Hollywood biggies, heart of multiplexes

Hollywood films are reigning over multiplexes in Dhaka. Posters and replicas of superheroes are displayed here and there in the premises of such multiplexes.
It seems Hollywood blockbusters are the heart of multiplexes as the three multiplexes in Dhaka- Star Cineplex, Blockbuster Cinemas and Shyamali Cinema - are currently screening big-budget Hollywood films like ‘Deadpool 2’, ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’, ‘Avengers: Infinity War’, ‘A Quiet Place’ and many more.
13 Hollywood movies were screened in those three theatres in four months from January to April while the number of Dhallywood and joint-production Bengali films are only 7.
The authorities, however, said, “It is not that Hollywood films that are the only choice we have. There are huge numbers of audiences who love to watch good desi films. For that, it must be up to the standard”.
“We always try to screen Hollywood films on the same day of its home release. Moreover, the number of films in Hollywood is higher than our industry. That is another reason of the less number of ‘desi’ films,” said senior manager Misbah Uddin Ahmed of Star Cineplex.
There are more demands for Bengali films during festivals, said officials of several theatres.
Local and joint production films with good stories- such as ‘Aynabaji’, ‘Halda’- have an appeal to the viewers, they added.

*This piece has been rewritten in English by Farjana Liakat.