United News of Bangladesh

An FIR has been registered against actor and Bigg Boss contestant Ajaz Khan for allegedly circulating fake news and objectionable content on social media. Rajesh Dandotiya, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch, Indore), confirmed that Khan was summoned to the police station after the FIR was filed. His mobile phone was seized in connection with a two-month-old case. The ADCP said 32 social media accounts were blocked and complaints were filed against 68 others over the circulation of misleading content. Coke Studio Bangla concludes Season 3 with Runa Laila’s iconic ‘Mast Qalandar’ The case pertains to a video allegedly shared on Khan’s social media handle containing highly objectionable material. Khan attended the station for questioning for three hours after receiving the notice and cooperated with authorities, Dandotiya added. This is not the first time Khan has faced legal action over social media posts. Earlier, an FIR was filed against him for an offensive video targeting a YouTuber and his family. In October, the Delhi High Court granted him anticipatory bail on furnishing a Rs 30,000 bond and one surety. Source: NDTV 

Coke Studio Bangla unveils the Season 3 finale with a stirring, contemporary evocation of the revered Sufi classic ‘Mast Qalandar’, rendered by Bangladesh's cherished luminary Runa Laila. Arriving on 16 November – on the threshold of her birthday – this release is an intimate homage to a voice that has shaped the subcontinent’s musical imagination and holds enduring reverence in Bangladesh’s cultural heart. Re-envisioned and produced by Shayan Chowdhury Arnob and Adit Rahman, this version blends the contemplative spirit of timeless Qawwali with the distinct contours of Bangladesh’s musical heritage. The track begins with a poignant Bangla verse by Hason Raja, rendered with aching tenderness by Makhon Mia, before unfurling into a luminous fusion of Sufi gravitas, folk earthiness, and contemporary craft. The piece assembles a cross-generational ensemble featuring stalwarts like Foad Nasser Babu alongside Coke Studio Bangla’s new-wave voices, crafting a sonic tapestry that feels both nostalgic and fresh. ‘‘Mast Qalandar’’ occupies a cherished place in Runa Laila’s storied legacy. With a career spanning more than six decades and performances in over 18 languages, she has served as a cultural conduit, linking Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and the wider South Asian diaspora. This rendition bows to the version made indelible by her voice, now tenderly reintroduced for a new generation through Coke Studio Bangla. Read more: Top 10 Netflix Originals Releasing in December 2025 Reflecting on the piece, Runa Laila shared that, “Mast Qalandar has always been close to my heart. To perform it again in a new style alongside younger musicians has been a rewarding experience, and I am happy that this song finds life across generations.” As curator, singer, and composer, Shayan Chowdhury Arnob has led Coke Studio Bangla’s artistic compass since its inception, cultivating a space where inheritance and innovation converse. His collaboration with producer and composer Adit Rahman, celebrated for modern arrangements in Shondhatara, Nasek Nasek and Bhober Pagol, delivers a contemporary yet deeply soulful coda to Season 3. Speaking about the song, Arnob said, “This song carries the weight of memories, devotion, and cultural selfhood. Bringing Runa Laila apu’s voice back into this enduring anthem stands as a moment of collective pride for all of us. ‘Mast Qalandar’ is more than music, it is a living bridge between those who have loved, learned and lived with it.” A tribute to heritage, voice, and culture, ‘Mast Qalandar’ emerges as a resonant finale to Season 3 of Coke Studio Bangla. Read more: Café: Coke Studio Bangla Presents A Timeless Fusion of Heartbeats and Nostalgia

Actors Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda were full of praise for each other at a recent event celebrating the success of Rashmika’s new film The Girlfriend, adding further fuel to ongoing rumours about their engagement. Rashmika, addressing her Dear Comrade co-star affectionately as “Viju,” thanked Vijay for supporting her throughout the film’s journey. “You’ve been a part of this film from the very beginning. You’re also a part of its success. You have been there personally through the entire journey. I hope everyone has a Vijay Deverakonda in their lives. It’s a blessing,” she said. Vijay, in turn, applauded Rashmika’s growth and her decision to take on a challenging script. “To the woman she has become today… At the peak of her career, she chose a story she wasn’t sure how many people would come to see, but she wanted to tell something meaningful. Russie, I’m proud of your journey, and of the woman you are,” he said, according to a video shared by Geetha Arts. A separate clip from the event has also gone viral, showing Vijay greeting Rashmika with a gentle kiss on her hand — a rare public display of affection that quickly delighted fans. The pair, long speculated to be in a relationship, are reportedly engaged after a private ceremony held on October 3 at Vijay’s residence in Hyderabad, attended by both families. However, neither actor has issued an official confirmation or shared photos from the event. According to sources, the wedding has been scheduled for February 2026. With inputs from NDTV

Zayn Malik has formally rejoined One Direction as a company director, nearly a decade after his dramatic exit from the band. The 32-year-old Pillowtalk singer, who is set to launch his first Las Vegas residency in January, has been reinstated as an “active director” of PPM Music Limited, the band’s business entity, according to new documents filed with Companies House on November 3. Zayn joins former bandmates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan, all of whom are listed at the same central London address associated with the law firm Lee and Thompson LLP, which specializes in music and media law. The firm previously managed Liam Payne’s solo career. Malik’s previous role with the company was terminated on June 20, 2016, following his departure from One Direction in 2015. His return marks the first official sign of the group’s renewed collaboration since their hiatus began in January 2016. Industry insiders say Liam Payne’s recent passing has brought the remaining members closer, with sources describing the move as a “huge moment” for the band. “Liam was always the biggest supporter of a reunion,” one insider told The Sun. The name PPM refers to Princess Park Manor, the gated London complex where the band lived after forming on The X Factor. Although no new music or tour has been confirmed, reports suggest Zayn and Louis Tomlinson have been filming a TV project together across the U.S. Music manager Alan McEvoy, who previously worked with One Direction, Olly Murs, and JLS, is also listed among the company’s directors — further fueling speculation of an upcoming reunion. Source: The Sun  

South Korean actor Oh Young-soo, best known for his role in the global hit series Squid Game, has been cleared of assault charges after a local court found insufficient evidence to uphold his earlier conviction. The ruling, announced Tuesday, overturned a previous verdict and concluded that prosecutors failed to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. According to the court, the evidence and testimonies presented during the trial lacked consistency and corroboration, falling short of the standard required for a criminal conviction. As a result, the earlier guilty verdict for indecent assault was dismissed. Throughout the proceedings, the veteran actor maintained his innocence, with his lawyers arguing that the allegations were not supported by credible or conclusive proof. The court agreed, emphasizing that the prosecution had not provided enough evidence to justify a conviction under South Korean law. While the court did not release specific details of the evidence reviewed, it reaffirmed the principle of “innocent until proven guilty.” The verdict marks the end of Oh Young-soo’s lengthy legal battle, offering relief to the 80-year-old actor, who gained international fame for his award-winning performance in Squid Game.   Source: NDTV

Veteran actor Dharmendra, 89, was discharged from Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital on Wednesday and will continue his treatment at home, hospital officials confirmed. The actor had been admitted to the hospital on October 31 after complaining of breathlessness. Early Wednesday morning, an ambulance was seen leaving the hospital for his residence. Dr. Prof Pratit Samdani, who was treating Dharmendra, told NDTV, “Dharmendraji has been discharged from the hospital around 7:30 a.m. His treatment will continue at home as the family has decided to provide home care.” Dharmendra’s family also issued a statement confirming his discharge and requested privacy. “Mr. Dharmendra has been discharged and will continue his recovery at home. We kindly request the media and public to refrain from speculation and respect his and the family’s privacy. We appreciate everyone’s love, prayers, and good wishes for his continued recovery, health, and long life,” the statement read. The development came after several media portals on Tuesday erroneously reported the actor’s death. Dharmendra’s daughter, Esha Deol, dismissed the false reports, saying, “My father is stable and recovering. We request everyone to give our family privacy. Thank you for the prayers for papa’s speedy recovery.” Dharmendra’s second wife, Hema Malini, also condemned the misinformation, calling it “extremely disrespectful and irresponsible,” and urged the media to respect the family’s need for privacy. Sunny Deol’s team added that the senior actor is responding to treatment and the family is “hoping for a miracle.” Sources close to the family said Dharmendra had been on ventilator support since November 10 and was reportedly in critical condition. Several film stars, including Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Govinda, and Aamir Khan with his partner Gauri Spratt, visited him at the hospital in recent days. Dharmendra, one of Bollywood’s most celebrated matinee idols, is known for classics such as Sholay, Dharam Veer, Chupke Chupke, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, and Dream Girl. He was last seen in Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya alongside Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon, and will next appear in Ikkis, co-starring Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson Agastya Nanda, scheduled for release on December 25.   With inputs from NDTV 

Author David Szalay, who holds Canadian, Hungarian, and British citizenship, has won the 2025 Booker Prize for fiction for his novel Flesh — an understated, powerful portrayal of one man’s journey from humble beginnings in Hungary to immense wealth in Britain. The 51-year-old writer triumphed over five other finalists, including frontrunners Andrew Miller of the U.K. and India’s Kiran Desai. The prestigious literary award comes with a £50,000 ($66,000) prize and typically leads to a surge in book sales and global recognition. Chosen from 153 entries, Flesh was the unanimous selection of the Booker judging panel, which included Irish novelist Roddy Doyle and actor Sarah Jessica Parker. Doyle described the book as “a story about living — and the strangeness of living.” Written in a minimalist style, Flesh follows István, a quiet, working-class man, through his youth in Hungary, immigration struggles in Britain, and eventual rise to London’s elite circles. Szalay said he began the novel after scrapping a different project he had spent four years on, wanting instead to create “something partly Hungarian, partly English,” centered on “life as a physical experience.” At the awards ceremony in London’s Old Billingsgate, Szalay thanked the judges for honoring what he called a “risky” book. Laughing, he recalled once asking his editor whether a novel titled Flesh could ever win the Booker. “You have your answer,” he said. Doyle, who chaired the judging panel, said the book shines a light on a character type rarely seen in fiction — a working-class man like those he himself once wrote about. “It makes you look again at men you might pass on the street and think you understand,” he said. Born in Montreal to a Hungarian father and Canadian mother, Szalay grew up in the U.K. and now lives in Vienna. He previously made the Booker shortlist in 2016 for All That Man Is, a collection exploring nine different men’s lives. Critics have both praised and challenged Flesh for its restraint — leaving key parts of István’s life, such as his time in prison and service in Iraq, off the page — and for its deliberately opaque protagonist, whose most frequent response is simply “Okay.” Szalay acknowledged this, saying, “He doesn’t explain himself. He isn’t articulate. I wasn’t sure how readers would react to that.” The judges, however, admired the subtlety. “We loved how much was revealed without being stated,” Doyle said. “If those gaps were filled, it would be less of a book.” Since its founding in 1969, the Booker Prize has become one of the most influential literary honors in the world, launching the careers of writers like Salman Rushdie, Margaret Atwood, Arundhati Roy, Ian McEwan, and 2024 winner Samantha Harvey for Orbital. Szalay said he hasn’t yet planned how to spend the prize money beyond taking “a nice little holiday” and saving the rest. Harvey, who presented the award, offered one final piece of advice: “Buckle up — and get a good accountant.”

British author Andrew Miller and Indian novelist Kiran Desai are the bookmakers’ favorites to win this year’s prestigious Booker Prize for fiction, with the award ceremony scheduled in London on Monday. Both writers are among six finalists vying for the coveted literary prize, which carries a £50,000 ($66,000) reward and often gives a significant boost to book sales and author recognition. This year’s winner was chosen from 153 submitted novels by a judging panel that includes Irish writer Roddy Doyle and actress Sarah Jessica Parker. Bookmaker William Hill has listed Miller, 64, as the front-runner with 15-8 odds for his novel The Land in Winter, a story of love and secrets between two couples in rural England during the harsh winter of 1962-63. Miller was previously a Booker finalist in 2001 for Oxygen. Desai, 54, follows closely with 2-1 odds for The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny, her first novel in nearly two decades. The nearly 700-page book follows two young Indians navigating life in the United States around the turn of the millennium. Desai won the Booker Prize in 2006 for The Inheritance of Loss, and a second win would make her the fifth author to claim the award twice, joining J.M. Coetzee, Peter Carey, Margaret Atwood, and Hilary Mantel. Other contenders include Hungarian-British author David Szalay’s Flesh, Susan Choi’s family saga Flashlight, Katie Kitamura’s exploration of acting and identity in Audition, and Ben Markovits’ midlife-crisis road trip novel The Rest of Our Lives. Roddy Doyle, a Booker laureate himself in 1993 for Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha, praised all six books for addressing major social themes, including migration and class, in a “brilliantly human” way. Founded in 1969, the Booker Prize has a long history of transforming writers’ careers, with past winners including Salman Rushdie, Ian McEwan, Arundhati Roy, and Samantha Harvey, who won the 2024 prize for Orbital. Originally limited to authors from the U.K., Ireland, and the Commonwealth, the prize opened to U.S. writers in 2014. This year’s shortlist includes three American authors—Choi, Kitamura, and Markovits—and Desai, who has long resided in New York.   Source: AP

Rapper Kendrick Lamar leads the nominations for the 2026 Grammy Awards with nine nods for his latest album GNX, organizers announced Friday. His album is part of a strong showing for hip-hop at this year’s Grammys, alongside Chromakopia by Tyler, the Creator and Let God Sort Em Out by Clipse, Pusha T and Malice. Other top nominees include Lady Gaga, producer Jack Antonoff and singer Sabrina Carpenter. The 2026 Grammy Awards will be held on February 1 in Los Angeles. In the album of the year category, nominees include Debí Tirar Más Fotos by Bad Bunny, Swag by Justin Bieber, Man’s Best Friend by Sabrina Carpenter, Mayhem by Lady Gaga, Mutt by Leon Thomas, and Chromakopia by Tyler, the Creator. Lamar’s collaboration “luther” with SZA earned a nomination for record of the year, while Billie Eilish, Rosé, and Bruno Mars were also among the contenders in key categories. The nominations reflect a diverse mix of pop, hip-hop, and Latin music stars, marking another competitive year for the Grammy stage.   Source: NDTV

Hollywood actor Brad Pitt has filed a new lawsuit against his ex-wife Angelina Jolie over the sale of their shared French winery, Château Miraval. According to People magazine, Pitt’s legal team recently submitted fresh documents in court, presenting communications between Jolie’s representatives regarding her 2021 sale of her stake in the winery, which the former couple co-owned. The filings included an email from November 2023 in which Jolie’s lawyers responded to Pitt’s claims for $35 million in damages. They argued that Pitt “created his own burdens” by initiating the lawsuit and must now bear the cost of producing documents that may or may not support his damage claims. Jolie’s team also alleged that Pitt was seeking ongoing compensation for harm to Miraval’s business operations and continued to withhold documents explaining the need for a four-year non-disclosure agreement covering alleged personal misconduct. Pitt first sued Jolie in 2022, claiming she violated their agreement by selling her share without his consent. The legal battle has since dragged on, with both sides accusing each other of withholding information. The next court hearing is scheduled for December 17. Pitt and Jolie, who share six children — Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Vivienne, and Knox — separated in 2016 after 12 years together. They finalized their divorce in December 2024.   Source: NDTV