The year in Dhallywood

Cine-goers in Bangladesh got a taste of a number of excellent films this year, as 2016 showed promising signs of getting Dhallywood back on track.

Amitabh Reza's “Ayanabaji” easily topped the buzz, with an unprecedented run at the cinemas and bringing people of all ages and classes to the theatres. The film went on to be released in Europe, North America and Australia, and even after three months of release, is still on the screen.

On the other hand, Tauquir Ahmed's “Oggatonama”, based on a true story, was critically acclaimed at home and abroad. Although it did not draw the audience to the theatre as expected, it saw a resurgence of sorts after it was available on YouTube, garnering praise from viewers. Besides, the director began shooting for his next film “Halda”.

Animesh Aich's directorial debut “Zero Degree” was also quite successful, despite a relatively unsettled period in the country at the time of its release. He is now shooting “Bhoyonkor Sundor”.    

Noted filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki made big headlines when he cast Bollywood and Hollywood star Irrfan Khan for his upcoming project “Doob”, alongside Tisha, Rokeya Prachi and Kolkata's Parno Mitra. There was also some controversy when there were reports that it is based on eminent wordsmith Humayun Ahmed's life, but the director denied it.

“Aynabaji” was the crowd favourite by far, while “Oggatonama” (bellow) got rave critical reviews.

Giasuddin Selim, who's “Monpura” was a commercial and critical success, is making a comeback. His latest film “Swopnojal” went on floor this year, and is nearing completion.

Meher Afroz Shaon made her debut as director with “Krishnopokkho”, based on Humayun Ahmed's novel. Film-goers got to see Mahiya Mahi in a new kind of character opposite Riaz.

Abu Shahed Emon's “Jalaler Golpo” won a number of awards at international film festivals all across the world. “Under Construction” by Rubaiyat Ahmed also did rounds of the film festival circuit, and Abdullah Mohammad Saad finished the year with two big wins at Singapore International Film Festival for “Live From Dhaka”.

In the commercial film scene, Mostofa Kamal Raj released “Tarkata”, “Projapoti” and “Samrat”, Redoan Rony made a youth romance film “Icecream”, while Ashiqur Rahman showed signs of progress as a director with Arifin Shuvo-starrer “Musafir”.

A number of films came out at the far end of the year, including SA Haque Olike's “Ek Prithibi Prem”, Ananya Mamun's Bidya Sinha Mim-starrer “Ami Tomar Hotey Chai”, and Nawsheen-Hillol-Kalyan starrer “Mukhosh Manush” is set to release on the last Friday of the year.

Shakib Khan, the top film hero of the industry for the last many years, looked to turn a corner with new look and vigor in films like “Shikari”, Mental” and “Bossgiri”. Arifin Shuvo also passed a busy year, releasing “Ostitto” and “Musafir”, and filed upcoming cop thriller “Dhaka Attack”.

Mim, was among the busiest heroines of the year. Mim made her debut across the border in Tollywood film “Black”, while Nusrat Imroz Tisha ventured into the more 'commercial' films, with “Mental” and Ostitto”. Mahi, who was seen in only two movies, had an eventful year in her personal life, as she got married. Opu Biswas, meanwhile, remained mysteriously missing throughout the year, and many of her films remained stuck.

The film fraternity lost '90s heartthrob Diti this year to cancer. Actor Farid Ali and directors Shahidul Islam Khokon and Khalid Mahmood Mithu also passed away in 2016.

Actor couple Shabnaz and Naim celebrated the 25th anniversary of their debut film “Chandni”, through a get-together attended by many shining stars of the show business.