United News of Bangladesh

Actor Arjun Rampal has confirmed his engagement to longtime partner Gabriella Demetriades, six years after they began dating. The announcement came during a conversation on Rhea Chakraborty's podcast, when the topic of marriage arose unexpectedly. Gabriella spoke candidly about love and parenting, noting, “Love comes with conditions. With a child, it’s different.” Rampal added with humour, “I after her because she was hot. Then I realised there’s more to it than just that.” The engagement was confirmed when Gabriella remarked, “We are not married now, but who knows?” and Rampal immediately clarified, “We are engaged,” surprising the host. The couple, together since 2018, have two sons—Arik, born in 2019, and Arav, born in 2023. They have mostly kept their personal lives private, occasionally appearing publicly with their children. Gabriella, a South African model and designer, has previously discussed balancing her creative career with motherhood. Rampal was previously married to former supermodel Mehr Jesia. The couple, who married in 1998 and share two daughters, Mahikaa and Myra, announced their separation in 2018, finalising their divorce in 2019. Rampal has stated that they continue to co-parent amicably. Source: NDTV  

WWE superstar John Cena is preparing for his final in-ring match on Saturday night in Washington DC, closing the curtain on a career that has made him one of wrestling’s most iconic figures. Dubbed “The Last Time Is Now,” the tournament saw 16 top wrestlers competing for the chance to face Cena in his farewell bout. Over a career spanning 8,570 days, Cena has won 17 world titles and popularised the catchphrase “You Can’t See Me,” but his influence extends far beyond his in-ring achievements. Cena, 48, debuted in 2002 and evolved from a “ruthless aggression” rookie to the “Doctor of Thuganomics” and later a heroic character embodying his “Never Give Up” motto. Despite criticism over his wrestling technique, experts and fans alike credit him as an exceptional talent whose charisma and work ethic elevated WWE’s profile, particularly during the 2005–2015 PG era. Outside the ring, Cena has built a personal brand as an actor, author, and philanthropist. He holds a Guinness World Record for granting over 650 Make-A-Wish requests, earning admiration for his dedication to children with critical illnesses. Cena announced last year that 2025 would be his final year in active competition, citing the physical toll wrestling has taken on his body. He has undergone multiple surgeries and often described his body as “screaming to close the chapter.” His retirement tour has included matches against both legendary rivals and newer stars, receiving widespread acclaim despite minor criticisms over certain booking decisions. The winner of the “Last Time Is Now” tournament, former world heavyweight champion Gunther, will face Cena in the farewell match. While not televised on traditional channels, the match will be streamed internationally, allowing fans worldwide to witness the conclusion of a career defined not only by ability but by enduring charisma and authenticity. Even in retirement, Cena will remain connected to WWE, having signed a five-year deal as an ambassador for the company. The final match is expected to cement his legacy as one of the most influential figures in professional wrestling.   Withb inputs from BBC

Football superstar Lionel Messi met Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan and his son AbRam in Kolkata on Saturday as his much-awaited GOAT India Tour got underway, marking the Argentine legend’s first visit to India in more than a decade. Visuals shared by news agency PTI showed Shah Rukh Khan and young AbRam posing with Messi at the venue ahead of the main programme. AbRam was also seen clicking pictures with the World Cup-winning footballer, drawing wide attention from fans. Messi is scheduled to virtually unveil a 70-foot statue of himself from Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium later in the day. The event is being attended by West Bengal Minister Sujit Bose along with several prominent personalities from sports and entertainment. Shah Rukh Khan arrived in the city earlier on Saturday with his son. His manager Pooja Dadlani was also spotted with them at the airport. Earlier this week, Shah Rukh hinted at meeting Messi in Kolkata, saying on social media that he was looking forward to a day dedicated entirely to the football legend at the Salt Lake Stadium. The GOAT India Tour marks Messi’s first trip to the country since 2011, when he played for Argentina in an international friendly at the same venue. Messi landed in Kolkata early Saturday and received a warm welcome from cheering fans at the airport. The three-day tour will cover four cities, with Messi scheduled to travel to Hyderabad later on Saturday, followed by visits to Mumbai and New Delhi in the coming days.   With inputs from NDTV

At long last, vindication is at hand for an Oscar-winning composer who sought to prove he was just as capable of breathing life into Italy’s grand theaters as into gritty Hollywood films. On Friday night, Naples’ Teatro San Carlo will stage Ennio Morricone’s only opera, “Partenope,” three full decades after its composition. It is inspired by the mythical siren who drowned herself after failing to enchant Ulysses, her body washing ashore and becoming a settlement that grew over millennia into the seaside city of Naples. When Morricone wrote “Partenope” in 1995, he was already the world-famous creator of the theme to the Spaghetti Western “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” and haunting soundtracks for epic films such as “The Untouchables” and “Once Upon a Time in America.” He earned an Oscar for lifetime achievement in 2007, but his compositions never resounded in the hallowed halls of opera houses — viewed in his home country as the elite musical echelon. To his great chagrin, Partenope gathered dust for decades; Morricone died without seeing it performed. “In the end, he read as a sign of destiny the fact he would not make his debut in the opera world,” Alessandro De Rosa, a close collaborator who coauthored Morricone's autobiography, said in an interview. “I’m sure that if he were alive now, he would have taken the challenge and would have dialogued with the orchestra and the director, tirelessly, like a young kid.” Neapolitan sounds Director Vanessa Beecroft and conductor Riccardo Frizza had to find their way through the visionary work without the benefit of those notes. “It would have been wonderful to be able to talk to Morricone about his musical choices … but we had to understand them from what he left us and tried to interpret them in the best way,” Frizza said. For instance, he chose not to use violins in this orchestra, instead favoring flutes, harps and horns, which appear in Greek mythology, Frizza explained. “Then you have the modern instruments, lots of percussion, with the Neapolitan sounds provided by tambourines and putipu’,” he added, referencing a friction drum used in local folk music. Teatro San Carlo was filled with anticipation on Thursday evening as Neapolitans attended an open rehearsal. Free tickets were snapped up in just a few hours. “It was such a long wait, that’s why we are here today,” said middle-aged Alfonso Ieneroso as he entered the theater. Local legend The mythical Partenope is part of Naples’ culture, with tradition suggesting her voice represents the city’s enduring spirit. The original Greek settlement was named for her. She is depicted at monuments like the Fontana della Sirena, a fountain that has become one of the city's symbols. Young children all along the Gulf of Naples, living under Mount Vesuvius’ shadow, learn the legend of Partenope from their parents. And like Morricone's opera, Naples itself spent decades downtrodden and overlooked, but is enjoying resurgence: The U.N. recognized its pizza makers as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity; It featured on foreign media lists of must-visit destinations; Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan novels were acclaimed bestsellers that became an HBO series; and its soccer team in 2023 took home the nation’s top league trophy for the first time since Maradona played in the 1980s — then won again in May. Naples has also been celebrating its 2,500th anniversary this year, and Morricone’s opera marks the culmination of festivities. The protagonist in his adaptation is a woman who, after her husband dies and she is separated from her best friend, refuses the consolation of being transformed into a distant constellation. Instead, she asks the gods to let her stretch her wings along the gulf on which an immortal city will arise. The production explores the link between the ancient legend and the modern city’s identity, as two sopranos embody Partenope simultaneously, reflecting her dual nature as body and myth. ‘The torment’ Morricone originally composed the one-act opera — free of charge — to accompany a libretto by authors Guido Barbieri and Sandro Cappelletto for a small festival in Positano, just south of Naples on the Amalfi coast. But it was not to be: the festival went bankrupt and Partenope was shelved. There were several attempts to revive their work, including one between 1998 and 2000 with the Teatro Massimo of Palermo. But that project ultimately ran aground when a director couldn’t be secured. “In those years Morricone had the torment of not being accepted as a composer of what he called ‘absolute music,’ as he was identified with his popular movie scores,” Barbieri, one of the libretto’s authors, said in an interview. Cappelletto said that, in a conversation with the two authors in 2017, three years before his death, Morricone appeared “at peace” with his music career. Partenope has inspired several productions over the centuries, including operas by renowned composers George Frideric Handel and Antonio Vivaldi in the 18th century, and a 2024 movie by Oscar-winning director Paolo Sorrentino. Morricone’s work is finally coming alive to join their ranks. “It was a great pleasure to listen to Morricone’s music, the real protagonist of this opera,” said Giovanni Capuano, a 26-year-old cinema student, after Thursday's rehearsal. “His spirit is back and has enchanted us.”

Iceland has become the fifth country to withdraw from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, joining Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and the Netherlands. The decision came after Israel’s participation in the contest was officially confirmed last week. Stefan Eiriksson, director-general of Icelandic national broadcaster RÚV, said, “There is no peace or joy connected to this contest as things stand now. On that basis, we are stepping back while the situation is as it is.” RÚV added that Israel’s involvement had caused “disunity among both members of the European Broadcasting Union and the general public.” The broadcaster’s board approved the boycott on Wednesday, just hours before the deadline for countries to confirm participation in next year’s 70th edition of the contest. Eurovision director Martin Green said he respected the decision and hoped the countries would return in the future. Israel’s presence has sparked tensions due to the war in Gaza and concerns over voting and campaigning, including allegations that Israel’s government sought to influence public votes at this year’s event. The EBU recently introduced new rules to protect voting integrity, prompting most countries to confirm their participation. Despite these measures, RÚV said doubts remained about whether the adjustments were sufficient. It noted that Icelandic artists and the public had opposed participation and that requests to bar Israel’s public broadcaster KAN had been denied. Israel has participated in Eurovision since 1973, winning four times, most recently in 2018, and finishing second in 2025. Iceland has never won but came second in 1999 and 2009. Meanwhile, Poland confirmed it will compete in 2026, saying Eurovision can still be “a space filled with music – and only music.”   With inputs from BBC

Behind the world of Oz in the two-part “Wicked” films were the people responsible for choosing who would inhabit it. Long before filming began, casting directors were quietly shaping the production by selecting the actors who ultimately brought the story to life. “Our job is to know every actor out there — or know how to find the ones we don’t,” said Bernard Telsey, one of the industry’s leading casting directors who, along with Tiffany Little Canfield, cast both “Wicked” movies. Casting will receive long-awaited recognition at the next Oscars. The Academy Awards will introduce a new category honoring achievement in casting when the 98th ceremony airs live on ABC on March 15, 2026 — a milestone many in the field say is overdue. “It’s hard for people to understand what we do because it all happens behind closed doors,” Telsey said. “This award will strengthen the profession and raise awareness of our work.” The Emmys already feature three casting categories, and the Critics Choice Awards added one this year. Casting directors also have their own long-running Artios Awards. But the Golden Globes and Tony Awards still exclude the craft. “When casting is excellent, it can feel invisible — because it blends so well you don’t notice the fingerprints,” said Destiny Lilly, president of the 1,200-member Casting Society and a colleague of Telsey. She noted that casting often begins before most of the production team is hired. Telsey’s company, The Telsey Office, casts projects across film, television and theater — from movies such as “Mary Poppins Returns” to series like “The Gilded Age” and “Only Murders in the Building.” He made his name in theater, shaping casts for Tony-winning shows including “Hairspray,” “Kinky Boots” and “Maybe Happy Ending.” The Oscars mandate voters watch all nominated movies, set new rules for AI and refugee filmmakers “Wicked” and its sequel “Wicked: For Good” were among his team’s most ambitious undertakings, requiring hundreds of performers across more than a year of filming on multiple continents. Though Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande now seem inevitable as Elphaba and Glinda, their casting wasn’t guaranteed. “You don’t really know until they’re in the room,” Telsey said. “Then you see the magic.” Telsey stays current by attending theater four or five nights a week and spending weekends watching TV and films. His team meets twice a week to discuss emerging talent. “Every day you feel like you’re behind,” he said. “There are always more actors to discover.” Casting directors typically begin by discussing a project’s vision with the director, writers and producers before assembling actors to audition. Lilly recently made waves by recommending comedian Bill Burr for his Broadway debut in “Glengarry Glen Ross,” believing his energy suited Mamet’s dialogue. She emphasized that crossover between stage and screen is now routine. Telsey agrees: “Good acting is good acting. The technical demands differ, but the craft is the same.” Telsey, whose breakthrough came with the original casting of “Rent,” said the rise of global productions, streaming platforms and virtual auditions has dramatically reshaped casting. “We’re always expanding our reach,” he said. “Time is short, budgets are shrinking, and the need to find the right cast quickly is only growing.” Source: AP 

Actor couple Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif are celebrating their fourth wedding anniversary while adjusting to parenthood after the arrival of their first child. The couple welcomed a baby boy on November 7, receiving warm wishes from fans and industry colleagues. Katrina has largely stayed off social media since the birth, but Vicky shared a heartfelt selfie with his wife on Instagram to mark their anniversary. In the photo, Vicky gazes lovingly at Katrina, who smiles at the camera. He captioned it: “Celebrating today… blissful, grateful and sleep deprived. Happy 4 to us.” Fans and friends quickly responded, with messages like “Mama and Dada” and “New papa and mommy in town.” Filmmaker Zoya Akhtar also sent heart emojis for the new parents. The couple tied the knot in December 2021 at Rajasthan’s scenic Six Senses Fort Barwara in a private ceremony attended by family and close friends. Professionally, Vicky was last seen in the historical drama Chhaava, while Katrina starred in Merry Christmas opposite Vijay Sethupathi. Source: NDTV 

The nominations for the 2026 Golden Globe Awards were announced on Monday, marking the start of Hollywood’s award season and setting the stage for the Oscars in March. This year’s shortlists highlight the biggest films, series and performances across drama, comedy, animation and international categories. Winners will be declared on 11 January. In film, Frankenstein, Hamnet, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value and Sinners lead the drama lineup. The comedy and musical list includes titles like Blue Moon, Bugonia, Marty Supreme and One Battle After Another. It Was Just an Accident, No Other Choice and Sirât feature among the top non-English entries, while Zootopia 2, Elio and Arco compete for best animated film. Actors Jessie Buckley, Jennifer Lawrence, Renate Reinsve and Julia Roberts earned recognition in the drama category. For male actors, nominees include Joel Edgerton, Oscar Isaac, Dwayne Johnson and Jeremy Allen White. In comedy or musical categories, Cynthia Erivo, Emma Stone, Kate Hudson and Leonardo DiCaprio appear among the leading nominees. Supporting roles include Emily Blunt, Ariana Grande, Benicio Del Toro and Adam Sandler.Top directors Paul Thomas Anderson, Ryan Coogler, Guillermo del Toro and Chloe Zhao earned nods for their work. In television, The White Lotus leads with six nominations. Other contenders include The Diplomat, Severance, Slow Horses, Abbott Elementary, The Bear, Black Mirror and Adolescence. Notable TV acting nominees range from Helen Mirren, Bella Ramsey and Keri Russell to Sterling K Brown, Gary Oldman and Adam Scott. Comedy nominations include Kristen Bell, Ayo Edebiri, Selena Gomez, Steve Martin and Jeremy Allen White. This year also introduces a new category for podcasts, with Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, Call Her Daddy and SmartLess among the nominees. The full list reflects a wide mix of global cinema, hit series and standout performances leading into the 2026 awards season.   With inputs from BBC

Ranveer Singh’s highly anticipated Dhurandhar has defied box office expectations, entering the Rs 100 crore club on its third day of release. According to trade tracker Sacnilk, the film earned Rs 43 crore on Sunday, taking its total to Rs 103 crore. It opened with a strong Rs 28 crore on Friday, surpassing the opening of Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara, and collected Rs 32 crore on Saturday, solidifying its strong performance. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh, who had earlier expressed doubts due to underwhelming pre-bookings, noted the film’s surge in a social media post: “#Dhurandhar goes on a rampage on Saturday — the film is now in unstoppable mode. Tere Ishk Mein collects Rs 76 crore in six days at box office While major centers, especially national chains, were strong on Friday, the heartland has also joined, showing substantial growth. A ₹95 crore [+/-] opening weekend total is very much on the cards.” Sunday also marked the film’s highest single-day collection in recent times. About Dhurandhar: Ranveer Singh plays a character who takes on four of Pakistan’s deadliest terrorists. While social media buzz speculated on the identities of the characters, the makers have not confirmed them. The Censor Board has clarified that Singh’s role, reportedly inspired by Major Mohit Sharma, is fictional. The film marks the return of Uri: The Surgical Strike director Aditya Dhar, who has continued to bring a robust nationalist tone to his storytelling. Source: NDTV 

Netflix’s planned 72 billion dollar acquisition of Warner Bros. and its film and television operations drew swift criticism across the entertainment industry on Friday, with guilds, lawmakers and Hollywood figures warning that the merger could hurt consumers, workers and theaters. Executives from both companies defended the agreement, saying it would strengthen content offerings and benefit global audiences. Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav said the deal would help preserve “the world’s most resonant stories for generations to come,” while Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said it would “give audiences more of what they love.” Cinema United chief Michael O’Leary said Netflix’s business model does not support theatrical releases and warned that the deal could lead to theater closures, job losses and harm to local communities. Actor Jane Fonda, speaking for the Committee for the First Amendment, called the agreement an alarming escalation of media consolidation that she said threatens the entertainment industry, the public and First Amendment principles. The Producers Guild of America said the industry must navigate rapid economic and technological shifts while safeguarding livelihoods, theatrical distribution, creative opportunities, consumer choice and free expression. It said legacy studios hold cultural value beyond their content libraries and that the Netflix deal must meet these standards. Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas said the acquisition bid, which he estimated at 82 billion dollars, would be the largest media takeover in history. He warned that allowing one company to control both content and distribution would pose significant antitrust concerns and threaten prices, choice and creative freedom. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts described the planned merger as an “anti-monopoly nightmare.” She said a combined Netflix–Warner Bros. entity could dominate nearly half the streaming market, push subscription prices higher, reduce consumer options and put workers at risk. The Writers Guild of America said the takeover is precisely the kind of consolidation antitrust laws are designed to stop. It said the outcome would cut jobs, reduce wages, worsen working conditions, raise costs for viewers and shrink the diversity of available content, urging regulators to block the deal. Rep. Laura Friedman of California said repeated consolidation has already cost many film and television jobs and added that any merger should be judged on its impact on competition and employment. Her district includes Hollywood as well as the headquarters of Netflix and the Warner Bros. studio. Former WarnerMedia CEO and Hulu co-founder Jason Kilar said on X that selling Warner Bros. Discovery to Netflix would be one of the most effective ways to reduce competition in Hollywood. The proposed deal now awaits regulatory scrutiny.