As filming continues in Bangkok’s Thai Film City, where Shakib Khan is currently shooting action sequences for ‘Soldier’, the upcoming film is drawing attention not only for its scale and ambition but also for its planned release outside the traditional Eid holiday window.
Directed by Sakib Fahad and produced by Sun Music & Motion Pictures Ltd, ‘Soldier’ follows the story of an ordinary man taking on corruption and powerful syndicates. The film’s motion poster, featuring a battered and distressed Shakib Khan looking skyward, has already suggested a departure from some of the actor’s more familiar screen personas.
However, the film’s proposed release strategy has become one of its most talked-about aspects. Producers have indicated that ‘Soldier’ could be released during Durga Puja in October 2026 or later in December, rather than during an Eid festival period. The decision has reignited a longstanding question within Bangladesh’s film industry: can a Shakib Khan film still achieve major commercial success outside Eid?
During promotional activities for ‘Dorod’ in 2025, Shakib Khan pointed out that some of the biggest hits of his career, including ‘Priya Amar Priya’ and ‘Koti Takar Kabin’, were released outside Eid. While that remains true, the market landscape has changed significantly in recent years.
Most of Shakib Khan’s major post-pandemic successes, including ‘Priyotoma’, ‘Surongo’, ‘Toofan’ and ‘Borbaad’, benefited from festival-centred releases. By contrast, many of his films released outside festive periods have struggled to meet commercial expectations.
The experience of this year’s Eid release ‘Prince: Once Upon a Time in Dhaka’ has also become part of the wider discussion. Despite generating considerable interest before release, the film failed to satisfy audience expectations because of issues related to its screenplay, sound design and technical execution. Shakib Khan later acknowledged that time constraints had contributed to some of the film’s shortcomings.
Against that backdrop, expectations surrounding ‘Soldier’ remain high, although some uncertainty persists. The production appears to have adopted a longer-term approach, with filming taking place across multiple locations in Bangladesh and abroad since October last year.
A combination of local and international technicians is currently working on the project in Bangkok, while the film’s climactic action sequences are reportedly being designed with the involvement of stunt professionals with international experience. Behind the camera is cinematographer Kamrul Hasan Khosru, known for acclaimed productions including ‘Monpura’, ‘Debi’ and ‘Hawa’.
Alongside Shakib Khan, the cast includes Tanjin Tisha, Jannatul Ferdous Oishee, Tariq Anam Khan and Tauquir Ahmed, while ABM Sumon appears in a special role.
One of the film’s key lines featured in the motion poster asks: “Is the country for you, or are you for the country?” According to the filmmakers, the film aims to present a contemporary interpretation of patriotism rather than functioning solely as an action entertainer.
The discussion surrounding ‘Soldier’ also reflects a broader issue facing Bangladesh’s cinema industry. While cinemas often experience audience shortages for much of the year, attendance and revenue typically surge during Eid festivals. Industry observers have long questioned whether such seasonal dependence is sustainable for long-term growth.
In that context, the decision to release ‘Soldier’ outside Eid carries significance beyond a single film. Whether it can establish a viable commercial path for major non-Eid releases, or simply join a long list of films that struggled outside festival periods, remains a question that will be answered later this year.
