Eid Box Office: Taandob reigns as cinemas witness a festival of films

This Eid, the Bangladeshi film industry rolled out one of its most dynamic slates in recent years, with six notable releases capturing the attention of audiences across the country. As expected, the festive season sparked a cinematic frenzy, with long queues outside cinemas, sold-out shows, and a palpable buzz in the air. From early-morning screenings to late-night shows, moviegoers turned up in droves, affirming Eid's place as the premier season for local box office success.

At the heart of this frenzy is Taandob, directed by Raihan Rafi, which has stormed the scene with a massive release in 132 theatres nationwide—an achievement attributed largely to the star power of Shakib Khan. The film has been met with enthusiastic crowds both in urban multiplexes and regional halls, highlighting its broad appeal.

One such example is Monihar Cinema Hall in Jessore, long known as a regional stronghold for Bangladeshi films. According to its owner, Mithu, all four daily screenings of Taandob have been running at full capacity since Eid day. "For the past few years, Shakib Khan's films have consistently drawn the largest crowds during Eid. This year is no different—the audience turnout has been extraordinary," he told The Business Standard on 10 June.

Further evidence of Taandob's appeal comes from Rajtilak Cinema Hall in the suburban town of Katakhali, Rajshahi, where owner Sajjad Hossain Sagar reported that overwhelming demand led them to schedule special midnight shows for three consecutive nights starting from Eid day.

In the capital, Dhaka's premium venues such as Star Cineplex and Blockbuster Cinemas saw brisk business from the very start of Eid. Both Taandob and Sanjay Samaddar's Insaf emerged as the top choices among the Eid offerings. Sajjad Hossain, a Mirpur resident who watched Taandob with his family at Star Cineplex's Sony Square branch on 9 June, said, "Watching films during Eid is a tradition in our family. Taandob was thoroughly enjoyable. I plan to catch the other releases at the cinemas too—it feels like this year's line-up has brought a fresh energy to the screen."

Across Star Cineplex branches, crowds continued to pour in well into the week, while similar scenes played out at Blockbuster Cinemas in Jamuna Future Park. Regional reports indicate that evening and night shows attracted the largest audiences, underscoring the festival's draw beyond major cities.

According to Aowal Hossain Ujjal, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Film Exhibitors' Association, a total of 180 theatres across the country took part in this year's Eid releases. However, he noted that within two weeks, the number of operational theatres is expected to decline to around 50–60, reflecting a seasonal trend.

Beyond Taandob, the line-up includes Insaf in 20 theatres, Esha Murder: Karmaphal by Sunny Sanwar in 9, Neelchakra by Mithu Khan in 8, Utshob by Tanim Noor in 7 theatres and  Tagar by Alok Hasan in 6.

While Taandob is undeniably leading the box office, Insaf, featuring the popular duo Sariful Razz and Tasnia Farin, is beginning to generate strong word of mouth and could expand its theatrical footprint in the coming weeks. The other three titles, although having more limited runs, are expected to maintain steady attendance before being rotated out after a fortnight.

Industry insiders suggest that the full picture of the Eid box office will only become clear after the initial two weeks, once holiday foot traffic tapers off. Modern cinemas in Dhaka and other urban centres are predicted to see a post-Eid boost in attendance, while smaller town venues may experience a decline.

This year's Eid releases have also sparked broader industry conversations about the strategic timing of big-budget films. Experts argue that while Eid offers an ideal launchpad, maintaining momentum through well-planned post-Eid releases could sustain audience interest and box office gains well beyond the holiday season.