United News of Bangladesh

ABC has abruptly cancelled the upcoming season of The Bachelorette starring reality personality Taylor Frankie Paul just three days before its planned premiere, after a 2023 video surfaced showing her allegedly assaulting her former partner while her young daughter looked on in distress. The scrapped 22nd season had already been filmed, making the late cancellation an unprecedented move for the long-running reality franchise. ABC’s parent company, Disney, said the decision followed the emergence of the video, though it also coincides with an ongoing domestic violence investigation involving Paul and Dakota Mortensen, the father of her youngest child. In a statement, Disney Entertainment Television said the network would not move forward with the season at this time and would instead focus on supporting the family. Paul’s representative said she had suffered years of mental and physical abuse but had remained silent out of fear. The footage, released by TMZ, appears to show Mortensen trying to shield himself while recording as Paul punches, kicks and throws chairs at him, while a child cries and calls out for her mother. The incident matches details of Paul’s 2023 arrest. She later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge, with other counts dismissed.

Guitarists in Dhaka are not just individual artists; many of them see themselves as part of a close-knit musical family. An iftar gathering recently brought them together under a platform called ‘Guitarist’s Community of Dhaka’, planting the seed of a stronger sense of brotherhood that participants hope will lead to larger musical events, collaborations and workshops in the future. The event was organised by young guitarists Emil, Shawon, Prince and Debashish, while it was conducted by Rashed Shibli. The gathering was particularly meaningful for young guitarists, as it offered them a rare opportunity to interact directly with experienced musicians associated with popular bands such as Dalchhut and Prometheus, allowing them to exchange experiences and receive feedback.  

Palestinian actor Motaz Malhees says he will not be able to attend this weekend’s Academy Awards due to a US travel ban affecting Palestinian citizens. Malhees plays a call centre operator in the film The Voice of Hind Rajab, which has been nominated for Best International Feature Film at the Oscars. The movie tells the story of a five-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza in 2024. The actor said he cannot travel to the United States because people holding Palestinian citizenship are currently barred from entering the country. “I am not allowed to enter the United States because of my Palestinian citizenship,” Malhees wrote in a post on Instagram, adding that it “hurts” not to be able to attend the prestigious awards ceremony. The film is based on a tragic incident in which five members of Hind Rajab’s family and two ambulance workers who tried to rescue her were also killed by Israeli fire. Israeli authorities have said the incident is under review. The travel restriction stems from a December proclamation issued by US President Donald Trump, which limits the entry of individuals using travel documents issued or approved by the Palestinian Authority. The order cited security concerns for imposing the restrictions. The U.S. Department of State did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Malhees’s claim. Source: NDTV

Indian actress Fatima Sana Shaikh, who gained widespread recognition with the 2016 film Dangal, has once again spoken about her struggle with epilepsy. She recently shared an incident from the film’s set when she experienced a seizure and received support from co-stars Aamir Khan and Sanya Malhotra. Speaking on Soha Ali Khan’s podcast All About Her, the actress explained that during the time she was training for the movie, she often experienced “auras”—a warning sign before a seizure. At that time, however, she did not understand what the symptoms meant. She described seeing a growing flash of light on one side of her vision that gradually intensified and caused fear because she did not know when a seizure might occur. Shaikh said that while training during the filming of Dangal, the sensation appeared again. Initially she tried to ignore it, thinking it would pass, but it became stronger. Realizing something serious was about to happen, she informed people around her that she felt a seizure coming on. Since no one on set knew how to respond, Aamir Khan, Sanya Malhotra, and their wrestling trainer Kripa Shankar Bishnoi quickly searched online for guidance and helped manage the situation. She added that the production team later took responsibility for identifying the problem because the film’s progress depended heavily on her performance. They arranged medical tests, including MRIs and EEG scans, and took her to a neurologist in Mumbai, who prescribed medication. However, Shaikh said the medication had strong side effects. She felt disoriented, struggled to walk normally, and experienced mood swings, including anger and depression. Because of these difficulties—especially while she was still training for wrestling scenes—she eventually stopped taking the medication without informing anyone. The actress admitted that after stopping the treatment, she continued experiencing seizures. Out of fear that others might see her during an episode, she would hide in the bathroom whenever she sensed an aura, lock the door, and wait for it to pass. This situation continued for nearly four years. Shaikh also recalled her earliest memory of having a seizure, which occurred during a dance class. She said she suddenly collapsed while dancing and later woke up in a hospital with little memory of what had happened. One of her classmates had tried to help by putting her hand in Shaikh’s mouth during the seizure, believing it would prevent injury, but Shaikh accidentally bit her, causing the girl to bleed. She said the experience was frightening, as she regained consciousness surrounded by people and did not understand where she was. At the time, a doctor mistakenly suggested the episode might have been for attention or possibly related to drug use, as epilepsy had not yet been diagnosed. On the professional front, Fatima Sana Shaikh was last seen in the film Gustaakh Ishq, where she starred alongside Vijay Varma.  source: NDTV

Actress Priyanka Chopra, who made her film debut in the Tamil movie ‘Thamizhan’ and later in Hindi cinema with ‘The Hero: Love Story of a Spy’, revealed why she left Bollywood at the height of her career to pursue opportunities in Hollywood. In a recent podcast, the former Miss World said she dislikes staying “in the shit” and believes in pivoting when life gets tough. “We all have battles, but I don’t like getting used to the smell,” she said. “I pick myself up, grieve, feel the pain and then pivot. I have done that many times in my career.” Priyanka admitted she had no clear roadmap when she took the leap abroad. “There wasn’t much precedent. I just gave it a shot. I knew I was a hard worker and could hold my own with any filmmaker or co-actor,” she said. She also cited a lack of Indian representation in global entertainment as a motivation. “In American pop culture, I had only seen people like Mindy Kaling and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Very few Indians, male or female, were working in Hollywood. I wanted to explore why and create more space for Indian talent,” Priyanka explained. The actress, last seen in the Hindi film ‘The Sky Is Pink’ (2019), will return to Indian cinema with Mahesh Babu in SS Rajamouli’s pan-India project ‘Varanasi’(2027). She has also expanded into film production and appeared in international films including ‘Love Again’, ‘Tiger’ (2023), ‘Heads of State’ (2025), and ‘The Bluff’ (2026). Priyanka Chopra’s journey reflects her drive to constantly challenge herself and broaden the global presence of Indian actors. Source: NDTV

Tehran-born Iranian actor Elnaaz Norouzi, who holds German citizenship, expressed her thoughts on Iran’s political situation days before Mojtaba Khamenei was named the country’s new Supreme Leader on March 8, 2026. Speaking to NDTV in an exclusive interview, Norouzi highlighted the long history of political repression in Iran. Reacting to reports about Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, taking power, she said it was “nothing new” for leaders to be imposed on Iranians without public choice. “Just like the past 47 years, people coming to power were never chosen by the Iranian people. The same happened with Ali Khamenei; now his son is stepping in. We have no say in this,” she told NDTV. Norouzi emphasized the Iranian people’s desire for democracy and the right to vote. “For 47 years, Iranians have been asking to choose their leaders. In 2009, millions protested chanting ‘Where is our vote?’ Many lost their lives. People realised that the leaders in office were not the ones they had chosen,” she said. The actor, known for works including ‘Sacred Games’, ‘Kandahar’, and ‘Made in Heaven’, urged her fellow Iranians to stay resilient. “Stay strong. Stay in your homes. Hope for better days. Protests often lead to brutal crackdowns, leaving civilians without jobs, security, or even basic necessities,” she said. She also called for international attention and support, saying, “We are empty-handed. Right now, the world only seems to notice because of the war.” Reflecting on her personal connection to Iran’s struggles, Norouzi noted that many Iranians, including her family, have lived through decades of unrest. “My parents realised during the 1979 revolution that life was becoming unbearable. Today, over five million Iranians live abroad because they couldn’t build a safe life at home. Ninety million people can’t leave Iran—they need to get their country back,” she said. Norouzi’s remarks underline the frustration of many Iranians as Mojtaba Khamenei takes leadership in a nation long yearning for the right to choose its own path. Source: NDTV

Actor Vijay Deverakonda recently tied the knot with his long-time girlfriend and actress Rashmika Mandanna. Following their private wedding in Udaipur, the couple hosted a reception for industry friends in Hyderabad on March 4. During the celebrations, a young fan reached out to Vijay with a heartfelt question on social media, asking why she was not invited to the wedding. The short clip quickly went viral, prompting a response from the actor. In the video, the fan asked, “Am I not your fan too? What about us?” referring to the couple’s private ceremony attended only by close family and friends. Vijay replied in Telugu, “Bujjithallii… intiki pilustha lunch ki.. Nee favourite food and sweets naku cheppu, anni intlo cheppinchi manchiga thindamu,” promising to invite her home for lunch and serve her favourite food and sweets. After the wedding, the couple arranged to distribute sweets across several cities in India. In a note shared on X, they wrote, “To the beautiful people of this country. You have always been a part of our journeys and our love. And it would make us truly happy to celebrate our wedding with all of you… So on March 1st we are sending trucks filled with love and sweets across the country… And we will be doing Annadanam in multiple temples across the country. Seeking all your blessings :) With Love Vijay & Rashmika.” Sweets were distributed in cities including Hyderabad, Mahbubnagar, Karimnagar, Delhi, Chandigarh, Noida, Ghaziabad, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Mumbai, Jaipur, Vizag, Vijayawada, Puttaparthi, Kochi, Mysore, Coorg, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Chennai, and Pondicherry. Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna were married on February 26 and are now set to appear together in Rahul Sankrityan’s upcoming film ‘Ranabaali’. Source: NDTV    

Real estate developer House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL) has sold a 2.67-acre plot in Ayodhya to Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan for Rs 35 crore. According to the company, the deal was completed on Friday by Rajesh Yadav, managing director of AB Corp Ltd. The land is situated close to HoABL’s 75-acre luxury development project, The Sarayu. In January 2024, Bachchan had already purchased plots within the same project. This marks his third investment in Ayodhya through HoABL and his fourth investment in the city overall. Previously, Bachchan also bought a 10,000-square-foot plot in HoABL’s Sol de Alibaug project. Abhinandan Lodha, chairman of HoABL, said Bachchan’s investment highlights the belief that land is a long-term asset capable of preserving value for future generations. He added that Ayodhya is gaining attention as a promising location for land ownership due to continued infrastructure development and public investment. Established in 2020, HoABL has grown into one of India’s major branded land developers, focusing on transparent, technology-driven land transactions. Over the past five years, the company has sold more than 13 million square feet of developed land and currently has around 34 million square feet under development. HoABL operates projects in several locations including Alibaug, Anjarle, Vrindavan, Dapoli, Goa, Khopoli, Nagpur and Neral. The developer also plans to launch new projects in Amritsar, Shimla and Varanasi. Looking ahead, HoABL aims to expand its presence to 48 cities across India to meet growing demand for plotted developments in areas driven by infrastructure growth and tourism. Recently, the company also entered the vertical real estate segment, launching three residential projects in Mumbai with a combined development area of about 3.1 million square feet.    

Britney Spears was arrested Wednesday night in Southern California and booked early the following morning, though the exact charge was not immediately clear, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office website. Messages seeking comment were left with the sheriff’s office, the California Highway Patrol—identified as the arresting agency—and Spears’ representative. Sheriff’s office records show that Spears was arrested around 9:30 p.m. in Ventura County and released on Thursday. She is scheduled to appear in court on May 4. ‘Pushpa’ stars Allu Arjun reunite at Rashmika-Vijay wedding reception Spears, who was born in Mississippi and raised in Louisiana, became a teenage pop sensation and one of the defining superstars of the 1990s and 2000s. She first gained attention as a cast member of the The Mickey Mouse Club before achieving global fame with major hits such as ...Baby One More Time, Oops!... I Did It Again and Toxic. Most of her albums have received platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America, including two diamond-certified titles—...Baby One More Time and Oops!... I Did It Again. Her most recent studio album, Glory, was released in 2016. Spears drew intense tabloid attention in the early 2000s as she struggled with mental health issues while paparazzi closely followed her private life. Public attitudes later shifted, leading to the #FreeBritney movement, which supported her efforts to regain control over her personal and financial affairs. She had been placed under a court-ordered conservatorship in 2008, largely managed by her father and his lawyers, which lasted more than a decade before being dissolved in 2021. In 2023, she released her bestselling memoir, The Woman in Me.

Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda hosted a grand wedding reception in Hyderabad days after tying the knot in Udaipur, bringing together several stars from the Telugu film industry. The event became a mini reunion for ‘Pushpa’ co-stars, as Allu Arjun joined their reception. In the hit film, Allu Arjun and Rashmika played on-screen lovers who eventually married, making their appearance together a treat for fans. Rashmika looked stunning in a traditional red saree with gold and black borders, while Vijay opted for a simple white kurta and dhoti. Allu Arjun chose a loose-fit kurta with geometric stripes and floral patterns. Other notable attendees included Ram Charan, Chiranjeevi, Nagarjuna, Neena Gupta, Namrata Shirodkar, and Nani. The couple had their official wedding on February 26 at ITC Mementos, Udaipur, celebrating both their cultures with a Telugu Hindu ceremony in the morning and a Kodava ritual in the evening. Rashmika and Vijay later shared pictures from their wedding on Instagram, with heartfelt messages about their journey together. Vijay described his bride as his “home and calm,” while Rashmika introduced him as the man who “taught her what true love feels like.” Fans also have something to look forward to, as the duo is set to reunite on-screen in Rahul Sankrityan’s upcoming film ‘Ranabaali’. With inputs from NDTV