A vibrant festive atmosphere has returned to the capital’s cinema halls this Eid-ul-Fitr, as five new Bangla film releases drew overwhelming crowds throughout the holiday period.

Long queues for tickets were a common sight across Dhaka on Monday, the third day of Eid, marking a significant resurgence for the local film industry.

While audiences have flocked to the theaters, reactions have been a mix of high praise for visual spectacles and some disappointment regarding storytelling.

The much-anticipated film ‘Prince,’ starring superstar Shakib Khan, faced a rocky start as it could not be screened in cineplexes on Eid day, leaving many fans frustrated.

However, director Abu Hayat Mahmud confirmed that the issue was resolved by the third day, and the film has since been running houseful shows.

While viewers appreciated the big-budget visual effects of ‘Prince,’ several critics and moviegoers felt the storyline failed to meet the high expectations set by its promotion. In contrast, Tanim Noor’s ‘Bonolota Express’ has emerged as a critical darling since day one.

Featuring an ensemble cast including Chanchal Chowdhury and Mosharraf Karim, the film has been lauded for its compelling narrative, with audiences reportedly engaging deeply with its emotional and humorous beats.

Adding to the excitement, actor Afran Nisho returned to the screen in ‘Domm,’ a film shot in Kazakhstan that marks director Redoan Rony’s return after a decade.

The movie features a historic onscreen pairing of Nisho and Chanchal Chowdhury, along with a re-recorded version of the iconic song ‘Ei Mon Tomake Dilam’ by legendary singer Sabina Yasmin.

Meanwhile, director Raihan Rafi offered a departure from traditional hero-centric plots with ‘Pressure Cooker,’ a female-led story starring Shobnom Bubly and Nazifa Tushi.

Although some viewers questioned its suitability for family viewing during the festive season, critics praised the film for its unique portrayal of women’s lives in Dhaka.

The action genre also saw a strong showing with Mehedi Hasan’s ‘Rakkhosh,’ starring Siam Ahmed, which has consistently drawn large audiences and maintained houseful status.

Throughout the holidays, stars, directors, and producers have been visiting various halls to interact with the public and gauge the pulse of the audience.

Despite the occasional critique of weak scripts, the overall sentiment remains positive, with many families attending screenings together and calling for a continued focus on high-quality, family-friendly Bangla cinema in the years to come.

With Inputs from UNB