United News of Bangladesh

Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna’s historical drama Ranabaali has completed its first week in theatres, earning ₹45.20 crore in India net collections. According to Sacnilk, the film has amassed ₹63.65 crore in worldwide gross revenue. The film’s domestic gross collection currently stands at ₹52.55 crore, while overseas markets have contributed ₹11.10 crore. This brings its total worldwide gross to ₹63.65 crore after seven days of release. Ranabaali Box Office Collection on Day 7 Directed by Rahul Sankrityan, Ranabaali collected ₹3.15 crore net in India on Thursday, October 22, its seventh day at the box office. The film was screened across 2,112 shows, registering an overall occupancy rate of 31%. Thursday’s collection represented a 42.7% decline compared with Wednesday’s earnings of ₹5.50 crore. The number of screenings also decreased, from 2,232 on Wednesday to 2,112 on Thursday. The film sold an estimated 271,563 tickets on its seventh day, taking its total ticket sales to approximately 3.58 million. Day-Wise Box Office Performance Ranabaali opened in cinemas on Friday, October 16, collecting ₹9.25 crore net from 2,515 shows with an occupancy rate of 57%. The film earned ₹7.30 crore on Saturday, followed by ₹7.50 crore on Sunday. Collections declined to ₹5.40 crore on Monday before recovering to ₹7.10 crore on Tuesday. However, the film witnessed another drop on Wednesday, earning ₹5.50 crore, followed by ₹3.15 crore on Thursday. On the seventh day, overseas markets contributed approximately ₹35 lakh in gross revenue. Telugu Version Occupancy on Thursday The Telugu 2D version of _Ranabaali_ recorded an overall theatre occupancy of 29.40% on Thursday. Morning screenings registered 19.85% occupancy, while afternoon shows achieved 31.54%. Occupancy improved during the evening, reaching 33.15%, before settling at 32.54% for night screenings. About Ranabaali Directed by Rahul Sankrityan and starring Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna, Ranabaali is a historical drama set against the backdrop of the Madras Famine of 1876–1878. The story focuses on the Rayalaseema region during British colonial rule. The narrative follows a horseman who rises against colonial exploitation while striving to safeguard his community amid the devastating famine. Since its theatrical release, the film has received mixed reviews from audiences and critics. Its box office performance during the coming days will indicate whether it can maintain its momentum after completing its opening week. Source: NDTV

Superstar Rajinikanth’s latest film Jailer 2 has grossed Rs 541 crore worldwide in its first six days in theatres, including Rs 287.80 crore in net collections from India. Released on October 15, the sequel to the 2023 blockbuster Jailer has maintained a strong run at the box office, with its Tamil version emerging as the biggest contributor to domestic earnings. According to trade tracker Sacnilk, the film collected Rs 45.55 crore net across 15,529 shows in India on its sixth day, taking its total domestic net collection to Rs 287.80 crore and gross collection to Rs 337 crore. The film earned Rs 31.20 crore from 7,828 shows in Tamil, followed by Rs 8.75 crore from 2,293 shows in Telugu on Day 6. The Hindi version collected Rs 5 crore from 5,230 shows, while the Kannada version added Rs 60 lakh from 178 shows. The Hindi release faced challenges after the PVR-Inox cinema chain in northern India did not give the film a wider theatrical release amid disputes over the film’s digital streaming window. Overseas, Jailer 2 has reportedly grossed Rs 204 crore, taking its worldwide gross collection to Rs 541 crore. The film has received largely positive reactions from critics and social media users, with many praising its entertainment value. In her review for NDTV, Latha Srinivasan described the sequel as a strong commercial entertainer, highlighting its humour, action, music and Rajinikanth’s screen presence. She noted, however, that the writing loses direction at times, particularly in the second half. Directed by Nelson Dilipkumar and produced by Kalanithi Maran under the Sun Pictures banner, Jailer 2 is the sequel to Rajinikanth’s 2023 hit. The film also features Ramya Krishnan, SJ Suryah, Mohanlal, Vidya Balan, Suraj Venjaramoodu and Mithun Chakraborty, among others. Anirudh Ravichander composed the music, Vijay Kartik Kannan handled cinematography, and R. Nirmal was responsible for editing. #From NDTV

A new album by John Legend and the streaming debut of the live-action adaptation of “Moana” are among the latest films, television programmes, music releases and video games arriving on digital platforms. Other notable releases for the week, selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists, include “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4,” a limited series featuring “Vanderpump Rules” star Lisa Vanderpump and the second season of “The Terminal List.” New Movies to Stream From Oct. 19-25The live-action version of “Moana” will arrive on Disney+ on Wednesday. Dwayne Johnson returns as the demigod Maui, while Catherine Lagaʻaia plays Moana. In his review, AP Film Writer Jake Coyle described the film as a largely faithful remake of the original, with only small additions, suggesting that the transition from animation to live action often sacrifices some of the original's appeal. The animated version is also available on Disney+. “The Invite,” a sharp-witted comedy-drama starring Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, Edward Norton and director Olivia Wilde, begins streaming on HBO Max on Friday, Oct. 23. Coyle praised its performances and clever approach to the traditional drawing-room comedy, despite occasionally noticeable plot mechanics. New Music to Stream From Oct. 19-25John Legend returns with “Muse,” his first album since 2024's “My Favorite Dream,” a children's record produced by Sufjan Stevens. The new album, produced by Pharrell Williams, focuses more on adult relationships and romance. The previously released song “Daylight” reflects that theme, while “Fireflies” delivers a message of hope and resilience. The album will be released on Friday. PBS' “Great Performances” will honour late country music star Tammy Wynette with a special recorded at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium. Performers include Wynonna Judd, Katie Pruitt, War & Treaty, Carter Faith, Tami Neilson, Valerie June, Brittney Spencer and Heart's Ann Wilson. “Great Performances — Tammy Wynette: Forever Yours” premieres Friday, Oct. 23, and will also be available on pbs.org/gperf and the PBS app. Country music fans can also watch a two-hour tribute to Dolly Parton on Wednesday. “CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton” honours the singer, who died of cancer in August at the age of 80. Ashley McBryde, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Darius Rucker, Ella Langley, Kristen Bell, Kristin Chenoweth and Reba McEntire are among the performers and special guests. The programme will air live from Belmont University's Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville on ABC and Disney+, with streaming on Hulu beginning Thursday. Meanwhile, singer Anderson .Paak and rapper Cordae reunite for their collaborative album “Heavy Is the Crown,” which arrives Friday. Their previous joint tracks include “RNP,” “Two Tens” and “Summer Drop.” New Series to Stream From Oct. 19-25Sam Nivola and Connie Britton star in “Phony,” a half-hour mystery series. After a car accident leaves a high school student in hospital, he becomes convinced that the woman claiming to be his mother, who also runs his school, is an impostor. Two episodes debut Tuesday on Hulu, with subsequent episodes released weekly. Chris Pratt returns as Navy SEAL James Reece in the second season of “The Terminal List.” Based on Jack Carr's novel “True Believer,” the new instalment takes Reece to Mozambique and features an international cast, including Olga Kurylenko, Costa Ronin and Arnold Vosloo. All eight episodes will be released on Prime Video on Wednesday, four years after the first season. Lisa Vanderpump's efforts to open her namesake hotel on the Las Vegas Strip feature in “Vanderpump Rules: Lisa Las Vegas,” a three-episode limited series. The first two episodes arrive on Peacock on Wednesday, followed by the finale on Thursday, Oct. 22. “ Nobody Wants This” returns to Netflix on Thursday, Oct. 22, with Kristen Bell's Joanne and Adam Brody's Noah moving in together. Joanne's decision to convert to Judaism remains a central storyline. All 10 episodes will be released simultaneously. Omar Sy reprises his role as gentleman thief Assane Diop in the fourth season of “Lupin.” The French-language series returns to Netflix on Friday, Oct. 23, after a three-year break. The new season consists of eight episodes and begins with Assane behind bars while his family remains in danger. New Video Games to Play From Oct. 19-25Activision's “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4” moves its conflict to the Korean Peninsula. The game's story begins with North Korea's new supreme leader launching an invasion of South Korea. Meanwhile, elite soldier John Price, who killed a US general in the previous instalment, has joined forces with a Mexican drug cartel. The game also introduces 12 new maps for six-versus-six multiplayer battles and extraction missions set in areas formerly part of the Demilitarized Zone. It launches Friday, Oct. 23, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC. Nintendo is also releasing “Nintendo Switch Sports Resort” for the Switch 2, offering 12 sporting activities. Players can enjoy returning favourites such as bowling, tennis and golf, alongside new options including skateboarding and thumb wrestling. Up to four people can compete locally, while selected events support online matches involving as many as eight players. Certain sports, including boxing, feature online professional leagues, while solo players can challenge the game's champions and legends. The game launches Thursday.

Veteran actor and filmmaker Nana Patekar died of cardiac arrest at his home in Goa on Thursday morning at the age of 75. According to Dr Shekhar Salkar, head of the oncology department at Manipal Hospital in Goa, Patekar messaged a friend around 2:30am saying that he was not feeling well. As it was late at night, the friend did not notice the message immediately. Patekar later called him, prompting the friend to go to his home at around 4am. By then, Patekar was reportedly sweating heavily and had started losing consciousness. His caretaker was sent to the hospital to bring an ambulance, and an emergency medical team soon arrived at the actor's residence. Patekar was taken to Manipal Hospital at around 4:20am to 4:30am. Doctors performed cardiac massage, or chest compressions, for nearly 45 minutes to an hour but were unable to revive him. He was declared dead at around 5:30am. As the death was treated as a medico-legal case, police filed a complaint. His body was subsequently taken to Goa Medical College for a post-mortem examination. Dr Salkar said Patekar was not accompanied by his family at the time and was staying with friends and a caretaker. Born Vishwanath Patekar in Maharashtra on January 1, 1951, Nana Patekar began his Hindi film career with Gaman in 1978. He later gained recognition for films including Salaam Bombay! and Parinda. He became the first Hindi film actor to win Filmfare Awards in all three major acting categories — Best Supporting Actor for Parinda, Best Actor for Krantiveer, and Best Villain for Angaar and Apaharan.

Actor R Madhavan has praised Raja Karuppasamy's latest Tamil film Modha Rathiri, calling it a "brilliant" movie and recommending it as a must-watch. Madhavan, who recently appeared in the Dhurandhar franchise, shared his review of the film on Instagram. Starring Rishikanth and Anishma Anilkumar in key roles, Modha Rathiri was released in theaters on Aug. 21 and is now streaming on Netflix. "What a brilliant brilliant film," Madhavan wrote while praising the movie. He also lauded its screenplay, visual storytelling and performances, saying he had not enjoyed a Tamil film this much in a long time. "Enjoyed a Tamil film after a really long time. Brilliant screenplay, wonderful visual storytelling, extraordinary performances," he wrote. "I laughed hard after a long, long time and cheered and clapped as well." Madhavan also congratulated the entire cast and crew, giving them a standing ovation and wishing them continued success. Modha Rathiri follows a couple who marry under unusual circumstances. After they disappear on their wedding night, secrets begin to emerge, creating tension between their families. As they deal with the turmoil, heartbreak and other challenges, the newlyweds gradually develop a stronger bond. Besides Rishikanth and Anishma Anilkumar, the film features Shelly Kishore, Chetan and Bagavathi Perumal in key roles. Meanwhile, Madhavan recently grabbed attention online after revealing a new look. In a video shared on social media, the actor appeared with messy hair, a beard and glasses. "Another day, another film, another look," he said while smiling at the camera. Madhavan was most recently seen in the Dhurandhar franchise. #From NDTV

The realities of married life, from changing patterns of communication to small misunderstandings and everyday compromises, take centre stage in Chorki Original film ‘Happily Married’, which had its premiere in Dhaka on October 5. The romantic comedy-drama, directed by Jahid Preetom, will be released on Chorki on October 8. The premiere was held at the Liberation War Museum auditorium in the capital, where audiences enjoyed the film’s blend of humour and emotion while following its portrayal of different experiences within married life. The film’s story, screenplay and dialogues were written by Jahid Preetom, who said his own experience of marriage helped him understand the different layers of a relationship and influenced the story. “I have been married for about one and a half years, and I am gradually understanding the different layers of a relationship. The four or five hours of communication during a relationship eventually become 24 hours of being together after marriage. I am understanding the changes that come with that,” he said. “My friends told me that after getting married, I would understand and would no longer feel like telling love stories. But that did not happen to me. Rather, it has become more serene. I am learning to deal with reality,” he added. Preetom said the story originated from an idea of presenting a relationship-focused narrative that would make audiences laugh while also allowing them to reflect on their own relationships. “I tried not to make anything too critical in the story. Understanding each other is actually what makes a married couple happy. Small doubts and small decisions can create distance between people. Instead of that, take care of the person you love and love them every day,” he said. ‘Happily Married’ marks the first collaboration between Preetom and actor Arifin Shuvoo, while the director had previously worked with actress Keya Payel. Describing his experience of working with the lead actors, Preetom said Shuvoo was very supportive during the shoot. “Shuvoo bhai does not bring his phone to the set or watch the monitor during shooting. During breaks, he stays by himself, listens to music and reads books. On the other hand, Keya Payel is quite active on social media, and her character Anamika is also like that. So, I felt they were very good casting choices for these two characters,” he said. For Payel, ‘Happily Married’ marks her first work for an OTT platform. She said the project attracted her because of its story and the opportunity to work with Preetom, Shuvoo, Chorki and Chabial. “It is a very good project for me because the story is beautiful, the director is Jahid Preetom, my co-actor is Arifin Shuvoo, and Chorki and Chabial are involved with it. Anyone would want to be part of a project like this,” she said. The film also marks Arifin Shuvoo’s return to Bangladeshi OTT after a considerable gap. His last released content on Chorki was ‘Unish20’ in 2023. Shuvoo has said that he considers every project a new challenge and a comeback in its own way. He has also invited audiences to watch ‘Happily Married’. Chorki CEO Redoan Rony said the film presents a story that is relevant to contemporary life. “People are so concerned about everything around them that they often forget to enjoy their time and life. This content will, to some extent, give audiences an opportunity to spend some time in their own way,” he said. Producer Nusrat Imrose Tisha, representing co-producer Chabial, said the response at the premiere was encouraging. “Judging by the response we received at the premiere, I feel others will also enjoy it and be able to relate it to their own experiences,” she said. Presented by Sensation, ‘Happily Married’ is the seventh film under the ‘Ministry of Love’ (MOL) project. Previous releases under the project include ‘Something Like an Autobiography’, ‘Last Defenders of Monogamy’, ‘Kacher Manush Dure Thuiya’, ‘Forget Me Not’, ‘36-24-36’ and ‘Dimlight’. The film stars Arifin Shuvoo and Keya Payel in the lead roles, alongside Salahuddin Lavlu, Tushar Khan, Deepa Khandakar, Cristiano Tanmoy, Umme Jamilatun Naima, Parvez Suman and Twink Carroll. For Jahid Preetom, ‘Happily Married’ is his second film for Chorki, following his directorial debut ‘Ghumpori’.

Bangladeshi filmmaker Rezwan Shahriar Sumit’s second feature film Master has won the Best Feature Film award at the 22nd Lucca Film Festival in Tuscany, Italy. The award adds another major international recognition to the film, which earlier this year won the Big Screen Award at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and was subsequently screened at the 73rd Sydney Film Festival. The Lucca Film Festival, held from September 26 to October 4, featured Master in its International Feature Film Competition. The film was selected alongside 11 other features from around the world. The feature-film jury comprised Oscar-winning costume designer Franca Squarciapino, Lithuanian filmmaker Šarūnas Bartas and Italian actor, director and screenwriter Michele Riondino. In its citation, the jury praised Master for using a seemingly local story to portray the crisis facing representative democracy around the world. It also highlighted the film’s subtle screenplay and its portrayal of an idealistic teacher whose commitment to social justice comes into conflict with a political system driven by individual interests. The jury further noted the film’s agile storytelling and its depiction of the protagonist’s gradual confrontation with political contradictions and corruption. Directed by Sumit, Master centres on Jahir, a respected teacher who enters local politics with sincere intentions but gradually becomes entangled in a system of power, pressure and compromise. The film explores how political influence can erode an individual’s ideals and moral principles. The film stars Nasir Uddin Khan, Azmeri Haque Badhon, Zakia Bari Mamo, Fazlur Rahman Babu, Sharif Siraj and Tasnova Tamanna. Sumit co-wrote the screenplay with Sabbir Hossain Shovon, while Tuhin Tamijul handled cinematography and Kristan Sprague edited the film. Master emerged from Sumit’s earlier experience working with climate-vulnerable communities in coastal Bangladesh during the making of his debut feature The Salt in Our Waters (Nonajoler Kabbo). His observations of displacement and local administration eventually informed the film’s exploration of power, governance and personal compromise. The filmmaker, in a social media post announcing the latest award, expressed gratitude to the jury and his cast and crew, describing the recognition as another testament to the universality and urgency of Master. The film’s international festival run has now raised a fresh question for Bangladeshi audiences: when will Master be allowed to reach cinemas in Bangladesh?

Dhallywood superstar Shakib Khan is set to reunite with ‘Priyotoma’ director Himel Ashraf for a new film titled ‘Mohabbat’, produced by Arshad Adnan. The film was officially announced Thursday evening, with the makers confirming its release for Eid-ul-Azha 2027. Announcing the project on Facebook, Himel, Arshad and Shakib wrote, “Sometimes love comes with a price, a promise and a struggle… Introducing Mohabbat, the beginning of a new story and a new journey. See you next Qurbani Eid!” Within about an hour of the poster’s release, ‘Mohabbat’ and Shakib Khan began trending on social media. The post from Shakib’s official Facebook page had garnered more than 50,000 reactions, nearly 4,000 comments and around 1,000 shares. Himel Ashraf previously directed Shakib Khan in ‘Priyotoma’ and ‘Rajkumar’, both of which were produced by Arshad Adnan. ‘Mohabbat’ will mark their third collaboration with Shakib. Details about the film’s story, Shakib’s co-star and the shooting schedule have yet to be announced. However, sources said the film may feature a foreign actress opposite Shakib Khan.

Hollywood stars Tom Cruise and a new generation of ‘Resident Evil’ characters are set to arrive on Bangladeshi screens on Oct 2, with both films scheduled for release at Star Cineplex on the same day as their international theatrical openings. Tom Cruise appears almost unrecognisable in ‘Digger’, directed by two-time Oscar-winning Mexican filmmaker Alejandro G. Iñárritu. With grey-white hair, a large belly, a wrinkled face and a markedly different body language, Cruise takes on a character far removed from the action hero audiences know from ‘Mission: Impossible’ and ‘Top Gun’. The film follows Digger Rockwell, a powerful billionaire whose company is linked to a project that causes a massive glacier in Greenland to shift. What begins as an environmental crisis gradually threatens to become a global catastrophe, with scientists warning of devastating climate consequences and even the possibility of nuclear conflict. Digger initially dismisses the warnings and refuses to halt his multibillion-dollar business. As the crisis worsens, he attempts to position himself not only as a powerful businessman but as the saviour of humanity. The film has drawn attention particularly for Cruise’s transformation. He worked with Iñárritu on elements including makeup, costume, teeth, accent and mannerisms to create the eccentric character. Blending black comedy, political satire and environmental themes, ‘Digger’ marks a notable departure from the star’s familiar action-oriented roles. Also opening on Oct 2 is the latest film in the popular ‘Resident Evil’ franchise, based on Capcom’s hit video game series. The Hollywood franchise began in 2002 with Paul W.S. Anderson’s ‘Resident Evil’, starring Milla Jovovich, and later expanded into a seven-film series. Sony Pictures rebooted the franchise with ‘Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City’ in 2021. The new film, simply titled ‘Resident Evil’, is directed by Zach Cregger and serves as the franchise’s second reboot and eighth overall film. Austin Abrams, Jack Champion, Cailee Spaeny and Paul Walter Hauser are among the cast. The film is not a direct sequel to the earlier movies. Instead, it returns to the survival-horror atmosphere of the games, with the story unfolding around the time of the events of ‘Resident Evil 2’. The central character, Brian, is a medical courier who becomes trapped in Raccoon City amid a deadly infection and monstrous creatures. Unlike a trained soldier or conventional action hero, he must rely on his instincts and limited resources to survive. Cregger, who made his directorial debut with the acclaimed 2022 horror film ‘Barbarian’, has sought to give audiences the feeling of being inside a ‘Resident Evil’ game. With both films arriving at Star Cineplex on Oct 2, Bangladeshi audiences will be able to watch the two Hollywood releases on their international opening day.

Raihan Rafi’s horror film “Andhar” will not be released on its previously announced October 16 date, with the director announcing that the film will now hit cinemas on March 26, 2027. Rafi said the delay is necessary to allow more time for visual effects and post-production, as releasing the film on October 16 would have compromised the quality of the work. He announced the new release date in a video message posted on social media on Tuesday night. “‘Andhar’ is the film I have shot for the longest time in my career and made with the most care. I made it with a particular vision, and I want to show the audience something they have never seen before,” the filmmaker said. “We could have released the film on October 16, but the visual effects and post-production work would not have been up to the standard. I do not want to compromise on quality when it comes to the audience,” he said.