Raihan Rafi

Raihan Rafi promises legal action as ‘Taandob’ falls prey to piracy

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.

Local Eid releases fare at the box office

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.

‘Taandob’ releases in over 50 theatres across Canada and the US

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.

‘Taandob’ is a crowd-puller: Jaya Ahsan

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.

Spotlight Magazine / Should our film releases centre around Eid?

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.”

‘Taandob’ is the best film of your career: Shakib Khan to Rafi

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. 

Shakib Khan is more committed and focused than ever: Jaya Ahsan

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.”

Film producers unite for fair revenue share from theatres

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.

Afzal Hossain to appear alongside Shakib Khan in ‘Taandob’

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.”

July 17, 2024
July 17, 2024

Bangladeshi celebrities gear up for ‘Ananda Mela’ in Los Angeles

The event, titled “Ananda Mela”, stands as the premier gathering for expatriate Bangladeshis in Los Angeles, USA, drawing thousands of Bengalis annually. This vibrant event consistently features performances by an array of Bangladeshi celebrities, who delight the expatriate audience with their captivating performances. 

July 16, 2024
July 16, 2024

‘Laage Ura Dhura’ controversy: Lyricist speaks out

Lyricist Shorif Uddin has expressed his frustration, stating that the song, which he had given to Pritom Hasan two years ago for a personal project, was used in the film without his consent. Additionally, another lyricist was added to the credits without his permission.

July 16, 2024
July 16, 2024

Mimi Chakraborty agreed to star in ‘Toofan’ for ‘Lage Ura Dhura’

The song "Laage Ura Dhura", directed by Raihan Rafi and starring Shakib Khan and Mimi Chakraborty, has achieved significant success, currently trending at number four on the YouTube Charts Global Weekly Top Songs.

July 13, 2024
July 13, 2024

‘Laage Ura Dhura’ ranks fourth on YouTube's Top 100 chart

The movie stars Shakib Khan alongside India's Mimi Chakraborty and Bangladesh's Nabila, with significant roles played by Chanchal Chowdhury, Fazlur Rahman Babu, Gazi Rakayet, Salauddin Lavlu, and Gausul Alam Shaon. 

July 10, 2024
July 10, 2024

'Toofan' recovered its investment in Bangladesh within days, unlike Bollywood films: Raihan Rafi

"Toofan", which broke box office records in Bangladesh, has now been released in India. Rafi emphasised that the film was crafted with a straightforward narrative to resonate with the majority of Bengali viewers — describing it as having a blend of popular elements akin to films like "KGF" and "Pushpa".

July 7, 2024
July 7, 2024

I’m happy to be ruling over the hearts of Bangalis: Shakib Khan

Shakib Khan’s “Toofan” was released in 47 theatres, including South City, Star Theater, and Lake Mall in Kolkata, on July 5.

July 6, 2024
July 6, 2024

West Bengal stars wish ‘Toofan’ the best amid its release in Kolkata

Since its release in Bangladesh, the Shakib Khan starrer film “Toofan” is now creating quite a stir in West Bengal. The excitement was palpable at Thursday night's press conference, where it became evident that the people of West Bengal are keenly interested in the blockbuster. 

July 5, 2024
July 5, 2024

'Toofan' breaks new ground in Sydney theatres

Raihan Rafi's latest film, “Toofan”, starring Dhallywood’s megastar Shakib Khan, has been creating a buzz in Sydney, Australia. From the first day onward, every showing of the movie played to a full house.

July 5, 2024
July 5, 2024

Deepto TV to celebrate ‘Shakib Week’ with back-to-back films

Private TV channel Deepto has announced to host a “Shakib Week” from July 6 to 12, showcasing seven of Shakib Khan’s prominent films. This week-long event highlights the star's extensive filmography, despite no specific occasion prompting the celebration.

July 4, 2024
July 4, 2024

Raihan Rafi collaborates with Bongo for ‘Black Money’ web-series

After the massive success of “Toofan” in theatres, Raihan Rafi has joined forces with Bongo to create a new web-series titled “Black Money”.