With Eid-ul-Fitr just days away, the final list of festive film releases has been confirmed. Although as many as nine titles were initially expected, only five films are now set to hit cinemas: ‘Prince: Once Upon a Time in Dhaka’, ‘Domm’, ‘Rakkhosh’, ‘Bonolota Express’ and ‘Pressure Cooker’.
All five films received clearance from the Bangladesh Film Certification Board on Monday (16 March). Of these, Domm and Bonolota Express have been awarded ‘U’ certificates, making them suitable for all audiences.
The remaining three titles, Pressure Cooker, Rakkhosh and Prince, have been given ‘A’ certificates, reportedly due to scenes of heightened violence.
Prince: Once Upon a Time in Bangladesh, directed by Abu Hayat Mahmud, has sparked speculation about links to a notorious Dhaka underworld figure from the 1990s, though the director has dismissed such claims. The film stars Tasnia Farin and Kolkata-based actor Jyotirmoyee Kundu, and is produced by Shirin Sultana under the banner of Creative Lands.
Rakkhosh, directed by Mehedi Hasan Hridoy and produced by Real Energy Productions, features Siam Ahmed and Sushmita Chatterjee in the lead roles. Blending romance with revenge, the film also includes a supporting performance by the popular character ‘Jillu’ from ‘Borbaad’, unveiling parallel cinematic universes to the viewers.
Produced by SVF Alpha-i Entertainment Limited and Chorki, Domm is directed by Redoan Rony and stars Chanchal Chowdhury, Afran Nisho and Pooja Cherry. The film centres on the intense struggle for survival faced by an ordinary individual.
Bonolota Express, directed by Tanim Noor, is based on the novel ‘Kichukkhan’ by Humayun Ahmed. The ensemble cast includes Chanchal Chowdhury, Mosharraf Karim, Sabila Noor, Shariful Raj, Zakia Bari Mamo, Azmeri Haque Badhon, Shamol Mawla and Intekhab Dinar, among others. The film is produced by Hoichoi Bangladesh.
Raihan Rafi’s Pressure Cooker explores the constraints faced by women in society. The cast includes Shobnom Bubly, Nazifa Tushi, Snigdha Chowdhury and Mariya Shanta. The film is produced by Kanon Films and Impress Telefilm.
