South Asian cinema refers to the cinema of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The broader terms Asian cinema, Eastern cinema and Oriental cinema in common usage often encompass South Asia as well as East Asia and Southeast Asia.
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.
Chowdhury Muhammad Shahriar Emon, known by his stage name Salman Shah, was a Bangladeshi film and television actor and model. Referred in the media as the "Prince of Bangladeshi Cinema", "Hero of Heroes" and the "First Superstar of Modern Dhallywood", he is widely regarded as one of the most popular, influential and iconic figures in Bangladesh's film history. Shah appeared in 27 films in a short acting career of three years, many of which were successful. He first gained attention for his debut film, Keyamat Theke Keyamat (1993), and in the following three years appeared in leading roles in a series of commercially successful films, including Bikkhobh, Denmohor, Shujon Shokhi, Shopner Thikana, Ei Ghor Ei Shongsar, Sotter Mrittu Nei and Anondo Osru which established him as one of the most sought after leading men in the industry. Subsequently, he became the highest paid actor in the industry. Three of his films, Shopner Thikana, Sotter Mrittu Nei and Keyamat Theke Keyamat are among the top ten highest grossing films of all time in Dhallywood box office.
Masud Rana, better known by the stage name Shakib Khan, Bengali pronunciation:[ˈʃaːki:bxaːn], is a Bangladeshi actor, producer, businessman, occasional singer, film organiser, and media personality who works in Bengali films, both in Bangladesh and India. He is widely regarded as one of the most popular and influential figures in Bengali cinema and is considered to be one of the most successful actors in the country's history. In his career spanning about two decades and 250 films, Khan has been the propeller of the contemporary film industry, Dhallywood. As of 2022, he was the highest paid actor in Bangladesh and West Bengal.
Molla Barir Bou is a Bangladeshi Bengali-language film, directed by Bangladeshi famous television drama director-writer Salauddin Lavlu and written by famous actor-writer ATM Shamsuzzaman. It was produced and distributed by Chhayachhando Chalochitra. It stars Moushumi, Riaz, Shabnur, ATM Shamsuzzaman, Pran Roy, Chitralekha Guho, Keramat Mawla, Khairul Alam Sabuj, Wahida Mollick Jolly, Masud Ali Khan and many more.
Bolbo Kotha Bashor Ghore is a Bangladeshi Bengali-language romance film. The film was released in 2009 all over Bangladesh. It is directed and written by Shah Mohammad Songram, produced by Omar Faruk and distributed by Eagle Music. This film is based on a romantic and family drama story. It features Shakib Khan, Shabnur, Sahara and many more. It became one of the box-office success films of 2009.
Shaheb Name Golam is a Bangladeshi Bengali-language film written and directed by Raju Chowdhury, produced and distributed by Md Khorshed Alam Khosru. It is a family drama-based film, starring Shakib Khan and Moushumi in the lead roles. It also features Sahara, Nirob, Racy, Misha Sawdagor, Omar Sani, Danny Sidak, Nagma in supporting roles.
Kokhono Megh Kokhono Brishti is a 2003 Bangladeshi film directed by actress Moushumi. It is the first film she directed. It stars Moushumi, Ferdous, Razzak, Bobita, Humayun Faridi and Shahidul Alam Sachchu. Shooting wrapped up in August 2003. It is a remake of the 1974 Tamil film Aval Oru Thodar Kathai.
Tiger Number One initialism as Tiger No.1 is a Bangladeshi action film directed by Shahin Sumon. It stars Shakib Khan, Nipun, Shahara, Amit Hasan, Misha Sawdagor, Shiba Shanu, Kazi Hayat, Abul Hayat, and Don, among others. The film is a remake of the 2010 Indian Tamil-language film Raavanan. This is the third film in which Shakib Khan has played a villain role. Tiger Number One was released on Eid-ul-Fitr, 31 August 2011.
Shoshurbari Zindabad is a 2002 Bangladeshi film released on Eid-ul-Fitr. It is a remake of the 2002 Indian Bengali film Sasurbari Zindabad which was itself a remake of 1989 Telugu movie Attaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogudu. The film marked the directorial debut of Debashish Biswas, son of Dilip Biswas.
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.
Ek Cup Cha (Bengali: এক কাপ চা) is a 2014 Bangladeshi romantic film directed by Noyeem Imtiaz Neyamul. It stars Ferdous Ahmed and Moushumi in the central roles, alongside Omar Sani, Rituparna Sengupta, father and daughter duo Alamgir and Akhi Alamgir, and Humayun Faridi. It was Faridi's final film, he died before it was released.
Shajghor is a 2007 Bangladeshi film directed by Shah Alam Kiron. The film was based on the story written by Humayun Ahmed. It features Manna, Moushumi, Nipun Akhter and Kazi Hayat in the lead roles. It won several National Film Awards including Best Supporting Actress.
Bir Soinik also is a Bangladeshi Bengali-language film. The film released was 2003 in Bangladesh. director-writer Delwar Jahan Jhantu. Stars Manna, Moushumi, Rosy Samad, Humayun Faridi, Yasmin Bilkis Sathi and many more. The movie is a remake of Tamil language film Sardar Papa Rayudu (1980) and Hindi language film Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001).
Coolie is a 1997 Bangladeshi Dhallywood action comedy film, directed by Montazur Rahman Akbar and written by Abdullah Zahir Babu. AK Siddique produced the films under the banner of Flamingo Movies. The film stars Omar Sani and Sadika Parvin Popy in the leading role with supporting roles played by Amin Khan, Dildar, Humayun Faridi, Dolly Johur and more. The film actress Sadika Parvin Popy started her career with the film. It is a remake of the 1993 Tamil film Chinna Mappillai.
Dahan is a 1985 Bangladeshi film starring Bulbul Ahmed, Bobita, Humayun Faridi and Asaduzzaman Nur. It bagged National Film Awards in 3, and Bachsas Awards in record 10 categories that year.
Dhakaiya Mastan is a 2002 Bangladeshi film starring Manna and Moushumi. The film was directed by Montazur Rahman Akbar. It also co-stars Misha Sawdagar and Dipjol. It was a remake of 2001 Hindi film Farz.
Premik Number One is 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 from two Telugu films: Balu (2005) and Ontari (2008).
Praner Manush is a 2003 Bangladeshi romantic drama film. The film is directed by Amjad Hossain and produced by Azizul Haque Putu. story written by Ali Hassan, screenplay and dialogue by Amjad Hossain himself. It feature Shakib Khan, Shabnur and Ferdous Ahmed.
