12 Kolkata: A Bangladeshi film, ‘Borbaad', featuring Indian stars Jisshu Senguptaand Idhika Paul, rewrote box-office history on Eid. This Shakib Khan film achieved the highest sales in the first week in the history of cinema in Bangladesh. For the exhibition industry in Bangladesh, ‘Borbaad' set a record as the first film in any language to have a midnight show.‘Daagi', another Eid release in Bangladesh with some Indian crew, also generated good business.According to ‘Borbaad' director Mehedi Hasan Hridoy, the film ran in 120 theatres for three consecutive weeks, with approximately 560 shows across the country each day. "On the 15th day of its release, three midnight shows were screened. Each show was screened on three separate screens with only a 10-minute gap between them," said Hridoy.Paul is thrilled with the news. This unconditional affection, particularly during periods of tension between the two nations, is highly meaningful. "Artists and technicians are primarily driven by emotion while selecting projects. That's why we refer to a film as our baby. All that matters is the role, script, and comfort level of being a part of that project. I did three projects in Bangladesh. One is yet to be released. I am overwhelmed by the love I received while doing them," she said.Her only regret was being unable to visit Bangladesh during Eid since her shooting schedule for Dev's ‘Raghu Dakat' kept her busy in Kolkata. "When I did my first film in Bangladesh, only 20% of the people there knew about my work on television. For the rest, I am this actress whose work they loved. In the case of art, it is just the work that matters. Religion and nationality don't come in the way of appreciation. People in Bangladesh loved me so much that many started addressing me as Priyotama when I made my debut with the film by the same name," Paul said. Some, she suggests, even believe it is Priyotama's ‘Borbaad' and not Idika Paul's ‘Borbaad' that released on Eid.Hridoy told TOI that Paul and Khan are a proven successful pair in Bangladesh. Describing Sengupta as his "trump card", Hridoy is happy with the acceptance that Tollywood's actor received following his return toBangladeshi cinemaafter a long time. Operation Sindoor'Did not want to...': Pak def min gives absurd excuse for army's failure to withstand Op SindoorBlackouts, sirens & Pak's failed attacks: 10 things that happened in the last 36 hrs'1971 war was not remotely as terrifying': Residents of border areas shell-shocked"I am grateful to Shakib Khan. He was able to trust me. Today Bangladeshi cinema is dreaming of turning around. I hope this collaboration of the two Bangla will take Bengali cinema further," Hridoy added.On April 11, Alpha-i, in collaboration with Chorki and SVF, released Shihab Shaheen's ‘Daagi' in seven multiplexes in Dhaka. That included Star Cineplex, Shimanto (Dhanmondi), SKS Tower (Mohakali), Centre Point (Airport-Uttara), Blockbuster Cinemas (Pragati Avenue), Lions Cinemas (Keraniganj), and Sony Square (Mirpur).Beyond Dhaka, the film also released in Bali Arcade in Chittagong, Monihar Cineplex in Jashore, Liberty Cineplex in Khulna, Barsha in Joydebpur, Momo in Bogra, Rupkatha in Sherpur, Anondo in Kuliachar, and Asha in Melandah Bazar. "Our film starring Afran Nisho, Tama Mirza, and Sunerah Binte Kamal was released in 30 screens throughout Bangladesh, including both multiplexes and single screens," Shaheen said.Kolkata's Subhankar Bhar did the cinematography for the film. "At present, certain post-production facilities are unavailable in Bangladesh, making it beneficial to complete such processes in a Kolkata studio where everything is available under one roof," Shaheen said. While Debojyoti Ghosh from Kolkata was the colourist, the sound design and mixing were done by Amit Kumar Dutta. Location sound was by Ripon Nath. "The box-office success of ‘Daagi' and ‘Borbaad' gives us hope regarding future collaborations. However, the Indo-Bangladesh relationship currently makes such collaboration somewhat tricky. Necessary permissions had to be sought before the names of Indian crew members were required to be listed in the credit line," Shaheen added. Kolkata: A Bangladeshi film, ‘Borbaad', featuring Indian stars Jisshu Sengupta and Idhika Paul, rewrote box-office history on Eid. This Shakib Khan film achieved the highest sales in the first week in the history of cinema in Bangladesh. For the exhibition industry in Bangladesh, ‘Borbaad' set a record as the first film in any language to have a midnight show. ‘Daagi', another Eid release in Bangladesh with some Indian crew, also generated good business.According to ‘Borbaad' director Mehedi Hasan Hridoy, the film ran in 120 theatres for three consecutive weeks, with approximately 560 shows across the country each day. "On the 15th day of its release, three midnight shows were screened. Each show was screened on three separate screens with only a 10-minute gap between them," said Hridoy.Paul is thrilled with the news. This unconditional affection, particularly during periods of tension between the two nations, is highly meaningful. "Artists and technicians are primarily driven by emotion while selecting projects. That's why we refer to a film as our baby. All that matters is the role, script, and comfort level of being a part of that project. I did three projects in Bangladesh. One is yet to be released. I am overwhelmed by the love I received while doing them," she said.Her only regret was being unable to visit Bangladesh during Eid since her shooting schedule for Dev's ‘Raghu Dakat' kept her busy in Kolkata. "When I did my first film in Bangladesh, only 20% of the people there knew about my work on television. For the rest, I am this actress whose work they loved. In the case of art, it is just the work that matters. Religion and nationality don't come in the way of appreciation. People in Bangladesh loved me so much that many started addressing me as Priyotama when I made my debut with the film by the same name," Paul said. Some, she suggests, even believe it is Priyotama's ‘Borbaad' and not Idika Paul's ‘Borbaad' that released on Eid.Hridoy told TOI that Paul and Khan are a proven successful pair in Bangladesh. Describing Sengupta as his "trump card", Hridoy is happy with the acceptance that Tollywood's actor received following his return to Bangladeshi cinema after a long time. "I am grateful to Shakib Khan. He was able to trust me. Today Bangladeshi cinema is dreaming of turning around. I hope this collaboration of the two Bangla will take Bengali cinema further," Hridoy added.On April 11, Alpha-i, in collaboration with Chorki and SVF, released Shihab Shaheen's ‘Daagi' in seven multiplexes in Dhaka. That included Star Cineplex, Shimanto (Dhanmondi), SKS Tower (Mohakali), Centre Point (Airport-Uttara), Blockbuster Cinemas (Pragati Avenue), Lions Cinemas (Keraniganj), and Sony Square (Mirpur). Beyond Dhaka, the film also released in Bali Arcade in Chittagong, Monihar Cineplex in Jashore, Liberty Cineplex in Khulna, Barsha in Joydebpur, Momo in Bogra, Rupkatha in Sherpur, Anondo in Kuliachar, and Asha in Melandah Bazar. "Our film starring Afran Nisho, Tama Mirza, and Sunerah Binte Kamal was released in 30 screens throughout Bangladesh, including both multiplexes and single screens," Shaheen said.Kolkata's Subhankar Bhar did the cinematography for the film. "At present, certain post-production facilities are unavailable in Bangladesh, making it beneficial to complete such processes in a Kolkata studio where everything is available under one roof," Shaheen said. While Debojyoti Ghosh from Kolkata was the colourist, the sound design and mixing were done by Amit Kumar Dutta. Location sound was by Ripon Nath. "The box-office success of ‘Daagi' and ‘Borbaad' gives us hope regarding future collaborations. However, the Indo-Bangladesh relationship currently makes such collaboration somewhat tricky. Necessary permissions had to be sought before the names of Indian crew members were required to be listed in the credit line," Shaheen added.