‘Prince’ screenings face repeated disruptions at Cineplex

More than a week after Eid, complications surrounding the screening of “Prince” at Star Cineplex remain unresolved. The film did not run in any branch during its first three days due to DCP-related issues. Although screenings began on the fourth day, a technical fault forced a show to stop midway at the Bashundhara Shopping Mall branch, with audiences refunded.

A 1:50 pm show at the Shimanto Shambhar outlet was cancelled yesterday (Thursday) due to an air-conditioning malfunction. Director Abu Hayat Mahmud strongly protested the repeated disruptions, alleging a conspiracy against the film.

He said, “Despite a houseful show in Dhanmondi, audiences were refunded as the AC broke down. Even then, the film was not shifted to another hall. Earlier, in Bashundhara City, viewers had to leave midway when the sound suddenly stopped. When I asked why this happened despite a new DCP being provided and checked multiple times, I was told an old DCP had been used in that hall.”
The director questioned how such inconsistencies could occur, adding, “As far as I know, a cineplex operates all halls through a single server. So how could one hall still have the old DCP? Their only explanation is technical issues.”

He further said, “The problematic scene was in the first DCP, but the second half also had similar issues. It appears they merged two DCPs to run the film. We checked the film Tuesday night, and it was fine. Yet during screenings, both halves had problems. How did this happen?”
 

 
Expressing frustration, he added, “Another film’s DCP was made at the same facility, yet it has no issues. No other film is facing such problems—only ‘Prince’. If a film cannot run properly in its first week, how will it succeed? How will the producer survive? I have never seen anything like this in our industry.”
Hinting at possible foul play, he said, “Shows were houseful, but audiences had to return without watching. Meanwhile, the film is running nationwide outside cineplexes. Naturally, if it ran smoothly in cineplexes, it would perform better. So is it being blocked to protect other films? Someone must be involved—otherwise, why are all problems happening only to us?”

However, Star Cineplex authorities denied the allegations. Media and Marketing AGM Mesbah Uddin Ahmed said, “It is not fair to blame the cineplex. Over the past five years, some of our highest-grossing films have starred Shakib Khan—‘Priyotoma’, ‘Borbaad’, ‘Toofan’, and ‘Taandob’. Why would we not screen his film? If a film runs well, it benefits us too.”

He added, “The Dhanmondi show was cancelled due to an AC issue. Another film scheduled in the same hall was also cancelled. Earlier disruptions were purely technical. There is no other reason. Such issues can occur when work is rushed at the last moment.”

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