United News of Bangladesh

Pinstripes. All Ways. Hats galore. Pantsuits. Gown suits. Zoot suits. Canes. A single cigar (looking at you Madonna) — and expert displays of tailoring. The Met Gala crowd, for the most part, did the Black dandy menswear theme proud at fashion's biggest party of the year. “Those that researched the moment and pulled inspiration from history made it modern and their own. I loved it,” said Holly Alford, assistant dean and an associate professor in the fashion and merchandising program at Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts. Among her favorites: Colman Domingo's homage to dandy icon André Leon Talley. It was one of many that honored the towering fashion figure, a rare Black fashion editor in a largely white industry. And among others in odes to Talley, who died in 2022, were Anne Hathaway in a Carolina Herrera dress she picked specifically for him. “We wanted André Leon Talley to look down from heaven and scream ‘GLAMOUR,’” Hathaway said on the Vogue livestream Monday night. Inventive glamour energy of the night A glamorous night it was, and an inventive one at that amid a broad White House siege on DEI programs and protections that serve immigrants, LGBTQ+ people and myriad others. What does that have to do with fashion and the theme this year? Everything, in terms of Black power, ownership, heritage and, most importantly, freedom. What, exactly, was the suggested dress code? It was “Tailored for You,” inspired by Black dandyism through time, the subject of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's spring show at its Costume Institute. On the blue carpet, a bit soggy from drenching rain, guests played with the fundamentals of fashion to make their looks their own with the help of designers and stylists. And many honored their heritages in special touches like the cowrie shells on the cuffs of Lewis Hamilton's Wales Bonner jacket. The shells pay homage to Black diasporic culture, to spirituality, to memory, said Rikki Byrd, assistant professor of visual culture studies at the University of Texas at Austin and founder of the Black Fashion Archive. Met Gala 2025: Shah Rukh Khan’s spectacular debut steals the show Tessa Thompson honored Talley with a fan adorned with his image. “It’s representative of a church fan and André Leon Talley often talked about his first introduction to fashion was through his church,” Byrd said. Teyana Taylor was a standout for Shantrelle P. Lewis, author of “Dandy Lion: The Black Dandy and Street Style.” With her cane, in her red velvet cape, “she understood the assignment,” Lewis said. Taylor's cape was emblazoned with her nickname in honor of her home turf: “Harlem Rose.” And she, like Swizz Beatz, donned a durag. Some underwhelmed by how guests did Lewis, who has been seminal in understanding dandyism, said the attire on the carpet was generally underwhelming. “The lack of color, the lack of African print, even the absence of African designers. I said, ‘Where is the Black dandyism?’” she said. “No sartorial risks were taken.” Big risks? Perhaps. Perhaps not. Brandon Tan, fashion director for Cosmopolitan, was satisfied. “A classic silhouette can be completely reimagined by something as simple as the color and fabrication of the textile, as seen on Henry Golding,” he said. “Inversely, a very classic gray wool can be totally remixed by the cut and silhouette like Walton Goggins’ kilt look by Thom Browne.” Who missed the boat altogether? A few simply showed up in comparatively routine black tuxedos (hello James Corden) and questionable spins on the theme (Sorry, Halle Berry, but that was a lot of skin in the crotch area). Coattails of varying lengths were a huge trend amid the sea of hats and head pieces anticipated ahead of the gala that brought together A-listers from the worlds of sports, entertainment, music, art, literature, politics and more to raise money for the Costume Institute. Black and white looks carried the night, with enough pops of color to keep it interesting. Colman Domingo and his many fans Kevin Huynh, InStyle's fashion director, also praised Domingo, who wore a huge Talley-esque collared blue cape first, then ditched the cape to reveal a pearled window-pane jacket he wore with dot accessories. “As the undisputed king of the red carpet, his regal look was beyond appropriate for the night’s theme,” Huynh said. “He fully embodied the spirit of dandyism in not one but two statement-making looks from Valentino, and he aced it in terms of being unapologetically bold and flawlessly fanciful.” That “fearlessness and individuality,” he said, is what the night was all about. “After a marathon awards season run, his Met Gala red carpet reveal was well worth the wait. From the moment he stepped out of The Carlyle draped in a jewel-toned Valentino cape, it was clear that more was coming,” said Claire Stern Milch, Elle’s digital director. “And when he finally arrived on the steps, his custom three-piece zoot suit, also designed by Alessandro Michele, was a playful and sophisticated nod to the theme,” she added. Milch called Domingo’s oversized polka dot flower on one lapel undoubtedly the highlight. The look, she said, was the “perfect marriage of classic tailoring and avant-garde flair.” Nikki Ogunnaike, editor-in-chief of Marie Claire, noted that suiting of all kinds wasn't a huge surprise, considering the style guidance from Vogue's Anna Wintour, who puts the gala together each year. “My favorites included Ayo Edebiri in Ferragamo, Tracee Ellis Ross in Marc Jacobs, Zendaya and Lisa in Louis Vuitton, Colman Domingo in Valentino and Mindy Kaling in Harbison, all of whom interpreted dandyism and suiting in their own unique way,” she said. Athletes turned out at 2025 Met Gala Athletes, meanwhile, also took the spotlight. Tailoring for them is a special craft that Tom Marchitelli, custom menswear designer and stylist, takes into consideration with all the suits he creates for NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball players. “These guys have these superhero builds, as I like to say, and they can’t walk into any store on Fifth Ave, in Rodeo, anywhere and just pick out a suit off the rack to fit them,” he said. Marchitelli said he appreciated the clean form-fitting looks on Philadelphia Eagles players Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley. Rihanna is expecting baby No. 3 with A$AP Rocky, the rapper confirms at the 2025 Met Gala “To have this many athletes showcased, I think that says a lot about how important sport is to culture, pop culture in America, how influential the athletes are,” he said. Black designers represented The night's vibe was inspired by the exhibit called “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” It's the first Costume Institute show to focus exclusively on Black designers, and the first in more than 20 years devoted to menswear. Big-time Black designers and smaller brands of creatives of color were represented on the carpet. They included Sergio Hudson, LaQuan Smith and Ozwald Boateng, a former wunderkind of Savile Row. Others who were not so much So who are some others who blew it, or didn't even try to spin the theme? Blackpink's Lisa might have walked the line in her look by Vuitton, a gala sponsor. She went pantless with little faces on black undies to go with her matching jacket and LV logo sheer stockings. Some on social media thought the faces were Rosa Parks. They weren't, a representative told The Cut, explaining they were “portraits of figures who have been a part of the artist’s life.” OK. So it goes. Undie portraits might not be a good idea in general. As for Corden, The Cut posted a video of him in his mere mortal look and viewers threw some barbs, including one who called him “James Boredon” giving “a total snooze fest per usual.” Ouch, James.

The highly anticipated debut of Shah Rukh Khan at the Met Gala finally happened—and it did not disappoint. Marking his first appearance at fashion’s biggest night, Shah Rukh Khan made a commanding entrance at the 2025 Met Gala, which carried the theme "Tailored for You", reflecting a spotlight on menswear and suiting. Dressed head-to-toe in black, the Bollywood icon wore a dramatic, floor-length trench coat over an open shirt, all designed by Indian fashion maestro Sabyasachi Mukherjee. He elevated the look with bold, statement accessories, including chunky necklaces, diamond-studded pendants featuring the initials "K" and "SRK," numerous lavish rings, and a striking walking stick crowned with a tiger head—adding an extra dose of flair to his already charismatic appearance. Before his debut, his longtime manager Pooja Dadlani offered fans a sneak peek on Instagram, sharing photos of the star in his full ensemble. On the blue carpet, Shah Rukh delighted fans by striking his iconic pose, smiling, and waving—capturing the essence of his global stardom. This year’s Met Gala, themed "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style," draws from Monica L. Miller’s influential book Slaves to Fashion, exploring Black dandyism and style across history, from the 18th century to modern times. Notably, it's the first Met Gala in over 20 years to focus solely on menswear. Rihanna is expecting baby No. 3 with A$AP Rocky, the rapper confirms at the 2025 Met Gala Committee member Usher highlighted the importance of this year's theme, calling it a celebration of rich cultural heritage that deserves wider recognition. The event was co-chaired by a star-studded lineup including Pharrell Williams, Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, and Anna Wintour, with LeBron James as honorary co-chair. Source: NDTV

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky turned heads once again at this year’s landmark Met Gala, making headlines with a major personal announcement — they’re expecting their third child. The revelation came directly from A$AP Rocky, who shared the news with reporters after being congratulated on the red carpet Monday night. Serving as a co-chair for the event, the rapper expressed his excitement: “It feels amazing,” he said. “It’s time we show the world what we’ve been working on. We’re definitely happy, and it’s great to see everyone else is too.” Earlier in the day, TMZ broke the story, citing sources close to the couple. Though Rihanna’s team has yet to officially comment — a representative did not immediately respond to a request from The Associated Press — the news seemed all but confirmed when the singer was photographed in New York on Monday, visibly showing what looked like a baby bump. Later in the night, Rihanna appeared on the Met Gala carpet in a pinstripe look and a huge hat, her newly announced baby bump on display. “Honestly, it’s a blessing nonetheless,” Rocky told the AP. “Because you know how like some people in other situations at times can be envious of other people. But we’ve been seeing love for the most part. And we real receptive to that and appreciate that, you know what I mean? That’s love. Love is love.” The couple announced their last pregnancy in a similarly starry way: At the 2023 Super Bowl, Rihanna emerged on stage for her halftime performance with baby bump on full display. Their son Riot Rose was born later that year. The couple’s first child, RZA, was born in May 2022. Rocky is one of the 2025 Met Gala co-chairs of the menswear-theme event tied to the museum’s “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style. ” But his attendance at this year’s Met Gala wasn’t always a sure bet. That announcement came a couple months before the opening of his trial on firearms charges in Los Angeles. Rocky was ultimately found not guilty in mid-February. Nuhash Humayun’s ‘Dui Shaw!’ premieres at SXSW, continues global journey   At his trial, he showed his eye for fashion. He sported tailored suits and luxury labels throughout the proceedings. Yves Saint Laurent even put out press releases directing attention to his high-fashion court attire. He was clad in a pinstripe Saint Laurent suit for the verdict. He’s collaborated with several designers and brands on shoes, sunglasses and clothing collections. In December, he was honored with the Cultural Innovator Award at the British Fashion Council’s Fashion Awards.    

Acclaimed filmmaker Nuhash Humayun’s popular web series ‘Dui Shaw!’ has recently premiered at the prestigious South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, marking yet another milestone for Bangladeshi content on the international stage. Sharing his thoughts on his social platforms on Monday, following the premiere, Nuhash, son of the legendary Bangladeshi writer Humayun Ahmed, described the experience as humbling. The series continues to receive appreciation not only in Bangladesh but also the wider South Asian diaspora and global audiences. Produced by Chorki, the anthology series is part of the wider ‘Shaw’ - denoting one of the three variants of the 's' sound in the Bengali alphabet - horror universe, was filmed under challenging circumstances, including rainstorms, floods, a cyclone, a Russell’s Viper scare, and even the July Uprising, Nuhash reminisced. “This wouldn’t be possible without our brilliant cast, the best crew in the world, and Chorki’s endless trust in our weird little anthology,” said Nuhash in a Facebook post following the SXSW premiere.

Ajay Devgn's Raid 2 continues its strong box office run, surpassing ₹70 crore in earnings within just four days of release. According to industry tracker Sacnilk, the crime thriller pulled in ₹21.50 crore on Day 4 alone, indicating a significant uptick in ticket sales. Directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, the film registered a 39.80% average occupancy for Hindi screenings on May 4. Morning shows had a turnout of 19.38%, which climbed steadily to 45.34% in the afternoon, peaked at 55.07% in the evening, and settled at 39.42% by night. Since its release on May 1, Raid 2 has earned a total of ₹70.75 crore at the domestic box office. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh took to X (formerly Twitter) to highlight the film’s performance. He noted that Raid 2 crossed the ₹50 crore mark by Day 3 and praised the film’s Saturday earnings, which nearly matched its opening day numbers from Thursday — a day that benefited from a partial holiday. He called the performance “remarkable” and said the film is on track for one of the best extended opening weekends since the pandemic. Weapons’ 2-Hour Footage Ignites Trailer Buzz: USD 38 Million Bet for an Original Horror Pays Off Adarsh reported that the film saw a 42.15% growth from Friday to Saturday, anticipating a strong showing on Sunday as well. He listed the film’s earnings over the first three days: ₹19.71 crore on Thursday, ₹13.05 crore on Friday, and ₹18.55 crore on Saturday, totaling ₹51.31 crore before Sunday. Raid 2 stars Ajay Devgn alongside Vaani Kapoor, Riteish Deshmukh, Rajat Kapoor, Saurabh Shukla, Supriya Pathak, and Amit Sial. The film is a follow-up to the 2018 hit Raid, where Ileana D'Cruz played Ajay's wife. In the sequel, Vaani Kapoor takes over that role. The film is currently up against Akshay Kumar’s Kesari: Chapter 2 and Nani’s HIT: The Third Case in cinemas. Source: NDTV

Brazilian authorities announced Sunday that two individuals have been arrested in connection with an alleged plan to set off explosives at a free Lady Gaga concert in Rio de Janeiro. The concert, held Saturday at Copacabana Beach, marked the biggest performance of Lady Gaga’s career, drawing an estimated 2.5 million fans who sang and danced along to the show. Felipe Cury, Rio's police secretary, stated that investigators believe the suspects were targeting Brazil’s LGBTQ community. “They explicitly indicated that the attack was intended to target the Lady Gaga concert due to sexual orientation,” Cury said during a Sunday press briefing. Rio Police chief Luiz Lima added that the suspects had been spreading hate speech and violent propaganda online, seemingly in an effort to gain attention and attract a following — primarily composed of teenagers and even children. Even as Brazilian authorities said they arrested suspects in the hours before Lady Gaga’s show, the event went ahead without disruption — leading some to question the seriousness of the threat. Serious security concerns typically lead organizers to cancel such massive events — as happened with Taylor Swift’s concerts in Vienna last year. Police said said nothing about the alleged plot at the time to in an effort to “avoid panic” and “the distortion of information.” A spokesperson for Lady Gaga said the pop star and her team “learned about this alleged threat via media reports this morning. Prior to and during the show, there were no known safety concerns, nor any communication from the police or authorities to Lady Gaga regarding any potential risks.” The statement added: “Her team worked closely with law enforcement throughout the planning and execution of the concert and all parties were confident in the safety measures in place.” Security was tight at Saturday’s concert, with 5,200 military and police officers deployed to the beach where fans were reveling in the pop singer’s classic hits like “Born This Way,” which became something of an LGBTQ anthem after its 2011 release. Homes in several states raided Authorities arrested two people in connection with the alleged plot — a man described as the group’s leader in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul on illegal weapons possession charges, and a teenager in Rio on child pornography charges. Police did not elaborate on their exact roles in the plot or on how the group came to target Lady Gaga’s free concert. “Those involved were recruiting participants, including teenagers, to carry out integrated attacks using improvised explosives and Molotov cocktails,” police said. The Justice Ministry said that it determined the group posed a “risk to public order.” It said the group falsely presented themselves online as “Little Monsters” — Lady Gaga’s nickname for her fans — in order to lure teeangers into “networks with violent and self-destructive content.” During a series of raids on the homes of 15 suspects across several Brazilian states, authorities confiscated phones and other electronic devices. Although police said they believed homemade bombs were intended for use in the planned attack, there was no mention of the raids turning up any weapons or explosive material. Cury said one of the suspects whose home was raided in the city of Macaé, near Rio, “had a religious motivation” and “claimed the singer (Lady Gaga) was a Satanist.” ‘Historical moment’ Lady Gaga has expressed gratitude for the enormous crowd in an Instagram post that said nothing of the alleged plot. “Nothing could prepare me for the feeling I had during last night’s show — the absolute pride and joy I felt singing for the people of Brazil,” she wrote. “The sight of the crowd during my opening songs took my breath away. Your heart shines so bright, your culture is so vibrant and special, I hope you know how grateful I am to have shared this historical moment with you.” Mirzapur, Scam 1992, Paatal Lok, Panchayat talents unite for ‘Baaghi Bechare’ Her free beach concert stood out at a time of surging ticket prices for live music around the world as concert-goers pay budget-busting costs to see their favorite artists. Last month she performed at Coachella Valley music festival in California, where tickets fetched upwards of $600 for one weekend. Rio has done this before — last May, superstar Madonna performed the finale to her latest world tower for some 1.6 million fans on the sprawling sands of Copacabana Beach.    

Lady Gaga delivered a monumental free concert on Saturday night at Copacabana Beach, performing for an estimated 2.1 million fans in what became the largest show of her career. “Tonight, we’re making history... Thank you for being part of it,” she told the ecstatic crowd. Taking the stage around 10:10 p.m. local time, Gaga opened with her 2011 hit "Bloody Mary." The beach erupted with excitement as fans danced and sang along, packed shoulder-to-shoulder on the iconic stretch of sand. She performed fan favorites like “Poker Face” and “Alejandro,” donning multiple outfits throughout the night, including one inspired by the Brazilian flag. Many fans had staked out their spots early, arriving at dawn equipped with food and drinks, while some climbed trees for a better view. Among them was 27-year-old designer Manoela Dobes, who wore a dress featuring a photo from when she met Gaga in 2019. “This is the best day of my life,” she said. The concert followed in the footsteps of last year’s massive Madonna show on the same beach and is part of a broader effort by Rio’s City Hall to attract visitors during the post-Carnival, pre-Saint John’s Day season. According to city officials, the event is expected to inject around 600 million reais (roughly $106 million) into the local economy by boosting hotel stays, restaurant spending, and retail activity. The plan is to hold similar beach concerts every May through at least 2028. Lady Gaga arrived in Rio early Tuesday, and excitement has been building ever since. Metro staff danced to her song “LoveGame” in a promotional video, and a free exhibit about her career quickly sold out. While the majority of attendees were locals, many traveled from other parts of Brazil and abroad. Over 500,000 tourists arrived in Rio ahead of the show—more than double the original estimate. Ingrid Serrano, a 30-year-old engineer from Colombia, came specifically for the concert. Wearing a shirt showcasing Gaga’s bold fashion choices, she said, “She represents complete freedom—being yourself without shame.” Copacabana Beach has hosted record-breaking crowds before, including Madonna’s 2023 concert and a Rod Stewart performance in 1994 that drew 4 million people, the largest free rock concert ever according to Guinness World Records. To accommodate the massive crowd, organizers installed 16 sound towers along the beach. Security included over 3,000 military personnel, 1,500 police officers, and 400 firefighters. Among the crowd were longtime fans like Ricardo Filho, 25, who remembered Gaga’s last-minute cancellation in 2017 due to health reasons. “It was worth the wait,” he said. “She’s the best artist in the world.”

Superman is gearing up for a major comeback — and he's not alone. As one of the most iconic figures in the comic book world, his return to the big screen comes at a pivotal time for Hollywood, which is still finding its footing years after pandemic shutdowns and industry-wide strikes. But Superman won’t be carrying the weight of the box office on his own shoulders. Marvel Studios is also staging a bold return with two anticipated releases this summer: Thunderbolts and The Fantastic Four: First Steps. While some critics have claimed that audiences are growing tired of superhero films, the genre remains a crucial pillar of summer box office success — particularly when the films deliver strong stories and fan appeal. The $4 billion success of the “Barbenheimer” summer may have been driven by two standout hits, but that record-breaking haul also relied on superhero entries like Guardians of the Galaxy and Spider-Man, which were the second- and third-highest grossers of the season. As Hollywood looks to rebound in 2025, top filmmakers behind this year’s most anticipated releases shared insights with The Associated Press, offering a glimpse into what could be a defining summer for the industry. Summer Movie Math Summer begins early in Hollywood, on the first weekend in May. Kids might still be in school, and pools might still be closed, but that kickoff can make or break that pivotal 123-day corridor that has historically accounted for around 40% of the annual box office. Last year was the first in many that didn’t launch with a Marvel movie and it showed — the business limped along for weeks until Disney came to the rescue with “Inside Out 2” and “Deadpool & Wolverine.” This year, the powerful studio is back in that familiar spot with “Thunderbolts,” which brings together misfits and antiheroes like Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Red Guardian (David Harbour) and Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan). “It’s a fun twist on what a movie like this could be,” said director Jake Schreier. “There are some places we’re gonna go that are different from what you would normally expect.” He added: “It’s trying to be a movie about something and the moment we’re in — not in a political sense, but just where everybody’s at and what everyone’s been going through.” The Memorial Day weekend could also be a behemoth a few weeks later with the live action “Lilo & Stitch” and “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” storming theaters. With a new “Jurassic World,” a live-action “How to Train Your Dragon” and a Formula One movie also on the schedule through June and July, the summer 2025 season has the potential to be the biggest in the post-COVID era. Before the pandemic, all but one summer since 2007 broke the $4 billion mark. Since 2020, only one has: 2023, led by “Barbie.” Saving Superman (and the DC Universe) After three “Guardians” movies, James Gunn knows enough to know that he doesn’t have much control over whether people buy tickets for his movies. His job is to make something good, entertaining and “worthy” of the audience. But that’s also possibly underplaying the pressure of taking on Superman and overseeing a unified DC universe that kicks off with “Superman” on July 11. He considers it the first true superhero movie he’s ever made. Cannes Festival's social media handles feature Adnan Al Rajeev’s short film 'Ali' “It’s a personal journey for Superman that’s entirely new,” Gunn said. “It is, first and foremost, about what does Superman learn about himself. But it’s also about the robots and the flying dogs and all that stuff. It’s taking a very real person and putting them in the middle of this outrageous situation and outrageous world and playing with that. I think it’s a lot of fun because of that.” The film introduces a new actor to the role of Superman/Clark Kent in David Corenswet, who stars alongside Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. Gunn said to expect different things from both. “It was a lot of fun making a Lex that is actually going to kill Superman,” he said. “He’s pretty scary.” The film is also “seeding the rest of the DCU,” Gunn said. “If it works as a movie in a basic way, that’s what we need to happen, that’s what I care about.” Superman as a brand has always trailed Batman at the box office. None of the Zack Snyder films crossed $1 billion, not accounting for inflation, while both Christopher Nolan “Dark Knight” sequels did. But Gunn isn't thinking a lot about that. “I just want to make a decent movie that makes a little money,” Gunn said.   Marvel’s First Family Superman’s not the only legacy brand getting a splashy reintroduction this summer. A new Fantastic Four crew, assembled for the first time under umbrella of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Kevin Feige, is heading to theaters July 25. “Fantastic Four is a comic I’ve loved since I was a kid,” said director Matt Shakman. “They are the legendary heroes of the '60s that the Marvel silver age was built on.” Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, The Fantastic Four is among Marvel’s longest-running comics series. But it has not had the most distinguished history on film, including two with Chris Evans and one with Michael B. Jordan. “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” is set in a retro-futuristic 1960s New York, where Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards is “basically Steve Jobs meets Einstein who’s creating technology that’s changing the world” and Vanessa Kirby’s Sue Storm is “essentially the secretary-general of the U.N.,” Shakman said. A television veteran with directing credits on shows like “WandaVision” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” Shakman said he wants to do right by the characters, and audience. “It’s working on an incredibly large scale in terms of world building, but it’s also no different from all of the great comedies and dramas that I’ve done,” Shakman said. “In the end, it comes down to character, it comes down to relationships, it comes down to heart and humor.”    

Bangladeshi filmmaker Adnan Al Rajeev’s short film 'Ali' has been officially recognized by the social media platforms of the prestigious Festival de Cannes, marking a proud moment for the country’s film industry. The announcement was made on Friday through the festival’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts, listing 'Ali' among the 11 films selected for the Short Film Competition at Cannes 2025. A total of 4,781 films were submitted, out of which 9 fiction and 2 animated films were chosen. Five of the selected works were directed by women. The Cannes post on its official Facebook and Instagram pages stated, “The films of the Short Film Competition #Cannes2025 in pictures. The Palme d’Or of the short film will be awarded by the Jury chaired by Maren Ade at the Palmares ceremony, on Saturday, May 24, 2025.” Following the announcement, Adnan Al Rajeev shared his emotional reaction on Facebook, reflecting on the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. "My lifelong dream was to one day have my work featured on the official social media page of Festival de Cannes. That dream came true today," Rajeev wrote. ‘Priyo Satyajit’ premieres on Chorki marking Bengali maestro's 104th birth anniversary He added, "My work on the Cannes page — what a beautiful feeling. My heart trembles with fear, but it still feels good." "My name will be there, our name will be there, my country’s name will be there. Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps. I feel scared — I don’t know why!," Rajeev shared in his emotional Facebook post. The recognition of 'Ali' at Cannes adds to the growing presence of Bangladeshi filmmakers on the global stage, and comes as a major milestone in Adnan Al Rajeev’s career. More details on the selected films can be found on the official Cannes link: https://f.mtr.cool/rhkhiosbwh

Jill Sobule, the award-winning singer-songwriter whose witty and poignant writing first attracted widespread attention with the gay-themed song “I Kissed a Girl,” died in a house fire Thursday. She was 66. Her death was confirmed by her publicist, David Elkin, in an email Thursday afternoon. It was not immediately clear how the fire in Woodbury, Minnesota, started. “Jill Sobule was a force of nature and human rights advocate whose music is woven into our culture,” John Porter, her manager, said in a statement. “I was having so much fun working with her. I lost a client & a friend today. I hope her music, memory, & legacy continue to live on and inspire others.” During her more than three decades of recording, Sobule released 12 albums that addressed such complex topics as the death penalty, anorexia nervosa, reproduction and LGBTQ+ issues. Her first album, “Things Here Are Different,” was released in 1990. Five years later, she received widespread attention for her hit singles, “Supermodel,” from the movie “Clueless,” and “I Kissed A Girl," which, despite being banned on several southern radio stations, made it into the Billboard Top 20. She also starred in an autobiographical off-Broadway musical that initially premiered at the Wild Project in New York in 2022 and includes songs and stories about her life. Sobule was known for taking control of her career by fundraising so she could make her next album. In 2008, after two major record companies dumped her and two indie labels went bankrupt beneath her, she raised tens of thousands of dollars from fans so she could make a new album. “The old kind of paradigm, where you’ve always waited for other people to do things, you’d have your manager and your agent,” she said at the time. “You’d wait for the big record company to give you money to do things and they tell you what to do. This is so great. I want to do everything like this.” Former Man United prospect Joe Thompson dies at 36 Sobule was scheduled to perform in Denver on Friday night. Instead, there will be an informal gathering hosted by her friend Ron Bostwick from 105.5 The Colorado Sound at the performance space where attendees can "share a story or song,” according to her publicist. A formal memorial to celebrate her life and legacy will be held later this summer. “No one made me laugh more. Her spirit and energy shall be greatly missed within the music community and beyond,” Craig Grossman, her booking agent, said in a statement. Born in Denver, Colorado, on Jan. 16, 1959, she has described herself as a shy child who preferred observing over participating. Sobule was known for playing dozens of shows a year and has described her live performances as vulnerable experiences. She said she often doesn’t have a set list and wings it. She's performed with such icons as Neil Young, Billy Bragg and Cyndi Lauper, and also inducted Neil Diamond into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, according to her website. She also sang a song as herself on an episode of “The Simpsons” in 2019. Veteran Bollywood actor Manoj Kumar dies “In a good way, I feel like I’m still a rookie," she told The Associated Press in 2023 in an interview about her musical. "There’s so much more to do and I haven’t done my best yet.” She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, James and Mary Ellen Sobule, along with her nephews and cousins.