United News of Bangladesh

Pop icon Lady Gaga has surged to the top of the 2025 MTV Video Music Award nominations, leading with 12 nods and ending Taylor Swift’s two-year streak at the top. The “Mayhem” singer earned nominations across a wide range of categories including best collaboration, pop, direction, art direction, cinematography, editing, choreography, visual effects, as well as song, video, album, and artist of the year. Following closely behind is Bruno Mars with 11 nominations, while Kendrick Lamar secured 10. Sabrina Carpenter and first-time nominee ROSÉ of Blackpink each garnered eight nominations. Ariana Grande and The Weeknd followed with seven nods apiece, while Billie Eilish earned six and Charli XCX five. The artist of the year category features a competitive lineup: Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, Morgan Wallen, and The Weeknd. Beyoncé and Swift are both notable contenders as they are currently tied for the most career VMAs, with 30 each. A win in this category could make one of them the most-awarded artist in VMA history. Other notable nominees include Bad Bunny, Doechii, Ed Sheeran, Jelly Roll, Miley Cyrus, and Tate McRae, each receiving four nominations. The coveted Video of the Year award will see Gaga and Mars’ “Die With A Smile” compete with Ariana Grande’s “Brighter Days Ahead,” Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather,” Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” ROSÉ and Mars’ “APT.,” Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild,” and The Weeknd and Playboi Carti’s “Timeless.” This year’s VMAs will be held on Sunday, September 7, and broadcast live from UBS Arena outside New York City at 8 p.m. Eastern (5 p.m. Pacific) on CBS. The event will also simulcast on MTV and be available to stream via Paramount+. A one-hour live preshow will air on Paramount Media Networks. CBS, already home to award shows such as the Tony Awards and American Music Awards, has broadcast the Grammys since 1973. However, the Grammys are set to move to ABC in 2027. The 2025 edition of the VMAs features 33 first-time nominees, including Alex Warren, Blake Shelton, Brent Faiyaz, Gigi Perez, KATSEYE, and Lainey Wilson. Late rapper Mac Miller has also earned his first VMA nomination posthumously. Two new categories have been introduced this year: Best Country and Best Pop Artist. Online fan voting opened Tuesday across 19 gender-neutral categories and will remain open until 6 p.m. Eastern on September 5. Voting for Best New Artist will continue throughout the live broadcast.   Source: Agency

A day-long cultural event marking the '36 July Uprising' drew thousands to Manik Mia Avenue on Tuesday, as people braved the rain to take part in one of the major public celebrations of the month-long commemorative programme. Organised by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, in association with the Bangladesh National Parliament Secretariat and coordinated by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), the programme is part of a series of events aimed at reviving the memory of the historic July Uprising of 2024. Tuesday’s event began at noon with a cultural segment, symbolic celebration of the “Fascist’s Escape”, the reading of the historic July Declaration, and a special drone performance titled Do You Miss Me? Manik Mia Avenue remained vibrant throughout the day with an atmosphere of festivity. Despite intermittent rain, a large crowd gathered to take part in the programme. The cultural segment opened with performances by Saimum Shilpigosthi, who rendered songs such as ‘Ei Desh Amar Bangladesh’, ‘Ay Tarunno Ay’, ‘Jiboner Golpo’, ‘O Ma Ar Kedo Na’, ‘Jader Jonno Pelam Abar Notun Bangladesh’, and ‘Jarigan’, along with Islamic songs. Kolorob Shilpigosthi followed with performances of ‘Tomar Kudrati Paye’, ‘De De Pal Tule De’, ‘Dhono Dhanno Pushpobhora’, ‘Inchi Inchi Mati’, and ‘Delhi Na Dhaka’. Singer Nahid then performed ‘Palashir Prantor’ and ‘36 July’, while singer Tashfee delivered ‘Nongor Tolo Tolo’, ‘Tumi Priyo Kobita’, ‘Karar Oi Louho Kopat’, ‘Chol Chol’, and ‘Dhon Dhanno Pushpobhora’. Drone Show, Concert, and Film Screening mark ‘Private University Resistance Day’ at Hatirjheel

Actress Tamannaah Bhatia has finally addressed long-standing rumours about her alleged relationships with Indian cricketer Virat Kohli and former Pakistani player Abdul Razzaq. Speaking to The Lallantop, she expressed both amusement and discomfort over such baseless claims. Tamannaah recalled that a photo with Abdul Razzaq at a jewellery store event in 2020 had sparked unfounded marriage rumours. “Jokingly, I became Abdul Razzaq’s wife! The internet can be hilarious. Apparently, I was briefly married to him. I’m sorry, sir, you already have two or three children. It was quite embarrassing,” she said. On rumours of dating Virat Kohli following a commercial they shot together, she clarified, “I only met him for a single day during that shoot. I’ve neither spoken to him nor met him since.” Triptii Dimri and Siddhant Chaturvedi Starrer Dhadak 2: Screen Performance, Box Office and OTT Release Update Tamannaah stressed that such reports often stem from innocent professional interactions and noted how awkward it feels to be linked with people she has no personal ties to. Despite the rumours, she remains attentive to how audiences perceive her work. “As an actor, I do keep an eye on public opinion. I even Google myself occasionally,” she shared, adding that meaningful impact through her work remains her focus. Source: NDTV

Following a warning from the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), actor Kartik Aaryan has clarified that he is not involved in a U.S.-based Independence Day event reportedly organized by a Pakistani-origin business. Clarification Issued A statement from Kartik’s team confirmed that the actor has no connection with the event in question. “Kartik Aaryan is not associated with this event in any capacity. He has never made any official announcement regarding his participation. We have contacted the organizers and asked them to take down all promotional materials that feature his name and image,” the statement read. The FWICE Alert FWICE had earlier released a media statement claiming Kartik was slated to appear at “Azadi Utsav – The Indian Independence Day” in Houston on August 15. The event is reportedly hosted by Aga’s Restaurant and Catering, owned by Shaukat Maredia, a businessman of Pakistani origin. Industry Policy Reminder The organization cited its long-standing directive, issued in the wake of the 2019 Pulwama terror attack, which advises members of the Indian entertainment industry to avoid any professional collaboration with Pakistani nationals, including artists, technicians, or organizers. “We believe Kartik Aaryan may not have been fully aware of the background of the event’s organizers. If that's the case, we urge him to immediately withdraw. However, if he was aware, the matter becomes more serious, and we expect a prompt clarification and complete disassociation from such links,” FWICE stated. Upcoming Projects On the professional front, Kartik Aaryan will next appear in Anurag Basu’s untitled romantic film and in Karan Johar’s home production Tu Meri Main Tera, Main Tera Tu Meri

Veteran Tamil actor and comedian Madhan Bob, widely loved for his trademark laughter and comic timing, passed away on Saturday due to health complications. He was 71. A source close to his family confirmed that the actor had been battling cancer and breathed his last at his residence in Adyar this evening. Born as S. Krishnamoorthy, Madhan Bob was the eighth child in his family and became a household name in Tamil cinema through his distinct expressions and humour. Over the years, he shared the screen with several top actors, including Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Ajith, Surya, and Vijay. Apart from films, Madhan Bob was also a familiar face on television. He served as one of the judges on the popular Sun TV comedy show Asatha Povathu Yaaru?, further cementing his popularity among audiences. Rajkummar Rao faces legal trouble over allegedly hurting religious sentiments Known for his versatility as both an actor and a musician, some of Madhan Bob’s most memorable roles include Diamond Babu in Thenali and Manager Sundaresan in Friends. His performances, regardless of screen time, often left audiences in splits. The Tamil film industry and fans mourn the loss of a beloved entertainer whose presence brought joy to countless viewers. Source: NDTV 

Actor Ranbir Kapoor had a light-hearted exchange with photographers in Mumbai on Thursday evening, asking, “Saiyaara dekhi?” as he posed for the cameras before entering a Bandra eatery. The paparazzi responded in unison that they had watched the film, prompting a smile from the Bollywood star, who has seemingly joined the long list of fans celebrating Mohit Suri’s romantic musical Saiyaara. Starring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda in lead roles, Saiyaara has become one of the year’s biggest box office successes. The film, produced by Yash Raj Films, tells the emotional story of Krish Kapoor, a struggling musician, and Vaani Batra, a young writer diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi Season 2: Return of Star Plus's Popular Soap Opera Globally, the film has now grossed over ₹400 crore, surpassing Shahid Kapoor’s Kabir Singh (₹379 crore) and Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par (₹264 crore). It also recorded one of the highest-grossing opening weekends of the year. Despite a slight dip in earnings — ₹6.5 crore on Thursday following ₹7.5 crore on Wednesday — the film’s strong momentum continues. Source: NDTV 

Bollywood actor Rajkummar Rao has landed in legal trouble over a scene in his 2017 film Behen Hogi Teri, which has sparked allegations of hurting religious sentiments. The case also names the film’s director Nitin Kakkar, producer Amul Vikas Mohle, and actress Shruti Haasan. The controversy stems from a particular poster and scene in the film that allegedly depicts Lord Shiva wearing slippers — a portrayal that has offended a section of the public. The case, originally filed in 2017, was lodged by Ishant Sharma, a Hindu leader and film producer, at Police Division No. 5 in Jalandhar. Sharma claimed that the portrayal was disrespectful and could hurt religious sentiments, triggering widespread backlash. Legal proceedings were revived after Rajkummar Rao failed to appear for a previously scheduled court hearing, prompting the issuance of a non-bailable warrant. However, on July 29, 2025, the actor surrendered before a Jalandhar court and marked his presence at 4 PM. Judge Srijan Shukla subsequently granted him bail. Shah Rukh Khan taught me the language of cinema: Wedding filmmaker Vishal Punjabi Notably, Rao had earlier secured anticipatory bail in the case. The fresh warrant was issued only after he missed the mandated court date. As of now, no official statement has been released by Rajkummar Rao or his representatives. The next course of legal action will be determined following today’s hearing in Jalandhar. The incident highlights the continued scrutiny of artistic content in India and the legal challenges that actors and filmmakers may face over religious sensitivities. Source: NDTV 

Vishal Punjabi, widely known as The Wedding Filmer, has credited Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and Red Chillies Entertainment for shaping his cinematic journey as he completes 15 years in the industry. Punjabi, the creative mind behind the breathtaking visuals of celebrity weddings — from Deepika Padukone-Ranveer Singh to Virat Kohli-Anushka Sharma — said in an interview with NDTV, “Everything I know about filmmaking, I have learnt from my time at Red Chillies.” Before becoming India’s foremost name in wedding cinematography, Punjabi worked as a line producer and visual artist with Red Chillies, contributing to films like Asoka, Main Hoon Na, and Paheli. He later shifted to directing TV commercials within the company. Saiyaara Box Office Day 10: Ahaan Panday’s debut flm earns Rs 30 crore, aims for Rs 250 crore milestone Reflecting on a memorable lesson from Shah Rukh Khan, he recalled being told: “Filmmaking requires a lot of maturity, time and love. Only make a film when you reach that level of maturity.” Now, having filmed over 50 celebrity weddings, Punjabi says, “It’s been quite a journey.” Source: NDTV 

Musician AK Ratul, vocalist, bassist and sound engineer of the popular rock band ‘Owned’, was laid to rest beside his father, legendary Bangladeshi actor Jashim, at Banani Graveyard on Monday morning. Ratul passed away on Sunday afternoon after suffering a cardiac arrest, leaving behind a profound void in the country’s music industry. He was the middle son of late film star Jashim, among three brothers—all of whom are active in the local band music scene. His elder brother AK Samee is the drummer of Owned, while the youngest, AK Rahul, has been affiliated with the bands Trainwreck and Poraho and a prominent music content creator. Sharing his grief on Facebook, AK Samee wrote, “I just buried my baby brother...” while Rahul posted a childhood photo with Ratul and their father, writing in Bangla, “My hand on my brother’s chest.” Ratul’s untimely demise sparked an outpouring of tributes across Bangladesh’s music fraternity. Prominent bands and artists expressed their condolences and memories of Ratul, highlighting his immense talent, kindness, and influence behind the scenes. Veteran band Warfaze posted, “We are deeply saddened and shocked by the news of Ratul’s passing. The Warfaze family expresses heartfelt condolences to his family and prays for his departed soul. The music industry has lost a true gem.” Popular rock band Artcell shared: “We were devastated to hear the news. Ratul was a gifted vocalist, bassist, composer, producer, and sound engineer. His departure is an irreparable loss to our music industry. The time we spent together at his studio and during concerts will forever remain in our hearts. Rest in peace, Ratul, in music and melody.” Ratul also worked with multiple other bands as a sound engineer, notably contributing to Aurthohin’s "Phoenix er Diary 1." Mourning his death, Aurthohin wrote: “Our sound engineer AK Ratul left us today due to cardiac failure. Please keep him in your prayers. You made us all cry, bro. Wherever you are, be well. Love and respect.” Another band Ratul worked closely with, Level Five, penned an emotional tribute: "He was not only a top-class producer but a true friend and humble soul. He believed in us when no one did. Ratul, your smile, your heart, and the memories will live with us forever. Only God knows how much we’ll miss you.” Band Shunno expressed disbelief, saying: "Ratul produced some of our songs with unmatched heart and talent. This loss feels surreal. You’ll be deeply missed.” Popular rock band Nemesis shared: “We’ve lost a gem, an immensely talented human, a brother and a friend. You were one of the kindest among us. You’ll live forever in our hearts, Ratul. Rest in peace.” Many other renowned bands including Black, Shironamhin, Chirkutt, Ashes, Indalo, Arbovirus, Shonar Bangla Circus, Arekta Rock Band, Dads In The Park, Dreek, Aftermath, Aseis, and EIDA also posted tribute messages honoring Ratul’s contribution to Bangladesh’s independent and mainstream music scenes. Individual tributes also poured in from celebrated musicians such as Bappa Mazumder, Raef Al Hasan Rafa, Md Zohad Reza Choudhury, Sufi Maverick (Ashrafuzzaman Yousufi), Zunayed Evan, Oni Hasan, Elita Karim, Alif Alauddin, and Sharmin Sultana Sumi, among others. AK Ratul’s death is being widely mourned not only for the loss of a talented artist but for the departure of a beloved figure in the country’s modern music movement.

Chaos erupted at the premiere of the Hindi crime thriller So Long Valley on Friday night when actress-model Ruchi Gujjar publicly confronted and allegedly slapped co-producer Karan Singh, accusing him of financial fraud. In a viral video from the event, Gujjar is seen hitting Singh with her sandal while arguing with him in the presence of protestors. Some held placards defaming the producers and shouted slogans during the premiere. Gujjar claims Singh took ₹23 lakh from her between July 2023 and January 2024, promising a co-producer role and profit share in a Sony TV-bound project that never materialised. She alleges the funds were instead used to make So Long Valley. Loved Saiyaara? Here Are 10 Intensely Romantic Films to Watch on OTT A case has been filed at Mumbai’s Oshiwara police station under cheating charges. Gujjar’s lawyer also plans to lodge a separate assault complaint. In response, director Man Singh dismissed the allegations as a “publicity stunt,” claiming the court had already rejected Gujjar’s attempt to stay the film’s release. So Long Valley, starring Tridha Choudhury and Vikram Kochhar, was released as scheduled on July 27. Source: NDTV