Technical delays hit Shakib Khan’s ‘Prince’ on Eid day

Shakib Khan’s Eid release “Prince: Once Upon a Time in Dhaka” faced widespread disruption on its opening day, as technical failures and licensing delays forced cancellations in cinemas across the country.

Exhibitors reported that morning shows in more than 50 theatres—including venues in Bogura, Madaripur and Saidpur—could not be screened due to server complications, delayed licensing, and unresolved technical faults.

The breakdown triggered anger among audiences, with reports of vandalism in several halls after scheduled screenings failed to begin. In many cases, cinema owners were forced to refund tickets.

Operators said the film’s digital copy was delivered late on Thursday night through a new server system, leaving little time for theatres to prepare. Many halls, unfamiliar with the updated setup, struggled to load the content or complete screening arrangements before Eid morning shows.

Even where the film was received, additional problems emerged, including missing licences and sound failures.

In Bogura, a theatre was unable to run its noon show due to the absence of the Key Delivery Message (KDM), the digital licence required for screening. A hall official said the delay extended well into the afternoon.

Exhibitors estimate that nearly 70 percent of theatres nationwide encountered similar issues on Eid day.

In Saidpur, a cinema operator reported that a scheduled screening had no audio, prompting audience unrest and damage inside the hall. Advance ticket sales were later refunded in full.

In Madaripur, a hall owner said he had invested heavily to screen “Prince” but could not run any shows by midday as the film failed to load on the server. Tickets worth around Tk 15,000 had to be refunded, while earlier disruptions also caused damage to the venue.

The disruption extended to multiplexes as well. Star Cineplex did not receive the film’s Digital Cinema Package (DCP) by mid-afternoon, forcing it to replace scheduled shows with alternative titles.

“This is very unfortunate,” a senior official at the chain said, adding that the delay led to financial losses.

Attempts to reach the film’s distributor and producers for comment were unsuccessful.

Directed by Abu Hayat Mahmud, “Prince: Once Upon a Time in Dhaka” stars Shakib Khan, Tasnia Farin and Jyotirmoyee Kundu. The film opened as one of the widest Eid releases this year, making the scale of disruption particularly significant.