The Cinema of Bangladesh, also known as Bangla cinema, is a diverse and vibrant entity, consisting of films produced across various regions in Bangladesh, each contributing its unique linguistic and cultural perspective. Beyond the dominant Dhaka based Bengali-language film industry Dhallywood, which is a portmanteau of "Dhaka" and "Hollywood", Bangladesh is home to cinema in several other languages and dialects. For instance, Chakma cinema from Bandarban, Garo cinema from Sherpur, Meitei and Sylheti cinema from Sylhet, Chatgaiya cinema from Chattogram. These regional cinemas play a crucial role in preserving and promoting the linguistic and cultural heritage of the country. The dominant style of Bangladeshi cinema is melodramatic cinema, which developed from 1947 to 1990 and characterizes most films to this day. Cinema was introduced in Bangladesh in 1898 by the Bradford Bioscope Company, credited to have arranged the first film release in Bangladesh. Between 1913 and 1914, the first production company, Picture House, was opened. A 1928 short silent film titled Sukumari was the first Bengali-produced film in the region. The first full-length film, The Last Kiss, was released in 1931.
SM Aslam Talukder Manna, known by his stage name Manna (মান্না), was a Bangladeshi film actor and producer.
Anisur Rahman Milon is a Bangladeshi actor. He is a co-president of the Actors Equity.
Ekbar Bolo Bhalobashi is a Dhallywood romantic action film that was released on August 31, 2011, in Eid ul-Fitr. The film was directed by Bodiul Alam Khokon and stars Shakib Khan and Apu Biswas. It also stars Misha Sawdagor, Toma Mirza, Shiba Shanu, Sadek Bachchu and Kazi Hayat in supporting roles. It was a remake of the 2005 Telugu film Mahanandi.
Bappy Chowdhury is a Bangladeshi actor who works in Bengali films. Referred to in the media as "The Sultan of Dhallywood", he has starred in over 45 films in a decade-long career, and is one of the country's most popular actors.
Eamin Haque Bobby, better known as Bobby Haque, is a popular Bangladeshi film actress, model and film producer. She made her acting debut in Khoj: The Search, released on 16 April 2010. Dehorokkhi (2013) helped establish her as a star in the Dhallywood film industry.
Sadik Mohammed Symon, popularly known as Symon Sadik, is a Bangladeshi film actor, assistant director, lyricist, model and politician. His films are predominantly in Dhallywood cinema. He made his debut in as a lead role in the Bangladeshi film Ji Hujur (2012) and he won Bioscope Borsho-Sera Awards for Best acting in Poramon (2013). He also won Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Actor for his role in the film Jannat (2018).
Iftakar H Chowdhury, known as Iftakar Chowdhury is a Bangladeshi-American film actor, director and producer. He started his career as a director with Khoj: The Search. The film was released in 2010, and introduced new technologies in Dhallywood.
Kazi Hayat is a Bangladeshi film director, producer, writer, and actor. In 2023 he performed in Priyotoma, which is the highest grossing Bangladesh film of all time.
Hero: The Superstar is a Bangladeshi action comedy film directed by Badiul Alam Khokon. The film stars Shakib Khan in a dual role along with Apu Biswas and Bobby as the female lead, while Amit Hasan, Shiba Shanu, Misha Sawdagor, Nuton, Rebeka Rouf And Uzzal play supporting roles. The film is loosely inspired by two Telugu films: Rebel and Naayak. The film marks the debut of Shakib Khan as a producer.
Mental known as Mental: It can be your Love Story or Rana Pagla: The Mental, is a 2016 Bangladeshi psychological-action thriller film featuring Shakib Khan, Nusrat Imrose Tisha with Achol, Misha Sawdagor, Shiba Shanu, Don and Shimul Khan in supporting roles. The film was directed by debutant Shamim Ahamed Roni with the screenplay written by Abdullah Zahir and Daud Hussein. The film was produced by Saiful Alam Chowdhury (Parvez) under the banner of Banglaxpress Films.
Rajneeti (transl. Politics) is a 2017 Bangladeshi political thriller film. The film was directed by Bulbul Biswas and produced by Ashfaq Ahmed under the banner of Arrow Motion Arts. The film's story and screenplay were written by Bulbul Biswas and dialogue by Delowar Hossain Dil. It features Shakib Khan, Apu Biswas, Anisur Rahman Milon, Sadek Bachchu, Amit Hasan in lead roles. The film soundtrack is composed by Habib Wahid, Fuad al Muqtadir and Pritam Hasan. It was released on June 26, 2017, on the occasion on Eid al-Fitr in Bangladesh.
Bizli is a 2018 Bangladeshi superhero film directed by Iftakar Chowdhury, and produced by Bobstar Films. It stars Bobby as the protagonist and Indian actress Satabdi Roy as the antagonist. The film was released at Janata Cinema Hall in Nilphamari on 30 March 2018, then released countrywide on 13 April 2018. It is the first superhero film in Bangladesh to possess an original script and story line.
Beporowa is a 2019 Bangladeshi Bengali action comedy film directed by Raja Chanda. The film was produced by Jaaz Multimedia, and stars Bobby and Roshan.
Tania Sultana Popy,, is a Bangladeshi actress. She appeared in six Dhallywood films before quitting for conservative Islamic issues.
Dui Prithibi is a 2015 Bangladeshi romantic drama film. The film was screenplayed and directed by FI Manik. It was produced and distributed by Shondhani Kotha Chitra. It was written and dialogued by Mohammad Rafiquzzaman. The film features an ensemble cast including Shakib Khan, Apu Biswas and Ahona Rahman, Syed Hasan Imam, Alamgir, Abul Hayat, Kazi Hayat, Ali Raj, Parveen Sultana Diti, Dolly Johur, Rasheda Chowdhury, Mizu Ahmed, Sadek Bachchu, Misha Sawdagor, Shiba Shanu and Ilias Kobra. The film soundtrack was composed by Emon Saha.
Premik Number One is a 2013 Bangladeshi romantic drama film. The film was directed by Rakibul Islam Rakib and produced by Anwar Hossain Mintu. It features an ensemble cast, which includes Shakib Khan, Apu Biswas, Nipun Akter, Misha Sawdagor, Bobita, Kazi Hayat, Sabrina Sultana Keya, Sujata, Amaan Reza, Shahnoor, Shahin Alam and Kabila. It is loosely inspired by two Telugu films: Balu (2005) and Ontari (2008).
Tungiparar Miya Bhai is a 2021 Bangladeshi biographical feature film. Its director is Selim Khan and producer is Pinky Akter. The film was made under the banner of Story Shapla Media.
Dark World is a 2024 Bangladeshi crime thriller film. It is screenplay and directed by Mostafizur Rahman Manik and dialogues and story by Delwar Hossain Dil. It was produced by Munna Khan under the banner of Munna Khan Multimedia and distributed by The Abhi Kathachitra. Munna Khan and Koushani Mukherjee played the lead roles and Misha Sawdagor, Deepa Khandakar, Borda Mithu, Shiba Shanu, Don, Maruf Akib, Shimul Khan, Chikon Ali and others played supporting roles. It is debut lead role and produced film of Munna Khan under the banner of his own production company Munna Khan Multimedia. It was scheduled for release in theaters on 17 June 2024 on Eid al-Adha.
