Mumbai: The highly popular Bollywood action thriller Pathaan, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, is set to make history as the first Hindi movie to be released in Bangladesh since 1971. The film, which is directed by Siddharth Anand and produced by Aditya Chopra of Yash Raj Films, also features John Abraham as the antagonist, alongside Dimple Kapadia and Ashutosh Rana in significant roles. Pathaan will hit theaters in Bangladesh on May 12, 2023, and is expected to attract a large audience.
Nelson D'Souza, Vice President, International Distribution, said, "Cinema has always been a unifying force between nations, races, and cultures. It transcends borders, galvanizes people, and plays a significant hand in bringing people together. We are incredibly thrilled that Pathaan, which has done historic business worldwide, will now get a chance to entertain audiences in Bangladesh!"
He adds, "Pathaan becomes the first Hindi film to release in Bangladesh after 1971 and we are thankful to the authorities for their decision. We have learned over the years that Shah Rukh Khan has a tremendous fan following in Bangladesh and we feel Pathaan, our latest offering from YRF's Spy Universe, is the perfect first film of SRK & Hindi cinema to release in the country and represent Indian culture and cinema in its full glory." However, prior to this, Salman Khan's wanted was also released in Bangladesh, but the film was pulled down due to backlash.
Pathaan is the fourth instalment in the Yash Raj Films Spy Universe and has become the highest-grossing film in the franchise, which also includes blockbuster hits such as Ek Tha Tiger, Tiger Zinda Hai, and War. The film has been widely praised for its action-packed plot and engaging performances by the star-studded cast. Shah Rukh Khan, who makes his comeback to the big screen after a four-year hiatus, delivers a stellar performance as Pathaan, an exiled RAW agent who works with ISI agent Rubina Mohsin (Deepika Padukone) to thwart the plans of Jim (John Abraham), a former RAW agent who plans to unleash a deadly lab-generated virus across India.
The film's production budget was estimated at Rs 225 crore, with an additional Rs 15 crore spent on print and advertising. Principal photography began in November 2020 in Mumbai, and the film was shot over various locations in India, Afghanistan, Spain, UAE, Turkey, Russia, Italy, and France. Two songs were composed by the duo Vishal–Shekhar, while Sanchit Balhara and Ankit Balhara provided the score.
Pathaan was released in India on January 25, 2023, coinciding with the Republic Day weekend, and has received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. The film's action sequences, music, and cast performances have been highly praised, and it has gone on to become the highest-grossing Indian film of 2023, the second-highest-grossing Hindi film of all time, and the fifth-highest-grossing Indian film of all time. The film has also set several box-office records in India and for a Hindi-language film.
Despite the film's success, pre-release publicity was limited, with no media interaction or public events. However, this did not hinder the film's success, as word of mouth and positive reviews from those who did see the film helped to generate buzz and drive ticket sales. The release of Pathaan in Bangladesh marks a significant milestone for Bollywood and is a testament to the film's universal appeal and popularity. (With agency inputs)
