United News of Bangladesh

Veteran actor Farida Jalal has extended her best wishes to Aryan Khan for his upcoming directorial debut series The Ba**ds of Bollywood*. Speaking at the trailer launch of Love In Vietnam on Monday, Jalal fondly recalled meeting Shah Rukh Khan’s son on a film set when he was a child. “He has all my prayers. Yes, we met on set. He was very young, just a little boy. I’m very proud that he has now become a director. May God bless him with success,” she told reporters in Mumbai. Jalal, who has shared the screen with Shah Rukh Khan in films such as Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Yes Boss, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, also reflected on the bond she developed with him over the years. She said playing Shah Rukh’s mother in multiple films made her feel a genuine mother-son connection with him. “Since he didn’t have a mother in his life, I always felt I should give him as much mamta (motherly love) as I could. It came naturally to me,” she said. Jalal added that her feelings for Aryan are like that of a grandmother, proud to see him step into the spotlight. Aryan’s debut series is set to premiere on Netflix on September 18.   Source: NDTV

The grand premiere of Bigg Boss 19 saw Salman Khan return as host with a candid revelation about his love life. While interacting with contestant Tanya Mittal, he admitted, “I have never experienced true love.” The remark reignited public interest in the actor’s much-discussed relationships, previously linked to Sangeeta Bijlani, Somy Ali, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Katrina Kaif. Rajinikanth’s ‘Coolie’ sees strong rebound at box office Earlier this year, Salman had shared his views on love and breakups on nephew Arhaan Khan’s podcast, advising people to move on quickly and value accountability in relationships. On the professional front, Salman will next appear in Battle of Galwan, portraying Colonel B Santosh Babu in a film based on the 2020 India-China border clash. Source: NDTV 

Rajinikanth’s action thriller Coolie recorded a significant bounce in domestic collections on its second Saturday, a week after its release. The film saw a 70% jump in India, earning an estimated Rs 10 crore nett on Saturday compared to Rs 5.85 crore on Friday, according to Sacnilk. With this, Coolie’s 10-day domestic total now stands at Rs 245 crore nett (Rs 291 crore gross). Overseas, the film continued its strong performance, taking in around $21 million (Rs 177 crore), pushing the worldwide gross after 10 days to Rs 468 crore. The surge helped Coolie surpass the lifetime earnings of recent Bollywood releases — Salman Khan’s Tiger 3 (Rs 464 crore) and Shah Rukh Khan’s Dunki (Rs 454 crore) — despite both being commercially successful. Industry analysts say Coolie is now on track to cross the Rs 500-crore mark worldwide early next week. Coolie vs War 2 Box Office: No Saiyaara-like boom for Rajinikanth or Hrithik Roshan If it does, it will become the fourth Tamil film to achieve this milestone, joining Rajinikanth’s 2.0 and Jailer, and Vijay’s Leo. Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Coolie features an ensemble cast including Nagarjuna, Shruti Haasan, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, and a cameo by Aamir Khan. The film opened to mixed reviews but has gained momentum at the box office in its second week. Source: NDTV 

Coke Studio Bangla has released its latest track ‘Baaji’ on Saturday, a fusion of urban folk and indigenous music that celebrates the cultural diversity of Bangladesh. Featuring renowned musician and composer Emon Chowdhury as both lead vocalist and music director, alongside singer-poet Hashim Mahmud, the song marks the fourth release of the platform’s much-anticipated Season 3. Penned by Hashim Mahmud, ‘Baaji’ tells a tender story of innocent love, inspired by the charm of a simple girl from Bangladesh. The lyrics are enriched by the voices and sounds drawn from different regions of the country, while Emon Chowdhury’s composition blends traditional instruments like the sarod with modern arrangements to create a cinematic soundscape. The song features contributions from several traditional groups and communities, highlighting Bangladesh’s diverse heritage. Among them are Tangail’s Dhowa Gaan-er Dol, known for their century-old tradition of singing while dancing in circular formations. Flautist Kyo U Prue Marma from Bandarban performs alongside his grandmother, Mrakoiching Marma, who sings in the Marma language — preserving songs that are at risk of fading away. The Bawm community of the Chittagong Hill Tracts adds a tribal dance performance, incorporating bamboo sticks to create percussive rhythms, while Manipuri pung drummers showcase the acrobatic Pung Cholom, adding another layer of cultural depth. Expressing his excitement, Emon Chowdhury said, “It is great to have Coke Studio Bangla return, and we are excited to present ‘Baaji’ to our incredible audience. This is a truly special song, one where every artist poured their heart into the recording. It feels like a harmonious blend of everything that represents Bangladesh, encapsulated in a single song.” ‘Baaji’ is now available on Spotify and the official YouTube channel of Coke Studio Bangla.

Ekushey Padak-winning photographer Nasir Ali Mamun’s 65th solo exhibition 'Shotoborshe Sultan' opened on Friday at Bengal Shilpalay in Dhanmondi, marking the birth centenary of legendary artist SM Sultan. Organised by the Bengal Foundation in collaboration with HSBC Bangladesh, the exhibition was inaugurated by Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur.  Renowned artist Monirul Islam, Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman, and HSBC Bangladesh Chief Executive Officer Md Mahbub ur Rahman also attended the opening ceremony. The exhibition showcases 108 rare and powerful photographs of SM Sultan, captured by Mamun between 1977 and 1993. For the first time, exclusive items from Mamun's personal collection— including three of his teeth, handwritten letters, diary pages with writings and drawings, unpublished sketches, and original negatives— are on public display. Speaking at the inauguration, Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur said, “When we talk about Bangladesh’s modern artists, three names come to mind — Zainul Abedin, Quamrul Hassan, and SM Sultan. I am deeply moved by the way SM Sultan immortalised the vitality of working people; his depiction of muscular men and women, his portrayal of rural life, hardworking people, and the beauty of nature is truly extraordinary. Cultural patronage is essential, and if more institutions like Bengal come forward, future Sultans and Zainuls will emerge.” Eminent artist and SM Sultan National and International Birth Centenary Celebration Committee Convener Monirul Islam called the event historic, saying, “I have known Mamun for 40 years; when he started photographing, resources were limited but passion was abundant. As a portrait photographer, Mamun is among the few globally significant names; and this body of work on Sultan will remain a milestone.” The star of the exhibition and Member Secretary of the SM Sultan National and International Birth Centenary Celebration Committee Nasir Ali Mamun said, “Sultan was a majestic artist, deeply rooted in soil and nature." "I silently followed him with my camera — it was not easy, but it was my inspired attempt to document the fusion of his art and life. Through these frames, I tried to uncover the mystery of his life and become one with him,” Nasir Ali Mamun reminisced about his beloved artist, SM Sultan. He also reiterated his call for establishing a photography museum in Bangladesh. “I have initiated an archive called 'Photoseum', but such initiative should have been done by the government. We must establish a photography museum with support from banks and financial institutions so that creative cultural projects like these are preserved for future generations,” Nasir Ali Mamun added. Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman, HSBC Bangladesh Chief Executive Officer Md Mahbub ur Rahman also spoke at the inaugural ceremony, which was also joined by Bengal Foundation Chairman Abul Khair, and the event was hosted by Luva Nahid Choudhury, Director General of Bengal Foundation. On the occasion of the exhibition, a special commemorative catalogue titled ‘Seeding the Soul’ was also unveiled at the event, shedding light on Sultan’s life and artistic philosophy. The exhibition will remain open to visitors every day (except Sundays) from 4 pm to 8 pm until September 27 at Bengal Shilpalay, House 42, Road 27, Dhanmondi.  

Dhallywood megastar Shakib Khan on Friday unveiled the official poster of his upcoming film 'Prince: Once Upon A Time in Dhaka.' Sharing the poster on his verified Facebook page, Shakib wrote: “The beginning of a new chapter has been announced — the city will now recognize its true hero! Here comes the Myth in motion — #PRINCE: Once Upon A Time In Dhaka. A story where the city meets its legend.” Directed by Abu Hayat Mahmud and produced by Shirin Sultana under the banner of Creative Land, 'Prince' is slated for release on Eid-ul-Fitr, 2026. Shakib Khan slams piracy, praises audience support at special screening of ‘Taandob’  Director Abu Hayat Mahmud also expressed his excitement in another Facebook post, calling 'Prince' his debut directorial venture and “much like the first child.” “Creative Land proudly presents its first cinematic journey — PRINCE. Produced by Shirin Sultana, directed by Abu Hayat Mahmud and led by the one and only Megastar Shakib Khan,” Mahmud wrote. The poster shows Shakib Khan in a striking pose with his back to the audience, arms raised against a crimson-toned city backdrop. Surrounding him are raised hands wielding firearms, hinting at an intense urban saga. Described as a story where “the city meets its legend,” the film marks a new collaboration between Shakib Khan and director Abu Hayat Mahmud. Fans have already flooded social media with excitement, anticipating another blockbuster from the Dhallywood superstar.

Florida authorities are continuing their investigation into the death of professional wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, whose passing last month was ruled a heart attack by the medical examiner. The Clearwater Police Department said Thursday that “the unique nature of this case has required us to interview multiple witnesses and obtain medical records from various providers, and our detectives continue to do so.” Hogan, born Terry Bollea, died on July 24 at age 71 after paramedics and police responded to a 911 call at his beachfront Clearwater home. Police body camera footage and details of the call have not been released, as the investigation is ongoing. The department noted that while there is no evidence of foul play, investigators are reviewing medical records and consulting with Hogan’s family, including his son Nick and daughter Brooke. “We plan to meet with the family, brief them on the case, and share the results before closing it and releasing it to the public,” the statement said. No timeline for public disclosure was provided. Hulk Hogan died of heart attack, says medical examiner Hogan, a WWE icon, headlined the first WrestleMania in 1985 and won at least six WWE championships. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005, removed in 2015 over past racial remarks, and reinstated in 2018. A private funeral service was held on August 5 in Largo, Florida. His planned cremation was reportedly postponed, with his daughter Brooke offering to fund an autopsy amid questions about his death.   Source: Agency

Rapper Lil Nas X, born Montero Lamar Hill, was arrested Thursday and briefly hospitalized for a suspected overdose after Los Angeles police said he charged at officers responding to a report of a naked man on a busy boulevard. Police found Lil Nas X on Ventura Boulevard in the Studio City area shortly before 6 a.m., said Los Angeles Police Department spokesman Officer Charles Miller. After he rushed toward officers, they took him into custody but first transported him to a hospital due to concerns over a possible drug overdose. He was released from the hospital after a few hours and then booked on suspicion of misdemeanor obstruction, being held at Valley Jail in Van Nuys. Video obtained by TMZ reportedly showed the 26-year-old rapper wearing only underwear and boots on the street. Requests for comment from his representatives were not immediately returned. Lil Nas X sets new Billboard record for most weeks at No.1 Lil Nas X, from Atlanta, rose to fame with his 2018 hit “Old Town Road,” which blended country and hip-hop and spent a record 19 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100. Known for his genre-defying music and distinctive style, his first full-length studio album, 2021’s Montero, reached No. 2 on the Billboard album chart and earned a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year.   Source: Agency

WWE icon The Undertaker and former boxing world champion Mike Tyson may enter Salman Khan’s reality show Bigg Boss 19, according to media reports. The development has already heightened the excitement among fans of both Salman and WWE. The latest season of Bigg Boss is set to premiere on August 24, with speculation growing over the celebrity contestants. Reports on a WWE league server in Discord suggest The Undertaker is being considered as a wildcard entry, likely around November. Mike Tyson may also join the show, in what is being described as one of the “biggest collaborations of 2025.” The Undertaker, whose real name is Mark Calaway, debuted in WWE in 1990 and became one of the most celebrated wrestlers in history. Famous for his “Deadman” persona, he retired in 2020 after a three-decade career that featured seven world titles and an extraordinary 25-2 record at WrestleMania. Meanwhile, Salman Khan’s hosting fee for this season is reported to be between Rs 120-150 crores, with the actor earning Rs 8-10 crores per weekend for 15 weeks. Sources, however, indicated that the overall budget of Bigg Boss 19 is smaller compared to earlier seasons. Bigg Boss 19: Wife of Pahalgam terror attack victim may join Salman Khan’s reality show This season’s confirmed contestants include Gaurav Khanna, Ashnoor Kaur, Awez Darbar, Nagma Mirajkar, Baseer Ali, Abhishek Bajaj, Hunar Hale, Shafaq Naaz, Siwet Tomar, Khank Waghnani, Payal Dhare, and Zeeshan Quadri. Bigg Boss 19 will stream on Jio Hotstar from August 24 before premiering on Colors TV. Source: NDTV

Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi adopted a daughter, the first child for the married couple, this summer, they announced Thursday. “We are beyond excited to embark on this beautiful next chapter of parenthood in both peace and privacy,” the couple wrote in a social media statement. No further details were released. Brown, 21, and Bongiovi, 23, were married in a private ceremony in May 2024. Representatives for Brown and Bongiovi did not immediately respond to The Associated Press’ request for comment. Brown gained recognition for her starring role as Eleven in the Duffer brothers' sci-fi series “Stranger Things.” The fifth and final season will air this November and December, a culmination of nine years of the show's production. The British actor has pursued other acting and business ventures in that time, including the Netflix original “Enola Holmes” films and a “Godzilla” film. She even released a romance book in 2023. Bongiovi is the son of Jon Bon Jovi, founder and frontman of the rock band Bon Jovi. Bongiovi debuted his own acting career as the star in “Rockbottom,” which released last year. Brown stressed the importance of family during the 2024 premiere of her Netflix film “Damsel,” where Bongiovi and his parents were in attendance. “I'm just so lucky that they're here tonight and it just means so much to me,” Brown told The Associated Press then. “Family is everything and just to have my second family here means everything.” The couple lives in Georgia. She recently told the AP she enjoys living on a farm, largely disconnected from social media, while promoting her 2025 Netflix film “The Electric State.”