United News of Bangladesh

French EDM artist DJ Snake has cancelled his upcoming shows, including his India tour, after being advised by doctors to undergo surgery due to health issues. On Monday, DJ Snake informed his fans through Instagram that he had been battling a health problem and needs surgery in early February. He added that he will require a month of rest and recovery after the operation, reports NDTV. “This means cancelling all my shows, including the India tour. This decision has been very hard, but I need to get back to 100 percent. Thank you for your love and understanding. I’ll be back stronger than before,” DJ Snake wrote. The India tour was scheduled as a six-city Sunburn Arena event in February 2026, but it will no longer take place due to the cancellation.

Popular singer Arijit Singh has announced that he is stepping away from playback singing, a move that has surprised music lovers. In an emotional post shared on Instagram, the acclaimed vocalist thanked his listeners for their support over the years and said he would not take on any new assignments as a playback singer. He described his career as a “wonderful journey” and said he had decided to call it off. American climber Alex Honnold scales Taipei 101 without ropes The announcement triggered an outpouring of reactions from fans on social media, with many expressing disbelief and sadness. Some users hoped the account had been hacked, while others said Bollywood music would feel incomplete without his voice. Arijit Singh is known for lending his voice to several of Hindi cinema’s most popular songs. His breakthrough came with Tum Hi Ho from Aashiqui 2. Other widely loved tracks include Channa Mereya from Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Phir Bhi Tumko Chaahunga from Half Girlfriend and Hawayein from Jab Harry Met Sejal. Over his career, Singh has won two National Film Awards and was awarded the Padma Shri in 2025. He did not, however, explain the reasons behind his decision or share any details about his future plans.  #With inputs from NDTV

Actress Sydney Sweeney may face legal action after climbing the Hollywood Sign to promote her lingerie brand, officials said Tuesday. The stunt, filmed at night, showed Sweeney dressed in black cargo pants, a hoodie, and a cap. She tied several bras from her brand across one of the sign’s letters. Sweeney’s team reportedly obtained a filming permit from Film LA but did not get approval from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which manages commercial use of the landmark. The chamber said it was unaware of the stunt until footage circulated online. Steve Nissen, chief of the chamber, said, “Anyone using the Hollywood Sign for commercial purposes must get prior permission. No license or approval was granted for this production.” Officials from the Hollywood Sign Trust, a nonprofit that oversees the structure, also confirmed they had no knowledge of the act. TMZ reported the bras were removed after filming ended. Legal experts said Sweeney and her production team could face consequences if the chamber decides to take action.   With inputs from NDTV

Filmmaker Karan Johar on Sunday declared that Bollywood has made a strong comeback, citing the back-to-back box office success of Ranveer Singh-starrer Dhurandhar and the war drama Border 2. Sharing his reaction on Instagram, Johar said the recent commercial performance of the two films had reaffirmed the long-term strength of the Hindi film industry, dismissing critics who had questioned its future. Referring to the strong audience response, Johar said emotionally driven films were once again connecting with cinema-goers, adding that such successes proved Bollywood’s resilience and relevance. His remarks came as Border 2 recorded one of the biggest openings in recent years and moved steadily towards the Rs 100 crore mark at the domestic box office. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh said the film earned Rs 32.10 crore net in India on its opening day, performing strongly in mass belts and single-screen theatres, while urban centres saw improved turnout later in the day. Although heavy rainfall affected collections in parts of north India, industry observers expect strong word of mouth and the Republic Day holiday to further boost earnings. Directed by Anurag Singh, Border 2 was released on January 23 and features Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty in lead roles. Meanwhile, Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, recently completed 50 days in theatres. Despite stiff competition from new releases, the Aditya Dhar-directed film emerged as the highest-grossing Hindi film of all time, surpassing Pushpa 2: The Rule. The film is planned as a two-part franchise, with its sequel scheduled for release on March 19, 2026.   With inputs from NDTV

Bengali film superstar Prosenjit Chatterjee on Sunday said he would dedicate his Padma Shri award to his late mother, who he credited for his success in a career spanning over four decades. Chatterjee told PTI that he learned about the honour while watching his recently released Bengali film at Navina Cinema. He shared the news with the audience, who cheered in response. "I dedicate this honour to my mother, who sacrificed so much to raise us and guide my journey. I also share it with my family, including my son Mishuk. My achievements were possible because of my audiences," he said. He added that he called his father, legendary actor Biswajit Chatterjee, who expressed pride in him. Chatterjee also remembered his late friend, director Rituparno Ghosh, for shaping his career in critically acclaimed, realistic cinema. Asked if the award was long overdue, he said, "I do not look at it that way. What matters is that the government has recognised my work. I am thankful to the Union Ministry." Meanwhile, other Padma Shri recipients, including tabla maestro Pt Kumar Bose, dedicated their awards to their families and highlighted contributions of West Bengal’s classical artists.   With inputs from NDTV

Hollywood actress Natalie Portman has criticized the Oscars 2026 for not properly recognizing women filmmakers. She raised the issue during a press conference at the Sundance Film Festival for her new film The Gallerist. Portman said several strong films by women directors were ignored this year. While Hamnet, directed by Chloe Zhao, received eight nominations, broader representation of women in awards was missing. She cited films such as Sorry Baby, Left-Handed Girl, Hedda and The Testament of Ann Lee as examples that deserved recognition. Portman added that exclusion begins early in the industry and continues at higher levels, affecting awards recognition. During the same event, she condemned the actions of US ICE authorities after the fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis on January 7, calling for immediate action against what she described as brutality. The Gallerist, a dark comedy thriller directed by Cathy Yan, features Jenna Ortega, Sterling K. Brown, Zach Galifianakis, Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Portman co-produced the film, which is set for a theatrical release later in 2026. Portman has previously starred in Black Swan, Thor and Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. She is also producing the upcoming project Good Sex.   With inputs from NDTV

American rock climber Alex Honnold on Sunday successfully ascended the Taipei 101 skyscraper without ropes or protective equipment, thrilling a crowd at street level. The 37-year-old reached the top of the 508-meter (1,667-foot) tower about 90 minutes after starting, waving his arms in celebration. Honnold, famed for his ropeless climb of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, scaled one corner of Taipei 101 using small L-shaped footholds and clambered over ornamental structures with his bare hands. The most challenging part was the 64 floors in the middle section, known as the “bamboo boxes,” featuring steep overhangs. Honnold paused briefly on balconies between sections to rest. The climb was broadcast live on Netflix with a 10-second delay, drawing excitement and concern over the extreme risk of the endeavor. Originally scheduled for Saturday, the attempt was delayed by a day due to rain. While Honnold is not the first to scale the iconic building, he is the first to do so free solo. French climber Alain Robert previously ascended Taipei 101 on Christmas Day 2004, but with ropes. The stunt highlights both Honnold’s remarkable skill and the growing fascination with extreme urban climbing on live media platforms.

The glitter surrounding Wicked: For Good, the sequel to the hit Broadway adaptation, faded sharply after the film failed to secure a single Oscar nomination, despite its predecessor earning 10 nods a year earlier. The absence stunned awards watchers, particularly as the sequel had entered the season as a strong contender. Lead actors Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande both received Golden Globe nominations, while the film was shortlisted in several technical categories and tipped for recognition in best original song and supporting actress. Industry analysts say the disappointment reflects a broader cooling of enthusiasm. Critics were notably less impressed this time, with the film’s Rotten Tomatoes score dropping significantly from the first instalment. Several high-profile reviews labelled the sequel overlong and lacking the spark that made the original a cultural moment. Observers also point to franchise fatigue. Splitting the musical into two films initially seemed bold, but the second half of the story, expanded to feature-length scale, struggled to maintain momentum. Box office figures echoed that decline, with the sequel earning substantially less than the first film worldwide. Marketing dynamics also shifted. While the original benefitted from a vibrant, viral promotional campaign driven by the chemistry between its stars, the sequel’s publicity push was comparatively subdued, offering little novelty to rekindle the earlier excitement. The Academy’s choices this year underlined that change in mood, favouring original, standalone films over sequels. For many in Hollywood, the Oscars shutout signalled that the magic which once surrounded Wicked had finally worn off.   With inputs from BBC

The release date announcement of Shah Rukh Khan–starrer King has created a buzz online, with fans and film personalities reacting with excitement. The film is set to hit theatres on December 24, 2026. Director Siddharth Anand unveiled a teaser video announcing the release date, showing Shah Rukh Khan in a powerful new look. In the clip, the actor urges viewers to be ready for an intense year-end release. Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan shared the video on his Instagram Stories, writing a brief reaction that quickly caught fans’ attention. Filmmaker Karan Johar also shared the teaser and praised the announcement, saying it took the internet by storm. Earlier, on Shah Rukh Khan’s birthday last year, Siddharth Anand had revealed the film’s title, marking their second collaboration after Pathaan. The title reveal was presented as a special tribute to the actor’s long career. The teaser hints at a high-energy action film, featuring Shah Rukh Khan in a striking avatar that fans have not seen before. Produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and Marflix Pictures, King also stars Deepika Padukone, Suhana Khan and Abhishek Bachchan. The film is expected to be a major action release of 2026.   With inputs from NDTV

Ryan Coogler’s vampire musical “Sinners” led the 98th Academy Awards with 16 nominations, including best director and screenplay. Michael B. Jordan received his first best actor nod for playing dual roles in the film, now streaming on HBO Max and Prime Video. Paul Thomas Anderson’s ensemble drama “One Battle After Another” earned 13 nominations, with acting nods for Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro, and Teyana Taylor. It’s available on HBO Max and for rent on Apple TV and Prime Video. Other top nominees include: “Sentimental Value” (9 nominations) – Apple TV, “Marty Supreme” (9) – In theaters, “Frankenstein” (9) – Netflix, “Hamnet” (8) – In theaters, “Bugonia” (4) – Peacock, “Train Dreams” (4) – Netflix, “F1” (4) – Apple TV & Prime Video, “The Secret Agent” (4) – In theaters. Notable two-nomination films streaming include “Sirāt”, “It Was Just an Accident” (Apple TV, Prime Video), “Blue Moon” (Prime Video, Apple TV), and “KPop Demon Hunters” (Netflix). Single-nomination titles include “If I had Legs I’d Kick You”, “Weapons” (HBO Max/Prime Video), and “Song Sung Blue” (Apple TV/Prime Video). These films span genres from musical, thriller, historical drama, and animation to international and socially conscious cinema.