Dhallywood actor Kazi Maruf is set to make his long-awaited return to the New York stage after nearly 12 years.
He will appear as a special guest at the grand finale of the New York Bangla Film Festival 2026, scheduled for 2 August at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center.
Although Maruf has been living in the United States for several years and has remained active in Bangladeshi community events, this marks his first appearance on a major New York cultural stage in more than a decade.
His return has already generated excitement among the Bangladeshi diaspora.
The inaugural edition of the festival is jointly organised by Priyojon Films and Lemon Studio, with support from the American Bangladeshi Producers Association (ABPA).
The festival will run from 30 July to 1 August, showcasing a selection of Bangla feature films, documentaries and short films. Screenings on 30 July include Bilai, Concert for Bangladesh and Noya Manush.
On 31 July, audiences will watch Ishpite, The Eternal Journey and Deyaler Desh.
The final day of screenings, 1 August, will feature American Dream, Eid Mubarak, Bishwas Koren Bhai and Shikor.
The closing ceremony on 2 August will bring together several Bangladeshi film stars and celebrate achievements in Bengali cinema.
As part of its first edition, the festival will present awards across 20 categories, recognising outstanding films, directors, actors, actresses, singers and film professionals from Bengali cinema released between 2023 and 2025.
Special honours will also be presented to Bioscope Films for its contribution to promoting Bengali cinema internationally, Star Cineplex for modernising cinema halls and expanding the local film market, and Chorki, which will receive recognition as the leading OTT platform.
Veteran actor Ahmed Sharif will be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his decades-long contribution to Bangladeshi cinema.
Organisers said the festival aims to celebrate Bengali cinema through film screenings, cultural performances, celebrity appearances and special honours, with Kazi Maruf’s return to the New York stage expected to be one of the event’s biggest highlights.
