United News of Bangladesh

In the 1980s, Hulk Hogan burst into American pop culture at the perfect moment. When Rick Derringer’s electric guitar riff from “Real American” hit the loudspeakers, tens of thousands of Hulkamaniacs would leap to their feet, ready to cheer on their hero as he charged into the ring. Dressed in his signature half-torn T-shirt and with a bandanna clenched between his teeth, Hogan took on the villains of the decade — whether they were Russian, Iranian, or simply represented any threat to the WWF title or the ideals of America itself. With his heavily oiled biceps gleaming under the lights, he would point defiantly at opponents like “Rowdy” Roddy Piper or Jake “The Snake” Roberts — wrestlers whose nicknames hinted at just how dangerous they were — as patriotic music blared and the crowd roared. In the Reagan-era vision of an idealized America, no one embodied the image of the heroic, flag-waving American more than Hulk Hogan. “We had greats like Gorgeous George, Buddy Rogers, and Bruno Sammartino,” said WWE Hall of Famer Sgt. Slaughter, “but nobody captured the spotlight like Hogan. He wanted to be unforgettable — and he pulled it off.” A Symbol of American Heroism — and Excess Hogan, who died Thursday in Florida at 71, crafted a persona as the quintessential all-American hero. With the physique of a comic book character and the charisma of a movie star, he was like John Wayne and Sylvester Stallone rolled into one — only fans could actually reach out and touch him. He stood for virtue, always playing by the rules, waving the American flag, and delivering clean victories over "evil" opponents. He urged young fans to “train, say your prayers, and eat your vitamins.” Outside the ring, Hogan appeared everywhere — from Saturday Night Live to action films — and was one of the most recognizable figures in entertainment. His promotional rants were wild and loud, his physique jaw-dropping, and his larger-than-life stories (true or not) only added to the myth. But behind the character was Terry Gene Bollea, a man whose real-life struggles with fame, scandal, and personal contradictions caught up with him. He admitted to using steroids, was embroiled in a sex-tape controversy, and faced backlash over racist remarks — scandals that marred his legacy and strained his ties with fans and WWE. A Hero With Flaws — In and Out of the Ring Though the wrestling was scripted, the physical toll was real — and so were the emotional consequences. Hogan, once WWE’s crown jewel, was later suspended from the organization amid scandal and criticism. Even die-hard wrestling fans found it hard to ignore his missteps. His final WWE appearance came in January during the company’s first Netflix event, following a fiery speech at the Republican National Convention in support of Donald Trump. But instead of nostalgia and cheers, Hogan faced hostility from the crowd, partly due to his perceived alignment with MAGA politics, past controversies, and a growing disconnect with modern fans. He wasn’t there to reclaim past wrestling glory. Instead, he was promoting his own beer brand — one many saw as aimed at a conservative audience. But this time, no theme music or heroic promo could save him from being nearly booed offstage. “This wasn’t the fun, storyline booing like in his ‘Hollywood’ Hogan era,” said ESPN’s Marc Raimondi. “This was the real kind — people didn’t want him there.” Even Hogan admitted the political fallout played a role. “I think the politics had a whole lot to do with it,” he said in an interview earlier this year. A Complicated Legacy in Wrestling History Hogan envisioned himself as pro wrestling’s Babe Ruth. With Vince McMahon’s backing, he helped transform wrestling from a Saturday morning niche into a prime-time juggernaut with massive live shows, pay-per-view events, and global appeal. He became a cornerstone of WWE’s rise to a billion-dollar empire. At his peak, fans bought into the image — not necessarily of Terry Bollea, but of the larger-than-life figure Hulk Hogan had become. He had the fame, the money, the championships — all thanks to a persona crafted for and by the cultural moment of the 1980s. “He didn’t just become a legend,” Sgt. Slaughter said. “He became legendary.”

Hulk Hogan, the iconic mustachioed showman who helped transform professional wrestling into a pop culture powerhouse, died Thursday at the age of 71, police confirmed. Authorities responded to a cardiac arrest call at his Clearwater home, and Hogan—born Terry Bollea—was pronounced dead at the hospital. “No foul play is suspected,” said Maj. Nate Burnside. One of the most recognizable figures in wrestling history, Hogan headlined the inaugural WrestleMania in 1985 and became a defining face of WWE, battling legends like Andre the Giant, Randy Savage, and The Rock. He held at least six WWE titles and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. “Hulkamania” swept through the 1980s, turning Hogan into a larger-than-life American hero, complete with his signature red and yellow attire and “24-inch pythons.” Beyond wrestling, he appeared in films, TV shows, and starred in VH1’s reality series Hogan Knows Best. In recent years, Hogan waded into politics, endorsing Donald Trump at the 2024 Republican National Convention with his signature flair. He also turned his attention to a new wrestling venture, becoming commissioner of the Real American Freestyle league, billed as the first unscripted pro wrestling platform. Hogan’s wrestling journey began in 1984, launching what would become the WrestleMania era. His victory over Andre the Giant in 1987 and feud with Randy Savage cemented his legacy. In 1996, he reinvented himself as Hollywood Hogan, helping WCW dominate during the Monday Night Wars. A showman in and out of the ring, Hogan’s legacy lives on in fans’ hearts. “Everywhere I go, people treat me like I’m still the champ,” he once said. Source: Agency

The first death anniversary of iconic Bangladeshi rockstar and former Miles frontman Shafin Ahmed is being observed on Thursday, marking a year since the celebrated vocalist and bassist passed away in Virginia, United States, at the age of 63. On July 24 last year, during the July mass movement and internet blackout, Shafin died of cardiac arrest while undergoing treatment after falling ill before a scheduled concert — the second show of his US tour — in Virginia. His body was brought to Bangladesh on July 30, and he was buried at the Banani Graveyard on the same day. Marking the legendary rockstar's maiden death anniversary, tributes have been pouring in from musicians, fellow artists, record labels, and fans across the country and abroad on social platforms. Miles, where Shafin served as lead vocalist and bassist for decades, remembered their late vocalist-bassist in a social media tribute: “Today marks the first death anniversary of Shafin Ahmed. He left behind his magical voice, unique bass grooves and timeless songs, which will live forever in Bangla music. May Allah (SWT) grant him eternal peace. Please keep him in your prayers.” His elder brother and longtime Miles bandmate Hamin Ahmed said, “One of the most iconic music personalities, a true rockstar of Bangladesh, left us on this day. His voice, style, bass grooves and unforgettable songs live on. Please pray for Shafin Ahmed.” Popular rock band Warfaze drummer and band leader Sheikh Monirul Alam Tipu wrote: “A legend, a warrior, an artist — Shafin Bhai elevated Bangladeshi music through his voice and vision. His presence, bass-playing and musical sense continue to live on in the hearts of countless listeners.” Remembering the iconic rock legend, singer Alif Alauddin shared one of her Facebook posts from 2021, featuring a rendition of Shafin Ahmed playing and singing the song ‘Shukhe Thako O Amar Nandini’, originally composed by her late father Alauddin Ali. She wrote: “Shafin Bhai, I never got to bid you farewell, but I’m glad I told you time and again that I was your biggest fan. You are missed every day. Thank you for this beautiful version.” Shafin Ahmed, Hassan Abidur Reja Jewel laid to rest at Banani Graveyard Musician and composer Shouquat Ali Imon recalled, “Exactly one year ago, Shafin Bhai joined my National Award celebration and gifted me flowers. He was smiling and interacting with everyone warmly — just like always. Life is truly unpredictable. May Allah grant him the highest place in Jannah.” Record label Gaanchil Music also paid tribute to the revered artist on a Facebook post: “Today, we remember Shafin Ahmed.... with sorrow and deep respect for the legend he was and the legacy he leaves behind. In solemn remembrance and heartfelt tribute, we honour the voice that touched countless hearts.” Born on February 14, 1961, in Kolkata’s West Bengal, India, to the subcontinent’s pioneering music artists Kamal Dasgupta and Feroza Begum, the popular Bangladeshi rock bassist, singer-songwriter, and record producer, Shafin Ahmed, has cemented his legacy with the Miles band, which he joined with brother Hamin Ahmed in 1980. The songs of Shafin Ahmed's voice in the tune of Manam Ahmed started setting milestones one after another, including popular tracks like 'Phirye Dao', 'Dhikhi Dhikhi', 'Chand Tara', ‘Jala Jala’, 'Piyashi Mon' and more. Despite his creative disputes with his bandmates at Miles because of which he left and rejoined the band several times, Shafin Ahmed performed and collaborated on every album of the band, starting with ‘Miles’ (1982) and progressing to ‘A Step Farther’ (1986), ‘Protisruti’ (the band’s maiden Bengali album, 1991), ‘Prottasha’ (1993), ‘Prottoy’ (1996), ‘Proyash’ (1997), ‘Probaho’ (2000), ‘Protiddhoni’ (2006), ‘Proticchobi’ (2015), and ‘Proborton’ (2016). Shafin Ahmed simultaneously established himself as one of the country's most popular and iconic singers in the music industry, thanks to his popular songs, including “Aj Jonmodin Tomar,” which is often regarded as the anthem of birthday celebrations in the country. Written and composed by eminent music producer Prince Mahmud, the song was first featured in Prince’s mixed album ‘Daag Theke Jay’ (2004). He also released several solo albums, including ‘Tomakey’ (1987), ‘Pagla Ghonti’ (1998), ‘Chobi Ar Sritigulo’ (1999), ‘Best of Shafin Ahmed’ (2001), ‘Kotodin Dekhina Tomay’ (2006), ‘Virus’ (2006), ‘Harano Shukh’ (2007), ‘My Love Songs’ (2010), and ‘Mone Pore Aj’ (Nazrul Songs, as a tribute to his mother Feroza Begum, 2016). Rock icon Shafin Ahmed’s body arrives home, burial Today In his later years, he became involved in politics, joining the National Democratic Movement (NDM) in 2017 and subsequently the Jatiya Party in 2018, holding key positions in both organisations. He also contested the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) election in 2019 for the Mayor position from the Jatiya Party. As fans and peers remember him today, Shafin Ahmed remains immortal through the music he created and the legacy he left behind.

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan is set to return as the host of Bigg Boss Season 19, and reports suggest he will be paid between ₹120 to ₹150 crore for his role this season. According to The Indian Express, Salman will earn approximately ₹8–10 crore each weekend over a 15-week hosting stint. The upcoming season is expected to premiere on JioCinema (Jio Hotstar) on August 30, 2025, with episodes airing on Colors TV shortly after the digital release. Unlike previous editions, Bigg Boss 19 will mainly be an OTT-first show, with a comparatively smaller budget. Despite this, Salman's pay remains substantial, especially given that other guest hosts will also take over later in the season. The show will reportedly run for five months, with Salman hosting the first three months, after which celebrities such as Anil Kapoor, Karan Johar, and Farah Khan are being considered to take over hosting duties for the remainder. Salman Khan’s hosting fees for Bigg Boss have varied over the years. In 2023, he was reportedly paid ₹96 crore for hosting Bigg Boss OTT 2, while previous seasons of the TV version earned him ₹200 crore for Season 17 and ₹250 crore for Season 18. Several celebrities are rumored to have been approached for this season, including Gautami Kapoor, Dheeraj Dhoopar, Alisha Panwar, Khushi Dubey, Mr. Faisu, Gaurav Taneja, Dhanashree Verma, and Sriram Chandra, among others. With Salman Khan’s star power returning to the Bigg Boss stage and a new format in place, expectations are high for the upcoming season’s digital and TV performance. Source NDTV

Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda’s debut film Saiyaara is set to continue its box office dominance with no major Hindi film releases scheduled for July 25, giving it an uninterrupted two-week theatrical run. Directed by Mohit Suri and produced by Yash Raj Films, Saiyaara released on July 18 and has already crossed the ₹100-crore mark within just four days, placing it among the top five highest-grossing films of 2025. The film debuted alongside Anupam Kher’s Tanvi the Great, which opened to lukewarm reviews and posed little competition. With no new Hindi titles hitting theatres this Friday, Saiyaara will continue its solo streak. Notably, Ajay Devgn and Sanjay Dutt’s Son of Sardaar 2, initially slated for July 25, has been pushed to August 1 to avoid direct competition with the Saiyaara juggernaut. The film will now clash with Dharma Productions’ Dhadak 2. Meanwhile, Kajol and Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Sarzameen is skipping a theatrical release altogether and will premiere directly on JioHotstar on July 25. Similarly, Param Sundari starring Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor, which was earlier expected to release this week, has been delayed. The only potential challenger to Saiyaara at the box office is Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps, releasing the same day. With a massive $200 million budget, the film marks the 37th installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the second reboot of the Fantastic Four series. Anurag Kashyap’s ‘Bandar’ starring Bobby Deol to premiere at TIFF 2025 Saiyaara, a romantic drama, has captivated audiences with strong performances and a compelling narrative. Its rapid ascent at the box office places it in elite company alongside Chhaava (₹601 crore), Housefull 5 (₹183 crore), Raid 2 (₹173 crore), and Sitaare Zameen Par (₹163 crore), the spiritual sequel to Aamir Khan’s 2007 classic Taare Zameen Par. In summary: With no Hindi competition until August, Saiyaara is poised to extend its theatrical success and could significantly climb the year’s box office rankings. Source: NDTV 

Bobby Deol’s upcoming film Bandar (Monkey in a Cage), directed by acclaimed filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, is set to have its world premiere at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2025. Inspired by true events, Bandar will be screened at TIFF, which runs from September 4 to 14 in Canada. Deol announced the news on Instagram, unveiling the film’s poster and writing, “The story that should not have been told… but is the official selection at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival 2025.” The film also features actress Sanya Malhotra in a pivotal role. Fellow actors including Vikrant Massey and Chandan Roy Sanyal congratulated Bobby on the milestone. ‘Superman’ tops box office again with $57.3 million in second weekend Deol was last seen in Daaku Maharaaj and has a lineup of upcoming films including Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 1, Alpha, and Jana Nayagan. Kashyap, known for films like Gangs of Wasseypur and Dev.D, last premiered Kennedy at Cannes 2023. Bandar continues his streak of dark, socially charged cinema. Source: NDTV

Debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda's romantic drama Saiyaara has taken the box office by storm, collecting ₹83 crore in its opening weekend and securing a spot among the top five biggest opening weekends of 2025. Directed by Mohit Suri and produced by Yash Raj Films, Saiyaara earned ₹21 crore on Friday, ₹25 crore on Saturday, and peaked on Sunday with ₹37 crore, according to Sacnilk. The film's strong performance has already outpaced the opening weekend collections of Suri’s previous hits such as Ek Villain (₹16 crore) and Aashiqui 2 (₹6.1 crore). The film recorded high occupancy rates, with 78.53% in afternoon shows, 88.15% in evening screenings, and 79.32% at night. These figures signal strong word-of-mouth and sustained audience interest. New Korean Drama Lineup for August 2025 : 10 Binge-worthy Releases Starring Ahaan Panday as a struggling musician and Aneet Padda as a young writer diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s, Saiyaara tells a poignant tale of love and heartbreak. It has set a new benchmark for films fronted by newcomers, surpassing the lifetime India net collection of Student of the Year (₹70 crore) and is now close to overtaking Dhadak (₹95.12 crore). With emotional storytelling and a musical backdrop, Saiyaara is now positioned as one of 2025’s most successful Bollywood debuts — both critically and commercially.

The release date of Ajay Devgn’s upcoming comedy film Son of Sardaar 2, co-starring Mrunal Thakur, has been shifted from July 25 to August 1, 2025, the makers announced on social media earlier today. With this change, Son of Sardaar 2 will now go head-to-head with Dhadak 2, starring Triptii Dimri and Siddhant Chaturvedi, at the box office on the same day. Sharing the update, the makers wrote, “Jassi Paaji and toli will see you in cinemas worldwide on 1st August 2025.” Originally, Param Sundari, featuring Janhvi Kapoor and Sidharth Malhotra, was also scheduled for release on July 25. However, a revised teaser released with Maalik—a Rajkummar Rao-Manushi Chhillar starrer—confirmed that Param Sundari has been moved to August. The new teaser replaced "This July" with "This August" on its final slate. One week after Kap’s Cafe Attack, Kapil Sharma begins promotions for Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2 in Dubai Directed by Vijay Kumar Arora, Son of Sardaar 2 blends action and comedy with a vibrant Punjabi setting, filmed largely in Scotland. The film also marks the final screen appearance of Mukul Dev, who passed away on May 23, 2025. The ensemble cast includes Sanjay Mishra, Chunky Panday, Neeru Bajwa, and others. Produced by Ajay Devgn and Jyoti Deshpande under Jio Studios and Devgn Films. Source: NDTV 

A week after his restaurant, Kap's Cafe, in Surrey, British Columbia, was attacked, comedian and actor Kapil Sharma has resumed his professional commitments. He recently updated fans via Instagram that he is preparing for a dance sequence in his upcoming film Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2. What’s New In his latest Instagram post, Kapil is seen dressed in a stylish embroidered black blazer with matching pants and shirt. The photo features the iconic Burj Khalifa in Abu Dhabi in the background, with Kapil proudly showing off his fit physique. He captioned the photo: “Ready to dance. #kiskiskopyaarkaroon2.” Recap of the Kap's Cafe Attack Kapil Sharma’s Canadian restaurant, Kap's Cafe, was attacked on July 9, 2025, just five days after its grand opening on July 4. According to reports, nine gunshots were fired at the café’s window. Although no one was injured, Khalistani terrorist Harjit Singh Laddi claimed responsibility for the attack. Laddi, known to be associated with Babbar Khalsa International and one of India’s most wanted terrorists, allegedly ordered the attack due to remarks made during The Kapil Sharma Show that he deemed offensive. In response, the café team shared a heartfelt message on Instagram Stories, expressing their deep disappointment and shock. “We opened Kap's Cafe with a vision of creating warmth, community, and joy through coffee and conversation,” the message read. “It’s heartbreaking to see violence disrupt that dream. But we’re not giving up.” The note also thanked supporters for their kind messages and prayers, adding, “This café stands because of your belief in our dream. Let’s stand united against violence and preserve Kap's Cafe as a place of connection and peace.” Despite the recent attack on his newly opened café, Kapil Sharma has shifted focus back to work. Currently in Abu Dhabi, he is promoting Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2, with preparations underway for an upcoming dance shoot.

CBS has announced it will cancel “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” in May 2026, ending a decade-long run of one of late night television’s most influential programs and removing a prominent critic of former President Donald Trump from the airwaves. The announcement came Thursday, shortly after Colbert publicly criticized a $16 million settlement between CBS’s parent company Paramount Global and Trump over a disputed “60 Minutes” interview. Speaking at New York’s Ed Sullivan Theater, Colbert informed his audience, “Next year will be our last season. It’s the end of ‘The Late Show’ on CBS. I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away.” The audience responded with boos and groans. “Yeah, I share your feelings,” the 61-year-old host said. A joint statement from top Paramount and CBS executives described the cancellation as “purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night,” emphasizing that it was “not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.” Justin Bieber drops surprise album 'Swag' — His most personal work yet Colbert expressed outrage over the settlement reached to resolve Trump’s lawsuit against Paramount, calling it a “big fat bribe.” He said, “I don’t know if anything will repair my trust in this company. But, just taking a stab at it, I’d say $16 million would help.” Since taking over the show in 2015, Colbert had been a key figure in political satire, often featuring politicians alongside celebrities. His program recently received its sixth Primetime Emmy nomination and won a Peabody Award in 2021. Nielsen ratings show Colbert leading his timeslot with about 2.4 million viewers. The cancellation sparked political reaction. Democratic Senators Adam Schiff and Elizabeth Warren demanded transparency if politics influenced the decision. Colbert’s fellow late-night host Jimmy Kimmel posted support online, while actor Jamie Lee Curtis criticized attempts to silence voices amid political tensions. Late-night television has faced economic challenges, including declining ratings and ad revenue. CBS also recently canceled “After Midnight,” hosted by Taylor Tomlinson. Bill Carter, author of the late shift, said, “If CBS thinks people are just going to swallow this, they’re really deluded.” Andy Cohen lamented, “It is a very sad day for CBS that they are getting out of the late-night race.”