Tasnia Farin, a familiar face on television dramas and OTT platforms, once told Shakib Khan during an awards ceremony that she wished to act alongside him, even saying she was ready to audition for the opportunity.
Many assumed she was joking as the event’s host. But Shakib responded that no audition would be necessary; he would cast her regardless.
He has now kept that promise. Tasnia Farin has been confirmed as one of the lead actors in his upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 film, ‘Prince: Once Upon a Time in Dhaka’.
The production company officially confirmed the news to The TIMES of Bangladesh on the afternoon of November 15.The film is being produced by Shirin Sultana under the Creative Land banner.
Speaking to TIMES, she said, “We signed Farin on Friday night [14 November]. She will play a lead role in the film.”
Shirin Sultana also noted that Prince will feature more than one heroine. Rumours had circulated that Pakistani actor Hania Aamir might be involved, but Shirin dismissed the speculation, “A portion of the film will be shot in India. Even if we wished to, we cannot work with Pakistani artists. I can confirm that Hania is not in this project. She may, however, appear in another project in future.”
Filming is scheduled to take place in both Bangladesh and India from December. Shirin declined to reveal whether the second heroine would be Bangladeshi or Indian.
The first poster for the film was released on August 22, officially announcing Shakib Khan as the lead. A few years ago, the director had introduced a project titled Once Upon a Time in Dhaka starring Shariful Raj, stating it would be based on the life of notorious criminal Kala Jahangir, a claim that triggered considerable controversy.
However, the production company has since clarified the direction of the new film. In a statement, they said, “The film we are producing is not based on the life of any specific individual. Keeping in mind audiences from Gulistan to Gulshan, we are making a larger-than-life film set in 1990s Dhaka, with elements of crime, love, action, emotion and family drama.”
