“Bangla cinema is now reaching audiences across the globe with honour. At a time when our films are doing well, a vested quarter has launched a conspiracy to destroy this progress. The films that are performing well are being targeted for piracy. I would say, this is not just a conspiracy against our cinema—it’s a conspiracy against the country,” said Dhallywood superstar Shakib Khan.
Amid the box‑office success, reports emerged that an HD copy of “Taandob” had been leaked on YouTube and other platforms. In response, the production company adopted a hard line. The producer, Shahriar Shakil, filed a complaint with the police seeking legal action under copyright legislation, and detectives have now arrested three suspects in connection with the piracy. At around 11:45 am today (Wednesday), Dhaka Metropolitan Police Detective Branch (DB) Joint Commissioner Nasirul Islam confirmed the arrests to Prothom Alo.
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.”
The song “Laage Ura Dhura” from the Eid special release “Toofan” quickly gained widespread popularity online, upon its release. Featuring vocals by Pritom Hasan and Debosrie Antara, the track has not only been trending in Bangladesh but has also made its mark on YouTube's global trending chart.
Tama Mirza and Raihan Rafi have delivered hits when they worked together, starting with the web film "Khachar Bhitor Ochin Pakhi" and continuing with the commercial movie "Shurongo". Many movie enthusiasts assumed that the National Award-winning actress would appear in Raihan Rafi’s blockbuster film "Toofan".
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.
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.
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.
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.
"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".
Shakib Khan’s “Toofan” was released in 47 theatres, including South City, Star Theater, and Lake Mall in Kolkata, on July 5.
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.
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.
