Cameos like these have long been a staple of Hollywood—the Marvel Cinematic Universe redefined the model, and Bollywood followed with its own versions like the YRF Spy Universe and Rohit Shetty’s Cop Universe.
It was during the school-free weekends when my maternal cousins and I would huddle in front of our grandparents' grey old box TV after a hearty, yet customary lunch arrangement at their place. We would take up the gap on the floor between their king-sized bed and the unforgettable TV set to watch the black and white Satyajit Ray films, and even the vibrant late 20th-century Bangladeshi cinema, previously defined by over-the-top performances. The adults would lounge about on the bed, imbuing us with not only the significance of family viewing content but also a perception of what we understood as “our cinematic language.”
Bangladeshi cinema has been gradually making way into the Pakistani market, with two previous film releases premiering with English subtitles. This time, the cross-border cultural exchange will deepen as “Jongli” becomes the first Bangladeshi film to be dubbed in Urdu for its release in Pakistan.
After a two-year hiatus, Bangladesh’s showbiz stars are once again gearing up to take the field—this time with a new name and a fresh format. Ditching the previous title “Celebrity Cricket League” (CCL), the upcoming tournament has been rebranded as the “Celebrity Champions Trophy” (CCT), set to commence on May 5.
In a Facebook post, Sajib compared the film’s opening to that of another Swapna Scarecrow release, “Priyotoma”. He wrote, "Remember ‘Priyotoma’s’ opening? In its first three days, it grossed $44,000 from 42 theatres across North America. In comparison, ‘Jongli’ brought in $35,000 from 33 theatres.”
"Jongli", a breakout film this year, isn’t just riding high tides at the box office—it’s leaving audiences visibly shaken. Actress Prarthana Fardin Dighi, who plays the emotionally complex character Nupur, shared how the film moved viewers to tears and sparked heartfelt conversations long after the credits rolled.
The Eid release “Jongli”, starring Siam Ahmed, has emerged as a box office success, earning Tk 2.06 crore in gross ticket sales within 16 days of its release. Yesterday, director M Raahim shared the update via a Facebook post himself.
With packed halls and sustained audience turnout weeks after Eid, this year’s releases “Borbaad”, “Daagi” and “Jongli” have marked a strong box office run—prompting their scheduled release abroad.
As of today, the number of screenings at Star Cineplex has jumped to 14 per day—an unusual development for a Bangladeshi film post-Eid. The reason is not flashy promotions or star power, but the deeply personal way audiences have embraced it, said Siam Ahmed, ‘Jongli’s lead star in an exclusive interview with The Daily Star.
Following the release of their enchanting nikah ceremony pictures, Mehazabien Chowdhury and Adnan Al Rajeev have now shared glimpses of their joyous holud celebration. Surrounded by close friends and family, the couple enjoyed a vibrant pre-wedding event filled with laughter, love, and beautiful traditions.
Although Eid-ul-Fitr is still a little while away, audiences are ardently anticipating the films scheduled for release during the festive season.
Siam Ahmed has unveiled a fresh look for his upcoming film “Jongli” today, sparking excitement among fans.
Actress Shobnom Bubly shared the poster of her upcoming starrer project “Pinik” on social media, announcing its release during Eid. The film is set to join the lineup alongside new movies starring Shakib Khan, Siam Ahmed, and Afran Nisho for the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr.
Prominent actor Siam Ahmed, who first captured hearts with crowd-favorite television series like “Bhalobasha 101”, “Tomar Amar Prem”, and “X Factor Reload”, has since made a seamless transition to the silver screen, cementing his place in the film industry. His highly anticipated film “Jongli” is now on the horizon, promising to showcase a deeply immersive and reinvented Siam in the lead role.
For over two decades, Shakib Khan has been a leading figure in the Dhallywood film industry. Recently, he has ventured into the world of cricket through his business enterprise, Remark-Herlan, which has acquired a Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) franchise named Dhaka Capitals.
The film “Pinik”, directed by Zahid Jewel, is among the highly anticipated releases this Eid, starring Ador Azad and Bubly. Joining the festive lineup, Shakib Khan, Siam Ahmed and Afran Nisho will also bring their latest project to the audience.
The crime thriller “Shaan”, directed by M Rahim and featuring Siam Ahmed and Puja Cherry, was originally released during Eid-ul-Fitr 2022 and performed well in theatres and on OTT platforms. It’s now set to make its Indian television debut as “Arjun: The Super Cop” on Zee Bangla Cinema, airing on November 10.
Dhallywood superstar Shakib Khan has long held the position of director at Remark-Herlan, but now celebrated actor Siam Ahmed has also come on board as the brand ambassador for the company.
The upcoming film, yet to be titled, will be shot at locations both in Bangladesh and abroad, with a planned release during Eid ul-Azha 2025.