As Eid-Ul-Fitr is knocking at the door and the country gears up for Eid celebrations, cinema halls across Bangladesh are set to welcome moviegoers with a lineup of new releases.
According to the Film Producers and Distributors Association, audiences will have a variety of films from a stellar line-up to choose from this festive season, including the Dhallywood megastar Shakib Khan’s 'Borbaad' and his previously made film 'Antoratta', Siam Ahmed starrer 'Jongli', Mosharraf Karim starrer 'Chokkor 302', and Sajal-Nusraat Faria’s 'Jinn-3' from Jazz Multimedia.
Among these, the biggest attraction for both audiences and cinema owners appears to be Shakib Khan’s ‘Borbaad’. Industry insiders believe the film has the potential to dominate the box office, and after surpassing the initial hurdles about receiving the censor certificate due to some of its ‘objected’ scenes from the Certification Board, the film’s producer Producer Shahrin Sumi has recently confirmed to media that the film is all set to be released in more than 100 theatres across the country.
The film stars an ensemble cast featuring Shakib Khan opposite his ‘Priyotoma’ actress, Kolkata’s Idhika Pal; while another popular West Bengal actress, Nusrat Jahan, has been featured in a special item song. West Bengal's popular and versatile actor Jisshu Sengupta is also in the film, alongside Fazlur Rahman Babu, Mamunur Rashid, Intekhab Dinar, Shahiduzzaman Selim, and Misha Sawdagor, to name a few from the stellar cast.
'Jongli' celebrates Siam's birthday with a 60-ft poster
Directed by Mehedi Hasan Hridoy, ‘Borbaad’ marks his debut as a filmmaker, and the film has been the centre of discussion and attraction among Dhallywood fans. Posters, teasers, and songs have already captured public attention, raising anticipation for its release.
Another much-talked-about film this Eid is ‘Daagi’, directed by Shihab Shaheen which marks the big-screen return of popular star Afran Nisho after his 2023 debut film ‘Surongo’. Returning to theatres after the commercial success of his maiden theatrical endeavour, fans are eagerly waiting for ‘Daagi’ - in which Nisho will be seen alongside actress Tama Mirza, his co-actress from ‘Surongo’.
Sunerah Binte Kamal is also starring in the film in a prominent role alongside seasoned actors Gazi Rakayet, Monira Mithu and others, and recently the team of ‘Daagi’ surprised the netizens on the day of the movie’s press meet where Nisho was brought in the venue in a prisoner’s outfit as part of an innovative promotional strategy.
Nisho has also made his debut as a playback singer for the film as he voiced the title track with music director and composer Arafat Mohsin Nidhi, and with all of its offerings, ‘Daagi’ has become a story of redemption, according to its acclaimed director Shihab Shaheen who is also making a comeback as a film director after several years.
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Among the notable releases is another film ‘Jongli’, directed by M Raahim featuring popular actor Siam Ahmed in the lead role. The film also stars Shabnam Bubly and Prarthana Fardin Dighi as the lead characters, and Siam Ahmed’s transformed new look in ‘Jongli’ has already caught widespread attention while the songs have also been well-received by fans.
Many are expecting the movie to bring fresh excitement, particularly as audiences are eager to see Siam’s comeback in an action-packed role. The film has already become talk-of-the-town with its promotional campaigns, and the team left no stone untouched to reach audiences with its thrilling theatrical offerings.
For those looking for a different genre, Jaaz Multimedia’s horror film ‘Jinn 3’ from its popular spooky ‘Jinn’ series is set to offer a supernatural experience for the audiences. Directed by Kamruzzaman Roman, the film stars popular actor Abdun Noor Sajal and actress Nusraat Faria in lead roles.
With horror films being a relatively rare genre in the Bangladeshi film industry, ‘Jinn 3’ has generated considerable interest. One of its songs, “Konna” by Imran and Kona, has already created a buzz among audiences, and the film is expected to attract viewers looking for something beyond traditional action and romance.
‘Chokkor 302’ is another interesting entry in this Eid’s lineup, directed by actor-filmmaker Sharaf Ahmed Jibon. The film, which received a government grant, stars acclaimed actor Mosharraf Karim as the lead character playing the role of a detective.
The teaser of the film has sparked conversations among film enthusiasts, alongside its tantalizing rendition of the folk song “Kauwa Komola Khaite Jane Naa” by Matal Razzak Dewan. The film’s storyline and Mosharraf Karim’s powerful performance are expected to draw in audiences who appreciate meaningful cinema.
Afran Nisho appears as a prisoner to promote ‘Daagi’
A very delayed release is finally hitting theaters this year which came as a surprise to many, as the Shakib Khan starrer film ‘Antoratta’ has officially joined the Eid release race. Directed by Wajed Ali Sumon, the film has been in the making since 2021.
Even though neither Shakib Khan nor others are promoting the film, the trailer of ‘Antoratta’ has already received praise, adding to the film’s anticipation. West Bengal actress Darshana Banik played the female lead opposite Shakib, and given the Dhallywood Megastar’s screen power and the extended wait for this film’s release, industry insiders believe ‘Antoratta’ might perform well at the box office.
“With such a diverse range of films hitting theaters this Eid, competition at the box office is expected to be intense. It is believed that while ‘Borbaad’ appears to be the frontrunner, films like ‘Daagi’, ‘Jongli’, and ‘Jinn 3’ have the potential to perform strongly while ‘Chokkor 302’ and ‘Antoratta’ will also find their desired audiences,” popular film reviewer, actor and critic Syed Nazmus Sakib told UNB, evaluating this year’s Eid-Ul-Fitr releases.
“However, there is a concern. We have seen recent incidents of attacks and vandalism in theatres, and the government, as well as law and enforcement officials, need to ensure that the screenings do not get hampered by any mishap or chaos because not only the filmmakers but also cinema hall owners are eager to recover from the setbacks. That being said, I, alongside many of our Dhallywood fans, are hopeful that these Eid releases will bring audiences back to theatres in large numbers,” Sakib told UNB.
The coming weeks will reveal which films succeed in winning the hearts of moviegoers and making significant marks in Bangladesh’s film industry.