United News of Bangladesh

In the heart of Indian cinematic evolution comes Ramayana, a project that redefines scale, vision, and storytelling. This epic fantasy is slated to arrive in two majestic chapters during Diwali 2026 and 2027. Featuring an ensemble cast led by Ranbir Kapoor, the film has sparked widespread buzz, resonating beyond Indian borders. Uniting acclaimed artists behind its making, the production sets a staggering new benchmark in Indian film budgets. Let’s take a concise yet insightful look at this recently buzzworthy and highly ambitious venture. Ramayana’s Star-studded Cast Ranbir Kapoor portrays Lord Rama, and Sai Pallavi assumes the role of Mata Sita. Yash embodies Ravan while Sunny Deol steps into the revered character of Hanuman. The ensemble cast also includes Lara Dutta, Kajal Aggarwal, Vivek Oberoi, Ravi Dubey, and Arun Govil. World-class Team Crew Directed by the renowned Nitesh Tiwari, this epic project is supported by Namit Malhotra, an eight-time Oscar-winning producer and the CEO of DNEG and Prime Focus Studios. Joining these two production houses is Yash’s Monster Mind Creations. DNEG is the global VFX powerhouse responsible for visual effects in acclaimed films like ‘Dune’, ‘Oppenheimer’, and ‘Interstellar’. Moreover, ‘Ramayana’ is being filmed specifically for IMAX. Read more: Top 10 Hindi Films Releasing in Bollywood in July 2025 The soundtrack embodies a unique East-meets-West collaboration, featuring two Academy Award-winning composers. India’s legendary AR Rahman joins forces with Hans Zimmer, a legendary German composer. His iconic scores include ‘The Lion King’ (1994), ‘The Dark Knight’ (2008), ‘Inception’ (2010), and the recent work on the two-part ‘Dune’ series. Adding to the film’s intensity, action sequences are crafted by Guy Norris, famed for his choreography in ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’. Record-breaking Budget The Ramayana franchise commands an unprecedented production budget of Rs 1600 crore. The initial instalment alone accounts for Rs 900 crore, with Rs 700 crore allocated for the sequel. The reduced budget for the second part stems from the extensive expenditure on world-building and asset creation in the first film. It leaves primarily action sequences to be filmed in the follow-up. However, this colossal investment establishes the series as the most expensive in Indian cinema history. Read more: Best 10 Korean Dramas Releasing in July 2025 Campaign across Two Continents ‘Ramayana: The Introduction’ premiered simultaneously in nine major Indian cities on July 3. The cities are Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Kochi, and Pune. This groundbreaking launch marked an unprecedented moment in Indian movie history. Just one day later, the mythological movie crossed continents, making a bold statement in New York’s Times Square. Its striking visuals illuminated one of the world’s most iconic digital billboards, capturing global attention. Verdict Buzz is surging around ‘Ramayana’, powered by the star trio – Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, and Yash. Namit Malhotra’s globally acclaimed production takes India’s most revered myth to new heights with cutting-edge technology. The collaboration of AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer on the soundtrack further elevates its stature. The eye-popping Rs 1600 crore budget marks a new pinnacle of Indian filmmaking. In essence, the fusion of exceptional talents firmly positions the project as India’s definitive answer to the Hollywood blockbuster. Read more: Best South Indian Movies Releasing in July 2025

It's official. Bollywood heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor and actress Alia Bhatt are now husband and wife. The 39-year-old Bollywood hunk and 29-year-old actress tied the knot at an intimate ceremony at Ranbir's posh Mumbai home in the upscale Bandra locality on Thursday,  after dating each other for over three years. Also read: Bollywood: Ranbir & Alia to tie the knot on April 14 After the wedding, the couple stepped out for a photo session where their fans and the paparazzi had been waiting since morning to get a glimpse of the two actors. Ranbir carried Alia back to the venue in his arms. Moments before the photo opportunity, Alia shared some pictures from the ceremony on her Instagram profile.  "Today, surrounded by our family and friends, at home … in our favourite spot -- the balcony we've spent the last 5 years of our relationship -- we got married," she wrote on the social media platform. "With so much already behind us, we can't wait to build more memories together... memories that are full of love, laughter, comfortable silences, movie nights, silly fights, wine delights and Chinese bites. Thank you for all the love and light during this very momentous time in our lives." The son of actors Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh, and the grandson of veteran actor-director Raj Kapoor, Ranbir made his acting debut with noted filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali's tragic romance 'Saawariya' in 2007, a commercial failure. Also read: Ex-boyfriends Salman & Ranbir 'not invited' to Katrina's wedding Ranbir rose to prominence in 2009 with his performances in the coming-of-age film 'Wake Up Sid', romantic comedy 'Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani' and drama 'Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year'. One of the highest-paid actors of Bollywood, he also supports charities. Alia, on the other hand, is the daughter of filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt and actress Soni Razdan. She made her acting debut as a child in the 1999 thriller 'Sangharsh'. Her debut as an adult actor was with filmmaker Karan Johar's teen drama 'Student of the Year' in 2012. Alia won the Best Actress award in 2014 for playing a kidnapping victim in road drama 'Highway'. In addition to acting in films, Alia owns her signature line of clothing and handbags, and is the founder of ecological initiative CoExist.

Two of Bollywood's biggest superstars -- Salman Khan and Ranbir Kapoor -- have not been invited to the fairy-tale wedding of actors Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal, UNB has learnt. UNB was, in fact, the first media outlet in Bangladesh to report about the December destination wedding of Bollywood's highest-paid actress Katrina and heartthrob Vicky at a fortress-resort in the princely state of Rajasthan, some 300 kms from the Indian capital. Read:December destination wedding on the cards for Katrina Kaif & Vicky Kaushal? Strangely, Salman, Bollywood's poster boy of masculinity who once dated Katrina and now enjoys a friendly relationship with her, is not on the wedding guests' list. "We haven't got any invite for the wedding," Salman's sister Arpita has reportedly said. Salman and Katrina have worked together in several blockbuster films -- 'Partner', 'Ek Tha Tiger', 'Tiger Zinda Hai', 'Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya', and 'Bharat' to name a few. In fact, it was Salman who helped Katrina gain a re-entry into Bollywood with 'Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya'. After mutually ending her love affair with Salman, Katrina dated Bollywood heartthrob Ranbir -- the son of late star Rishi Kapoor and Neetu -- for some six years before parting ways. The two had even purchased an upscale apartment in Mumbai.  Ranbir, who is currently in a live-in relationship with actress Alia Bhatt, Katrina's best friend, has also not been invited to the wedding at Six Senses Fort Barwara in Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan, sources said. "Moreover, 38-year-old Katrina and 33-year-old Vicky have given the wedding photo and video rights to a leading international magazine, and hence barred all guests from carrying their mobile phones to the venue," the sources said. Basically a model, the Hong Kong-born actress began her Bollywood career with 'Boom', an action film, in 2003 that flopped. Two years later, she earned commercial success -- thanks to the romantic comedy 'Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya', produced by Salman's brother. Read:How scandals shaped Bollywood over the years What followed was a series of box-office hits -- 'Namastey London' in 2007, 'New York' in 2009, 'Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani' in 2009, 'Raajneeti' in 2010, 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' in 2011, 'Ek Tha Tiger' in 2012, 'Dhoom 3' in 2013 and 'Bang Bang!' in 2014. Katrina's other highest-grossing Bollywood films are 'Tiger Zinda Hai' in 2017 and 'Bharat' 2019, co-starring Salman. Her latest action flick 'Sooryavanshi', co-starring Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgan, hit the silver screens a couple of weeks back. Born to the action director Sham Kaushal and his wife Veena, Vicky ventured into Bollywoodas an assistant to filmmaker Anurag Kashyap in the crime drama 'Gangs of Wasseypur' in 2012. However, Vicky shot to limelight in 2018 with supporting roles in 'Raazi' and 'Sanju'. A year later, his lead role as a military officer in critically acclaimed action film 'Uri: The Surgical Strike', got him the National Film Award for Best Actor.

Popular Indian actor Ranbir Kapoor has tested positive for COVID-19, according to his mother actress Neetu Kapoor.

Grapevine is abuzz that Bollywood actors Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt may soon tie the knot. The two have been dating for nearly three years now.

Renowned Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor died at a hospital in Mumbai on Thursday after a two-year battle with cancer.