United News of Bangladesh

Grammy winner Doechii turned her BET Awards moment into a powerful call for justice, using the stage to highlight the immigration raids and protest crackdowns happening just miles from where the ceremony is taking place in Los Angeles. After being named best female hip-hop artist — her first-ever BET Award — Doechii acknowledged her fellow nominees, then shifted the spotlight to the issues unfolding outside the venue. “There are ruthless attacks that are creating fear and chaos in our communities in the name of law and order,” said Doechii, who won a Grammy for best rap album, only the third woman to win in that category. “Trump is using military forces to stop a protest," she said. "I want you all to consider what kind of government it appears to be when every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us. What type of government is that?” Doechii's words drew applause from the audience at the Peacock Theater, where the awards airing live. “People are being swept up and torn from their families,” she continued. “I feel like it’s my responsibility as an artist to use this moment to speak up for all oppressed people. … We all deserve to live in hope and not fear. I hope we stand together.” The show's host pokes fun at honorees Kevin Hart kicked off the awards with a flurry of jokes, poking fun at everything from celebrity names to slippery afterparties. “There won’t be any afterparties tonight. Things could get slippery,” he quipped, referencing baby oil that's been frequently mentioned in the criminal case against Diddy. Hart set the tone for a night full of humor and on a night honoring the awards show's 25th anniversary. The comedian also joked about the pronunciation of GloRilla and Snoop Dogg ’s real names, drawing laughs from the crowd before turning sincere. Thug Life Box Office Collection Day 4: Kamal Haasan's Film Witnesses A Dip Hart paid tribute to Jamie Foxx and teased gospel star Kirk Franklin, who — along with Snoop and Mariah Carey — was honored with the Ultimate Icon Award for his contributions to entertainment, community work, and advocacy. “When you get your award tonight, don’t come up here front twerking,” Hart said, as the crowd erupted in laughter. The jab was a nod to Franklin’s viral moment when he playfully twerked on gospel legend Jacky Clark Chisholm during a live performance. “Don’t come up here poppin’,” Hart added, as cameras caught Franklin bowing his head and chuckling. “Don’t try to blame it on the Lord. The Lord didn’t ask for that. Put it away, Kirk.” Singer Amerie and rapper Jim Jones were the first performers of the show. The BET Awards is bringing major star power with Kendrick Lamar who leads the pack with 10 nominations, including album of the year for his critically acclaimed project “GNX.” His ubiquitous diss track “Not Like Us,” emanating from the Drake feud, received nominations for video of the year and viewer’s choice award. Lamar made waves with his Grammy triumph, winning song and record of the year for “Not Like Us.” He followed up with a groundbreaking halftime show, becoming the first solo hip-hop performer to headline the coveted slot. The rap megastar is currently on the Grand National Tour with SZA. Who else is nominated? Doechii, Drake, Future and GloRilla tied for the second-most nominations with six. Metro Boomin pulled in five nods, while SZA and The Weeknd each scored four. Who are the show’s performers? Rap icon Lil Wayne, rapper GloRilla and singer Teyana Taylor will hit the BET Awards stage. The lineup of performers also includes rapper Playboi Carti and singer Leon Thomas. Will there be any tributes? The BET Awards will offer tributes to former popular hosts and performances, including the network’s once-flagship program “106 & Park. ” "’106 & Park’ was more than just a music countdown show; it was the heartbeat of Black youth culture and one of the highest-rated BET programs for over a decade,” said Scott Mills, BET’s president and CEO. The weekday show launched in 2000 and lasted for more than a decade. The show thrived with a video countdown, interviews and performances. The show will reunite past hosts A.J. Calloway, Free, Julissa Bermudez, Keshia Chanté, Rocsi Diaz and Terrence J. The tribute will feature performers such as Bow Wow, Amerie, B2K, Jim Jones, Mya, T.I. and Mr. 106 & Park. Craig Brewer to direct Snoop Dogg biopic for Universal It is not yet known whether Carey, Snoop, Foxx and Franklin will receive individual tributes during the ceremony. Are there any other standout nominees? There’s a competitive list of top-notch actors looking to take home the top award in their category. For best actor, the category includes: Aaron Pierre, Aldis Hodge, Anthony Mackie, Colman Domingo, Denzel Washington, Jamie Foxx, Joey Bada$$, Kevin Hart, Sterling K. Brown and Will Smith. For best actress, the nominees include: Andra Day, Angela Bassett, Coco Jones, Cynthia Erivo, Keke Palmer, Kerry Washington, Quinta Brunson, Viola Davis and Zendaya. Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Simone Biles, Angel Reese and Jalen Hurts are among the sports stars competing for awards.

Dhallywood superstar Shakib Khan recently took his fans by surprise by expressing his support for fellow actor Arifin Shuvoo’s new Eid release 'Neelchakra'. In a recent Facebook post, Shakib shared the official poster of Neelchakra and wished the film's team success.  “Best wishes to the team of 'Neelchakra',” he wrote, prompting a wave of appreciation from fans and fellow artistes on social media. The unexpected gesture was warmly received by 'Neelchakra's lead actor Arifin Shuvoo, who expressed his gratitude in the comments. The film's lead actress Mandira Chakraborty and director Mithu Khan also responded, thanking Shakib for his support. ‘Taandob’ is Raihan Rafi’s best film yet: Shakib Khan 'Neelchakra' revolves around a gripping investigation into a criminal syndicate responsible for leaking 16 videos online over two years — a chain of events that led to five suicides. The story unfolds through the lens of a determined investigator, played by Arifin Shuvoo. Apart from 'Neelchakra', several films hit cinemas across the country this Eid, including Shakib Khan’s own 'Taandob', along with Tanim Noor's multi-starrer film 'Utshob', Shariful Razz-Mosharraf Karim's action-packed film 'Insaaf, Ador Azad and Puja Cherry's 'Togor' and Azmeri Haque Badhan starrer thriller 'Esha Murder: Kormofol'.

Confusion arose on Sunday regarding the reported death of popular film actress Tanin Subha, after a miscommunication led to widespread but premature announcements of her passing. According to hospital sources and colleagues present at the scene, Tanin has been declared brain dead by doctors, but her heart is still beating. She remains on life support on Sunday. The confusion began when her younger brother misunderstood the doctor’s statement. When the doctor informed him that Tanin was "brain dead," he mistakenly believed it meant she had died.  This misinterpretation quickly circulated as news of her death; and upon hearing the news, many of her colleagues and well-wishers rushed to the hospital, only to learn that while her brain had ceased functioning, her heartbeat continued. Actress Rumana Islam Mukti, who was at the hospital along with actor Joy Chowdhury, wrote on Facebook, “Joy and I are at the hospital. The doctors have not made any official declaration. Tanin Subha’s brain is not functioning, but her heart is still beating.” The decision to remove life support might be made in consultation with the family, according to the doctors. Although an official statement was expected between the evening, the family and close friends decided to keep her on life support as long as her heart continued to beat.  However, recovery from such a condition is extremely rare and would require a miracle, according to her doctors. Tanin was admitted to a private hospital in Dhanmondi on June 2 after her condition deteriorated. She had initially fallen ill that evening and was first taken to a clinic in Aftabnagar. Following a brief recovery, her condition worsened again, prompting further hospitalization. With a career spanning over two decades, Tanin Subha worked across TV dramas, telefilms, and films. She also ran her own beauty care center alongside her work in the entertainment industry. She entered the media industry through the audition round of “CloseUp 1” on January 1, 2012. Although she began her career as a singer, she later focused on acting. Tanin's first on-screen appearance was in a TV commercial, followed by her small-screen debut opposite Mosharraf Karim in the drama “Jamaj.” She made her silver screen debut with the film Abastab Bhalobasha, although it was never released. Her major breakthrough came with Matir Pori, establishing her position in the film industry. Throughout her career, Tanin Subha acted in several films including Bhalo Theko, Tui Amar, Demag, Begumjan, Bir Bangali, and Raja Ranir Golpo. Some of her upcoming unreleased films include Bir Mata, Dui Rajkonna, and Premer Bandhon.

Iranian rapper Amir Hossein Maghsoudloo, better known as Tataloo, now awaits execution, his tattooed face a stark contrast to the gray prison uniform he wears. Once a supporter of a hard-line presidential candidate, his case reflects the shifting and turbulent political climate in Iran over the past decade. Tataloo has been sentenced to death for allegedly “insulting Islamic sanctities.” Once embraced by Iran's youth for his rebellious music, he now faces the regime’s harshest punishment. His songs resonated with many young Iranians who felt alienated in a country with fragmented opposition and limited freedoms. Following the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini and the resulting protests, Tataloo's music grew more politically charged, and he appeared in videos directly criticizing the regime. “By showing your face in a music video, you're challenging authority,” said former BBC journalist Ali Hamedani, who interviewed him in 2005. “It was a bold move.” Iran’s Supreme Court upheld his death sentence last month. “This verdict is final and prepared for enforcement,” judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir announced. Activists have condemned the ruling, particularly after reports that Tataloo attempted suicide in prison. From Underground Music to State Endorsements Tataloo began his career in 2003, blending Western musical styles with Persian lyrics. His 2011 debut album drew mixed reactions. Since concerts in Iran are regulated by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, he never performed officially in his home country. In 2015, he released a video supporting Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and its nuclear ambitions, likely in an attempt to curry favor with authorities. The video, titled “Energy Hasteei” (“Nuclear Energy”), featured him singing aboard the Iranian warship Damavand, which later sank in 2018. He even publicly endorsed conservative cleric Ebrahim Raisi during the 2017 presidential election. Raisi later won the presidency in 2021 but died in a helicopter crash in 2024. Exile, Controversy, and Return to Iran In 2018, after facing legal issues in Iran, Tataloo moved to Turkey, where he maintained a strong online presence and performed for Persian-speaking audiences. Known for his extensive tattoos — including an Iranian flag and a tribute to his mother — he drew a large following, referred to as “Tatalities.” However, Instagram removed his account in 2020 after he made controversial comments about underage girls. He also admitted to drug use. “Tataloo, though divisive, has a large fanbase in Iran,” said analyst Holly Dagres. “They have often rallied behind him during his past arrests.” His lyrics increasingly criticized the regime, especially after Amini’s death. In one song, “Enghelab Solh” (“Peace Revolution”), he directly addressed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: “We don’t want tear gas, because everyone’s eyes are already filled with tears.” Tataloo’s situation worsened in late 2023, when he was deported from Turkey for having an expired passport and arrested upon re-entry to Iran. Public Outcry Over Death Sentence Initially sentenced to five years for blasphemy, Tataloo's conviction was later overturned, only to be replaced by a death sentence in January. He already faced an additional ten-year term on other charges, including promoting prostitution and moral corruption. “Tataloo is in grave danger of execution,” said Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam of Iran Human Rights. “Global voices — including artists and the public — must intervene.” At his trial, Tataloo expressed regret. “I’ve made many mistakes,” he said, according to Iranian state media. “I apologize for my actions.” While on death row, he reportedly got married, and recently survived a suicide attempt. Analysts believe his sentence comes at a sensitive time for Iran. The nation remains politically isolated and is attempting to revive nuclear talks with the U.S. “The government doesn’t need to provoke Tataloo’s fans right now,” said Iran expert Abbas Milani.

Aamir Khan recently hosted an intimate musical evening at his home, celebrating the upcoming release of his film Sitaare Zameen Par. The event drew several well-known faces from the entertainment and sports worlds. Highlights from the Evening: Comedian and actor Kapil Sharma shared a viral video from the gathering, where he performed classical raagas alongside renowned composer Shankar Mahadevan. Aamir Khan also joined the duo during the jam session. Kapil, who received praise from both Shankar and Aamir, captioned the post: “A special evening with the special sitaare of Sitaare Zameen Par. Thank you Aamir bhai for the most beautiful evening & wish you the best for #SitaareZameenPar releasing on 20th June (sic).”Aamir’s partner, Gauri Spratt, was seen seated next to him during the event. His former wife, filmmaker Kiran Rao, was also present. A widely shared clip from the night showed a clean-shaven Ranbir Kapoor posing for a group photo with the film’s cast. Aamir joined in at the request of the guests. The evening brought together notable personalities such as director RS Prasanna and music trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. After 'Spirit', Deepika Padukone may be dropped from 'Kalki 2' over reported on-set tensions Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and his wife Anjali made a surprise appearance. Aamir warmly welcomed them as guests applauded and chanted Sachin’s name.About the Film: Sitaare Zameen Par is a Hindi adaptation of the Spanish movie Champions. It stars Aamir Khan and Genelia Deshmukh alongside ten newcomers. Directed by RS Prasanna and co-produced by Aamir Khan and Aparna Purohit, the film is set to hit theaters on June 20. Aamir’s Personal Update: In March 2025, during his 60th birthday celebration, Aamir publicly introduced Gauri Spratt as his partner. He revealed they had been in a relationship for 18 months and had already introduced each other to their families. Summary: Ahead of Sitaare Zameen Par’s release on June 20, Aamir Khan hosted a star-studded musical evening featuring performances by Kapil Sharma and Shankar Mahadevan. The gathering included Gauri Spratt, Kiran Rao, Ranbir Kapoor, and Sachin Tendulkar, among others, making it a memorable celebration. Source: With inputs from NDTV 

Universal Pictures has tapped “Hustle & Flow” filmmaker Craig Brewer to direct its upcoming biopic on rap icon Snoop Dogg. The currently untitled film will chronicle the hip-hop legend’s rise to fame and is the first project under Death Row Pictures’ deal with NBCUniversal Entertainment & Studios. Brewer, also known for “Dolemite Is My Name”, is revising the existing script written by “Black Panther” co-writer Joe Robert Cole. Casting details and a release date have yet to be announced. According to Variety, the film is being produced by Snoop Dogg himself, alongside Brian Grazer and Death Row Pictures president Sara Ramaker. Universal’s senior vice-president of production development, Ryan Jones, is overseeing the project for the studio. This marks a continuation of Snoop Dogg’s collaboration with NBCUniversal. The rapper is set to return as a coach for season 28 of NBC’s “The Voice” this autumn and also participated in NBC and Peacock’s coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. 'Flow’ crosses $50 million globally, becomes top indie animated Oscar hit Snoop Dogg, a 17-time Grammy nominee, first burst onto the scene in 1993 with his debut album “Doggystyle”, released under Death Row Records. The album, produced solely by Dr Dre, featured hit singles such as “What’s My Name?” and “Gin and Juice”. Universal has a track record of successful music biopics, including 2015’s “Straight Outta Compton”, which grossed over $200 million worldwide and featured LaKeith Stanfield as Snoop. The studio also released the Oscar-winning “8 Mile” in 2002, starring Eminem in a role that mirrored his own life. Music biopics continue to perform strongly at the box office, with recent hits like “Bob Marley: One Love” and the Dylan-centred “A Complete Unknown”, which earned eight Oscar nominations. Upcoming projects include a Bruce Springsteen biopic and a four-film Beatles project set for release in 2028.

British pop singer Jessie J has announced that she has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and plans to undergo surgery following her upcoming performance at Capital’s Summertime Ball in London. The 37-year-old singer shared the news in a video posted to Instagram on Wednesday. “I’ve been diagnosed with early breast cancer,” she said. “Cancer in any form is awful, but I’m focusing on the word ‘early.’” With her trademark humor, she added, “It’s a pretty dramatic way to get a boob job. After the Summertime Ball, I’ll be taking some time off for surgery — I’ll come back with bigger (expletive) and more music.” The Summertime Ball is set to take place at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, June 15. Jessie J said she felt it was important to speak publicly about her diagnosis. “I wanted to be open about it. Partly because I haven’t really talked about it — I’m not processing it because I’m so busy. But also, in the past, sharing things has helped me through the love and support I’ve received, and hearing other people’s stories. I’m an open book,” she said. “It breaks my heart knowing so many others are going through the same or worse — that’s what hurts the most.” The Grammy-nominated artist is known for her powerhouse vocals and chart-topping hits, including “Bang Bang” with Nicki Minaj and Ariana Grande, and “Domino.” She has released five albums, the most recent being 2018’s This Christmas Day. Jessie J has been releasing new music in 2025, including singles like “Living My Best Life” and “No Secrets,” and is expected to release a new album later this year. She is also the mother of a son, Sky Safir Cornish Colman, born in 2023. A representative for the singer did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.   

Trailer for “Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow” unveiled; film to release in Japanese, English, and Hindi on June 27 across 200+ screens. For the first time ever, the globally popular anime franchise “Naruto” is making its theatrical debut in India. Reliance Entertainment, in collaboration with TV Tokyo and Happening 365 Synergies, is set to release “Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow” in cinemas across India on June 27. According to Variety, the release marks a significant milestone in anime distribution in India, with the film being dubbed into three languages -- Japanese, English, and Hindi -- to cater to the country’s diverse linguistic audience. A trailer for the movie was recently unveiled, building anticipation among anime fans nationwide. “We are proud to announce the launch of a special cinematic journey for Indian audiences,” said Hiroaki Saiki, head of global distribution at TV Tokyo. Patrick Schwarzenegger steps out of shadow with ‘The White Lotus’ breakthrough “The first of the 11 theatrical films produced so far is set to release this month in theatres across the country, and we hope to see the fans in India discover them all.” Saiki added that this initiative marks a major milestone in our global strategy and we are thrilled to bring the “Naruto” legacy to the big screen in India, one of their fastest growing international markets. To bolster the franchise’s reach in India, Reliance Animation CEO Tejonidhi Bhandare announced plans for extensive engagement programmes across educational institutions. “We’re focused on building the ‘Naruto’ brand in India through extensive school and college contact programmes across the country,” Bhandare said. “This grassroot engagement will help nurture a new generation of anime fans and firmly establish ‘Naruto’ as a cultural phenomenon among young Indian audiences.” Bhandare also noted that the success and inspiration of “Naruto” have influenced Reliance Animation’s original content development efforts. With a nationwide release planned across more than 200 screens, Reliance Entertainment sees this as an opportunity to honour Naruto’s dedicated fanbase and test the waters for future anime releases in Indian theatres.

After years of being best known as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s son, 2025 has marked a breakthrough year for actor Patrick Schwarzenegger. With the success of The White Lotus season 3, Patrick has finally carved out his own identity in the entertainment industry. Yet, his rise to fame has not been without challenges — even prompting him at one point to consider changing his surname. In a candid conversation with his father Arnold Schwarzenegger for Variety’s Actors on Actors 2025 edition, Patrick reflected on the pressure of having famous parents and how it influenced his career choices. When Arnold asked if the Schwarzenegger name had ever felt like an obstacle, Patrick responded, “I feel it in multiple different ways. Mike White (creator of The White Lotus) said that it comes with baggage, the idea that when you have successful parents like I do with you and Mom, there’s an added level of what other people think. Mike was worried about, if he cast me, what other people would think.” “Which they did — they did care about that; people said I got the role because of you and Mom. There were times earlier in my career where I was wondering, does it make sense to go under an alias? It took a while for me to get to a point where I was less worried about living in your shadow versus wanting to do it the way I thought I should do it.” Prabhas’ horror-comedy ‘The Raja Saab’ set for Dec 5 release Arnold Schwarzenegger, who began his career as a bodybuilder before becoming a global movie icon through roles in Conan the Barbarian and The Terminator, acknowledged the pressures his son must have faced. In the 1980s and 1990s, Arnold was among the biggest stars in the world, alongside the likes of Tom Cruise and Sylvester Stallone, a legacy that inevitably cast a long shadow over Patrick’s early career. Reacting to his son's remarks, Arnold said, “I’m glad you kept the name, because now I can take credit. You joined a very short list of people; You know, Jamie Lee Curtis — I think she’s one of the greatest actors in history. If you show you have the substance, you can get rid of the whole idea of nepotism.” Patrick, the son of Arnold and journalist Maria Shriver, began acting in the 2000s with minor roles in films like Stuck in Love, Grown Ups 2, and Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse. He landed his first lead role in the 2018 romantic drama Midnight Sun and later gained attention for his part in Gen V. But it was his acclaimed performance in The White Lotus that established him as a rising star in his own right.

Metro In Dino marks Aditya Roy Kapur’s second collaboration with acclaimed filmmaker Anurag Basu, following their earlier work on Ludo. During the promotions for the upcoming film, Aditya opened up about what attracted him to the project and the experience of working with Basu again. What's New This Time Returning to work under Anurag Basu’s direction, Aditya shared that Metro In Dino offered a fresh creative challenge—blending music seamlessly into dialogue-driven scenes. He described the process of transitioning naturally between speech and song as both difficult and rewarding, something he hadn’t tackled before. Talking about Basu’s unique working style, Aditya said, “With Dada, every single day is full of surprises. It’s always a discovery. He constantly brings new, unexpected ideas to the table, and that unpredictability is what makes working with him so enjoyable.” He emphasized how the film’s musical storytelling presented an exciting opportunity for growth as an actor. The Cast and Creative Team Metro In Dino features a star-studded ensemble, including Anupam Kher, Pankaj Tripathi, Konkona Sen Sharma, Sara Ali Khan, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Ali Fazal, and Neena Gupta. The film also reunites Anurag Basu with composer Pritam, their first collaboration since Ludo. Their creative partnership dates back to their first project, Gangster. The Story Set in a modern urban landscape, Metro In Dino delves into the complexities of human relationships, exploring the different facets, emotions, and experiences of love between diverse individuals. Maalik Teaser: Gangster Rajkummar Rao becomes "Hero" of his own tale Aditya Roy Kapur expressed his appreciation for being part of such a dynamic project and highlighted the valuable lessons he gained through his second outing with Basu.   Source: NDTV