The release of "Toofan" during Eid has captivated audiences nationwide, with theatres reporting overwhelming responses. In a remarkable turn of events, Mymensingh's Chhayabani Cinema held a special midnight screening last Tuesday, a first in the last 20 years, to provide more audiences the opportunity to watch the film, confirms Mohammad Kamal Hossain, the theatre's booking officer.
During the golden era of Bangladeshi cinema, such occurrences were common, but it has been years since theatres have needed to host late-night shows. The unprecedented demand for "Toofan" prompted Chhayabani to schedule extra screenings.
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Mohammad Kamal Hossain explained, "We had an overflow of viewers for the 6pm and 9pm shows, with many unable to get tickets. Despite police's efforts, the crowd refused to disperse. Our staff were exhausted from managing the continuous influx. At the request of local authorities and the insistence of the crowd, we decided to hold a special screening from midnight to 3am."
Chhayabani Cinema has a seating capacity of 900, but arrangements were made to accommodate up to 1,000 viewers daily during Eid, Hossain added.
Chhayabani Cinema has a seating capacity of 900, but arrangements were made to acco
mmodate up to 1,000 viewers daily during Eid, Hossain added.
"Since the first day of Eid, every show has been sold out," he said. "Normally, we have four shows a day, starting at noon. Morning shows typically attract fewer people, but demand spikes if the movie is good. The 6pm and 9pm shows are popular with city dwellers, while the noon and 3pm shows draw people from the outskirts. This Eid, we installed air conditioning in the theatre, which has added to the overall comfort and appeal.
When asked about the immense popularity of "Toofan", Hossain attributed it to the film's star power and quality. "After a long time, Shakib Khan has returned with a film to appeal to the masses. We haven't seen him in such an action-packed role before. The film's production is excellent, and it generated buzz even before its release. The viral 'Laage Ura Dhura' song added to the hype. Shakib Khan's huge fan base also played a significant role."
In "Toofan", Shakib Khan plays a dual role, starring opposite India's Mimi Chakraborty and Bangladesh's Nabila. Directed by Raihan Rafi, the film also features Chanchal Chowdhury, Fazlur Rahman Babu, Gazi Rakayet, Salauddin Lavlu, and Gausul Alam Sha .
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Five months ago, the announcement of "Toofan" hinted at something extraordinary. A mega project of all sorts, directed by Raihan Rafi and starring superstar Shakib Khan for the first time, the film has now proven its promise. Released on Eid-ul-Azha, "Toofan" is creating a massive impact.
As an anticipated film, "Toofan" secured spots in all major multiplexes in the country, achieving remarkable records. Initially allotted 22 shows at various branches of Star Cineplex, audience demand pushed the number to 56, setting a new benchmark in Bangladeshi cinema, according to cinema officials.
Mesbah Uddin Ahmed, senior marketing officer at Star Cineplex, remarked, "No Bangladeshi film has received this many shows in our history. The audience is highly enthusiastic, coming in droves to watch the film with joy and excitement. This wave won't settle soon; it's turning into a tsunami.
The fervour for "Toofan" is also evident at Blockbuster Cinemas, with up to 17 shows daily. In Old Dhaka's Lion Cinemas, the film dominates with 10 daily screenings.
With no formal box office system in the country, exact earnings remain a mystery. However, producer Shahriar Shakil claims the film has broken revenue records. He stated that "Toofan" sold tickets worth BDT 12 million at Star Cineplex within two and a half days of release. Single-screen figures are still pending.
Raihan Rafi added that the film's first-week earnings from multiplexes surpassed all previous records for any film, Bangladeshi or otherwise. Star Cineplex officials confirmed show-related data but refrained from commenting on revenue
Toofan '' is also set for international release. Shakib announced that the film would be dubbed in Hindi and released in India soon. Additionally, it will premiere in the US and Australia on June 28, with advance tickets already on sale. In the US, the film is distributed by Bioscope Films, and in Australia by Bongoj Films.
