“I have never belittled Shakib Khan:” Shahreen Akter Sumi

Producer Shahreen Akter Sumi, who is currently working on her latest film Rakkhosh following the success of Borbaad, finds herself at the centre of social media controversy. The uproar stems from a comment she reportedly made during the first look release of Rakkhosh, which stars Siam Ahmed in the lead role instead of Shakib Khan.

Many fans interpreted her remark as an attempt to downplay the superstar’s stature, suggesting that a film does not automatically become a hit just because Shakib Khan is in it.

In an exclusive conversation with Times of Bangladesh, Sumi clarified, “At the event, I was asked, ‘Did you make Borbaad thinking it would be a hit only because of Shakib Khan?’ I responded that Shakib was not part of the project because we assumed it would automatically succeed with him. My decision was based purely on the story and the character, not on star power.”

She went on, “I chose Shakib Khan for Borbaad because he was perfect for the role. No one else could have done it justice. He gives his utmost in every film, and if the production team fails to utilise his talent properly, it affects the film’s outcome.”

Addressing the debate about Dorod, where Shakib’s brilliant performance couldn’t save the film from underperforming, Sumi added, “A film’s success or failure cannot be pinned on a single actor. It depends on the story, execution, presentation, and teamwork. Shakib Khan has carried the industry for 26 years. There’s no question of belittling him.”

The producer also addressed the criticism she received for casting Siam Ahmed in Rakkhosh, dismissing it outright. “This story wasn’t made for Shakib. He deserves bigger projects with larger budgets. He was never considered for this film, and his next two Eid releases are already allocated. So naturally, we needed another actor for our story,” Sumi explained.

She admitted that the entire situation was rather uncomfortable, especially since Shakib Khan will star in her next project, scheduled for release in 2027. Plans are in place to begin shooting after Eid al-Adha next year, with regular discussions ongoing between the producer and the superstar regarding the upcoming film.