The Cinema of Bangladesh is a diverse and vibrant entity, consisting of films produced across various regions, 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.
Jaan Kurbaan is a 2011 Bengali romantic action film directed by M B Manik. The film is produced by Mehdi Hasan Siddiki Monir and features Shakib Khan and Apu Biswas in the lead roles. It also has Nuton, Ali Raj, Afzal Sharif, Harun Kisinger, Ilias Kobra, Shiba Shanu and Misha Sawdagor in supporting roles. Jaan Kurbaan was released on Eid, 31 August 2011.
Ekbar Bolo Bhalobashi is a Dhallywood romantic action film that released on August 31, 2011, in Eid ul-Fitr. The film is directed by Bodiul Alam Khokon and starring Shakib Khan and Apu Biswas. It also stars Misha Sawdagor, Toma Mirza, Shiba Shanu, Sadek Bachchu and Kazi Hayat in supporting roles. It is a remake of the 2005 Telugu film Mahanandi.
Eamin Haque Bobby, better known as Bobby Haque, is a popular Bollywood 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.
Mental known as 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 is directed by debutant Shamim Ahamed Roni with the screenplay written by Abdullah Zahir and Daud Hussein. The film is produced by Saiful Alam Chowdhury (Parvez) under the banner of Banglaxpress Films.
Itihas is a 2002 Bangladeshi film starring Kazi Maruf as the protagonist. He received a Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in the film. It also stars Ratna, Moushumi and Kazi Hayat.
Rajneeti (transl. Politics) is a 2017 Bangladeshi political thriller film. The film directed by Bulbul Biswas and produced by Ashfaq Ahmed under the banner of Arrow Motion Arts. The film story and screenplay written by Bulbul Biswas himself and dialogue by Delowar Hossain Dil. It feature 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 screenplay and directed by FI Manik and produced and distributed by Shondhani Kotha Chitra. It was written and dialogue 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 composed by Emon Saha.
Premik Number One is 2013 Bangladeshi romantic drama film. The film directed by Rakibul Islam Rakib and produced by Anwar Hossain Mintu. It feature 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 from 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 upcoming Bangladeshi crime thriller film. It is screenplay and directed by Mostafizur Rahman Manik and dialogues and story by Delwar Hossain Dil. Produced by Munna Khan under the banner of Munna Khan Multimedia and distributed by The Abhi Kathachitra. Munna Khan and Koushani Mukherjee is played the lead roles and Misha Sawdagor, Deepa Khandakar, Borda Mithu, Shiba Shanu, Don, Maruf Akib, Shimul Khan, Chikon Ali and others is played supporting roles. It is debut lead role and produced film of Munna Khan under the banner of his own production Munna Khan Multimedia. It will scheduled for release in theaters on 17 June 2024 on Eid al-Adha.
