'Banalata Express' steams past Tk 2cr mark despite limited shows

Tanim Noor's 'Banalata Express' has emerged as the surprise hit of the Eid season, crossing the Tk 2 crore threshold in just eight days despite being allocated comparatively few screenings.

The ensemble drama has collected Tk 2.26 crore across Star Cineplex, Lion Cinemas, Blockbuster Cinemas and K-Screen Cineplex, proving that audience demand can outpace exhibition schedules.

Director Tanim Noor expressed both delight and frustration at the response. "The reaction has been unbelievable. People aren't just coming alone, they're bringing their friends and families, watching it in groups. That's the kind of love every filmmaker dreams of," he said.

However, the limited number of shows has created a different problem: ticket scarcity. From the second week onwards, the film has been running 21 shows across eight Star Cineplex branches, three at Lion Cinemas and four at Blockbuster Cinemas. 

Many moviegoers have complained of being unable to secure tickets, forcing them to opt for other releases.

When asked about the shortage, Noor's response revealed the constraints filmmakers face. "I'm flooded with complaints from people who can't get tickets. But I'm just the director, not a cinema hall owner. The decision to increase or decrease shows rests with them. If they allocate fewer screenings, we have no choice but to accept it," he said.

Adapted from Humayun Ahmed's novel 'Kichhukkhan', the film follows a train journey that becomes a microcosm of Bangladeshi society, exploring the interconnected lives of its passengers. 

The star-studded cast features Mosharraf Karim, Chanchal Chowdhury, Shariful Raj, Sabila Noor and Ajmeri Haque Badhon.

With its strong word-of-mouth and box office performance, 'Banalata Express' has sparked conversations about the need for better alignment between audience demand and screening allocations in Bangladesh's cinema industry.