United News of Bangladesh

Taylor Swift surprised fans after actor Cillian Murphy made a brief cameo in the music video of her song Opalite, triggering widespread excitement on social media. The video, now streaming on Spotify and Apple Music Premium, features several familiar faces from a 2025 episode of The Graham Norton Show. Alongside Murphy, the appearances include Domhnall Gleeson, Greta Lee, Jodie Turner-Smith, Lewis Capaldi and show host Graham Norton. Cillian Murphy appears in the opening scene through a billboard advertisement and also provides a voiceover. Domhnall Gleeson plays Swift’s former love interest in the video, while Lewis Capaldi appears as a photographer. Greta Lee and Jodie Turner-Smith are shown in television advertisements within the storyline, and Graham Norton makes a short appearance. Following the video’s release, Murphy’s cameo quickly became a talking point online. Fans shared memes and reactions, with many joking that the actor had officially joined what they called the “Taylor Swift cinematic universe”. The official version of the Opalite music video is set to premiere on YouTube on February 8 at 6:30 pm IST. Opalite is the second song from Swift’s album The Life of a Showgirl to receive a music video. The first was Fate of Ophelia, released in October last year along with the album. Swift has also announced a limited edition pearlescent blue vinyl of Opalite, available for pre order on her official website for a limited time. The Life of a Showgirl became the fastest selling album in history, selling more than four million units in its first week. The album topped global charts and includes a collaboration with Sabrina Carpenter on the title track, along with other songs such as Wood, Elizabeth Taylor and Actually Romantic. Swift earlier shared on Instagram that the idea for the video came from a light hearted joke during her appearance on The Graham Norton Show, after which she reached out to the guests to take part in the project.   With inputs from NDTV

Cricket fans attending the opening match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Mumbai on February 7 can look forward to more than just on-field action, as a star-studded musical lineup is set to entertain the crowd. The ICC announced on Friday that rapper Badshah, Bollywood star Nora Fatehi, acclaimed neo-classical sitarist Rishab Rikhiram Sharma, and renowned percussionist Sivamani will lead the official opening ceremony of the tournament. Sharing his excitement, Badshah said he was thrilled to be part of a global event that blends sport, music, and culture, noting that music, much like cricket, has the power to unite people. He added that he is eager to bring his energy to such a prestigious platform. Rishab Rikhiram Sharma said performing at the T20 World Cup opening was an unexpected but meaningful opportunity, calling it a major step in showcasing Indian music on the world stage. He expressed his honour at sharing the stage with Sivamani in front of an audience of nearly 60,000 fans. Sivamani echoed similar sentiments, saying that both music and cricket transcend borders. He described performing at the opening ceremony in Mumbai as a privilege and said he looks forward to engaging the audience through rhythm ahead of the match. India have been placed in Group A alongside arch-rivals Pakistan, Namibia, the Netherlands, and the United States. The hosts will begin their campaign against the USA in Mumbai on February 7. If India successfully defend their title, they will become the first team to do so in T20 World Cup history. A third title would also make them the most successful team in the tournament’s history. India’s T20 World Cup squad: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Rinku Singh.

Popular singer Arijit Singh recently announced that he will no longer work as a playback singer. His decision has once again brought attention to how singers are paid in the film industry. Many wonder why top singers leave and what happens to lesser-known artists who have less influence. The discussion grew after singer Abhijeet Sawant spoke about the issue. He shared his thoughts on whether playback singers are paid fairly and recognized for their work. During an interview on Pentarise Studios' YouTube channel, Abhijeet said, “People don’t want singers to become bigger than the film. That is why they are paid a fixed amount. Singers don’t get royalties for film songs. For example, Biddu worked on ‘Lafzon Mein’ and also made a few songs in the West. He earns enough royalties from those songs to live comfortably. We don’t even get enough to live on.” “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3” team wanted Arijit not Sonu Nigam": Mallik He added, “The system is made this way. Singers want opportunities and hope a hit song with a big star will help their career. We accept the money we get, because if we don’t, someone else will. Singers are often exploited.” On January 27, Arijit shared on social media that he will stop taking new playback songs. He wrote, “Hello, Happy New Year to all. Thank you for your love over the years. I will not take any new playback assignments. It was a wonderful journey.” His announcement came days after he released ‘Maatrubhumi’, a song recorded with Shreya Ghoshal for Salman Khan’s upcoming film ‘Battle of Galwan’. #With inputs from NDTV

At 90, the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, has won his first-ever Grammy Award, adding a new milestone to his long list of global honours. The Tibetan spiritual leader received the accolade in the Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording category for his spoken-word album Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The award was accepted on his behalf by musician Rufus Wainwright, who collaborated on the project. Meditations combines the Dalai Lama’s reflections on peace, compassion, mindfulness, and humanity’s interconnectedness with musical elements influenced by Hindustani classical traditions. In a statement shared by his office, the Dalai Lama said the recognition was not a personal triumph but “a recognition of shared universal responsibility.” He added, “I receive this recognition with gratitude and humility. Peace, compassion, care for our environment, and understanding the oneness of humanity are essential for the collective well-being of all eight billion human beings. I hope this Grammy helps spread these messages more widely.” The album’s nomination in late 2025 had already drawn global attention, highlighting the Dalai Lama’s work beyond spiritual and philosophical circles. Although this is his first Grammy, he has previously been honoured with numerous prestigious awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his lifelong nonviolent struggle for Tibet and advocacy of peace and human values. Other accolades include the Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion in 2012, academic honours such as Doctor Honoris Causa degrees from institutions in the United States, Italy, and India, as well as the Liberty Medal in the U.S. and the Syedna Qutbuddin Harmony Prize in India. These recognitions reflect his enduring influence as a moral and spiritual leader worldwide.   With inputs from The Indian EXPRESS

The Grammy Awards on Sunday became the latest high-profile stage for growing celebrity criticism of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, as musicians and activists used the red carpet and acceptance speeches to denounce US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The awards season has coincided with an intensified deportation campaign, particularly in Minneapolis, prompting artists to weigh whether and how to publicly oppose immigration enforcement. In the days leading up to the Grammys, activists urged celebrities to wear protest pins calling for ICE to leave US cities, coordinating with artists’ teams and distributing the pins at multiple industry events. Organisers said the response at the Grammys appeared stronger than at last month’s Golden Globes, reflecting rising public anger after a series of high-profile incidents, including the fatal shooting of nurse Alex Pretti by a Border Patrol officer, the detention of a five-year-old child, Liam Conejo Ramos, and the recent arrest of journalist Don Lemon. Jess Morales Rocketto, executive director of Latino advocacy group Maremoto, said the music industry’s culture made artists more willing to take visible stands than their Hollywood counterparts. “These are folks known for big, rebellious performances and bold self-expression,” she said. “The pins are about much more than a red carpet moment. They’re about taking a stand and showing that ICE should be out of our communities.” Several artists wore protest messages on the Grammys red carpet, including Jason Isbell, Margo Price, Kehlani and Rhiannon Giddens. Kehlani also used her acceptance speech for best R&B performance to condemn ICE. Justin Vernon of Bon Iver said he wore a whistle to honour legal observers documenting federal agents’ actions on the streets. “I think music exists to heal and bring people together,” Vernon told the Associated Press. “But the real work is being done by those observers on the ground.” The protests echoed similar demonstrations at last week’s Sundance Film Festival, where actors including Natalie Portman, Olivia Wilde and Zoey Deutch wore “ICE OUT” pins. Deutch also displayed a “BE GOOD” pin in memory of Renee Good, who was killed by an ICE officer last month. Wilde said she was disturbed by what she described as a growing normalisation of deadly enforcement actions. Portman, speaking at the premiere of her film The Gallerist, became emotional as she described the difficulty of celebrating creative achievements amid widespread fear in immigrant communities. Activists acknowledged that not all artists are able or willing to speak out publicly. Morales Rocketto said opposition can come from record labels, managers, fashion sponsors or corporate partners, while others may fear personal consequences. She also noted that Latino artists, regardless of fame or wealth, may face particular risks, including concerns over immigration status within their families, amid heightened enforcement under the Trump administration. Despite those pressures, organisers said the visible protest at the Grammys signaled a growing cultural revolt against immigration policies, with artists increasingly using their platforms to express solidarity with affected communities.

Tollywood stars Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda are reportedly set to tie the knot on February 26, 2026, in a private ceremony at a heritage palace in Udaipur, Rajasthan. The couple had earlier celebrated a private engagement at Vijay’s Hyderabad residence in October last year. Now, a viral video claims that preparations for their wedding are underway at the City Palace in Udaipur. In the video shared on Instagram, two women said they were at the same palace where the wedding is expected to take place. They added that palace staff confirmed the wedding date as February 26. The clip also shows glimpses of the ongoing preparations at the venue. Rashmika and Vijay have largely kept their engagement and wedding plans private. During a recent promotional event, Rashmika subtly acknowledged their engagement, saying, “Everyone is aware of it.” Read More: Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda engaged, wedding set for February 2026 In another light-hearted interaction with Galatta Plus, Rashmika was congratulated on her perfume line, and when asked if there was something else to celebrate, she smiled and said, “No, no. Actually, there’s quite a lot, because so many things are happening. But I’ll take your congratulations on all of them.” The couple’s relationship has drawn attention for some time, fueled by their on-screen chemistry in films like ‘Geetha Govindam’ and ‘ Dear Comrade’. Sources close to the couple confirmed to NDTV that they got engaged on October 3, 2025, in a private ceremony. Source: NDTV

Bollywood producer Shailendra Singh has praised Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra, calling them “like-minded personalities” with similar approaches to their careers. Shailendra said many fans wished the two stars had appeared together more on screen. He added that despite taking different career paths, they share a focused and professional attitude. Speaking about Priyanka Chopra, Shailendra said the industry did not value her properly. “Priyanka should have been the voice of Bollywood, but we treated her so badly that she left the country. She could have carried Bollywood’s reputation globally,” he said. Priyanka later moved to the United States and built a successful career in Hollywood. Shailendra also highlighted Shah Rukh Khan’s understanding of cinema and business. “He is a thorough professional, knows his work, and never puts anyone down. Both Priyanka and Shah Rukh should be ambassadors of our industry,” he said. The producer said the two stars have a no-nonsense attitude and are very similar in the way they handle their careers. He described them as supremely talented and focused on their work. Shailendra’s remarks come amid ongoing fan interest in collaborations between Bollywood’s top stars and recognition of Priyanka Chopra’s international success.   With inputs from NDTV

Global pop icon Madonna has praised the English seaside town of Margate and her long-time friend, celebrated artist Tracey Emin, calling the resort “her idea of heaven” in a recent Instagram post. Madonna shared photographs from an art exhibition and highlighted Emin, who has been her friend for over 25 years, as a “pearl” for championing the town’s cultural revival. Emin, known for her provocative and personal artwork, has spent decades promoting Margate as a hub for creativity, drawing artists, writers, photographers, and performers to the coastal town. In her post, Madonna lauded Emin’s residency programme, which provides young artists space to live and work, describing it as “quite remarkable” and vital for those who otherwise would lack opportunities to develop their talents. “Whenever I go there, I feel like I’ve entered a dream,” Madonna wrote, noting that the town seemed “energized by creativity.” Emin responded to Madonna’s tribute, expressing gratitude for the visit and noting that Margate has attracted “so many cool, creative, interesting people” in recent years. She recalled the town’s decline during the 1970s and 1980s, when empty streets, derelict arcades, and boarded-up shops left it largely abandoned. According to Emin, the past decade has seen a major transformation of Margate, driven by a new wave of artists, writers, and musicians. “The town has come back to life, and both new and old Margatonians are making it a positive and uplifting place,” she said. Madonna concluded that sharing experiences like Margate, which celebrate human connection through art rather than conflict, was meaningful. Emin echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the town’s growing cultural and artistic significance.   With inputs from BBC

Oscar-winning Indian composer AR Rahman is set to attend the high-profile premiere of Melania, a new documentary on former US First Lady Melania Trump, at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC on January 29 (ET), NDTV reported. Rahman’s presence is among the notable international highlights of the event, which will also host prominent figures including FIFA President Gianni Infantino, hip-hop artist Waka Flocka Flame, and Jordan Belfort, whose life inspired The Wolf of Wall Street. Political dignitaries expected at the premiere include former New York City Mayor Eric Adams, US Second Lady Usha Vance, and several members of former President Donald Trump’s cabinet. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent are also scheduled to attend. The documentary focuses on the 20 days leading up to Donald Trump’s second presidential inauguration and provides a behind-the-scenes look at Melania Trump during a politically pivotal period. It had an earlier private screening at the White House on January 24, attended by Donald and Melania Trump, their son Barron, and select invited guests. Directed by Brett Ratner and produced by Fernando Sulichin and Marc Beckman, the documentary also lists Melania Trump as one of its producers. Amazon MGM Studios is handling the release of the film. Despite anticipation for the US premiere, advance ticket sales for screenings in London have been weak, with minimal bookings reported across both independent cinemas and major multiplexes, according to The Guardian. Nevertheless, the Washington DC premiere remains a major international event, with Rahman’s attendance highlighting the global appeal of the documentary.   With inputs from NDTV

A rare BBC radio interview from 1955 offers fresh insights into the life, career, and creative process of celebrated British crime novelist Agatha Christie, whose works have captivated readers for more than a century. The interview, recorded more than 50 years ago, captures the reclusive author discussing her unconventional upbringing, inspirations, and distinctive approach to writing. Born Agatha Miller in 1890 to a prosperous family, Christie was mostly home-schooled and described her childhood as “gloriously idle.” In the interview, she said that periods of boredom sparked her imagination, leading her to write short stories and a lengthy early novel before publishing her first major work, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, in 1920, which introduced her iconic detective Hercule Poirot. Her experience as a volunteer nurse during World War One, including work in a hospital pharmacy, provided her with knowledge of medicines and toxins, which she later used in 41 murders, attempted murders, and suicides across her novels. Christie explained that while her novels followed a typical formula—a closed circle of suspects, a murder, clues, and a private detective revealing the truth—her plays allowed her more creative freedom. She noted that writing plays was “much more fun than writing books,” as it avoided lengthy descriptions and demanded faster pacing to maintain dialogue flow. Three of her plays were running simultaneously in London’s West End by 1955, including The Mousetrap, which became the world’s longest-running play. The interview also explored her personal challenges. In 1926, after the death of her mother and her husband Archie Christie’s confession of infidelity, she disappeared for ten days in a widely publicised incident. Found 230 miles from the site of her car crash in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, Christie never fully explained the episode, attributing it vaguely to “illness, sorrow, despair, and heartbreak.” Christie later married archaeologist Max Mallowan in 1930, whose shared interest in Middle Eastern history influenced novels such as Death on the Nile (1937). She revealed that while thinking through plot development required careful mental planning, the actual writing of a novel could be completed in three months if uninterrupted. Theatre impresario Sir Peter Saunders, who produced her hit play The Mousetrap, described her talent for mentally visualising entire scenes before writing, a view echoed by Penguin Books founder Sir Allan Lane. Actor Richard Attenborough highlighted the contrast between her quiet, dignified persona and her ability to enthrall audiences with suspense and drama on stage and screen. The BBC interview underscores Christie’s reliance on imagination over rigid technique, her joy in devising intricate plots, and her enduring legacy as one of the world’s most ingenious and enigmatic crime writers.