Released in 133 theatres across Bangladesh, “Taandob” quickly captured the audience’s attention with its high-octane plot, gritty tone, and surprise cameos from Afran Nisho and Siam Ahmed.
Six films were released across cinemas in Bangladesh this Eid. Among them, “Taandob”, starring Shakib Khan and directed by Raihan Rafi, has led the charts from Eid day through the fifth day of the holiday. The film was released in 133 theatres nationwide, with midnight screenings (12am–3am) running in venues such as Chhaya Bani in Mymensingh, Rajtilok in Rajshahi, and Modhubon Cineplex in Bogura.
In light of this overwhelming local demand, the film is now set for overseas audiences. Starting today, the film will begin screening across more than 50 cinemas in Europe, America, and Canada in a phased schedule. Notably, the overseas distribution is being managed by BiosKope Films.
This Eid-ul-Azha, actress Jaya Ahsan returned to the silver screen with two new films—“Taandob”, directed by Raihan Rafi, and “Utshob”, directed by Tanim Noor. Since Eid day, she has been visiting various theatres across the country as part of the promotional campaign.
It was during the school-free weekends when my maternal cousins and I would huddle in front of our grandparents' grey old box TV after a hearty, yet customary lunch arrangement at their place. We would take up the gap on the floor between their king-sized bed and the unforgettable TV set to watch the black and white Satyajit Ray films, and even the vibrant late 20th-century Bangladeshi cinema, previously defined by over-the-top performances. The adults would lounge about on the bed, imbuing us with not only the significance of family viewing content but also a perception of what we understood as “our cinematic language.”
As “Taandob” gears up for its theatrical release this Eid, a special press conference was held at a hotel in Dhaka’s Gulshan, featuring the film’s core cast and crew.
Regarding her experience working with Shakib Khan, Jaya shared, “Shakib Khan is a major star in our industry. I must say, he’s doing exceptionally well. Although we shared screen previously, this time while working on ‘Taandob’, I noticed he has become even more dedicated and serious about his craft.”
Dhaka’s film producers have reached a consensus on the demand for a fair share of revenue from cinema halls. On Wednesday (May 14) afternoon, several producers held a meeting at a restaurant in Gulshan-2 to address this long-standing issue. Photos from the meeting were later shared on social media.
Rafi revealed that this project is even more demanding than his previous blockbuster “Toofan”. “To protect the film’s confidentiality, strict measures have been imposed on set, including a ban on mobile phones and restricted access for outsiders. Nevertheless, a few leaks have managed to slip through.”
Shooting for “Tandob”, directed by Raihan Rafi, has commenced this week at the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC). Actors Shakib Khan and Jaya Ahsan have already joined the production.
Deepto TV has announced a week-long special programme to mark Eid-ul-Fitr, featuring a lineup of Bengali films, including three world premieres.
With Eid-ul-Fitr fast approaching, the Bangladeshi film industry is buzzing with excitement. Audiences are eagerly waiting for the new titles to release, and the promotional whirlwind has already begun.
The Chorki original web-film “Amalnama”, directed by Raihan Rafi, explores familiar yet unseen harsh realities. Its official poster, released on March 3, hints at a narrative involving “crossfire”, “gunfights”, and “extrajudicial killings” subtly woven into the background.
Alongside “Amalnama”, Zahid will also appear in “Utshob”, a film directed by Tanim Noor, set for release this Eid-ul-Azha. Reflecting on his choices, he added, “I don’t take on projects unless I truly like them. After my break, I’ve worked on two projects and enjoyed both. The audience will see me in different roles in these films.”
In the web-film, Tama takes on the role of Parveen, a character that she found deeply immersive. "It took me quite some time to detach myself from Parveen, even after filming ended. For days, I struggled to move on. This character is one of my personal favorites," she revealed.
While the teaser keeps much of the storyline under wraps, Hasan's appearance has led many to speculate that he might be portraying a police officer.
Puja Chery, who rose to fame with Raihan Rafi’s directorial film “Poramon 2”, has made her web-series debut with his latest project, “Black Money”. Released on Bongo, the series has sparked significant buzz online, particularly because of the actress’ performance.
This year, an estimated 50 Bangladeshi films have been released. Among these, only a handful have achieved commercial success. Then again, despite not performing well at the box office, other cinematic aspects like actors, actresses, and film songs have managed to remain at the centre of discussions throughout the year.
Star Cineplex, a leading choice for cinema enthusiasts with refined tastes, has maintained its position as a crowd favourite. While Hollywood films dominated the scene a few years ago, the rising wave of Bangladeshi cinema has gradually shifted the spotlight.
