The year 2023 has been an eventful year for the local film industry.

Fifty one local films were released in the country in the year.

Bangladeshi filmmaker Iqbal H Chowdhury’s film ‘The Wrestler’ won an international recognition at the Busan International Film Festival. It bagged the New Currents Award.

Local films, ‘Priyotoma’, ‘Surongo’, ‘Prohelika’ and ‘Jinn’ received good response from film lovers.

‘Although our film “Jinn” did well at the box office, “MR9: Do or Die” did not receive the expected response in Bangladesh. We are looking forward to releasing a sequel to MR9: Do or Die in 2024,’ said the owner of production house Jazz Multimedia Abdul Aziz.

Bollywood films, namely ‘Pathaan’, ‘Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan’, ‘Jawan’, ‘Animal’, ‘Manush: Child of Destiny’ and ‘Dunki’ were released in cinemas in Bangladesh under the SAFTA agreement in the country.

‘Although a few Indian films were released in Bangladesh, owners of single-screen cinemas could not benefit from it .We have to produce films throughout the year so that cinema owners can bounce back,’ he added.

‘Black War: Mission Extreme 2’ jointly directed by Sani Sanwar and Faisal Ahmed was released in cinemas on January 13, ‘Adventures of Sunderbans’ directed by Abu Rayhan Jewel was released in cinemas on January 20 and ‘Saatao’ directed by Khandaker Sumon was released in cinemas on January 27.

‘Birkonna Pritilata’ directed by Pradip Ghosh and ‘Vaggo’ directed by MD Mahabubur Rashid was released in cinemas on February 3, ‘Katha Dilam’ directed by Rakibul Alam Rakib and ‘Mon Diyesi Tare’ directed by Mostafizur Rahman Babu were released on February 10, ‘Bubujaan’ directed by Shamim Ahmed Rony hit cinemas on February 17 and Bangladesh-India joint venture film ‘Mayar Jonjal’ hit cinemas on February 24.

‘Ora 7 Jon’ directed by Khijir Hayat Khan, ‘JK 1971’ directed by Fakhrul Arefeen Khan hit cinemas on March 3, ‘Ekti Na Bola Golpo’ directed by Pankaj Palit and ‘Radio’ directed by Anonno Mamun were released on March 10.

‘Local’ directed by Saif Chandan, ‘Leader – I Am Bangladesh’ directed by Tapu Khan,  ‘Kill Him’ directed by Md Iqbal, ‘Paap’ directed by Saikat Nasir, ‘Jinn’ directed by Nader Chowdhury, ‘Shatru’ directed by Sumon Dhar, ‘Prem Pritir Bandhan’ directed by Sulaiman Ali Lebu and ‘Adam’ directed by Abu Tauhid Heron were released on April 22.

‘Ma’ directed by Aronno Anwar and ‘Adim’ directed by Juboraj Shamim hit cinemas on May 19.

‘Sultanpur’ directed by Saikat Nasir hit cinemas on June 2, ‘Jemon Jamai Temon Bou’ directed by Montazur Rahman Akbar was released on June 9 and ‘Phire Dekha’ directed by renowned actress Rozina and ‘Fuljan’ directed by Aminul Islam Bachchu hit cinemas on June 16.

‘Lal Shari’ directed by Bandhan Biswas, ‘Casino’ directed by Saikat Nasir,  Surongo directed by Raihan Rafi, ‘Priyotoma’ directed by Himel Ashraf and ‘Prohelika’ directed by Chayanika Chowdhury hit cinemas on June 29.

‘Going Home’ directed by Mashroor Parvez and children’s film ‘Mike’ jointly directed by FM Shahin and Hasan Jafrul were released on August 11, ‘1971 Shei Shob Din’ directed by Hridi Haq and children’s film ‘Aam Kathaler Chhuti’ directed by Mohammad Nuruzzaman were released on August 18, Bangladesh-US joint venture film titled ‘MR-9: Do or Die’ directed by Bangladesh-born US filmmaker Asif Akber was released on August 25.

‘Ghor Bhanga Songsar’ directed by Montazur Rahman Akbar was released on September 1, ‘Sujon Majhi’ directed by Delwar Jahan Jhantu was released on September 7, ‘Antarjal’ directed by Dipankar Dipon was released on September 22.

‘Duhsahosi Khoka’ directed by Mushfiqur Rahman Gulzar and ‘Briddhashram’ directed by SD Rubel were released on September 29.

Bangladesh-India joint venture film titled ‘Mujib: The Making of a Nation’ directed by Shyam

Benegal hit cinemas on October 13 and ‘Iti Chitra’ directed by Raisul Islam Anik was released on October 20.

‘Ashomvob’ directed by Aruna Biswas and Megher Kopat directed by Walid Ahmed hit cinemas on November 3, ‘Jontrona’ directed by Ariful Islam Arif was released on November 10 and ‘Ajob Chhele’ directed by Manik Manobik was released on 17.

‘Mrityunjayi’ directed by Ujjal Kumar hit cinemas on December 8 and ‘Flashback 71’ directed by Bahar Uddin Khelon was released on December 15.

Film lovers in the country have been looking forward to watching ‘Shonibar Bikel’ directed by Mostofa Sarwar Farooki in cinemas. Although the film was not released in cinemas in Bangladesh, it was released on the OTT platform Sony LIV in November.

Mostofa Sarwar Farooki said that he was optimistic about the local film industry.

‘Films made by Bangladeshi filmmakers in the past three years have received a good response from film lovers

abroad. I hope that our filmmakers will gradually gain a strong foothold on the global arena,’ said Farooki.