United News of Bangladesh

Actor Emily Osment has filed for divorce from musician Jack Anthony Farina after being married for less than five months. The 32-year-old actress submitted the divorce petition in Los Angeles Superior Court on Friday, seeking to end her marriage to 42-year-old Farina. According to court documents, the couple wed on October 12 but separated on December 7, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split. They have no children. This was Osment’s first marriage. She is the younger sister of Haley Joel Osment, known for The Sixth Sense, and gained fame as Lilly Truscott on Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana (2006-2011). She later starred in Young & Hungry and Young Sheldon and currently appears in the Young Sheldon spinoff, Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage. The divorce was first reported by TMZ.

Tamil actor Vijay, who is set to enter politics with his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), hosted an Iftar gathering in Chennai on Friday. Dressed in white and wearing a skullcap, he participated in prayers alongside the attendees before they broke their fast during the holy month of Ramadan.  A video shared by ANI captured Vijay sitting among a group of men engaged in prayer. ANI wrote, “Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam founder and chief Vijay hosts 'Iftar' during Ramzan month, in Chennai.” The footage shows the actor listening attentively as a clergy led the prayers.  Another widely shared video online shows Vijay expressing gratitude to those who attended, appreciating the sense of brotherhood at the event. The gathering took place at Royapettah YMCA grounds, where he was seen praying and breaking fast with the invitees.  In tense relations with India, Pakistani TV dramas break down barriers that diplomacy often cannot Several images and videos posted by fans on social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, captured moments of Vijay interacting with attendees. Fans also gathered outside the venue to catch a glimpse of him. Vijay greeted them before making his way inside, where he continued to engage warmly with his supporters.   With inputs from Indian media 

Two Pakistani women sit together on a couch, rehearsing their lines while a director scrutinizes them. Waiting off camera for his scene is the male lead, an actor blessed with “Bachelor” hair and fine bone structure. Also out of sight: the Islamabad homeowners, who are holed up in a separate room and whose furniture and knick-knacks will be seen by millions of viewers — many from the society that has been their country's neighbor and uneasy sparring partner for much of the past century. This is the set of the Pakistani drama “Adhi Bewafai,” or “Half Infidelity” — one of what some in other nations would call “soap operas." But these dramas, it turns out, are not just for Pakistanis. Realistic settings, natural dialogue and almost workaday plots about families and marriages make Pakistani dramas a hit with viewers at home and abroad — especially in the neighboring country that split with Pakistan in 1947 and is its nuclear archrival today: India. Television, it seems, is succeeding where diplomacy sometimes can't. A glimpse into life across the border Several thousand people work in Pakistan’s drama industry; the country produces between 80 to 120 shows a year, each one a source of escapism and intrigue. They offer Indians a tantalizing glimpse into life across the border — and manage to break through decades of enmity between the two governments. Maheen Shafeeq, a research associate at the Institute of Strategic Studies in Islamabad, says there is effectively no relationship between the two governments. Each government is fixed on a single issue it cannot move past — for India, it’s terrorism; for Pakistan, the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir. “The governments are very much opposed to each other,” she says. “They don’t agree what they should talk about.” Robert Downey Jr shapes doctor doom role in Avengers: Doomsday Although it’s difficult for Indians to visit Pakistan, where these shows are filmed, they faithfully follow the plot twists and turns through platforms like YouTube, ZEE5, and MX Player. For those of a certain generation, however, it wasn’t always so easy to keep up. Kaveri Sharma, a writer in the Indian city of Patna, recalls her mother-in-law and aunt jiggling antennas in the 1980s and 1990s in hopes of catching a signal from Pakistan’s state broadcaster, PTV. It’s how Sharma first realized that the country next door was a drama powerhouse. It inspired her to discover the shows for herself years later, even going on to watch them with her own daughter. “They feel familiar, but they are also a break from our own lives,” Sharma says. “I don’t see any differences between the two countries. Everything is relatable. I see Karachi and think that it could be Lucknow or Patna. What happens on the shows could happen to me or my friends.” She had heard only negative things about Pakistan since childhood — that it was the enemy that would take everything from India. The TV dramas have added subtlety and detail to this image for her. She would love to visit, but is unlikely to get the opportunity. So she explores Pakistan through the locations, malls, offices, streets and restaurants depicted on the small screen. The names of popular Karachi neighborhoods roll off her tongue. Sharma, like Bibi Hafeez in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad and Punita Kumar in the central Indian city of Raipur, raves about the dramas’ universality of themes, the strong characterization and the emotional range. “Pakistani characters are not only heroes or villains. They have shades to them, and that is very human,” says Kumar, who chanced upon a Pakistani drama through a chunky videocassette when she was a teenager living in the northern Indian city of Aligarh. It was love at first watch. “They captivated me. We got a cable connection that offered PTV. Then YouTube came and I realized I could search for whatever drama I wanted. I haven’t taken a stop,” she said. “We get exposure to Pakistani life in the scenes, but the struggles the characters have with their relatives are ones I would have with my own.” Pakistani TV veteran Khaled Anam is delighted by Indians’ enthusiasm for the country’s serials and the barriers they help erode. “What Bollywood is to India, dramas are to Pakistan,” says Anam, who is based in Karachi and has worked as an actor since the 1980s. He has appeared in many dramas, including the ratings smash “Humsafar” (“Life Partner”). India's productions go big, while Pakistan's are more low key India dominates the movie market in South Asia and beyond, with big stars and bigger budgets. Pakistanis have been exposed to Bollywood films for decades, although the prevailing hostile political climate means they can't watch them in movie theaters. The bans are mutual, though. India, like Pakistan, restricts content from across the border in movie theaters and TV channels. Matthew Modine joins cast of new ‘Godzilla x Kong’ film And while India is no slouch when it comes to TV production, it doesn’t offer viewers what Pakistan does, according to Anam: simplicity, depth of writing and a limited number of episodes. “There are 15-minute flashbacks in Indian serials. (The characters) are decked out and dolled up. It’s a fantasy world. The shows go on forever. Everything is ‘DUN dun dun!’” says Anam, mimicking a dramatic musical riff and shaking his hands. The actors on the couch in Islamabad are rehearsing lines about a woman who is disrespectful and so, according to one of them, is an unsuitable marriage prospect. The delivery and grammar could be heard in virtually any South Asian household. “Pakistanis are generally emotional people, and that is in their dramas also,” says Islamabad-based director Saife Hassan. “It would take me less than two minutes to explain the plot of the super-duper hit ‘Kabhi Main, Kabhi Tum’ (‘Sometimes Me, Sometimes You’). It’s about the emotions between a husband and wife.” Hassan, who began his TV career in the 1990s, says Indians frequently comment on his social media pages and send him direct messages about his work. He even recalls Indian viewers praying for the recovery of a character who was in a coma. Hassan would love to see more homegrown dramas make it onto platforms like Netflix, as some Indian shows have with great success. But he wonders whether international audiences would understand and connect with Pakistani stories or lives: “The way we think is different from the West. Our shows are not driven by events. They are driven by emotions.” There is also a lack of raunch in Pakistani dramas, which are family-friendly with little to no vulgarity, violence, or even action. Indians, therefore, are a natural audience for Pakistani dramas, Hassan says. “They are our people. They are like us. They eat like us,” he says. “I love India, and I love Indians. They have grown out of this animosity.”

President Donald Trump reached an estimated 36.6 million television viewers for his address to Congress on Tuesday night, the Nielsen company said. That beat the 32.2 million people who watched former President Joe Biden's final State of the Union address last year, but was smaller than any of Trump's audiences for the annual address during his first term, Nielsen said. Trump's first speech to Congress as president, in 2017, was seen by 47.7 million people. Television viewing in general has decreased since then. Nielsen measured viewing on 15 different television networks, including those whose feed was carried on streaming services. UK data protection watchdog investigating how TikTok uses children's personal data Fox News Channel, the most popular network for Trump fans, dominated viewing, reaching 10.7 million people. ABC had 6.3 million, CBS had 4 million, NBC had 3.9 million, Fox broadcast had 2.7 million and both CNN and MSNBC had 1.9 million, Nielsen said. Nielsen said 71% of Trump's television viewers were 55 and older.

Bringing stories to life with boundless creativity, Netflix continues to enchant audiences through its ever-expanding slate of exclusive releases. April 2025 brings an exciting lineup, spanning feature films, series, animation, and documentaries. The premieres explore a variety of genres, including fantasy, thriller, adventure, romance, and action. Let’s dive into the most talked-about Netflix English Originals set to define entertainment in April 2025! 10 Must-watch Netflix English Originals Streaming this April . Instant Karma / Comedy Special / April 1, 2025 Through the lens of a first-generation Indian American, this comedy special offers a heartfelt and humorous exploration of family dynamics and personal evolution. The narrative delves into his experiences growing up under his traditional parents, and the mischievous moments that shaped his childhood. It reflects on his journey of self-discovery and the academic milestones he achieved at New York University. Produced by Netflix Studios, this TV special bears the writing and starring mark of Nimesh Patel. Mookie Thompson takes the director’s seat for the show. Read more: March 2025 K-Drama Fever: 10 Most-hyped Shows Worth Binge-Watching Pulse / Medical Drama / April 3, 2025 Helmed by Kate Dennis, this TV series is created by Zoe Robyn who also serves as its showrunner along with Carlton Cuse. Set against the backdrop of Miami’s busiest Level 1 Trauma Center, this gripping drama series follows doctors and staff as they balance personal struggles with professional demands. Their resilience is put to the ultimate test when an impending hurricane threatens to upend the world. The ensemble cast includes Willa Fitzgerald, Colin Woodell, Justina Machado, Jack Bannon, Jessie T. Usher, Daniela Nieves, Chelsea Muirhead, and Jessy Yates. Besides Robyn, Dennis, and Cuse, the executive production team consists of Bradley Gardner, Emma Forman, and Michael Klick. Read more: 12 Most Anticipated South Indian Movies Releasing in March 2025 Devil May Cry / Dark Fantasy Animation / April 3, 2025 Inspired by Capcom’s Japanese video game series of the same title, this urban animated series flourishes with Adi Shankar as its creator. The action series follows Dante, a demon hunter, as he embarks on a supernatural journey driven by an unyielding determination to avenge the tragic loss of his family. Backed by Studio Mir, the supernatural anime series boasts Johnny Yong Bosch as Dante, the main voice cast. Adi Shankar, Lee Seung-wook, and Hideaki Itsuno lead the executive production unit. Read more: March 2025 Bollywood Movie Releases: Top 10 Most-Anticipated Hindi Films to Watch Jurassic World: Chaos Theory (Season 3) / Animated Adventure / April 3, 2025 Expanding the legacy of the Jurassic Park franchise, this animated production stands as its second series. As a direct sequel to Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous (2020-2022), it seamlessly bridges the narrative gap between Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) and Jurassic World Dominion (2022). Scott Kreamer and Aaron Hammersley serve as showrunners, and executive produce the series along with Colin Trevorrow, Frank Marshall, and Steven Spielberg. Season 3 thrusts the Nublar Five into an unrelenting adventure as they navigate treacherous encounters, rekindle bonds with familiar faces, and confront even deadlier prehistoric threats. The emotional fallout of Brooklynn’s shocking rejection lingers, amplifying tensions within the group. Meanwhile, Brooklynn finds herself spiraling deeper into the Broker’s sinister network of espionage and dinosaur trafficking. Returning this season are Paul-Mikel Williams, Darren Barnet, Sean Giambrone, Raini Rodriguez, Kausar Mohammed, Kiersten Kelly, and Dichen Lachman. Read more: Top Amazon Prime Originals to Binge-Watch in March 2025 The Clubhouse: A Year with the Red Sox / Sports Documentary / April 8, 2025 A defining pillar of baseball history, the Boston Red Sox, one of the sport’s most legendary franchises, is set to get an immersive documentary. Helmed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Greg Whiteley, this documentary marks a historic first for Netflix. It offers an all-access pass to an MLB team over the course of an entire season. With an unfiltered lens, the eight-episode docuseries captures the triumphs and tribulations of the players, shedding light on their professional and personal struggles. Spanning eight episodes, this docuseries grants unprecedented access to the Boston Red Sox during the 2024 MLB season with intimate coverage of executives, players, and coaches. Read more: 10 Must-Watch Netflix English Originals Arriving in March 2025 The production credit goes to One Potato Productions, Boardwalk Pictures Inc., and Major League Baseball.

Will Smith continues to face the repercussions of his infamous Oscars incident, with the controversy still affecting his career and opportunities, an insider has revealed to In Touch. "Will is coming to terms with the reality of the situation. Even if he never speaks about ‘the slap’ publicly again, he’s dealing with its lasting impact privately and adjusting his professional approach accordingly," the source explained. The 56-year-old actor remains a contentious figure in Hollywood circles, particularly within the Academy, three years after slapping comedian Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars. "He knows this isn’t something he can just erase. It follows him everywhere. But he still wants to be a movie star, and he has a strong eye for selecting projects, scripts, and marketing strategies," the insider added. Since winning Best Actor for King Richard in 2021, Smith has starred in only two major films—2022’s Emancipation and 2024’s Bad Boys: Ride or Die. However, his future in Hollywood remains uncertain beyond his established franchises. Adrien Brody wins best actor for ‘The Brutalist’ "It’s going to be difficult for him to secure non-Bad Boys roles moving forward. He’ll need to offer more than just his legendary charisma to get high-budget films greenlit. Plus, Bad Boys is his last major franchise, meaning he’ll have to keep making them—even though action films aren’t easy when you’re over 50," the source noted. Smith currently has several projects in early development, including a sequel to I Am Legend, a follow-up to Hancock, and a remake of Planes, Trains & Automobiles, in which he will co-star with Kevin Hart. However, none of these films are actively in production, and his IMDb page does not list any upcoming acting roles that have progressed beyond the pre-production phase. Recently, Smith has been seen in countries like Saudi Arabia, a move the insider says is financially motivated. "These aren’t just leisure trips—he’s going where the funding is because he still wants to make blockbusters," they explained. Despite his efforts, the actor remains under a cloud of controversy. "There are still many in the industry who want nothing to do with him after what happened with Chris Rock. His only real option is to keep backing himself and hope audiences continue to support him. Bad Boys: Ride or Die was successful, but the true test will come when he no longer has a major franchise to rely on. That day is approaching fast," the source warned. Smith was banned from the Academy Awards for 10 years after the altercation with Rock, who had joked about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head. The Academy condemned his actions, calling them "unacceptable and harmful." Smith later accepted the decision, stating, "I respect the Academy’s ruling."

Smaller movies didn't mean smaller viewer numbers for the Oscars. An estimated 19.7 million viewers watched Sunday night's 97th Academy Awards ceremony, the biggest audience in five years, according to figures released by ABC on Tuesday. The triumph of “Anora,” which won five Oscars including best picture, and other relatively little-seen favorites and winners still brought a lift over the 19.5 million viewers last year, when the major hit “Oppenheimer” won the top categories and the even bigger hit “Barbie” was a major presence. The Conan O'Brien-hosted telecast did have the benefit of 10 nominations for the big hit “Wicked” and an opening performance from its stars, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. The film won for its production design and costumes. The show had an especially big lift among people aged 18 to 49, driven by mobile and laptop watches from younger viewers. And the network said it was the most watched primetime entertainment show of 2025. Israel’s culture minister calls ‘No Other Land’ Oscar win a ‘sad moment’ Still, the upward trend comes from an all-time low during the pandemic, and changes in viewing habits for virtually all live events other than the Super Bowl mean the numbers the show once had are very unlikely ever to be reached again, A high water mark of 55 million people watched “Titanic” clean up in 1998, and the show didn't have fewer than 30 million viewers until 2018, when it dipped to 26.5 million. The bottom fell out with the pandemic-diminished show in 2021, seen by 9.85 million. It began rebounding in 2022 — the year of Will Smith's notorious slap of Chris Rock — with 16.6 million. And Hulu's first-time livestream of this year's Oscars cut off in the final moments of the show, making viewers miss Mikey Madison's best actress win and the best picture win of “Anora” in real time. The Oscars still significantly outdraws other awards shows. Its nearly 20 million viewers were far more than the Grammys' 15.4 million.

Actor Bobby Deol recently reflected on the challenging phase in his career when work offers were scarce. In an interview with India Today, he shared how he actively approached people for roles, emphasizing that there is no shame in seeking opportunities. He recalled personally reaching out, introducing himself, and asking for work, despite his established surname. Bobby noted how the industry has evolved over the years. "Things were different when I started. Back then, people approached actors with offers. However, as the number of actors increased, the competition became tougher," he explained. He acknowledged that new talent will continue to enter the industry, making opportunities more competitive. Salman Khan donates $10,000 to crew member The actor candidly shared his experience of asking for roles. "During my difficult phase, I knocked on doors and introduced myself, saying, “I am Bobby Deol, please give me work.” There is nothing wrong with that because everyone needs opportunities. At the very least, it makes people remember you, and sometimes, that leads to work," he said. Bobby emphasized that persistence is key and that there is no reason to feel embarrassed about seeking professional opportunities. Bobby Deol’s career resurgence In recent years, Bobby has seen a revival in his career. His role as a negative character in Animal (2023), alongside Ranbir Kapoor, earned him significant appreciation, showcasing his versatility as an actor. He has also appeared in films like Kanguva and Daaku Maharaaj. Currently, he is reprising his role as Baba Nirala in Ek Badnaam Aashram Season 3 - Part 2, directed by Prakash Jha. The series, streaming on Amazon MX Player, features Aaditi Pohankar, Darshan Kumaar, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Vikram Kochhar, Tridha Choudhury, Anupriya Goenka, Rajeev Siddhartha, and Esha Gupta in key roles.

Israel’s culture and sports minister, Miki Zohar, has criticised the Oscar win for “No Other Land”, calling it a “sad moment for the world of cinema.” The documentary, created by a Palestinian-Israeli collective, won Best Documentary Feature at the 2025 Academy Awards.  In a post on X, Zohar accused the filmmakers of distorting Israel’s image instead of portraying the country’s complexities, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He stated that while freedom of expression is important, using Israel’s defamation for global recognition is not art but an attack on the state. His remarks referenced the ongoing war and the October 7 attack.  Adrien Brody wins best actor for ‘The Brutalist’ No Other Land documents the destruction of Masafer Yatta, an area in the occupied West Bank, by Israeli forces. It also highlights the bond between Palestinian journalist Basel Adra and Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham, who co-directed the film. The documentary has already won multiple awards, including from the International Documentary Association and the Spirit Awards.  At the Oscars, “No Other Land” triumphed over “Black Box Diaries”, “Porcelain War”, “Soundtrack to a Coup d’État”, and “Sugarcane”. However, the film has yet to secure US distribution.  Zohar defended Israel’s recent reform in state-funded cinema, asserting that taxpayer money should support films resonating with Israeli audiences rather than productions that, in his view, damage Israel’s global reputation.

Officials rushed to reschedule Mardi Gras celebrations and warned revelers against brining umbrellas and tents as powerful storms with a threat of tornadoes were expected to strike Louisiana and other parts of the South on Tuesday. New Orleans moved up its two biggest Mardi Gras Day parades and cut down their routes to try to avoid the potentially destructive weather. Police were also expected to keep the hundreds of participants and dozens of floats moving quickly so they finished before winds were predicted to pick up, according to New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick. The alarming forecast was one of the first big tests for the National Weather Service after hundreds of forecasters were fired last week as part of President Donald Trump's moves to slash the size of the federal government. Former employees said the firing of meteorologists who make crucial local forecasts across the U.S. could put lives at risk. Country faces a number of weather threats The U.S. was facing multiple weather threats, including dust storms that brought near-zero visibility to parts of New Mexico and west Texas on Monday, prompting the National Weather Service to issue Dust Storm Warnings. “Widespread blowing dust" was expected Tuesday, said the weather service office covering Midland and Odessa, Texas. The week's strong weather system will bring “a threat of blizzard conditions, high winds, flash flooding, severe weather, dust storms, and critical to extreme fire weather conditions to the nation’s heartland,” according to a weather service update Monday. Mikey Madison wins best actress Oscar for Anora On Tuesday, twisters, damaging winds and large hail were all possible as a strong storm system was set to move across the nation's midsection into Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, the federal Storm Prediction Center warned. The bullseye for a heightened risk of severe weather was an area stretching from east Texas to Alabama that’s home to more than 7 million people. Cities under threat included Baton Rouge and Shreveport in Louisiana; Jackson, Mississippi; and Mobile, Alabama. New Orleans braces for severe weather during Mardi Gras The New Orleans area was also preparing for strong storms, though Fat Tuesday's traditionally raucous annual rite of parades of floats and costumed merrymakers remained scheduled to hit the streets, with some changes still being worked out by authorities and leaders of “krewes” — social clubs that organize the parades. Kirkpatrick ordered parade-goers to not bring umbrellas, tents or “anything that could fly in the wind and cause mayhem.” She warned that she may need to cancel the parades at the last minute if the weather gets worse. “I hold that trump card in which I will not hesitate to cancel — I won’t do it lightly, but I will do it,” she said. Two other parades that had been scheduled to roll through the city later on Tuesday with nearly 200 truck floats were postponed, Kirkpatrick said. Just outside New Orleans in neighboring Jefferson Parish, officials canceled planned Mardi Gras Day parades due to anticipated high winds and thunderstorms. “This is disappointing, but our top priority is ensuring the well-being of everyone in our community, and we must always prioritize safety above all else,” Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng said in a statement. Mardi Gras floats “could become unstable” and heavy winds could “blow down trees and power lines,” the National Weather Service warned, adding gusts of up to 60 mph (97 kph) were expected Tuesday afternoon. Adrien Brody wins best actor for ‘The Brutalist’ In Pointe Coupee Parish, near Louisiana’s capital city of Baton Rouge, the incoming weather forced drastic changes to one of the oldest Mardi Gras celebrations in the state. The parade there was scheduled to roll without any bands, marching teams or dance groups — a staple of Carnival Season parades. Officials also moved the parade start time up and urged residents to immediately remove all tents and trash after the parade ends “due to the dangers they can present during weather.” Other cities with Mardi Gras parades watching forecasts Elsewhere, large crowds were expected Tuesday for Mardi Gras celebrations in Mobile, Alabama. Police there said they were continuing to monitor the forecast and would let the public know if plans for the celebration changed. Other cities hosting large Mardi Gras events included Biloxi, Mississippi, where an annual Mardi Gras parade was scheduled to start at 1 p.m. Tuesday. In downtown Pensacola in the Florida Panhandle, organizers were planning a Big Easy-style Mardi Gras festival that included food trucks, dancing, live entertainment and a low country seafood boil.