Zahid Akbar

Actors and filmmakers behind this year's Eid-ul-Azha releases are visiting cinemas across the country to promote their films and engage with audiences.

Some of the films are showing in both single-screen and multiplex halls. Others are multiplex-only.

However, only a handful of the films have visible promotional campaigns so far. Whether all of them will ultimately make it to cinemas remains to be seen. Several teasers, songs and trailers have already been unveiled, building anticipation around the Eid line-up.

The transition from music to acting is hardly unusual. Many vocalists have made guest appearances in dramas and films over the years, including Azam Khan, Bappa Mazumder, Samina Chowdhury, Fahmida Nabi, Kona, Salma, Mila, and others. Most of them have appeared as guest artistes, adding a different dimension to their creative journeys.

The journey of winning hearts will come to an end with its 52nd episode. The final episode will premiere on May 8 at 3:00pm on the Cinemawala YouTube channel, with a special extended runtime of 92 minutes as a gift for viewers.

Following Eid-ul-Fitr, when five films—“Bonolota Express”, “Domm”, “Prince”, “Pressure Cooker”, and “Rakkhosh”—were released, focus has now shifted to the next major holiday window. Among them, “Bonolota Express” is still holding the top position, while others recorded moderate commercial returns and some overseas response.

Five films released this Eid-ul-Azha have entered their fourth week in theatres, with Bonolota Express emerging as the top earner among multiplex audiences. The figures are based on ticket sales from multiplex chains across Bangladesh and do not include overseas earnings.

Asha Bhosle (1933-2026) was a legend not only in the context of South Asia, but the entire musical world feels her absence.

This Eid-ul-Fitr marked the debut of Kolkata’s Jyotirmoyee Kundu in the Bangladeshi film industry, starring opposite Shakib Khan in “Prince”. Having begun her journey on television with “Bodhua” in 2024 and making her big-screen debut in 2025 with “Prajapati 2” alongside Dev, the young actor is still only three years into her career.

Puja Chery is receiving widespread appreciation for her portrayal of ‘Rani’ in the Eid release “Domm”, directed by Redoan Rony. Starring opposite Afran Nisho, the film is performing strongly in multiplexes, securing the highest number of screenings.

Going to a cinema hall to watch one’s first film is always a memorable experience etched in the mind. In childhood, most people watch their first film with family members, and celebrities are no exception. Watching films during Eid has long been a cherished tradition. Four prominent stars of the country shared their first cinema-going experiences—where they watched their first films and which films they saw—with The Daily Star.

Most single-screen cinemas are screening the film, which delves into Dhaka’s underworld. The ensemble cast includes Shakib Khan, Tasnia Farin, Jyotirmoyee Kundu, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Rashed Mamun Apu, Intekhab Dinar, and Ejajul Islam.

Only a handful of songs from this year’s five upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr releases have been unveiled so far. While film songs are usually released well in advance, this year most tracks are being launched just days before the films’ release, limiting their reach among listeners. As a result, none of the songs has yet gained widespread popularity, though they may find an audience in the coming days.

While many actors of the era built their careers through action roles or triumphant romances, Bapparaj became known for portraying the defeated yet dignified lover — a man who sacrifices love rather than fights for it.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (February 26) presented the Ekushey Padak 2026 to nine distinguished individuals and the band Warfez in recognition of their outstanding contributions to national life, marking Amar Ekushey and International Mother Language Day.

Born on February 22, 1943, in Cumilla’s Daudkandi upazila, Gazi Mazharul Anwar wrote more than 20,000 songs over a remarkable six-decade career. From romantic melodies to patriotic anthems, his words shaped the golden era of Bangladeshi music and cinema.

Chondona also shared a personal insight into her late husband’s deepest artistic pride. “My personal feeling is that Ayub Bachchu would have been happier if his band LRB had received the award,” she said.

Both films are scheduled to be released during Eid al-Fitr. After completing portions of their shoots in Bangladesh, the teams moved to Sri Lanka for the next phase.

He praised the role the newspaper has played over the years in the country’s art, culture, and cinema.

A new year has begun. In the past year, a total of 46 Dhallywood films were released, of which only a handful managed to achieve commercial success. Audience turnout was largely concentrated around Eid releases, while a few other films earned appreciation from viewers and critics alike.