The year was eventful due to political reasons, and that impression is also reflected in Bangladesh’s film industry. According to the Film Producers and Distributors Association, 53 films have been released in the country’s theatres. These include two imported Bollywood films, Mr. and Mrs. Mahi and Stree-2. Although not on the list, another Hindi film, Crew, was released. Although several more were imported, they could not be screened due to various complications.
Only 50 domestic movies have been released, excluding imports. Considering the context, this number is not small. However, how many of these movies have provided oxygen to Dhallywood is the big question now.
After the country’s political turmoil on August 5, most producers hesitated to release their films. Everyone had the same question: Will the money they invested be recovered? As the situation became somewhat routine, many dared to release their movies.
This year, Shakib Khan, Shaiful Raaz and Ziaul Roshan have released a maximum of three films each. Among the heroines, Jaya Ahsan, Bublik, Apu Biswas, Pooja Cherry and Dighi have two each.
Advisor to the Film Exhibitors Association Sudipta Kumar Das said, “This year, Toofan and Rajkumar did good business. No other film was successful.”
Due to the dying state of the film industry, the number of single Screens is now only 65. However, during the Eid festival, this number increases to about 150. In such a situation, Abdul Aziz, the head of Jazz Multimedia, is looking for a solution in multiplexes. He said, “This year, no movie could raise the money invested. We must increase the number of multiplexes. Otherwise, the film industry will not improve.”
Since there is no box office in Dhallywood, the exact business figures are not possible to determine, which creates confusion.
According to the information received, the two best films of the year are Toofan and Rajkumar. Both starred Shakib Khan and were released during the Eid festival. Although there were expectations for his ‘Dard’, it failed to fulfil them. Apart from this, no other film could be the saviour of Dhallywood.
Apart from this, some movies may not have been commercially successful but were appreciated by the audience. This year, a few such movies have also been released. The best movies are Dealer Desh, Kajal Rekha, and Priyo Maloti.
For the past few years, producers have not dared release movies without Eid. This time, too, was no exception. But that, too, did not work. Except for Shakib Khan, no one else could light the lamp of hope. As a result, Dhallywood must start the new year with the hope of turning around again despite the heavy burden of failure.