United News of Bangladesh

    Katy Perry is set to perform at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on June 12 ahead of the United States’ opening match of the FIFA World Cup, organizers announced Friday. The performance will be part of special pregame entertainment planned across the three host countries for the expanded 48-team tournament. The ceremony before the U.S. faces Paraguay will also feature performances by rappers Future and Rema, singers Lisa, Tyla, and Anitta, along with DJ Sanjoy. In Mexico, the opening match between Mexico and South Africa at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on June 11 will include performances by Tyla, Alejandro Fernández, Danny Ocean, Lila Downs, Belinda, J Balvin, and the bands Los Ángeles Azules and Maná. Canada’s first World Cup game against Bosnia and Herzegovina at Toronto’s BMO Field will feature Canadian stars Alanis Morissette, Michael Bublé, Alessia Cara, Jessie Reyez, William Prince, and Nora Fatehi, as well as Elyanna, Vegedream, and DJ Sanjoy. FIFA said all opening ceremonies are expected to begin 90 minutes before kickoff.    

The Odyssey has released a new trailer, offering audiences the clearest look yet at filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s epic adaptation of the classic story by Homer. The latest trailer moves beyond the earlier teaser and gives a stronger sense of the story, focusing on Odysseus’ dangerous journey and the growing unrest in his kingdom of Ithaca. Matt Damon stars as Odysseus and is seen facing violent storms and deadly mythical creatures during his long journey home. One of the trailer’s major highlights is the first appearance of the giant Cyclops Polyphemus, shown holding one of Odysseus’ soldiers. Back in Ithaca, Anne Hathaway appears as Penelope, trying to protect the kingdom during her husband’s absence. Robert Pattinson plays Antinous, the main rival who leads a group seeking to take over the throne. The trailer also introduces several other key characters. Zendaya appears as the goddess Athena, who guides and protects Odysseus, while Charlize Theron plays the powerful sorceress Circe. Other cast members include Jon Bernthal as Menelaus and John Leguizamo as Eumaeus. The film also features Tom Holland, Lupita Nyong'o, Mia Goth and Benny Safdie. The trailer highlights Nolan’s signature large-scale filmmaking style. According to Deadline, the movie was shot entirely with IMAX 70mm cameras using more than two million feet of film. The background score is composed by Ludwig Göransson. Written by Nolan and produced with Emma Thomas under their Syncopy banner, the film will be distributed by Universal Pictures. The Odyssey is scheduled to hit theatres on July 17, 2026. Source NDTV

Prime Video has announced that its upcoming courtroom thriller System will premiere globally on May 22. Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, the film is produced by Pammi Baweja, Harman Baweja and Smitha Baliga under the banner of Baweja Studios. The Hindi-language Prime Original will stream exclusively on Prime Video in India and more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. The film centres on themes of power, privilege and justice, presenting a courtroom drama where truth and accountability take centre stage. Sonakshi Sinha plays Neha Rajvansh, a public prosecutor who teams up with courtroom stenographer Sarika Rawat, portrayed by Jyotika. Despite coming from very different backgrounds, the two women join hands to uncover hidden injustices while confronting influential opponents. The film also features Ashutosh Gowariker in a major role, alongside actors Preeti Agarwal, Adinath Kothare, Aashriya Mishra, Gaurav Pandey and Sayandeep Gupta. Speaking about the project, Nikhil Madhok said, "System is a powerful and thrilling drama that explores themes of ambition, justice and ethics. With Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari at the helm and backed by Baweja Studios, System will surprise you at each stage, making for compelling viewing. Led by power-packed performances by Sonakshi Sinha and Jyotika, we believe the film has the potential to resonate strongly with audiences across the world when it releases on Prime Video on 22 May." Producer Harman Baweja said, "System is a gripping legal drama that brings together two headstrong women from contrasting worlds, bound by their own ideas of justice. Brought to life through powerful performances by Sonakshi Sinha, Jyotika and Ashutosh Gowariker, the film reflects our shared vision of telling meaningful, cinematic stories. We are thrilled to collaborate with Prime Video and Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari on this project, a collaboration that has enabled us to bring this narrative to life with scale and authenticity. We look forward to delivering this genre-bending story to audiences in India and beyond." The screenplay has been written by Harman Baweja, Arun Sukumar, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, Tasneem Lokhandwala and Akshat Ghildial. #By NDTV 

Actor Ranbir Kapoor showed his support for his mother Neetu Kapoor by attending the screening of her upcoming film Daadi Ki Shaadi, accompanied by his wife and actor Alia Bhatt. The screening turned into a star-studded gathering, with members of the Kapoor family and several well-known figures from the film industry coming together ahead of the film’s release. Riddhima Kapoor Sahni was also present alongside her family to support Neetu Kapoor, while Ranbir’s aunt Rima Jain attended the event as well. Veteran actor Rekha added to the evening’s charm with her presence. The film, featuring Neetu Kapoor and Kapil Sharma in lead roles, is produced by Rtake Studios, BeingU Studios and Shimla Talkies. It is written and directed by Ashish R Mohan. Daadi Ki Shaadi also includes performances by Sadia Khateeb and Riddhima Kapoor Sahni. According to the filmmakers, the movie highlights themes of family life, capturing its quirks, chaos, secrets and unconditional love. The film is set to hit cinemas on May 8, 2026.

Malayalam film actor Santhosh K Nayar died in a road accident in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala early Tuesday. His car collided with a van in the early hours. His wife, who was travelling with him, sustained injuries and is undergoing treatment at a hospital, reports NDTV. Santhosh K Nayar, who made his film debut with the 1982 movie Ithu Njangalude Katha, appeared in more than 100 films over his career. He was widely recognised for his roles portraying villains as well as comic characters. Born on November 12, 1960, in Thiruvananthapuram, he hailed from an educated family. His father, C N Kesavan Nair, was a retired headmaster, while his mother, P Rajalakshmiamma, was a retired teacher. During his college years, he was actively involved in politics. Although his sisters pursued careers in medicine as gynecologists, he chose acting as his profession. He also shared a close association with Malayalam superstar Mohanlal, as both studied at MG College. Santhosh pursued a degree in Mathematics, while Mohanlal studied Commerce. In interviews, he often recalled their college days, noting that despite being of similar age, Mohanlal became his senior after Santhosh temporarily left his studies to pursue engineering before completing his degree later. His final on-screen appearance was in Mohaniyattam, which is currently running in theatres. The film, released on April 10, serves as a sequel to Bharathanatyam and is set to stream on Netflix from May 8. Directed by Krishnadas Murali, the film follows the story of Sasidharan Nair’s family caught in a tense situation. The cast also includes Suraj Venjaramoodu, Vinay Forrt and Jagadish.  

Legendary singer of Bangladesh Runa Laila was honored with the prestigious “Minar-e-Delhi” Award at the Delhi International Film Festival. The event was held held at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts on May 4. She also shared the stage with legendary Indian singer Usha Uthup. The evening reached a magical high when both icons performed ‘ Ishtishoner ralgarita’ together, creating a truly unforgettable and emotional moment.

If Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar succeeds in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, he could end a 49-year gap by becoming the first film star to serve as chief minister since M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) transformed the state’s political landscape in 1977. MGR’s sweeping victory that year marked the last time a cinema icon directly captured power in Tamil Nadu. He turned fan loyalty into a structured political force, embedded welfare politics into governance, and redefined the link between charisma and policy. While figures like Jayalalithaa rose to power later, her success came through consolidating MGR’s AIADMK rather than building an entirely new political platform. Early trends in the 2026 elections indicate that Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), founded just two years ago, is performing strongly, with projections placing it between 100 and 118 seats. Even at the lower end, this positions Vijay among the state’s top political power at the higher end, it brings him close to the 118 seats needed for a majority in the 234-member assembly. What makes Vijay’s rise notable is its speed and strategic planning. Unlike many actor-politician who maintained parallel careers in cinema, Vijay began laying the groundwork much earlier. His political journey can be traced back to 2009, when he reorganised his fan clubs into Vijay Makkal Iyakkam, initially focusing on welfare activities. Over time, this network expanded its grassroots presence through relief efforts, educational support and community engagement. In 2011, the organisation backed the AIADMK alliance, marking Vijay’s first direct involvement in electoral politics. In the years that followed, his public appearances increasingly addressed broader issues such as youth unemployment, corruption, exam stress and governance concerns, resonating especially with younger voters. The organisational strength of his network became evident during the 2021 local government elections, where candidates linked to Vijay’s movement secured a majority of the seats they contested. When Vijay formally launched TVK in February 2024, he made his intentions clear: the party would contest independently in 2026, avoid pre-election alliances, and position itself as an alternative to the long-standing DMK-AIADMK dominance. He reinforced this commitment by stepping away from films after a three-decade career spanning around 70 movies. Over the next two years, TVK evolved from a loosely organised welfare network into a structured political party with district and booth-level organisation. Its campaign focused on education, employment, anti-corruption and institutional accountability, while projecting Vijay as a responsive and accessible leader. The journey has not been without challenges. A deadly stampede at a TVK-linked event in Karur in 2025 tested Vijay’s leadership. His response—measured and corrective—offered an early glimpse into how he might handle political crises. Current projections suggest that even without a clear majority, a strong showing could place Vijay at the centre of government formation, either as chief minister or a key power broker. His refusal to form pre-poll alliances also means any post-election arrangement will be closely scrutinised. The emergence of TVK has already reshaped Tamil Nadu’s political landscape. Alongside the DMK-led alliance and a diminished but relevant AIADMK, the state is witnessing a credible three-way contest for the first time in decades. Smaller parties now have a potential third force to align with. Comparisons with MGR are inevitable, but the contexts differ. While MGR rode a wave of populism and political rupture, Vijay’s appeal is tied to generational concerns, dissatisfaction with governance, and the promise of cleaner politics. Whether he ultimately takes power or simply transforms the political dynamics, the 2026 election has already marked a turning point. Vijay may either become the first actor in nearly half a century to lead Tamil Nadu—or demonstrate that such a shift is now within reach. Source NDTV  

Veteran lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar on Sunday said that everyone has the right to promote their ideas through creative works, responding to debates over films being labelled as propaganda. He made the remarks while speaking to reporters after receiving a special award from a city-based jewellery brand, when asked about criticism surrounding films like Dhurandhar. "I don't know what you mean by propaganda films. I loved Dhurandhar; it was an excellent film. I liked the first one more than the second," he said. "Every story takes a stand, but does it become propaganda because the narrative doesn't suit a section of the audience? Everyone has the right to propagate their ideas. What is wrong with propaganda films? The task of every filmmaker is to present the truth," Akhtar added. He said that every story carries a viewpoint, and even films based on fictional or fairy-tale themes reflect an underlying ideology. The veteran writer also noted that films often convey a moral message, though audiences may interpret or label it differently. About Dhurandhar, the project features actors including Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan, Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi, Gaurav Gera and Danish Pandor. The two-part film series centres on a high-risk covert counter-terrorism mission. The first instalment follows an undercover Indian intelligence agent who infiltrates criminal syndicates and political networks in Karachi, Pakistan, aiming to dismantle a terror network targeting India. The sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, continues the storyline, with the agent pursuing those behind the 26/11 attacks while confronting broader threats. The narrative is loosely inspired by real geopolitical events and conflicts in South Asia.  #Via NDTV

Colombian pop icon Shakira delivered a huge free concert on Copacabana Beach on Saturday night, with city officials estimating a turnout of around 2 million people. The show followed similar large-scale performances by Madonna in 2024 and Lady Gaga last year, both of which also attracted massive crowds to the famous shoreline. Shakira’s concert is part of her ongoing “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” world tour, named after her 2024 album. Taking the stage at about 11 p.m., more than an hour behind schedule, Shakira was greeted by loud cheers as drones illuminated the sky with the message “I love you Brazil” in Portuguese. Reflecting on her early career, the singer recalled first visiting Brazil nearly 30 years ago as a teenager with dreams of performing for local fans. “And now look at this. Life is magical,” she told the audience. During the performance, she delivered a series of hits including “Hips Don’t Lie,” “La Tortura,” and “La Bicicleta,” before closing with “BZRP Music Sessions #53/66,” a track released after her separation from Spanish footballer Gerard Piqué. She also highlighted themes of resilience, telling the crowd that women grow stronger and wiser through challenges. Rio’s mayor, Eduardo Cavaliere, said the concert made history, noting the massive turnout and referencing Shakira’s hit song “She Wolf.” Experts say Shakira’s enduring popularity in Brazil dates back to the 1990s, helped by cultural similarities between Brazil and her home country, Colombia. Fans at the event expressed deep admiration, with many describing her as a symbol of Latin strength and identity. Some attendees also noted that performances by artists like Shakira and Bad Bunny reinforce a shared Latin American cultural identity beyond the United States. Large crowds began gathering early Saturday to secure spots, while street vendors sold food, drinks, and even items like sandbags to help spectators get a better view near the stage, set up opposite the iconic Copacabana Palace. City officials say the free concert is part of a broader effort to boost the local economy between major festive periods such as Carnival, New Year celebrations, and June’s Saint John’s Day events. According to estimates, the event could generate around 777 million reais (about $155 million) through increased tourism and spending in local businesses. Data from previous years also show a significant rise in visitors during similar events. Travel platform Airbnb reported a surge in bookings ahead of the concert, with visitors arriving from across Brazil, Latin America, and European cities. For many fans, the concert was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, with some traveling long distances just to attend.  

Colombian pop icon Shakira is set to perform a free concert on Copacabana Beach on Saturday night, with Brazilian authorities expecting around 2 million people to gather at the famous seaside venue. The show comes after similar large-scale performances by Madonna in 2024 and Lady Gaga last year, both of which drew huge crowds to the beach. Shakira’s concert is part of her “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” world tour, named after her 2024 album. Speaking to Brazil’s TV Globo, Shakira said the Copacabana show could be the biggest of her career. She described performing on the beach as a lifelong dream, calling it a “magical place,” and noted that she learned Portuguese before English. Music experts say Shakira’s strong connection with Brazilian fans dates back to the 1990s, when she first performed in the country. Felipe Maia, an ethnomusicologist at Paris Nanterre University, said cultural similarities between Colombia and Brazil helped her build a lasting bond with audiences. He added that Saturday’s concert reflects that long-standing relationship. Fans have already begun arriving early to secure good spots. Vendors lined the beach selling snacks, drinks and even items like toilet paper and sandbags to help people get a better view of the stage, set up near the Copacabana Palace hotel. Street vendor Simone Paula da Cunha, who came a day early to sell drinks, said she also hoped to watch the performance live. Despite being tired, she said she has been a fan of Shakira since her early days. Entertainment on the beach will begin in the afternoon with DJs, while Shakira is expected to take the stage at 9:45 p.m. local time for a performance lasting about two hours. Another DJ will perform afterward to help manage the crowd as they leave. City officials say the free concert is part of efforts to boost Rio’s economy between major festive periods such as Carnival, New Year celebrations and the June Saint John’s Day events. Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere said such events help create jobs, generate income and strengthen the city’s identity. He added that the financial return from the concert could be up to 40 times the city’s investment. According to estimates by City Hall and Riotur, the show could generate about 777 million reais, or roughly $155 million, driven by increased spending in hotels, restaurants and shops. Officials also noted a sharp rise in tourist arrivals during similar events in previous years. Data shows visitor numbers grew significantly in early May in 2024 and 2025 compared to 2023. Airbnb said bookings have increased ahead of the concert, with visitors expected from across Brazil, Latin America and cities such as Paris and London. Wanderson Andrade, an architect who traveled from central Brazil for the show, said he had missed the chance to see Shakira last year and was determined not to miss this one. “Today is a dream come true,” he said.