United News of Bangladesh

Warner Bros Discovery on Tuesday announced that its global streaming platform HBO Max will roll out direct-to-consumer in new Asia Pacific markets, including Bangladesh, on October 15. The launch will also cover Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Macau, Mongolia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, bringing the number of HBO Max markets worldwide to over 100 by the end of this year, according to the company. Spain threatens Eurovision boycott if Israel is allowed to compete HBO Max brings together a wide slate of entertainment under one platform, including HBO, Harry Potter, the DC Universe, Cartoon Network, Max Originals, Hollywood blockbusters and shows from Discovery brands such as TLC, Food Network, HGTV, ID and Animal Planet. Shortly after the October launch, subscribers will be able to stream the new HBO Original drama IT: Welcome to Derry, set in the world of Stephen King’s 'IT' universe. The series expands on the vision of Andy Muschietti’s feature films IT and IT Chapter Two, starring Bill Skarsgård, Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk and others. The platform will also feature global hits such as Superman, Sinners and Final Destination Bloodlines, alongside acclaimed originals including House of the Dragon, The Last of Us, The Penguin and The Pitt. Popular non-fiction shows like Gold Rush, Deadliest Catch and 90 Day Fiancé will be available, as well as family favorites including Tom and Jerry, Looney Tunes and We Bare Bears. Robert Redford, Oscar-winning actor and director, dies at 89 From launch, HBO Max will offer multi-device streaming with personalized profiles, parental controls, content downloads and an easy-to-navigate interface. JB Perrette, CEO and President of Global Streaming & Games at Warner Bros Discovery, said: “Following successful launches in Australia and Europe earlier this year, the global expansion of HBO Max continues to bring unparalleled entertainment to more fans across the world.” Subscriptions will be available through www.hbomax.com and select partners, with further details expected in the coming weeks.

Hollywood icon Robert Redford, Oscar-winning director, liberal activist, and champion of independent cinema, has died at the age of 89. Redford passed away at his home in Sundance, Utah, surrounded by family, publicist Cindi Berger said. No cause of death was provided. Rising to fame in the 1960s, Redford became a leading star of the 1970s with films such as The Candidate, All the President’s Men, and The Way We Were. He won the Academy Award for Best Director for Ordinary People (1980), which also won Best Picture. Known for his boyish looks, Redford combined charm with political activism, taking on complex roles and promoting low-budget filmmaking. His on-screen partnerships included Jane Fonda, Meryl Streep, Tom Cruise, and most famously Paul Newman, with whom he starred in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Sting. Beyond acting, he focused on directing and producing, while founding the Sundance Institute and Festival to support independent filmmakers such as Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, and Paul Thomas Anderson. The festival, originally in Park City, Utah, is set to relocate to Boulder, Colorado, in 2027. Redford was born Charles Robert Redford Jr. on Aug. 18, 1937, in Santa Monica, California. He began in television and theater before achieving stardom in Hollywood. He studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and made his Broadway debut in the late 1950s. Redford’s directing credits include Ordinary People, The Horse Whisperer, Quiz Show, and The Milagro Beanfield War, earning both critical acclaim and Academy Award nominations. He received an honorary Oscar in 2002 for his contributions to cinema and for inspiring independent filmmaking worldwide. Redford was married twice, most recently to Sibylle Szaggars, and had four children, two of whom predeceased him. He once said his career was guided by an “outlaw sensibility,” always seeking independence and creative freedom.

Spain joined a growing group of countries on Tuesday threatening to skip the Eurovision Song Contest unless Israel is barred from participating over the Gaza conflict. The Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia had already taken similar positions. Spain’s move adds pressure on both Israel and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the contest. The decision was made by Spanish public broadcaster RTVE during a board meeting in Madrid. The announcement follows strained diplomatic ties between Spain and Israel after protests against the participation of an Israeli-owned cycling team disrupted the Spanish Vuelta race. Spain’s prime minister said Monday that he would support banning Israel from sporting events. The EBU said last week it is consulting members on how to “manage participation and geopolitical tensions” around the contest, giving countries until mid-December to decide whether to take part. Russia was banned from Eurovision following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, but Israel has competed in the past two years despite controversies. Eurovision’s grand finale is scheduled to take place in Vienna in May.

Popular Pakistani actress Hania Aamir is set to visit Bangladesh for the first time at the invitation of Sunsilk Bangladesh. The actress, widely admired across South Asia for her performances in television dramas, films and web series, will be in Dhaka as part of the brand’s promotional activities. Sunsilk recently launched its new Black Shine formula enriched with Vitamin C and E, promising glossy glass-like shine. To mark the occasion and officially begin her journey as Sunsilk’s brand ambassador in Bangladesh, Hania will attend a special event in Dhaka. The company said she will stay for several days and engage in multiple promotional activities. On Monday, Sunsilk Hair Expert BD’s official Facebook page released a video message from the actress. In the clip, Hania said, “Hi Bangladesh, I’m Hania. Guess what? I’m coming to Dhaka with Sunsilk. See you all soon!” She has long been associated with Sunsilk as a brand ambassador in Pakistan, and her Dhaka trip is part of the company’s extended promotional campaign in the region. Hania Aamir made her film debut in 2016 with Janaan. Over the years, she has gained widespread recognition through hit dramas such as Mere Humsafar, Dilruba, Anaa, and Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum. She also appeared in the Punjabi film Sardaarji 3, which was well received in Pakistan. Renowned for her versatility, the actress has successfully portrayed a range of roles — from romantic to comic, glamorous to character-driven — earning praise from critics and audiences alike. Her style and personality have made her one of the most followed stars in Pakistan, with a strong fan base in Bangladesh as well. Further details about her visit and the upcoming Sunsilk event will be shared on Sunsilk Bangladesh’s official Facebook page, the company said.

Bollywood actress Tanushree Dutta, who made headlines two months ago with an emotional video alleging harassment at her home, has revealed that she turned down an offer worth Rs 1.65 crore to participate in the reality show Bigg Boss. Speaking to Bollywood Thikana, the Chocolate actress said she has been approached for the show every year for the past 11 years but has never been interested. “Do you really think I would go to a show like that? I can’t stay in a place like that; I don’t even stay with my own family. They offered me ₹1.65 crore. Even if they give me a piece of the moon, I wouldn’t go,” she said. Tanushree stressed that her decision was rooted in maintaining dignity and privacy. “Men and women sleep in the same hall, fight there, eat there. Do I seem like the kind of woman who will sleep on the same bed with a man for a reality show? I’m not that cheap. My privacy is valuable to me. I know I can earn more than that if I’m allowed to work in peace,” she added. The actress, who won the title of Femina Miss India Universe in 2004 and is known for films such as Aashiq Banaya Apne, Dhol and Bhagam Bhag, also recalled her struggles since the #MeToo movement in 2018, when she accused actor Nana Patekar of harassment during the filming of Horn ‘Ok’ Pleassss. Although police cleared Patekar of the charges in 2019, Tanushree has repeatedly said she has faced continuous harassment since then, which she claimed has affected her health. The 19th season of Bigg Boss, hosted by Salman Khan, is currently streaming on Jio Hotstar and airs later on Colors TV. Source: NDTV

At the trailer launch of Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari in Mumbai, actress Janhvi Kapoor spoke about the misuse of celebrity images online. She said many fake pictures of her circulate on social media, and while celebrities can spot them, the public often believes they are real. The event also featured Varun Dhawan, who stressed that technology comes with both benefits and risks. He warned that without regulations, actors could one day be replaced by digital versions, highlighting the importance of protecting their unique identity. The discussion comes amid recent Delhi High Court cases where Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, and filmmaker Karan Johar filed petitions against unauthorized use of their images, names, and likenesses, including deepfakes and fake merchandise. The court has recognized such misuse as unacceptable, underlining the growing importance of personality rights in the digital era.   Source: NDTV

In recent weeks, several high-profile Bollywood personalities have approached the Delhi High Court to protect their “personality rights,” after unauthorised use of their images, names, and likenesses online and on merchandise. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan led the move, filing a case after her photos and name appeared on T-shirts, mugs, posters, and AI-manipulated content like deepfakes without permission. The court granted her interim relief, stopping the sale and distribution of such items. Abhishek Bachchan and filmmaker Karan Johar soon followed, highlighting similar misuse that could harm their reputation and commercial interests. The court acknowledged that such unauthorised use affects their professional image and deserved legal protection. Lawyer Daksha Kumar explained that personality rights are like a “VIP pass” to one’s own identity, allowing individuals to control and profit from their image, voice, and name. Unlike copyright or trademark laws, personality rights in India are primarily protected through court rulings based on privacy and the tort of “passing off.” Courts consider both financial and reputational harm. Misuse of a celebrity’s identity for profit without consent is commercial harm, while deepfakes or fake endorsements can cause severe reputational damage. Over time, unauthorised use can dilute a public figure’s carefully built brand and trust. Celebrities must show that their identity was used without permission and for commercial purposes. Defendants then need to justify their actions. Parody, satire, or commentary are generally protected under free speech, but commercial exploitation always requires consent. These cases underline that protecting reputation and dignity is as important as financial rights, especially in the digital era where AI can manipulate faces or voices in minutes. As the court noted in Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s case, misuse of a persona “may cause commercial detriment and impact their right to live with dignity.”   Source: NDTV

Tramell Tillman became the first Black man to win an Emmy for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series for his role in Apple TV+’s Severance. Backstage Sunday, Tillman paid tribute to Black actors who inspired him, including the late Andre Braugher and Michael K. Williams. He also thanked his mother, saying she “was there for me when no one else was and when no one else could be.” Tillman’s win contributed to Severance’s total of eight Emmy awards, out of 27 nominations this year. Britt Lower won best lead actress in a drama for the show, which revolves around employees whose memories are surgically split between work and personal life. Tillman plays Seth Milchick, a floor manager and key antagonist loyal to the company, Lumon. He said the character’s Blackness was central to the storyline, exploring “how race folds into the world of Lumon” and portraying Milchick as aware of his identity in a mostly white workplace. Originally a medical student, Tillman pursued acting despite warnings of limited prospects. “I was inspired by classmates pursuing their passions, and I said, ‘If they can do that, why can’t I do what I’m passionate about?’” he said.

Former world champion Ricky Hatton has died at the age of 46. He was found at his home in Greater Manchester on Sunday. Police confirmed his death is not being treated as suspicious. Hatton, a beloved figure in British boxing who held world titles at light-welterweight and welterweight, was remembered by his family as a devoted father, grandfather, and friend. In a statement, they described him as someone whose "heart was as big as his smile" and who remained humble despite his fame. Known for his fierce body punches and spirited fights against legends like Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, Hatton inspired many with his fighting spirit and down-to-earth personality. Tributes, including flowers and Manchester City memorabilia, were left outside his home. Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said the city is considering how best to honor Hatton’s legacy. Hatton's family has requested privacy as they mourn his loss.

Priyanka Chopra has expressed her delight over 15-year-old Owen Cooper’s Emmy victory, calling it a historic achievement. On Instagram, the Bollywood-Hollywood star shared a video of Cooper receiving the award for his performance in Netflix’s Adolescence. She captioned the post with emojis reflecting her happiness and pride. Cooper became the youngest actor ever to win an Emmy, bagging the award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie. In his acceptance speech, the teenage actor said, “Wow, it’s so surreal. Honestly, when I started these drama classes back then, I didn’t expect to be winning this award. I think tonight proves that if you learn and focus and step out of your comfort zone, you can achieve anything in life. I’m thankful. I was nothing about three years ago, but I’m here now.” He added, “It says my name on the statue, but it really belongs to all of the people who worked on the show.” TIFF 2025: ‘Hamnet’ wins People’s Choice Award Cooper’s fellow nominees in the category included Javier Bardem for Netflix’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, Rob Delaney from FX’s Dying for Sex, Peter Sarsgaard and Bill Camp from Apple TV+’s Presumed Innocent, and Ashley Walters, also from Adolescence. With this win, Cooper broke the record held by Michael A. Goorjian, who was 23 when he became the youngest winner in the category in 1994. He also surpassed Scott Jacoby’s milestone as the youngest male actor to win an Emmy in any acting category. Jacoby was 16 when he won in 1973 for The Certain Summer. Source: NDTV