The cost of delay: How film release setbacks weigh heavy on the industry

The entertainment industry let out a collective sigh of relief last year when the Censor Board was replaced with the Certification Board. With that replacement, a stream of movies finally reached the big screen.

However, this phenomenon of delayed film releases has not completely disappeared with the Censor Board. 

Whether due to past censorship restrictions or shortcomings within the film industry, delays in movie releases beyond their original schedules have long been a persistent issue.

Films like Rickshaw Girl, Rong Dhong, and Makeup reflect this ongoing struggle within our film industry.

Behind the scenes

The synopsis of 'Rickshaw Girl' alone was enough to catch my attention. So, when the film was announced years ago, I was excited to watch it, as were many others. 

The film, based on Mitali Perkin's novel, was made with the intention of an international release. Though it met that goal with screenings across 18 states in the US in 2022, its local viewership suffered due to years of the release getting pushed back. 

Initially slated for release in 2020, the film's theatrical release kept getting pushed back until it was finally screened in local theatres in 2025. 

While a large part of the delay was due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the volatile nature of film distribution in Bangladesh also played a role.

"If you want to release a film that is not made with commercial intent, then you won't find much support for its distribution and exhibition," shared Amitabh Reza Chowdhury, director of 'Rickshaw Girl'.

The director had previously planned to use the finances from local streaming platforms to market the film. However, as the film does not follow the traditional formula for commercial films, he was not able to secure a deal with a local streaming platform early on. 

"A film release has extra costs, and there aren't funds for films in the first place. People don't come to watch films anymore, so what is left? The festivities around films. For these festivities, you need to create events for the film," added Amitabh.

A film's success often hinges on its marketing, no matter the strength of its story.

International film 'Barbie' also found commercial success locally, with promotions that included British-Bangladeshi actor Ramzan Mia's part in the movie and Barbie-themed photo booths, showcasing the hefty budget behind its release.

However, setbacks are part and parcel of the industry. According to actress Novera Rahman from 'Rickshaw Girl', each film takes four to five years to develop, and in a market where financial opportunities are thin, it is almost expected for film releases to take time. 

But the time frame of film releases is important as it contributes to their success.

"When films are released, they are competing for slots, they compete with each other at big festivals," noted Novera Rahman.

So, when a film is not released within the intended time frame, it can, in fact, negatively impact its success.

Aside from financial hurdles, a huge reason why film releases were delayed was due to censorship. The release of films such as 'Makeup' (2025) and Rong Dhong (2024) were both stalled for three years while the Censorship Board was in place. 

Tariq Anam Khan, who starred in both films, reflected on their delayed releases. 

"There's a lot of hard work that goes into these movies, as well as investments. Filmmakers also put a lot of thought behind the releases, especially since the scope for opportunities in the market is limited. So, when a film's release doesn't go according to plan, it is a cause for distress," he shared.

Repercussions

There is no denying that a delayed film release weighs heavily on its team.

In the case of 'Rickshaw Girl', it took the sheer determination of the director to get his film out in the open in local cinema halls. 

Without the financial support the director had initially anticipated from a deal with a streaming platform, he ended up releasing the movie with one sponsor, covering the rest of the costs himself. 

Furthermore, the change in release date can come in the way of a film reaching its true potential in terms of fame. 

"I feel like if films are released on time, they perform better. Once the excitement dies down, people become less eager to watch the movie," shared Tariq Anam Khan.

Even though it is always expected for a project to take years before it wraps up, it also means that artistes cannot rely on their income from films.

"It will be difficult for someone if they depend on their income from filmmaking. Even if a film earns Tk1 crore and a director earns 5-10% of that, they will have to wait two years to receive that income. That's why we keep working on other projects," shared Amitabh. 

Furthermore, while artistes remain involved in other professions outside of acting, they could never quite take up acting as their only source of income. 

"Artistes combat drawn-out releases by just doing a lot of work and staying as consistent as possible. With each film, actors get a bigger fan base, so in that respect, they may get some delayed gratification, but it is also how the industry works," shared Novera, who also has experience in tech and currently works as a producer. 

Additionally, as a considerable amount of time passed between the announcement of 'Rickshaw Girl' and its release on the big screen, it created a demand that its competitors noticed.

As a result, the film was plagiarised and remade for television and was uploaded on YouTube, garnering over five million views. 

"There was a lot of hype around the original project. Even though the film was intended for a foreign audience, which was reached successfully, it did create a place for plagiarism," recounted Novera. 

Even though what seems to be a commonly accepted practice, the delay of film releases has severe consequences for the artistes involved and the film itself.

In a way, it dictates the space it will take up in the canon of media. And yet, artistes remain patient in the face of such obstacles, as they solely function on their sheer passion for their craft.