Cameos like these have long been a staple of Hollywood—the Marvel Cinematic Universe redefined the model, and Bollywood followed with its own versions like the YRF Spy Universe and Rohit Shetty’s Cop Universe.
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.”
Bangladeshi cinema has been gradually making way into the Pakistani market, with two previous film releases premiering with English subtitles. This time, the cross-border cultural exchange will deepen as “Jongli” becomes the first Bangladeshi film to be dubbed in Urdu for its release in Pakistan.
After a two-year hiatus, Bangladesh’s showbiz stars are once again gearing up to take the field—this time with a new name and a fresh format. Ditching the previous title “Celebrity Cricket League” (CCL), the upcoming tournament has been rebranded as the “Celebrity Champions Trophy” (CCT), set to commence on May 5.
In a Facebook post, Sajib compared the film’s opening to that of another Swapna Scarecrow release, “Priyotoma”. He wrote, "Remember ‘Priyotoma’s’ opening? In its first three days, it grossed $44,000 from 42 theatres across North America. In comparison, ‘Jongli’ brought in $35,000 from 33 theatres.”
"Jongli", a breakout film this year, isn’t just riding high tides at the box office—it’s leaving audiences visibly shaken. Actress Prarthana Fardin Dighi, who plays the emotionally complex character Nupur, shared how the film moved viewers to tears and sparked heartfelt conversations long after the credits rolled.
The Eid release “Jongli”, starring Siam Ahmed, has emerged as a box office success, earning Tk 2.06 crore in gross ticket sales within 16 days of its release. Yesterday, director M Raahim shared the update via a Facebook post himself.
With packed halls and sustained audience turnout weeks after Eid, this year’s releases “Borbaad”, “Daagi” and “Jongli” have marked a strong box office run—prompting their scheduled release abroad.
As of today, the number of screenings at Star Cineplex has jumped to 14 per day—an unusual development for a Bangladeshi film post-Eid. The reason is not flashy promotions or star power, but the deeply personal way audiences have embraced it, said Siam Ahmed, ‘Jongli’s lead star in an exclusive interview with The Daily Star.
In the post, Siam, who is going to appear in a new film after a significant hiatus, wrote, “Welcome on board Bubly! Jongli is coming this Eid-ul Azha.”
This M Raahim directorial is scheduled to be released on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.
This year, popular actors Siam Ahmed and Mehazabien Chowdhury are set to captivate audiences with a special Eid dance performance on "Ityadi", showcasing the usage of various mobile apps.
Idhika Paul is on a roll, having recently signed her third Bangladeshi film. She is all set to star opposite heartthrob Siam Ahmed in Tamim Rahman’s upcoming film, "Sikander".
Amidst the prevalent trend of leaving the country for greener pastures, this narrative prompts viewers to reconsider their sentiments towards their homeland. Following its release, social media buzzed with discussions, with many lauding the film's juxtaposition of romantic love and patriotism.
Based on Mohammad Nazim Uddin's story, the series contains a stellar cast including Siam Ahmed, Safa Kabir, Manoj Pramanik, Abdullah Al Sentu and A K Azad Set, amongst others.
In a much-anticipated reveal, Chorki, the popular streaming platform, has announced the upcoming release of its latest original series, "Tikit." Set to premiere soon, the series boasts a stellar cast featuring Siam, Safa, and Manoj Pramanik in lead roles.
Dhaliwood's foray into the cybercrime thriller genre has proven to be a resounding success as "Antarjal'' sets a new benchmark on the digital entertainment platform Toffee, accumulating over one million minutes of views within a mere two weeks. The film, directed by Dipankar Dipon and featuring acclaimed actors such as Mim, Siam, Sunerah, and Dipankar Dipon himself, premiered on December 21, 2023, on the Toffee app, captivating audiences since its release.
A Peek Inside with Sadi
It seems like 2023 went by the blink of an eye – more so for the showbiz industry, which saw its ups and downs. Like any of us, celebrities are also looking to take the time to appreciate and reflect on the past year, to make their own New Year’s resolutions. We talk to six of the biggest stars in the industry about what they will do this year.
