Dhallywood's reigning superstar Shakib Khan is set to dominate Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 with his most ambitious project yet: "Prince: Once Upon A Time In Dhaka." This big-budget Bangla film, produced by Creative Land and directed by debutant Abu Hayat Mahmud, promises to deliver a powerful gangster saga set against the backdrop of 1990s Dhaka. With filming locations spanning Sri Lanka, Kolkata, and Hyderabad, this Shakib Khan upcoming movie 2026 aims to establish new production standards for Bangladeshi cinema while showcasing the megastar in an intense character transformation.
The official poster of Prince: Once Upon A Time In Dhaka was unveiled in August 2025, immediately generating tremendous buzz across social media platforms. Sharing the poster on his verified Facebook page, Shakib Khan wrote: "The beginning of a new chapter has been announced the city will now recognise its true hero! Here comes the myth in motion #PRINCE: Once Upon A Time In Dhaka. A story where the city meets its legend."
The poster showcases a crimson-toned city backdrop with a map of Dhaka in the background, featuring iconic locations including Uttara, Gabtoli, Mohammadpur, Badda, Karwan Bazar, Shankhari Bazar, and Gandaria. In the foreground, Shakib Khan is depicted with his back to the audience, arms raised holding two pistolsn a powerful visual statement suggesting his transformation into a gangster character.
The Shakib Khan Prince movie cast represents a strategic blend of Bangladeshi and Indian talent, reflecting the film's pan-regional ambitions. According to production updates, the ensemble includes:
This star cast Bangla movie demonstrates Creative Land's commitment to assembling a professional ensemble capable of delivering the narrative depth required for this ambitious project.
The Prince Once Upon A Time In Dhaka release date is officially confirmed for Eid-ul-Fitr 2026, with the makers planning to release the film on March 20 or 21, 2026, based on moon sighting. This strategic timing positions "Prince" to capitalize on the Eid movie Bangladesh 2026 season, when cinema attendance traditionally peaks and families across the country flock to theaters.
Theatre tickets became available from March 19, 2026, with the production team confirming that after completing its theatrical run, the film will stream exclusively on Chorki, Bangladesh's leading OTT platform.
What distinguishes this Bangla film production from typical Dhallywood releases is its unprecedented production scale and international filming locations.
Production commenced with an extensive schedule in Sri Lanka, where the team captured key sequences utilizing the island nation's diverse landscapes and professional film infrastructure.
In February 2026, Shakib Khan was spotted filming action-packed scenes across Alipur Jail, Howrah, and Boubazar in Kolkata, with key action sequences shot at a long-abandoned factory in Howrah starting February 9. Local witnesses reported seeing Khan riding a bike through Boubazar streets sporting a distinctive red-tinged hairstyle, trimmed beard, and denim jacket over a floral shirt—a look carefully crafted to embody his character's edgy persona.
The decision to incorporate diverse urban landscapes—from correctional facilities to heritage buildings—demonstrates the director's intention to ground the story in realism while maintaining dramatic flair.
Following the Kolkata schedule, the production team moved to Hyderabad for additional sequences, further demonstrating the film's commitment to cinematic excellence through location diversity.
Director Abu Hayat Mahmud has described "Prince" as a larger-than-life gangster saga designed to appeal to audiences "from Gulistan to Gulshan"—meaning it aims to satisfy both mass audiences and upmarket viewers.
The story is set in Dhaka of the 1990s, and it will feature crime, love, action, emotion, and family drama. This period setting allows the film to explore Dhaka's transformation during a pivotal decade while crafting a narrative that combines multiple genres.
According to promotional materials, the Prince movie follows a character navigating power, loyalty, and destiny in the capital's criminal underworld. The film promises intense action, emotional storytelling, and high production values rarely seen in Bangladeshi cinema.
"Prince" marks Abu Hayat Mahmud's directorial debut, making this Shakib Khan new Eid film announcement even more intriguing. Mahmud called the film "much like a first child," expressing both excitement and the weight of responsibility for launching a mega-budget project featuring Bangladesh's biggest star.
"Creative Land proudly presents its first cinematic journey — PRINCE. Produced by Shirin Sultana, directed by Abu Hayat Mahmud and led by the one and only Megastar Shakib Khan," Mahmud wrote on Facebook, emphasizing the collaborative nature of this ambitious venture.
Based on available information, audiences can expect several distinctive elements from this Bangladeshi cinema news highlight:
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