Barek Hossain
The theatrical landscape of Dhallywood is undergoing a significant transformation. The 2026 Eid cinema market, traditionally a playground for the absolute commercial monopoly of megastar Shakib Khan, has evolved into a fierce, sophisticated battleground. This festive season features an unprecedented clash between formulaic mass entertainment and a rising wave of alternative, narrative-driven storytelling.
Historically, single-screen theaters across rural Bangladesh have heavily prioritized Shakib Khan’s movies to guarantee footfall. This year, the megastar continues to capture the masses by experimenting with fresh on-screen pairings. He headlines the romantic action-drama Prince: Once Upon a Time in Dhaka, directed by Abu Hayat Mahmud, alongside television favorite Tasnia Farin. Additionally, he stars in the musical-thriller Rockstar, directed by Azman Rusho, paired with Sabila Nur.
However, a sophisticated challenge is emerging from a new wave of streaming-era storytellers and young directors who are drawing packed houses at modern multiplexes. Leading the charge is Tanim Noor’s star-studded ensemble drama Bonolota Express, which has shattered box office records, demonstrating that high-concept narratives can compete with grand-scale commercial blockbusters.
The festive lineup features a diverse mix of commercial and alternative cinema:
Prince: Once Upon a Time in Dhaka & Rockstar: Starring Shakib Khan; traditional star-power vehicles testing fresh casting choices.
Bonolota Express: Directed by Tanim Noor; an ensemble powerhouse challenging traditional box office structures.
Domm: Until the Last Breath: Redoan Rony’s intense psychological survival thriller starring Afran Nisho.
Rakkhosh: A stylistically bold thriller directed by Mehedi Hasan Hridoy and starring Siam Ahmed.
Pressure Cooker: Raihan Rafi’s sharp, modern social satire.
This cinematic shift is noticeably altering theater dynamics. While rural single screens remain loyal to Khan, exhibitors at urban multiplexes are experiencing an unprecedented surge in advance bookings, dividing prime-time slots equally between traditional and alternative films.
“For the first time in years, exhibitors are confidently allocating prime-time slots to non-traditional films, signaling a healthier, more balanced theatrical ecosystem,” notes a local film analyst.
Rather than relying on gravity-defying action sequences or foreign-location songs, younger directors are leveraging realism, psychological depth, and powerhouse ensemble casts featuring actors like Chanchal Chowdhury and Mosharraf Karim. As audiences show a growing demand for narrative substance over formulaic tropes, this festive season marks a defining moment where the traditional “Dhallywood formula” must adapt to survive.
