Rafi, known for his hit films like “Poran” and “Damal,” among others broke the news about this next venture yesterday. Speaking to Bangla Tribune, he revealed, “My next film, which is slated for release during the upcoming Eid, is titled ‘Lion’. It will feature two leading men—Jeet from Tollywood and Razz from Dhallywood. Everything else you’ve heard is just rumours.”

Yesterday, the film, presented by the beauty brand Lily, premiered on the OTT platform Binge. Alongside the main cast and director, the premiere was attended by several celebrities, including Bidya Sinha Mim, Prarthana Fardin Dighi, Samira Khan Mahi, Rukaiya Jahan Chamak, and Senior Operative Director Hasan Faruk of Remark HB, among others.

“This character has many dimensions,” Sarika shared. “I was fortunate to have the opportunity to portray such a complex role, and I gave my best to become Maya. I hope the audience appreciates the effort.”

Zahid Hasan has been appearing less frequently in TV dramas, primarily due to dissatisfaction with the storylines. This led him to consciously reduce the number of projects he takes on. News of his acting endeavours has since become rare. 

The film explores the complex struggles of modern women and family dynamics, with Sarika Subrin starring in the titular role. She is joined by Mamnun Hasan Emon, who makes his OTT debut with this project.

Tama Mirza has been honoured with the National Film Award for her performance in the movie Nodijon. She has garnered audience acclaim through both OTT platforms and films. Her role in the recent movie Surongo earned her significant praise, and she has maintained her success with performances in several web films.

Raihan Rafi’s film will be released on not just one, but two OTT platforms. The director shared the news on his official Facebook page.

The film “Toofan”, starring Shakib Khan, Mimi Chakraborty, and Nabila, hit theatres last Eid-ul-Azha and quickly garnered significant attention from audiences nationwide. Directed by Raihan Rafi, the film sparked interest even before its release, especially with the launch of the song “Dushtu Kokil” on June 26, which was featured on two prominent YouTube channels. 

Following a hiatus of nearly six weeks, Tanzika Amin is back on set, shooting for a new series on MaasrangaTelevision. Directed by Nazrul Islam Raju, this drama highlights the complexities of city life. 

The Bangladesh Film Censorship Board (BFCB) halted the screening of Raihan Rafi’s film "Omimangshito" on OTT platform iScreen, citing concerns that it was unsuitable for public viewing. 

Numerous films faced bans during the previous administration, with some caught up in legal disputes while others were shelved for unexplained reasons. Producers voiced their frustration over films stalled in the censor board's approval process, but their protests yielded no resolution. For years, filmmakers have called for the abolition of the censor board in favour of a system of censor certification. 

The song “Laage Ura Dhura” from the Eid special release “Toofan” quickly gained widespread popularity online, upon its release. Featuring vocals by Pritom Hasan and Debosrie Antara, the track has not only been trending in Bangladesh but has also made its mark on YouTube's global trending chart. 

Tama Mirza and Raihan Rafi have delivered hits when they worked together, starting with the web film "Khachar Bhitor Ochin Pakhi" and continuing with the commercial movie "Shurongo". Many movie enthusiasts assumed that the National Award-winning actress would appear in Raihan Rafi’s blockbuster film "Toofan".

The event, titled “Ananda Mela”, stands as the premier gathering for expatriate Bangladeshis in Los Angeles, USA, drawing thousands of Bengalis annually. This vibrant event consistently features performances by an array of Bangladeshi celebrities, who delight the expatriate audience with their captivating performances. 

Lyricist Shorif Uddin has expressed his frustration, stating that the song, which he had given to Pritom Hasan two years ago for a personal project, was used in the film without his consent. Additionally, another lyricist was added to the credits without his permission.

The song "Laage Ura Dhura", directed by Raihan Rafi and starring Shakib Khan and Mimi Chakraborty, has achieved significant success, currently trending at number four on the YouTube Charts Global Weekly Top Songs.

The movie stars Shakib Khan alongside India's Mimi Chakraborty and Bangladesh's Nabila, with significant roles played by Chanchal Chowdhury, Fazlur Rahman Babu, Gazi Rakayet, Salauddin Lavlu, and Gausul Alam Shaon. 

"Toofan", which broke box office records in Bangladesh, has now been released in India. Rafi emphasised that the film was crafted with a straightforward narrative to resonate with the majority of Bengali viewers — describing it as having a blend of popular elements akin to films like "KGF" and "Pushpa".

Shakib Khan’s “Toofan” was released in 47 theatres, including South City, Star Theater, and Lake Mall in Kolkata, on July 5.

Since its release in Bangladesh, the Shakib Khan starrer film “Toofan” is now creating quite a stir in West Bengal. The excitement was palpable at Thursday night's press conference, where it became evident that the people of West Bengal are keenly interested in the blockbuster.