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Six months in review

BEST OF DHALLYWOOD
PHOTOS: COLLECTED
ZAHID AKBAR
In the first six months of this year, around 30 films have been released in the country, with only a few achieving notable commercial successes. However, several movies and songs have generated significant buzz in the entertainment industry and among audiences.
Early releases: A slow start
From January to March, a few films, including Shesh Bazi, Rukhe Darao, Chhaya Brikkho, Kagojer Bou, and Peyarar Subash , were released, but none made a significant impact commercially or critically. The situation changed with the arrival of April.
Eid-ul-Fitr releases
The festival of Eid has always been an opportune time for film releases due to higher audience turnout. Eleven films were released during Eid-ul-Fitr. Leading the charge was Himel Ashraf’s Rajkumar , starring Shakib Khan. Although it had an extended run in multiplexes, it fell short commercially compared to last year’s blockbuster Priyotoma .
Among other notable releases, Mishuk Moni’s Deyaler Desh , starring Sariful Razz and Shobnom Bubly, received praise for Bubly’s performance. Mostafa Kamal Raz’s Omar , featuring Razz as its lead, also garnered attention and was released internationally.
Gias Uddin Selim’s much-anticipated Kajol Rekha , featuring Sariful Razz and Mondera Chakroborty, sparked discussions among critics and audiences but did not perform well at the box office. The simultaneous release of three films featuring Razz failed to engage as many viewers as anticipated. Additionally, Mona: Jinn-2 had a modest run in multiplexes.
Post-Eid-ul-Fitr releases
After winning awards at various international film festivals, including Iran’s prestigious Fajr Film Festival, Fatima , featuring Tasnia Farin in her first Bangladeshi silver screen project, generated buzz but failed commercially.
Eid-ul-Azha releases
During Eid-ul-Azha, five films were released. The standout was Shakib Khan starrer Toofan , directed by Raihan Rafi, which was both commercially successful and well-received by audiences. According to the production house Alpha-i, Toofan set a record for the highest number of shows at Star Cineplex and was released internationally, winning the hearts of viewers.
Chart-topping songs
Despite numerous releases, few songs gained widespread attention. However, songs from Shakib Khan’s films stood out. The duet O Rajkumar from Rajkumar , sung by Somnur Monir Konal and Balam, became a crowd favourite. Prince Mahmud’s Borbaad , sung by Alif, from the same film was also well-received. The duet Ninduke from Lipstick , sung by Nancy and Imran, and Mithun Chakra’s Bisorjoner Betha from Deyaler Desh were popular among listeners.
The biggest hit of the first half of this year is perhaps the song Laage Ura Dhura from Toofan . A duet by Pritom Hasan and Debosrie Antara, it gained significant popularity across all audience segments, bringing emerging musician Antara into the limelight. The song Dushtu Kokil by Dilshad Nahar Kona from the same film is currently trending and well-received by listeners.
Although the beginning of the year didn’t quite start on a high note for Dhallywood, it picked up its pace during Eid as audiences flocked to theatres to watch their favourite stars. Anticipation mounts high for the remaining six months of the year, hoping to prove fruitful for the industry.