Dhallywood superstar Shakib Khan, who brought in over Tk 100 crore in box office revenue through his recent films Toofan and Borbaad, appears to be gradually drifting apart from the filmmakers who helped him achieve that success.
Industry insiders suggest that despite the actor’s commercial high, a growing rift is forming between Shakib and producers, marked by creative differences, ego clashes, and contract disputes.
One of the most significant developments involves Borbaad producer Shahrin Akhter Sumi, whose film raked in an estimated Tk 75 crore, largely credited to Shakib’s screen presence. Yet Sumi has decided not to cast him in her next project. Speaking to Times of Bangladesh, she said the lead role might instead go to Arifin Shuvo, Siam Ahmed, or Shariful Raj.
Mehedi Hasan Hridoy, the director of Borbaad, is likely to remain on Sumi’s team for the new project. Asked why Shakib is being excluded, Hridoy diplomatically responded, “It’s not like I won’t work with him again. We have plans for another film together.”
However, industry sources point to lingering tensions between the two. It is rumoured that Shakib was not satisfied with Hridoy’s direction, while the director himself reportedly took issue with Shakib’s on-set conduct during Borbaad’s production and release phase. This mutual friction, insiders say, created a “mental distance” between the star and the crew.
Sumi did offer Shakib a role in the upcoming film, but the actor reportedly set conditions that she was unwilling to meet.
Despite his fallout with several production houses, Shakib’s recent hits, including Toofan and Tandob—under the banners of Chorki and Alpha Eye—have generated significant revenue. However, the actor’s associates claim Tandob‘s profits were severely dented due to piracy issues during its Eid release.
Meanwhile, another film Utshob, which did not involve Shakib, performed strongly without controversy—leaving executives at Chorki and Alpha Eye cautious. Consequently, Shakib has been dropped from their upcoming Eid release Domm, which now stars Chanchal Chowdhury and Afran Nisho in lead roles.
Still, not all doors are closed. Celebrated playwright Abu Hayat Mahmud recently announced Once Upon a Time in Dhaka for next Eid-ul-Fitr, with Shakib in the lead. Reports say the actor has charged a record-breaking fee of Tk 3 crore for the role, Tk 2 crore of which has already been paid. Yet even here, tensions have surfaced, as Shakib has reportedly distanced himself from producer Shirin Sultana and is trying to squeeze in another project during the scheduled shooting period.
Shakib’s comeback trail was reignited with the blockbuster Priyotoma, directed by Arshad Adnan, who also helmed Rajkumar. But Rajkumar’s lukewarm commercial reception has led Adnan to reconsider casting the actor in future ventures.
Despite all the behind-the-scenes friction, Shakib Khan remains Dhallywood’s most bankable star. Producers may be wary, but the demand for Shakib’s name on a poster continues to keep his phone ringing.
