United News of Bangladesh

The fifth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival, one of the Middle East’s largest film festivals, opened Thursday in the coastal city of Jeddah, marking a significant moment for the kingdom’s growing film industry. Running from Dec. 4 to 13, the Red Sea International Film Festival brings together filmmakers and talent from around the world, screening more than 100 films from over 70 countries. The festival’s prestigious “Red Sea: Competition” strand features a selection of 16 narrative features, animations and documentaries from the Arab world, Asia and Africa, all vying for the top honor: the Yusr Awards, which will be presented at the closing ceremony. The festival takes place in Jeddah’s Al-Balad district — a UNESCO World Heritage site — blending Saudi heritage with international cinema. This year, the selection jury is being led by the Academy Award-winning filmmaker Sean Baker, best known for “Anora,” which won five Oscars, four of which went to Sean Baker himself. “This festival is really exciting because of how big it’s become just in the last five years,” Baker said. “It’s rare that I see a festival just exploding in terms of importance and impact on world cinema.” The festival opens with “Giant,” a true story of legendary British-Yemeni boxing champion Prince Naseem ‘Naz’ Hamed. The film stars Egyptian-British actor Amir El-Masry as Hamed and Pierce Brosnan as his Irish trainer, Brendan Ingle, and is directed by British filmmaker Rowan Athale. “It was probably one of the hardest roles I’ve ever done,” El-Masry said, noting that his preparation involved four and a half weeks of training, during which he lost about eight kilos. “It’s been a passion project for me for a long time,” said Athale. “I come from a similar neighborhood — actually within a few miles of Naz. He was a hero of mine growing up, particularly being multiracial in the region. I’ve always wanted to make a film about him. So it’s a privilege to make it.” Reflecting on the premiere, he added, “To have it as the opening night film here — I mean, look at this. I’ve never seen anything like this. Not at Cannes, not anywhere. It’s daunting, it’s terrifying, but it’s an honor.” The opening night drew a wide range of international stars, including Hollywood and Bollywood figures including Adrien Brody, Sir Michael Caine, Vin Diesel and Ana de Armas walking the red carpet. Veteran actor Giancarlo Esposito, also attending the festival, said the gathering reflects the unifying power of cinema. “This celebration at the Red Sea Film Festival is really about celebrating film,” he said. The Red Sea International Film Festival was founded by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture and supported by the Red Sea Film Foundation. It is funded by the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund sovereign wealth fund and private sponsors. It aims to play a vital role in promoting regional filmmakers and fostering global connections. The festival is part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives, which include diversifying the economy, strengthening cultural infrastructure and fostering local creative talent. The event comes as Saudi Arabia invests heavily in sectors like film, gaming and sports as part of its broader transformation efforts. However, various rights groups have criticized these actions, saying they serve to draw away attention from the kingdom’s human rights record, including its high rate of executions and restrictions on free expression.

Ireland, Spain and the Netherlands have announced they will not take part in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest after Israel was allowed to compete. The three countries were among those urging organisers to bar Israel over the rising humanitarian toll in Gaza and concerns about unfair voting practices. Despite the calls, contest members chose not to vote on Israel’s participation. Instead, they approved new rules aimed at protecting the integrity of the event. Dutch broadcaster Avrotros said taking part “under the current circumstances” goes against its core public values. Spain’s broadcaster RTVE said earlier that it would withdraw if Israel remained in the competition. It confirmed Spain will not join Eurovision 2026 and will not air the final or the semi-finals. RTVE also said its request for a secret ballot on Israel’s participation was rejected. The broadcaster said the refusal showed political pressure around the contest and increased its distrust in the organisers. Broadcasters in other countries, including Slovenia and Iceland, are also expected to pull out next year.   With inputs from BBC

US pop star Miley Cyrus has confirmed that she is engaged to her long-time partner, musician Maxx Morando. The 33-year-old singer appeared with a gold and diamond ring on her engagement finger at the Los Angeles premiere of Avatar: Fire and Ash on Monday. Speaking to Good Morning America on Wednesday, Cyrus said Morando proposed during a recent trip to Asia. She said she was “very surprised” because she usually likes to stay in control of situations. Cyrus, known for hits like Flowers and Party in the U.S.A., was previously married to Australian actor Liam Hemsworth in 2018. They divorced the following year after a decade-long on-and-off relationship. She told British Vogue last year that she met Morando, now 27, after being set up on a blind date. He plays drums for the Los Angeles band Liily, which performed on NBC’s Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party in 2022. Showing her ring during the interview, Cyrus said Morando “did good” with his choice. She added that their four-year relationship has helped her grow and that she values having someone who always encourages her. Cyrus’s new song Dream as One appears in the latest Avatar film. She released her ninth album earlier this year but said she has no plans to tour, noting that the pressures of touring make it harder to maintain her sobriety and mental well-being.   With inputs from BBC

Dhanush and Kriti Sanon’s Tere Ishk Mein has raked in Rs 76.75 crore at the box office in its first six days, ahead of the release of Dhurandhar tomorrow (December 5). Despite a slight dip on Wednesday, the film continued to perform steadily. According to Sacnilk, Tere Ishk Mein earned Rs 6.75 crore on Wednesday, taking its total to Rs 76.75 crore. The film had earlier seen strong numbers, with Rs 17 crore on Saturday, Rs 18.75 crore on Sunday, and Rs 16 crore on its opening day. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh noted that discounted ticket pricing helped sustain audience interest, adding that the film is on track to cross the ₹100 crore mark. The film marks Dhanush’s third collaboration with director Anand L. Rai, following Raanjhanaa (2013) and Atrangi Re (2021). Its trailer, highlighting a love story with a toxic lover, generated significant buzz on social media. NDTV critic Saibal Chatterjee praised the lead actors’ performances, noting their effort to convey intensity and passion, though he felt the film’s plot remained overly complicated. Source: NDTV

Anticipation for Ranveer Singh’s upcoming film Dhurandhar is mounting, not only as the actor returns to the big screen after a two-year hiatus but also because the film has achieved a rare milestone: it is the longest Bollywood release in 17 years. Clocking in at 214 minutes (3 hours 34 minutes), Aditya Dhar’s action drama surpasses Ashutosh Gowariker’s Jodhaa Akbar (3 hours 33 minutes), released in 2008. CBFC Clearance and ModificationsThe Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) recently granted Dhurandhar an ‘A’ certificate — the first in Ranveer Singh’s career. The board confirmed that the film underwent several modifications before certification, including selective removals, replacements, and insertions, though its total runtime remained unchanged. These changes addressed regulatory concerns, such as replacing overly violent opening visuals, removing intense scenes in the second half, altering a character’s name, muting a cuss word, and adding anti-drug disclaimers in relevant sequences. Daniel Radcliffe and Tom Felton reunite after 14 years Legal Challenge and CBFC’s DecisionThe film faced a legal hurdle when the parents of late Major Mohit Sharma approached the Delhi High Court, alleging that the story mirrored their son’s life without consent. Director Aditya Dhar clarified on X that the film is fictional and would have sought permission if based on a real individual. After reassessment, the CBFC confirmed that Dhurandhar is “a work of fiction” with “no direct or indirect resemblance” to Major Sharma’s life and ruled that no additional review by the Indian Army was required, clearing the path for its December 5 release. The film features an ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi, alongside Ranveer Singh. Source: NDTV 

Daniel Radcliffe and Tom Felton, who played Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter films, reunited in New York City recently, 14 years after their last public appearance together. The actors attended a special screening of Merrily We Roll Along, the filmed version of the 2023 Stephen Sondheim revival starring Radcliffe. A photo and video of the reunion, showing the two hugging and exchanging greetings, went viral online. They were last seen together at the premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 in New York in 2011. Radcliffe and Felton, who played rivals on screen, have remained close friends over the years. Felton has also been praised for his recent Broadway performance, reprising his role as Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. In November, Felton told Good Morning America that seeing Radcliffe succeed on Broadway over the years made the experience special for him. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is set 19 years after the events of Deathly Hallows and focuses on the adventures of the next generation, including Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy.   With inputs from NDTV

“Zootopia 2” stormed the box office with a massive and history-making opening weekend. Disney’s sequel to the animated hit earned $96 million in North America from Friday to Sunday, collected $156 million over the five-day Thanksgiving stretch, and reached an astonishing $556 million worldwide since opening on Wednesday, according to studio estimates released Sunday. The sequel now holds the record for the biggest international opening for an animated film, the fourth-largest global debut ever, and the strongest overseas launch of 2025. Universal Pictures’ “Wicked: For Good” continued to soar in its second weekend, bringing in another $62.8 million domestically for a North American total of $270.4 million. Internationally, the film has reached $393 million. Together, the two PG-rated sequels turned Thanksgiving weekend into a rare bright spot in what has otherwise been a sluggish year for theaters. The five-day holiday frame hit $290 million overall, with $188 million from the traditional Friday-through-Sunday period. Whether this signals a turnaround—or just a brief upswing—remains to be seen. Major releases like “Avatar: Fire and Ash” and “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” are still looming later in 2025. “This is an excellent result and a huge confidence boost for the box office heading into the last month of the year,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore. Arriving nearly ten years after the original, “Zootopia 2” reunites Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) in another adventure through their bustling, animal-filled metropolis. Dergarabedian said the film delivered exactly what fans around the world were hoping for from the franchise. It also posted the sixth-largest domestic opening of 2025. But its standout performance came from China, which drove nearly half the global total with an extraordinary $272 million. No U.S. animated film has ever debuted bigger in China, and it ranks as the second-largest opening for a non-Chinese movie there, trailing only “Avengers: Endgame.” Such results used to be common for Hollywood, but in recent years, strained geopolitics and tighter Chinese censorship have made the market unpredictable. While a few franchises—like “Jurassic World”—still break through, most studios have significantly lowered expectations. The blockbuster Chinese turnout for “Zootopia 2” could be a one-off or a sign of improving conditions. The original film, called “Crazy Animal City” in China, became an unexpected sensation, earning $236 million there. Shanghai Disneyland also features a themed land based on the franchise, helping fuel its popularity. Meanwhile, “Wicked: For Good” held its ground despite the competition. Universal’s decision to split the Broadway adaptation into two films continues to pay dividends, generating a global weekend take of $92.2 million. Another notable performer was “Hamnet,” which is expected to be a major awards contender. After a strong festival run, it opened in limited release but still cracked the top 10, earning $1.35 million across 119 theaters from Wednesday to Sunday, including $880,000 over the weekend—a per-theater average of more than $11,000. Director Chloé Zhao’s Shakespeare-inspired drama starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal expands next week. Top 10 films at the domestic box office(Estimated ticket sales for Friday–Sunday in the U.S. and Canada, per Comscore) “Zootopia 2,” $96.8 million“Wicked: For Good,” $62.8 million“Now You See Me: Now You Don’t,” $7 million“Predator: Badlands,” $4.8 million“The Running Man,” $3.7 million“Eternity,” $3.2 million“Rental Family,” $2.1 million“Hamnet,” $880,000“Sisu: Road to Revenge,” $810,000“Nuremberg,” $749,325

Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, who recently welcomed their first child, Dua Singh Padukone, continue to charm fans with their adorable chemistry. Known as one of Bollywood’s most stunning couples, they often win hearts with their public displays of affection—whether it’s holding hands in public or leaving sweet comments on each other’s posts. Deepika’s latest remark on Ranveer’s Instagram is another addition to their endearing moments. On Sunday, Ranveer shared photos showcasing his striking look from the IFFI closing ceremony. Wearing a sleek black bandhgala paired with matching shoes and dark sunglasses, he looked every bit the style icon. Deepika couldn’t resist chiming in, commenting, “Oh soo edible.” You can see the post and her comment below. In terms of upcoming projects, Ranveer is gearing up for Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar, scheduled to hit theatres on December 5. The movie features an impressive ensemble, including Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, Sara Arjun, R. Madhavan, and Arjun Rampal. Reports suggest that the film will be released in two parts. According to Bollywood Hungama, the first installment arrives on December 5, while the second is tentatively slated for a summer 2026 release, with May 29 being eyed as the preferred date—an empty slot that would allow for a solo opening, just like part one. The same report also noted the film’s hefty runtime: Part 1 is expected to run approximately 3 hours and 32 minutes, though the exact duration will be confirmed once the CBFC completes the certification process. Ranveer’s most recent appearance on screen was in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. Source NDTV    

The surprise chart-topping success of an AI-generated country song is stirring debate in the music industry after it appeared to borrow heavily from the vocal style of Grammy-nominated artist Blanco Brown — without his knowledge. Earlier this month, “Walk My Walk,” credited to a fictional white digital avatar named Breaking Rust, reached No. 1 on Billboard’s country digital song sales chart. But the track’s vocal tone, phrasing and melodic shape closely resemble Brown, best known for his 2019 crossover hit “The Git Up.” Brown said he learned about the AI song only after friends bombarded him with messages.“Somebody told me, ‘They typed your name into AI and made a white version of you,’” he recalled. The song is listed as being created by Aubierre Rivaldo Taylor, who has also been credited behind the X-rated AI-generated country act Defbeatsai. That project traces back to Abraham Abushmais — a past collaborator of Brown’s — who developed Echo, an AI-powered music generator. Brown said he was never notified and has been unable to contact Abushmais. What unsettled him most, Brown said, was the pairing of an AI-crafted white avatar with a voice modeled on a Black artist’s sound.“It’s a white AI man with a Black voice,” he said. “And he’s singing like a Negro spiritual.” Brown has since recorded his own cover of “Walk My Walk,” released last week, and will publish a reworked version with new lyrics on Monday. His management says the move aims to force conversation around the legal and ethical gaps surrounding AI-generated music. The incident comes as AI transforms music creation, enabling users to produce full songs with simple text prompts through platforms such as Suno and Udio. Major labels have already sued the companies, accusing them of training models on copyrighted material without permission. Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group have since reached AI licensing agreements with the platforms, marking early attempts to set industry rules. Experts say the rapid spread of AI-generated tracks has outpaced legal and ethical frameworks.“AI has democratized music creation but without guardrails,” said Josh Antonuccio of Ohio University. “Creators are stuck in a strange purgatory where they aren’t being compensated.” The racial dynamics of the Breaking Rust avatar add another layer of complexity. Brown, who has long navigated country music as a Black crossover artist, noted that an AI song built on his sound reached No. 1 while he still struggles for consistent country radio play. “He created something with my tone and gave it a white face,” Brown said. “In Nashville, that’s nothing new.” Despite the controversy, Brown says he’s not opposed to AI — only to the lack of recognition and rights for human artists whose voices fuel these tools.“I go through this every day with real people who borrow from what I do,” he said. “Robot or human — they’re not giving me credit anyway.” Still, he believes real artistry will endure.“Real artists are always going to prevail,” he said. “Purpose lives where greed can’t.”

With the quintessential blend of scale, emotion, and cultural resonance, the Bollywood industry continues to command attention. The biggest Bollywood film releases in December 2025 deliver one of its most ambitious lineups yet: thrillers, dramas, comedies, romances, biographies, and explosive action. The long-awaited premieres unite newcomers, rising talents, and marquee stars in a single month of cinematic celebration. Let’s watch out for the 10 most-hyped Hindi movies releasing in Bollywood in December 2025 and close the year with flair. 10 Must-see New Bollywood Films Set to Dominate This December . Laptein (Flames) | Thriller Drama | December 2, 2025 Shaded on a fractured family forced into a brutal journey of survival, ‘Flames’, the thriller, focuses on Mahesh, a migrant farmworker branded ‘low caste’ his entire life. Everything collapses when his wife is murdered by the village chief, Pradhan Ji, leaving their young son, Mohit, adrift in rage and grief. Schoolyard taunts push the boy toward a violent altercation, a blood-soaked shirt marking the moment he crosses an invisible line. When the local girl, Pradhan’s own daughter, goes missing, the villagers seize on Mohit as the easy scapegoat. Produced by Cult Digital and Alankritaa, the thriller thrives under the direction and writing of Ravi Shankar Kaushik. Read more: December 2025 South Indian Movie List: Top 12 Releases Creating Buzz Vajid Ali, Garvit Mudgil, and Vikram Kochhar play the pivotal characters. Dhurandhar | Action Thriller | December 5, 2025 Backed by Jyoti Deshpande, Lokesh Dhar, and Aditya Dhar for B62 Studios and Jio Studios, ‘Dhurandhar’ leans on astonishing true events and embraces the underworld’s coarse textures. Against a backdrop of fiery patriotism, the story stitches together high-adrenaline action, whispered espionage manoeuvres, and betrayals worthy of Shakespeare. Aditya Dhar writes, directs, and co-produces the action film. The ensemble includes Ranveer Singh, R. Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, and Akshaye Khanna, joined by Rakesh Bedi and Sara Arjun in supporting roles. Mere Raho | Romantic Drama | December 12, 2025 Starring Sai Pallavi in her Hindi movie debut, ‘Mere Raho’ flourishes with Sunil Pandey as its director. This remake of the Thai film One Day (2016) features Junaid Khan as the main co-artist of Pallavi. Aamir Khan and Mansoor Khan from Aamir Khan Productions bring the romantic drama to vibrant life. Read more: Top 10 Netflix Originals Releasing in December 2025 An ordinary office romance turns strangely miraculous when Rohan, hopelessly smitten yet paralysed by nerves, longs to confess his feelings to his colleague Nisha. A company trip feels like his final chance, and in a moment of desperation, he wishes for just one day with her, no matter the cost. Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2 | Comedy Drama | December 12, 2025 Kapil Sharma returns with ‘Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2’, carrying forward the madness that first exploded in the 2015 original, his debut into cinema. A dizzying romantic circus spins around Karan, a man balancing three relationships at once, only to find himself buried under misunderstandings, close calls, and comedic disasters. Anukalp Goswami directs and pens the dramedy. Joining Sharma are Tridha Choudhury, Hina Warina, Manjot Singh, Ayesha Khan, and Parul Gulati. Abbas-Mustan, Ganesh Jain, and Ratan Jain helm the production, bringing together Star Studio18, Venus Worldwide Entertainment, and Abbas-Mustan Films Production. Read more: Upcoming South Indian Movies in November 2025: Top 12 Releases Super Dhamaal.com | Comedy | December 15, 2025 Bankrolled by NK Teamworks, ‘Super Dhamaal.com’ boasts Mandeep Chaahal as its director and Kishen Dev Sharma and Shekhar Ramesh Mishra as writers. The pivotal cast members are Prakash Sagar, Aditya Rajput, Arya Babbar, Sayali Bhagat, Rajpal Naurang Yadav, Govardhan Asrani, Mansi Dovhal, Darshan Jariwala, Manoj Joshi, Shakti Kapoor, and Om Puri. Inside a small-town police station, Pyare, Mohan, and Raju barricade themselves in to escape furious victims they once conned. Meanwhile, Chaudhary, leader of the angry mob, waits outside like a ticking fuse. The inspector in charge eyes a promotion; the havaldar pockets bribes without blinking. Tense negotiations drag on until a bombshell complaint drops about a missing truck loaded with gold and cash. Read more: New Bollywood Movie List for November 2025: 10 Best Hindi Films