Five films vie for Eid audiences, Shakib leads box office push

This year, five Bangladeshi films have entered the Eid holiday race, spanning genres from literary adaptation and female-led narratives to thrillers and commercial action.

These films reflect both diversity in storytelling and a shifting release strategy within the industry.

The lineup includes “Prince: Once Upon a Time in Dhaka”, “Domm”, “Pressure Cooker”, “Rakkhosh”, and “Bonolota Express”.

Among them, “Prince: Once Upon a Time in Dhaka”, starring Shakib Khan, is expected to secure the widest release, targeting around 130 theatres across the country. The film is likely to dominate single-screen circuits, continuing the star’s long-standing box office pull in mass-market venues.

In contrast, “Bonolota Express”, “Domm”, and “Pressure Cooker” are opting for an initial multiplex-focused release. Producers cite concerns over piracy and inconsistencies in single-screen exhibition as key reasons behind this decision, preferring the controlled environment and audience segmentation offered by multiplexes.

“Domm” producer Shahriar Shakil noted that piracy has affected previous releases within days, prompting a strategy to restrict the film to multiplexes for the first two to three weeks before a wider rollout. “Bonolota Express” director Tanim Noor has taken a similar approach, indicating a gradual release plan to mitigate risk.

All five films received censor clearance on the same day, each assigned appropriate viewing categories.

In terms of content, the films span a wide range of themes and genres.

“Bonolota Express”, based on a story by one of the country’s most celebrated authors and filmmaker Humayun Ahmed, centres on a train journey, weaving together human relationships, memory, and social undercurrents.

“Rakkhosh”, directed by Mehedi Hasan Hridoy, presents a dark, action-driven narrative described as a violent love story.

“Domm”, directed by Redoan Rony, is a survival drama inspired by real events, focusing on abduction, ransom, and a man’s struggle to return to his family.

“Pressure Cooker”, directed by Raihan Rafi, explores the intersecting lives of four women navigating pressure, conflict, and survival in an urban setting.

Meanwhile, “Prince: Once Upon a Time in Dhaka” delves into the criminal underworld of 1990s Dhaka, centring on power, violence, and control.

Exhibitors say all five films will be screened in multiplexes, with show allocations likely to shift based on audience response in the opening days. Early industry buzz suggests stronger initial attention for “Rakkhosh” and “Prince: Once Upon a Time in Dhaka”, while the other titles may build momentum gradually.

Despite ongoing structural challenges, including piracy and limited screen availability, stakeholders remain cautiously optimistic. With several halls reopening, this Eid release window is being seen as a test of both audience appetite and the industry’s evolving distribution model.