With Eid-ul-Fitr approaching, filmmaker Raihan Rafi is set to return to the big screen with a new project titled Pressure Cooker, slated for release during the festive season. The announcement came through the unveiling of the film’s first official poster on Saturday, February 21, sparking widespread discussion across social media platforms.
The poster stands out for its striking absence of a male protagonist. Instead, it foregrounds four women, each depicted in distinct moods and atmospheres, hinting at the possibility of layered narratives. The unconventional design has already generated significant curiosity among cinephiles, particularly given Rafi’s reputation for delivering commercially successful films with strong emotional cores.
The four central characters are portrayed by Shobnom Bubly, Nazifa Tushi, Maria Shanta and Snigdha Chowdhury. The story revolves around their intertwined lives, exploring personal struggles, internal conflicts and the relentless pressures of urban existence.
According to the filmmaker, the narrative draws inspiration from the unspoken pain, silent endurance and invisible battles faced by women in Dhaka’s demanding cityscape.
Sharing the poster, Rafi compared the capital city to a “pressure cooker” for women, suggesting that when suppressed emotions and societal constraints exceed their limits, an inevitable eruption follows, much like the whistle of a cooker releasing steam. The metaphor signals an intense, character-driven drama rooted in contemporary realities.
Backed by Impress Telefilm, Pressure Cooker is jointly produced by Faridur Reza Sagar and Rafi himself from his Kanon Films. The director previously delivered box office hits such as Poran, Surongo, Toofan and Taandob, establishing a firm footing in mainstream Bangla cinema.
Opting to centre a commercial film entirely on four female protagonists without a dominant male lead marks a bold departure from prevailing industry norms. Rafi believes the project could pave the way for a new narrative trend in mainstream Bangla cinema, blending social commentary with mass appeal.
