednesday. The finalists included Angela Flournoy’s “The Wilderness”; Nicholas Boggs’ “Baldwin: A Love Story,” a biography of writer James Baldwin; and “Mother Mary Comes to Me,” a memoir by Arundhati Roy. Source: AP