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.
Nurul Alam Atique is a Bangladeshi television dramatist, scriptwriter and film-maker. Atique received the Bangladesh National Film Award as the best scriptwriter for the full-length feature film Kittonkhola directed by Abu Sayeed. He also received the National Award for Best Scriptwriter for the film Laal Moroger Jhuti, which he directed himself. This film, based on the Liberation War of 1971 in Bangladesh, won four National Awards, including Best Film. He also received the Meril-Prothom Alo Awards as the best director and best scriptwriter for his first film Choturtha Matra. His film Peyarar Subash was an official selection of 45th Moscow International Film Festival and was later released in theatres in Bangladesh and available on Chorki.
Suchinta Chowdhury Chanchal, better known as Chanchal Chowdhury, , is a Bangladeshi actor. Recognised for his acting prowess, he has received several accolades, including three National and seven Meril Prothom Alo awards. He initially gained recognition with roles in television in late 2000s, and in the subsequent decade emerged as one of the most popular leading men of Bangla cinema.
Mostofa Sarwar Farooki is a Bangladeshi film director, producer and screenwriter who works in Bengali films. His films Third Person Singular Number, Television, No Bed Of Roses were critically acclaimed across the world and received numerous international and national awards.
Arifin Shuvoo is a Bangladeshi film actor and television personality. He is the recipient of several awards and nominations, including a National Film Award and two Meril Prothom Alo Awards. He made his debut in 2007, appearing in the television series Ha/Na before appearing in his first film Jaago in 2010.
Iresh Zaker is a Bangladeshi advertising executive, television and film actor and a musician. He is the managing director of Asiatic 360, a marketing and advertising company, owned and operated by his parents, actors Aly Zaker and Sara Zaker. Most of Iresh Zaker's work as an actor has been in television, but he has also played negative roles in several films. He won the National Film Awards Best Performance in a Negative Role in 2015 for his portrayal of antagonist Danny in Chuye Dile Mon.
Gazi Rakayet is a Bangladeshi actor, director and writer. He is the recipient of various accolades, including 10 Bangladesh National Film Awards for the films Mrittika Maya (2013), Anil Bagchir Ekdin (2015) and Gor (2020).
Redoan Rony is a Bangladeshi film director, producer and media executive who is the Chief Executive officer of Chorki. He has spent more than a decade in the media industry of Bangladesh. He has directed a few of the most popular TV series of Bangladesh e.g. Housefull, Fnf, Behind The Scene, Pata Jharar Din, etc. Redoan Rony has been awarded Meril-Prothom Alo Award, CJFB Award, Bachsach Award, and many more. He won Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Dialogue and the film won 5 National Award for his directorial debut film Chorabali (2012).
Ekattor is a Bengali-language streaming television series directed by Tanim Noor. It was released on OTT platform hoichoi on 26 March 2020, Independence Day of Bangladesh. The series stars Mostofa Monowar, Nusrat Imrose Tisha, Iresh Zaker, Rafiath Rashid Mithila, Mostafizur Noor Imran in the lead roles, along with Tariq Anam Khan, Shatabdi Wadud and Deepanwita Martin in significant roles.
Tasnia Zamil Farin is a Bangladeshi actress, model and singer. She has recently worked in Indian Bengali film industry, Tollywood of West Bengal. Critically acclaimed for her work in Karagar. She rose to fame with her central role in the web series Ladies & Gentlemen directed by Mostofa Sarwar Farooki. The ZEE5 web series released on 9 July 2021. She is also known for her performance in the drama EX BOYFRIEND. She has also been seen in several dramas and music videos. She played the role of a katha in a web film Networker Baire directed by Mizanur Rahman Aryan and produced by Redwan Rony, which was released on August 19 of the same year. In 2022, Farin is starring in Indian Bengali language film titled Aro Ek Prithibi Somoy Television directed by Kolkata-based filmmaker Atanu Ghosh.
Mohanagar is a Bangladeshi drama streaming television series created by Ashfaque Nipun. Starring Mosharraf Karim as the Officer in Charge (OC) of Kotwali police station, Dhaka. The series consisting of eight episodes premiered on 25 June 2021 on Hoichoi. Khairul Basar, Shamol Mawla, Nishat Priom, Mostafizur Noor Imran, Nasir Uddin Khan, Zakia Bari Momo, Shahed Ali co-starred. In March 2023, the series was renewed for a second season Mohanagar 2 and was released on 20 April 2023..
Ladies & Gentlemen is a Bangladeshi drama streaming television series created by Mostofa Sarwar Farooki. Starring Tasnia Farin as Sabila Hossain, an ordinary girl, the other main cast includes Afzal Hossain, Hasan Masood, Maria Nur, Partha Barua, Chanchal Chowdhury, Iresh Zaker, Mostafa Monwar, Mamunur Rashid and Saberi Alam. The series was released on 9 July 2021 on ZEE5.
Unoloukik is a Bangladeshi anthology streaming television series written by Shibabrata Barman and directed by Robiul Alam Robi. Individual episodes explore the psychoanalytic journey of the human mind. There are five episodes in this series. The first episode, Moribar Holo Taar Shwaad, premiered on 12 July 2021, and the last episode, Dwikhondito, on 12 August 2021 on Chorki streaming service.
Ashfaque Nipun is a Bangladeshi filmmaker, screenwriter and actor known for directing Mohanagar, Mukim Brothers, Ei Shohore, Landphone Er Dingulite Prem, Alpona Kajol, Sonali Danar Chil, Ms. Shuily, Mukh O Mukhosh Er Golpo, Victim and Eti Maa.
Chorki is a Bangladeshi subscription-based over-the-top media service and original programming production company, owned by Transcom Group via Prothom Alo subsidiary of Mediastar Limited, and was launched on 12 July 2021. The service shows original content and content from other providers, including television series, films, and documentaries. The service is available in an ad-free version with limited content, while the premium tier includes a larger content library including original shows and films.
Jaago Bahey is a Bangladeshi anthology historical drama streaming television series created by Siddiq Ahmed and Sukorno Shahed Dhiman for Chorki. It premiered on 9 December 2021 and ran for three episodes, concluding on 23 December 2021.
Gunin is a 2022 Bangladeshi supernatural romance film directed by Giasuddin Selim. He also wrote the screenplay, based on Hasan Azizul Huq's short story of the same name. The film stars Pori Moni, Sariful Razz, Dilara Zaman, Iresh Zaker, Mostafa Monwar, and Azad Abul Kalam. It is produced and distributed by Chorki and was released on theatre on 11 March 2022.
No Ground Beneath the Feet is a 2021 Bangladeshi drama film directed by Mohammad Rabby Mridha with a screenplay by Mohammad Rabby Mridha and Nahar Mridha from a story by Fazla Rabby. Starring Mostafa Monwar, the film depicts the life of Saiful, an impoverished ambulance driver in Dhaka. The film premiered at the 26th Busan International Film Festival in 'out of competition section' on 7 October 2021, and competed for Golden Peacock Award at the 52nd International Film Festival of India in November 2021.
Procholito is a 2023 Bangladeshi horror anthology streaming television series directed by Md. Abid Mallick. The series consists of 5 episodes. The first episode, Ringtone, premiered on 19 October 2023, and the last episode of the series, Haatbodol, premiered on 16 November 2023 on Chorki. This is the 4th anthology series released on the platform. Redoan Rony is the producer, Md. Assaduzzaman is the executive producer, and Shantonu Shaan serves as the chief assistant director of this series.
Robiul Alam Robi is a Bangladeshi filmmaker and scriptwriter. He gained recognition as the director of the web series Unoloukik released in 2021. His notable film "Suraiya" based on the story of writer Shibabrata Barman under the same name, was selected for the 2023 Busan International Film Festival Asian Project Market (APM). He is also the screenwriter of the critically acclaimed series Myself Allen Swapan released on the OTT platform. His notable films include "Cafe Desire," "Forget Me Not," and the 2020 Academy Award country submission omnibus film Sincerely Yours, Dhaka.
