Once Upon a Time in Dhaka
Once Upon a Time in Dhaka (taglined Ami Kala, Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.) is an upcoming Bangladeshi Bengali-language crime drama film written by Mezbah Uddin Sumon and directed by Abu Hayat Mahmud, in his feature directorial debut. The film stars Shakib Khan in the lead role as Kala Jahangir, a fictionalized character based on real underworld figures from 1990s Dhaka. It is inspired by true events and will explore the criminal and political undercurrents of that era. The film is produced by Shirin Sultana under the banner of Creative Land, expected to be released in Eid-ul-Fitr, 2026.
| Once Upon a Time in Dhaka | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Abu Hayat Mahmud |
| Produced by | Shirin Sultana |
| Written by | Mezbah Uddin Sumon |
| Starring | Shakib Khan |
Production company | Creative Land |
| Country | Bangladesh |
| Language | Bengali |
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Synopsis
The film is reportedly set in the 1990s in Dhaka and centers on the character of Kala Jahangir, who is described as being associated with the city's criminal underworld. It is said to be inspired by real events, though it is a work of fiction.
Cast
- Shakib Khan as Kala Jahangir
- Modhumita Sarcar as Kala Jahangir's wife [1]
- Mosharraf Karim (not confirmed yet) as Picchi Hannan
- Tariq Anam Khan
- Shahiduzzaman Selim
- Dilara Zaman
Production
Development
Once Upon a Time in Dhaka was conceptualized by director Abu Hayat Mahmud, who aimed to portray a fictionalized narrative inspired by the underworld of Dhaka in the 1990s. According to the production team, the film is partly inspired by real events that took place in the capital during that time period. The script was written by Mezbah Uddin Sumon, with a focus on criminal elements, political influence, and social tension in urban Bangladesh.
Abu Hayat Mahmud, who previously worked in more than 150 television dramas and digital content, marked this film as his directorial debut in feature-length cinema. The film was greenlit under the banner of Creative Land, a production house based in Bangladesh. Shirin Sultana was announced as the producer.
Casting
Shakib Khan, a prominent actor in the Bangladeshi film industry, was cast in the lead role. His character is named Kala Jahangir, a figure associated with Dhaka’s underworld. The announcement was made in July 2025 through a contract-signing event in Dhaka. According to the director, Khan's portrayal aims to reflect a complex personality shaped by crime, power, and circumstance.
As of July 2025, additional casting details have not been publicly disclosed.
Pre-production
Creative Land began pre-production activities in mid-2025, focusing on location scouting, script development, and historical research related to the socio-political context of 1990s Dhaka. The art direction team was tasked with recreating an era-specific urban setting, including vehicles, signage, and costume design to reflect the decade accurately.
The film’s promotional poster, released in July 2025, showed visual elements intended to evoke a gritty atmosphere. Design and poster concept were created by Arnil’s Creation.
Principle photography
Principal photography is expected to commence in October 2025. Although the exact locations have not been officially confirmed, the production is reportedly planning to shoot in Old Dhaka, Tejgaon, and other historically relevant areas of the city. Filming is expected to include both outdoor action sequences and indoor set-based scenes representing criminal hideouts and political offices.
Budget and financing
Budget-related details have not been publicly released. However, the production is being funded privately under Creative Land, without mention of government grants or foreign investment as of the latest available reports.
According to multiple media reports, lead actor Shakib Khan was paid ৳3 crore BDT (30 million Bangladeshi taka) for his role in the film. This amount is considered the highest remuneration for a Bangladeshi actor to date and reportedly surpasses the pay scale of actors in West Bengal’s Bengali film industry as well.[2]
Music and Sound
Information regarding the film’s music director, soundtrack, or background score has not yet been announced. However, the director has suggested in interviews that the soundtrack will be era-specific and used to support the emotional and narrative arc of the film.
Marketing
The first-look poster was revealed in July 2025 and was designed by Arnil’s Creation. The poster depicts a silhouette of a gangster walking down a street with a sunset in the background and fire elements in the foreground. The promotional campaign began with teaser posts and media coverage across Bangladeshi platforms.
Release
The film is expected to be released in 2026. A specific release date has not been officially confirmed.
References
- ↑ "শাকিব খানের নতুন সিনেমার নায়িকা কে | কালবেলা". Kalbela (in Bengali). Retrieved 2025-07-03.
- ↑ Report, TIMES (2025-07-03). "Shakib Khan demands Tk 30 million for a new film". The Daily Times Of Bangladesh. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
External links
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