Shakib Khan’s Eid release, ‘Prince: Once Upon a Time in Dhaka’, has been one of the most anticipated films of the season, drawing significant attention from audiences and cinema hall owners alike. The film was released in 133 halls nationwide to meet strong demand. However, technical issues with the DCP (Digital Cinema Package) and server have marred its screening schedule.
Morning and afternoon shows in over 60 cinema halls were cancelled on Eid due to server-related problems. At Star Cineplex, DCP file issues prevented the film from being screened for the first three days of Eid. Production company Creative Land has reportedly suffered losses exceeding several crore taka as a result.
Producer Shirin Sultana told TIMES of Bangladesh, “We were unable to run any shows for the first three days due to DCP file problems. On the fourth day, we were allocated two shows, but one of them could not run. The financial loss is difficult to quantify, but it must be over crores of taka. I am grateful to the audience for their patience.”
Director Abu Hayat Mahmud addressed speculation about potential formatting issues with the DCP file. “The other four Eid films from Kolkata were DCPed by EditFX, and we used the same service. If there had been a problem with format or parameters, why did we get it approved? We had to submit the file four times, which was frustrating,” he said.
The director also raised concerns over an abrupt screening halt at Star Cineplex’s Shimanto Shambhar branch in Dhaka on Wednesday, March 25, at 1:50 pm, reportedly due to a broken air conditioner. “Who will take responsibility for our loss?” he asked.
He added that screenings in Chittagong’s Finlay Square would require separate arrangements for the DCP file, noting that previously, a single file would suffice for all halls.
Mesbah Uddin Ahmed, AGM of Media and Marketing at Star Cineplex, explained the theatre’s position. “The DCP file should have been submitted a week in advance, but it was provided only on the morning of Eid. Detecting and resolving problems on such short notice was difficult. We wanted to screen the film. With 26 branches now in operation, it was impossible to distribute the late file in time,” he said.
Regarding the air conditioner issue, Mesbah said, “The breakdown happened suddenly and no one could have foreseen it.”
Prince features Shakib Khan, Tasnia Farin and Jyotirmoyee Kundu from Kolkata in lead roles.
