United News of Bangladesh

Veteran actress Mumtaz, who starred alongside Dharmendra in films like Jheel Ke Us Paar (1973) and Loafer (1973), shared memories of her co-star and revealed she was unable to meet him at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital before his passing. “I went to see him at the hospital, but the staff told me he was on a ventilator and no visitors were allowed. I sat there for 30 minutes hoping to see him, but couldn’t. I left without meeting him,” Mumtaz told ETimes. She last met Dharmendra in 2021 at his residence. “That was such a pleasant meeting. It was the last time we met,” she recalled. Speaking about his family, Mumtaz expressed sympathy, particularly for his wife, actor Hema Malini. “I feel sorry for his family, and for Hema ji. She was always devoted to him and must be feeling this loss deeply. She truly loved him,” she said. Mumtaz also remembered Dharmendra as a kind and warm co-star. “We worked together on a few films, and he was always a wonderful co-star — a man with a golden heart. He was milansar — friendly, warm, and connected to everyone. People loved him and always will. He was a legend and is irreplaceable,” she added. Dharmendra’s final Instagram video goes viral after his passing: “Bhagwan Aapko Lambi Sehat De” On Tuesday, Mumtaz shared photos with Dharmendra, including film stills and one featuring him with Anju Mahendru, Poonam Sinha, Jackie Shroff, Danny Denzongpa, Talat Aziz, and herself. She wrote, “Dharam ji, you were and you are always with us! May you rest in peace.” Dharmendra passed away on November 24 at age 89. He had been hospitalized on October 31 due to breathlessness and was discharged on November 12. The veteran actor was cremated at Pawan Hans Crematorium in Mumbai, and a prayer meet is scheduled this evening at Seaside Lawns, Taj Lands End, Bandra, from 5 pm to 7:30 pm. Source: NDTV  

Actress Girija Oak, who recently became a viral sensation after pictures of her in a blue saree circulated widely online, has spoken about the less glamorous side of sudden fame. The veteran actress, who has been in the entertainment industry for more than two decades, said that along with admiration, she received unsolicited and often inappropriate messages from men on social media. Speaking to News18, she said, “Eventually, you become thick-skinned. I started acting very early in my life. I've been around for 20–25 years now. Now, when some things happen, you take them with a pinch of salt.” Oak added that while she has developed resilience over the years, she is still human and not immune to being affected. “This time around, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't affected at all. Things do get to me. But eventually, you figure out ways to handle it,” she explained. She also expressed her surprise at the sense of entitlement some men display in their messages, calling it “quite amusing.” SRK pays tribute to terror attack victims, calls for unity and peace About Girija Oak Girija Oak is recognized for her work in Marathi, Hindi, and Kannada films. Her notable Marathi films include Gulmohar, Lajja, and Navra Maza Bhavra, while in Bollywood, she appeared as Jabeen in Aamir Khan’s Taare Zameen Par (2007), and in Shor in the City (2010) and Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan (2023). On television, she starred in Sony TV’s Ladies Special, a show about the lives of women commuting on Mumbai’s Ladies Special train. Oak has also featured in several OTT projects, including Modern Love: Mumbai, 13th: Some Lessons Aren’t Taught in Classrooms, and most recently, Inspector Zende alongside Manoj Bajpayee. Source: NDTV

Jimmy Cliff, the iconic reggae singer and actor known for hits like “Many Rivers to Cross,” “You Can Get It If You Really Want” and “Vietnam,” as well as his starring role in the groundbreaking film The Harder They Come, has died at the age of 81. His wife, Latifa Chambers, confirmed his passing Monday. A joint message posted on Cliff’s social media accounts by Chambers and the couple’s three children said he died from a “seizure followed by pneumonia.” No further details were immediately available. “To all his fans around the world, please know that your support was his strength throughout his career,” the announcement read. “He truly appreciated every fan for their love.” A native of Jamaica, Cliff rose to prominence in Kingston’s vibrant music scene as a teenager and became a leading figure in the 1960s reggae movement alongside future stars such as Bob Marley, Toots Hibbert, and Peter Tosh. In the early 1970s, he accepted an offer from director Perry Henzell to star in The Harder They Come, portraying aspiring musician Ivanhoe “Ivan” Martin, who turns to crime when his music career stalls. The film’s title was suggested by Henzell as a potential song for Cliff. “Ivanhoe was a real-life figure in Jamaica,” Cliff told Variety in 2022 on the film’s 50th anniversary. “He was feared because he had guns and even shot a policeman. Perry wanted to turn him into an anti-hero in a Hollywood way.” Despite initial funding delays, The Harder They Come became Jamaica’s first major commercial film release. Though its first run drew modest audiences, it is now celebrated as a cultural milestone, with its soundtrack considered among the greatest ever and a key factor in bringing reggae to the global stage. At the height of his career, Cliff rivaled Bob Marley in prominence. He contributed to an album featuring Toots and the Maytals, the Slickers, and Desmond Dekker, performing four of the eleven tracks that have become reggae classics. Songs like “Sitting in Limbo” conveyed reflective hope, while “You Can Get It If You Really Want” and the film’s title track offered messages of determination. In “Many Rivers to Cross,” Cliff delivered a heartfelt gospel-inspired reflection on facing racism during his time in England in the 1960s. Cliff continued recording and performing for decades, collaborating with artists including the Rolling Stones, Wyclef Jean, Sting, and Annie Lennox. His music also inspired political movements, including the Sandinistas in Nicaragua, and reached wider U.S. audiences through Bruce Springsteen’s cover of “Trapped” on the 1985 charity album We Are the World. Other artists to cover his songs included John Lennon, Cher, and UB40. He was nominated for seven Grammys, winning twice for Best Reggae Album—1986’s Cliff Hanger and 2012’s Rebirth, widely regarded as a career highlight. His discography also includes the Grammy-nominated The Power and the Glory, Humanitarian, and the 2022 album Refugees. Cliff performed on Steve Van Zandt’s protest anthem “Sun City” and appeared in the Robin Williams comedy Club Paradise, contributing songs to its soundtrack. Among his honors were induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Jamaica’s Order of Merit. In 2019, Montego Bay renamed its popular “hip strip” Jimmy Cliff Boulevard, and in 2021 he received an official Jamaican passport recognizing his status as a Reggae Ambassador. Born James Chambers in Saint James Parish, he moved to Kingston in his youth, following a path similar to the character he later portrayed in The Harder They Come. By the early 1960s, reggae—then evolving from ska and rocksteady—was beginning to define Jamaica’s post-independence soundscape. Cliff achieved early local hits including “King of Kings” and “Miss Jamaica” and represented Jamaica at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York City. “Reggae is a pure music born of the poorer class of people,” he told Spin in 2022. “It emerged from a need for recognition, identity, and respect.” Cliff’s international breakthrough came after signing with Island Records, although founder Chris Blackwell struggled to market him to rock audiences. Hits like his cover of Cat Stevens’ “Wild World” and the uplifting “Wonderful World, Beautiful People” cemented his global appeal. His protest song “Vietnam” drew inspiration from friends affected by the war. Henzell persuaded Cliff to star in The Harder They Come, believing in his acting potential. Cliff later reflected on the cultural impact of his fame: “Seeing your face and name on the side of buses in London was astonishing,” he told The Guardian in 2021. “It was a moment of recognition for African descendants like us.”

Universal Pictures’ two-part “Wicked” gamble continues to defy gravity at the box office. Just a year after part one brought droves of audiences to movie theaters around the country, even more people bought opening weekend tickets to see the epic conclusion, “Wicked: For Good.” According to studio estimates on Sunday, “Wicked: For Good” earned $150 million from North American theaters in its first days in theaters and $226 million globally. Not only is it the biggest opening ever for a Broadway musical adaptation, unseating the record set by the first film’s $112 million launch, it’s also the second biggest debut of the year behind “A Minecraft Movie’s” $162 million. “The results are just fantastic,” said Jim Orr, who heads domestic distribution for Universal. “Some films can deliver a false positive when tickets go on sale early but these results speak for themselves." Universal began rolling out “Wicked: For Good” in theaters earlier this week, with previews on Monday ($6.1 million from 1,050 theaters) and Wednesday ($6.5 million from 2,300 theaters). By Friday it was playing in 4,115 North American locations and had raked in $68.6 million. IMAX showings accounted for $15.5 million, or 11%, of its domestic haul — a November record for the company. IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond said in a statement that the strong market share shows, “our momentum carries into demos and genres beyond our traditional core, including families.” As with the first film, women powered opening weekend, making up around 71% of ticket buyers according to PostTrak exit polls. Critics were somewhat mixed on the final chapter, but audiences weren’t: An overwhelming 83% of audiences said it was one they would “definitely recommend” to friends. As far as foot traffic is concerned, the box office tracker EntTelligence estimates that about 2 million more people came out for “Wicked: For Good's” first weekend than for “Wicked's." Jon M. Chu directed both “Wicked” films, starring Cynthia Ervio and Ariana Grande. The first film made over $758.7 million worldwide and received 10 Oscar nominations (winning two, for costume and production design ). The question is how high “Wicked: For Good” can soar. Combined, the two films cost around $300 million to produce, not including marketing and promotion costs. “The first film paved the way,” Orr said. “It's really become a cultural event I think audiences are going to be flocking to theaters for quite some time to come.” Two other films also opened in wide release this weekend, but further down on the charts behind a buffet of holdovers. Searchlight Pictures opened its Brendan Fraser film “Rental Family” in 1,925 theaters where it earned $3.3 million. The Finnish action film “Sisu: Road to Revenge," a Sony release, also played in 2,222 theaters. It earned an estimated $2.6 million. Second place went to “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” with $9.1 million in its second weekend, followed by “Predator: Badlands” with $6.3 million in weekend three. “The Running Man” followed in fourth place with $5.8 million, down 65% from its debut last weekend. Although this weekend the box office was more of a winner takes all scenario, “Wicked: For Good’s” success is vitally important for the exhibition industry as a whole as it enters the final weeks of the year. “It sets up a very strong final homestretch of the year,” said Paul Dergarabedian, Comscore’s head of marketplace trends. After the slow fall season, the Thanksgiving blockbusters could not arrive soon enough. Early next week, “Zootopia 2” enters the mix and is also expected to drive big crowds to the cineplex over the holiday break. Thanksgiving is often one of the biggest moviegoing frames of the year, Dergarabedian said, and both “Wicked 2” and “Zootopia 2” will benefit. Last year “Wicked," “Moana 2” and “Gladiator II” helped power a record five-day frame. The running domestic box office is currently hovering around $7.5 billion, according to Comscore. Before the pandemic, the annual box office would regularly hit $11 billion, but the post-pandemic goal has lessened to $9 billion. The big question now is whether titles like “Wicked: For Good,” “Zootopia 2” and “Avatar:Fire and Ash” can push the industry over that threshold. Top 10 movies by domestic box office With final domestic figures being released Monday, this list factors in the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore: 1. “Wicked: For Good,” $150 million. 2. “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t,” $9.1 million. 3. “Predator: Badlands,” $6.3 million. 4. “The Running Man,” $5.8 million. 5. “Rental Family,” $3.3 million. 6. “Sisu: Road to Revenge,” $2.6 million. 7. “Regretting You,” $1.5 million. 8. “Nuremberg,” $1.2 million. 9. “Black Phone 2,” $1 million. 10. “Sarah’s Oil,” $711,542.

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan honored victims of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, the Pahalgam terror incident, and the recent Delhi blast at the Global Peace Honours 2025 ceremony on Saturday. Organized by the Divyaj Foundation under the leadership of Amruta Fadnavis, the event brought together survivors, families of victims, dignitaries, national leaders, and artists to remember those affected by these tragic attacks. During his speech, Shah Rukh expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and saluted the bravery of security personnel who lost their lives. He urged citizens to uphold humanity and respect the sacrifices of Indian soldiers. “When asked what you do, reply with pride that you protect the nation. When asked your earnings, say you earn the blessings of 1.4 billion people. And if asked whether you are ever afraid, look them in the eye and say, those who attack us feel it,” he said. Haq box office collection Day 3: Emraan Hashmi, Yami Gautam’s film nears Rs 10cr mark The actor called for unity across caste and creed, emphasizing that peace among citizens strengthens India. “If we have peace among us, nothing can shake India, defeat India, or break the spirit of its people,” he concluded. The ceremony, held at Gateway of India, was attended by celebrities and dignitaries including Nita Ambani, Devendra Fadnavis, Tiger Shroff, Manisha Koirala, Vikrant Massey, and others. Source: NDTV 

Bangladeshi filmmaker Abu Shahed Emon has been selected for the APN+ECG Track of the 2025 Asian Producers Network at the Singapore International Film Festival. The programme supports emerging filmmakers in Asia and helps them connect with international producers and investors. This year, 13 producers were chosen from over 160 applicants, with only eight projects advancing to the APN+ECG Track. The programme provides filmmakers with pitching opportunities, one-on-one meetings, and networking sessions to secure financing, co-production deals, and distribution partnerships. A Foolish Man follows Yakub, who escapes death row during a political uprising and returns to a country where law and order have collapsed. The film has been in development for over a decade and has drawn international attention. The project recently moved toward production through a Bangladesh–Taiwan co-production with Flash Forward Entertainment and Bangladesh’s Golpo Rajjo Films and Batayan Productions. Flash Forward Entertainment has previously showcased films at major festivals, including Cannes, Venice, Berlin, Toronto, and Rotterdam. Over the years, A Foolish Man has been developed through platforms such as the Asian Cinema Fund, Göteborg Film Festival Fund, Film Bazaar, and Locarno Open Doors Lab. Its themes of justice, class, power, and national identity reflect broader social and political issues in South Asia. Abu Shahed Emon’s selection places Bangladesh on a key Asian industry platform and aims to secure final partners to move the film into production. The APN+ECG Track will provide high-level pitching, feedback, and industry meetings to help the project advance in the international market.

An FIR has been registered against actor and Bigg Boss contestant Ajaz Khan for allegedly circulating fake news and objectionable content on social media. Rajesh Dandotiya, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch, Indore), confirmed that Khan was summoned to the police station after the FIR was filed. His mobile phone was seized in connection with a two-month-old case. The ADCP said 32 social media accounts were blocked and complaints were filed against 68 others over the circulation of misleading content. Coke Studio Bangla concludes Season 3 with Runa Laila’s iconic ‘Mast Qalandar’ The case pertains to a video allegedly shared on Khan’s social media handle containing highly objectionable material. Khan attended the station for questioning for three hours after receiving the notice and cooperated with authorities, Dandotiya added. This is not the first time Khan has faced legal action over social media posts. Earlier, an FIR was filed against him for an offensive video targeting a YouTuber and his family. In October, the Delhi High Court granted him anticipatory bail on furnishing a Rs 30,000 bond and one surety. Source: NDTV 

Coke Studio Bangla unveils the Season 3 finale with a stirring, contemporary evocation of the revered Sufi classic ‘Mast Qalandar’, rendered by Bangladesh's cherished luminary Runa Laila. Arriving on 16 November – on the threshold of her birthday – this release is an intimate homage to a voice that has shaped the subcontinent’s musical imagination and holds enduring reverence in Bangladesh’s cultural heart. Re-envisioned and produced by Shayan Chowdhury Arnob and Adit Rahman, this version blends the contemplative spirit of timeless Qawwali with the distinct contours of Bangladesh’s musical heritage. The track begins with a poignant Bangla verse by Hason Raja, rendered with aching tenderness by Makhon Mia, before unfurling into a luminous fusion of Sufi gravitas, folk earthiness, and contemporary craft. The piece assembles a cross-generational ensemble featuring stalwarts like Foad Nasser Babu alongside Coke Studio Bangla’s new-wave voices, crafting a sonic tapestry that feels both nostalgic and fresh. ‘‘Mast Qalandar’’ occupies a cherished place in Runa Laila’s storied legacy. With a career spanning more than six decades and performances in over 18 languages, she has served as a cultural conduit, linking Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and the wider South Asian diaspora. This rendition bows to the version made indelible by her voice, now tenderly reintroduced for a new generation through Coke Studio Bangla. Read more: Top 10 Netflix Originals Releasing in December 2025 Reflecting on the piece, Runa Laila shared that, “Mast Qalandar has always been close to my heart. To perform it again in a new style alongside younger musicians has been a rewarding experience, and I am happy that this song finds life across generations.” As curator, singer, and composer, Shayan Chowdhury Arnob has led Coke Studio Bangla’s artistic compass since its inception, cultivating a space where inheritance and innovation converse. His collaboration with producer and composer Adit Rahman, celebrated for modern arrangements in Shondhatara, Nasek Nasek and Bhober Pagol, delivers a contemporary yet deeply soulful coda to Season 3. Speaking about the song, Arnob said, “This song carries the weight of memories, devotion, and cultural selfhood. Bringing Runa Laila apu’s voice back into this enduring anthem stands as a moment of collective pride for all of us. ‘Mast Qalandar’ is more than music, it is a living bridge between those who have loved, learned and lived with it.” A tribute to heritage, voice, and culture, ‘Mast Qalandar’ emerges as a resonant finale to Season 3 of Coke Studio Bangla. Read more: Café: Coke Studio Bangla Presents A Timeless Fusion of Heartbeats and Nostalgia

Actors Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda were full of praise for each other at a recent event celebrating the success of Rashmika’s new film The Girlfriend, adding further fuel to ongoing rumours about their engagement. Rashmika, addressing her Dear Comrade co-star affectionately as “Viju,” thanked Vijay for supporting her throughout the film’s journey. “You’ve been a part of this film from the very beginning. You’re also a part of its success. You have been there personally through the entire journey. I hope everyone has a Vijay Deverakonda in their lives. It’s a blessing,” she said. Vijay, in turn, applauded Rashmika’s growth and her decision to take on a challenging script. “To the woman she has become today… At the peak of her career, she chose a story she wasn’t sure how many people would come to see, but she wanted to tell something meaningful. Russie, I’m proud of your journey, and of the woman you are,” he said, according to a video shared by Geetha Arts. A separate clip from the event has also gone viral, showing Vijay greeting Rashmika with a gentle kiss on her hand — a rare public display of affection that quickly delighted fans. The pair, long speculated to be in a relationship, are reportedly engaged after a private ceremony held on October 3 at Vijay’s residence in Hyderabad, attended by both families. However, neither actor has issued an official confirmation or shared photos from the event. According to sources, the wedding has been scheduled for February 2026. With inputs from NDTV

Zayn Malik has formally rejoined One Direction as a company director, nearly a decade after his dramatic exit from the band. The 32-year-old Pillowtalk singer, who is set to launch his first Las Vegas residency in January, has been reinstated as an “active director” of PPM Music Limited, the band’s business entity, according to new documents filed with Companies House on November 3. Zayn joins former bandmates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan, all of whom are listed at the same central London address associated with the law firm Lee and Thompson LLP, which specializes in music and media law. The firm previously managed Liam Payne’s solo career. Malik’s previous role with the company was terminated on June 20, 2016, following his departure from One Direction in 2015. His return marks the first official sign of the group’s renewed collaboration since their hiatus began in January 2016. Industry insiders say Liam Payne’s recent passing has brought the remaining members closer, with sources describing the move as a “huge moment” for the band. “Liam was always the biggest supporter of a reunion,” one insider told The Sun. The name PPM refers to Princess Park Manor, the gated London complex where the band lived after forming on The X Factor. Although no new music or tour has been confirmed, reports suggest Zayn and Louis Tomlinson have been filming a TV project together across the U.S. Music manager Alan McEvoy, who previously worked with One Direction, Olly Murs, and JLS, is also listed among the company’s directors — further fueling speculation of an upcoming reunion. Source: The Sun