Eid celebrations in Bangladesh, particularly the Eid-ul-Fitr after the holy month of Ramadan, are undoubtedly the most awaited and coveted festivity - not only to the greater Muslim community in this country but also to the mass people from different religions as well. Aside from the holidays, one particular reason behind this celebration has always been the variety of entertainment on different mediums. People get some leisure periods this festive time of the year to watch their favourite shows which were previously confined only to television channels; however, with the emerging OTT platforms and the frequently expanding content kingdom known as YouTube - viewers and audiences now have many options to satisfy their audiovisual thirsts. Eid is now being celebrated with the traditional 'Anondomela' and 'Ittyadi' and every channel-full of drama and serials, alongside quality content on the abovementioned web-based platforms. And then there are movies in the theatres and melodies made by prominent music artists, to make the Eid celebrations more fun. So how was the Eid-ul-Fitr celebration this year with all the offerings of the country's entertainment industry? Let's have a deep dive.

Movies

Ever since the Covid-19 pandemic started impacting the entertainment industry just like every other sector, Eid entertainment celebrations slowly got confined at home for the audiences in Bangladesh - particularly in 2020 and 2021. In 2022, however, the scenario got slightly changed and the entertainment industry saw a little bit of normalcy in the movie sector - and the scenario then transformed to welcome massive hits such as 'Poran', 'Golui', 'Hawa' and more. This year, a total of eight films got released across a hundred movie theatres including single-screens and multiplexes - Shakib Khan starrer "Leader Amie Bangladesh", Ananta Jalil's "Kill Him", Jaaz Multimedia's "Jinn" and "Paap", and four other films - "Shotru", "Local", "Adam" and "Prem Pritir Bandhan." The Shakib Khan and Bubly-starring film "Leader Amie Bangladesh" has been drawing a sizable audience since its release. The movie was screened in the most theatres-100 across the nation-of the eight movies and has been performing pretty well among the race. The number of shows are being increased of this film across different theatres and whether Shakib Khan will be able to recapture the fame he formerly achieved in the film industry, only time will tell.

Among the other films, "Kill Him" by Ananta Jalil premiered in 11 theatres. Ananta Jalil plays an agent in the Mohammad Iqbal-directed film, and multiplexes have seen success with this film, thanks to the star power Ananta carries within himself. Another successful film of this Eid has been the Puja Chery and Sajal-starring movie "Jinn" which was one of the most anticipated releases this Eid. Due to its unique promotional approach, Jaaz Multimedia's horror project was able to spark a lot of interest among the audience. This Eid, the movie was released in 14 theatres, with multiple houseful shows. In 11 theatres nationwide, Saif Chandan's film "Local" premiered starring Shobnom Bubly and Ador Azad as the leading characters in the film. The movie has done well in multiplexes all around the nation. Eight theatres showcased "Paap," a film by Saikat Nasir starring Bobby and Ziaul Roshan. Suman Dhar's "Shotru," a movie with Bappy as the lead, opened in 24 theatres. Outside of Dhaka, the movie is playing well on single screens. Solaiman Ali Lebu directed "Prem Pritir Bandhan" starring Apu Biswas, Joy Chowdhury, Misha Sawdagor and Amaan Reza, and the other film "Adam" directed by Abu Tauhid Heron starring Yash Rohan and Jannatul Ferdous Oishee is in the main lead, based on the harsh reality of rural life back in the 1980s - both are doing average in the theatres.

Overall, a great Eid altogether to the moviegoers with a variety of films.

OTT platforms

Continuing the successful journey from recent years, OTT platforms in the country have garnered massive audience response on this year's Eid - particularly because of two web series. Acclaimed director Ashfaque Nipun, who received massive appreciation for writing-directing "Mohanagar" in 2021 starring Mosharraf Karim as OC Harun, brought the second season of the acclaimed series from HoiChoi titled "Mohanagar 2" - however, the success even surpassed everyone's expectation and imagination. The series is being highly praised for its metaphorical narration and presentation of an oppressive societal system, Mosharraf Karim's fantabulous portrayal as the intelligent police officer, spectacular performances of seasoned actors including Fazlur Rahman Babu, Afsana Mimi, Shyamol Mawla, Brindaban Das, Dibya Jyoti, Tanzika Amin and others - but most importantly, for the narrative that Nipun brilliantly delivers in the second season. Many viewers have been expressing their positive responses and appreciation towards the series creator Ashfaque Nipun for being the voice of the voiceless even through a metaphorical setting, and the cameo of Kolkata's popular actor Anirban Bhattacharya who has already confirmed the upcoming third season of the series on his social handles, was the cherry on the top.

The other surprising hit this year has been the Shihab Shaheen-directed and Chorki-presented "Myshelf Allen Shwapan." A spin-off series of the 2022 crime thriller "Syndicate" from the same creator and platform, in which the character of Allen Shwapan - the money laundering kingpin portrayed by Nasir Uddin Khan - captured significant limelight, finally got a series of his own which was released on the 'Chaand Raat" at Chorki and broke the platform's all-time streaming record with over ten million minutes of streaming with first 100 hours. The thrilling inception story of the Chattogram-native gangster is brilliantly showcased in the series by Nasir, a seasoned theatre artist. Actress-singer-educator Rafiath Rashid Mithila is also being acclaimed for her captivating performance in the series, some even labelled this on social media platforms as her career-best performance.

Among other releases, the new OTT platform Deepto Play brought Mizanur Rahman Aryan's drama "Shohore Onek Rod" starring Khayrul Bashar and Sabila Nur received positive responses from the audiences. Bongo BD brought "Bachelor Point" famed director Kajal Arefin Ome's debut web series "Hotel Relax" featuring a star-studded cast including Purnima, Polash, Mishu Sabbir, Marzuk Russell and Parsa Evana, among others. Popular television station Channel I's new OTT platform iScreen showcased popular writer-filmmaker-television director Humayun Ahmed's 101 popular drama, telefilm and cinema under the title "Humayun 101."

Altogether, OTT platforms brought a great range of entertaining content to the audiences on this year's Eid-ul-Fitr.

Music

National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam's timeless creation "Ramzan er oi rozar sheshe elo khushir Eid" is the unofficial theme song of Eid-ul-Fitr in this country, which speaks volumes in terms of the importance of music as a medium of festivities in Bangladesh. Music artists have always played a significant role to enhance Eid celebrations in the country over the years, and this year too, several songs have captivated the audiences.

The much-talked-about Coke Studio Bangla, which is running its second season this year, has released its brand-new track "Darale Duaarey" on 'Chand Raat' or the night before Eid-ul-Fitr, featuring the debutant young singer Mukul Mojumder Ishaan and season one's "Bulbuli"-famed Sanzida Mahmood Nandita. Music composed by Shuvendu Das Shuvo and sound arranged by Shuvo and Coke Studio Bangla curator and producer Shayan Chowdhury Arnob, the song is the story of two lovebirds who have fallen madly in love with each other. The spirit of love flows through them, around them and encircles their world, and the duet performance depicts a Romeo and Juliet-esque story where the fresh sound of Ishaan's voice harmonizes with the melodious voice of Nandita, they added in the song description. The beautiful music video of the song has generated over two million views on YouTube and stands 38 on the trending YouTube content in Bangladesh, and social media has been flooded with appreciation.

Bangladeshi rock legend James, who had enthralled his massive fanbase with his new track "I Love You" after 12 years on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr last year, has also released his newest track titled "Shobi Bhul" on Eid morning. Composed by James himself, the song is a beautiful tribute to nostalgia and melancholia featuring the signature singing style of the rock icon, popularly known as the 'Nagarbaul'. James also penned the song with Bishu Shikdar. Released on the Bashundhara Digital YouTube channel, the song is close to receiving one million views and fans are enthralled with this brand-new track of the nation's beloved rockstar. "The new platform, Bashundhara Digital, has provided me with the adequate creative freedom which encouraged me again this year to come up with this new song, and I am planning a new album after releasing a couple of new singles soon," James previously said at a press conference.

This year, Dhallywood megastar Shakib Khan is ruling the theatres all over the country with his brand-new movie "Leader Amie Bangladesh" and for the film, the actor has put out a never-seen-before kind of performance. His first major rap performance "Kotha Achhe" is voiced by popular rapper Tabib Mahmud, and the song has been rocking the nation ever since its release. Written by Tabib Mahmud, the song depicts the social scenario while portraying Shakib as the challenger and game changer against the problems, projecting the essence of the film's title. Subhro Raha arranged the music of the song, choreographed by Habib Rahman in the film. The song has been garnering huge response on YouTube and social media platforms, and Shakib Khan fans all over the cinema halls in the country are grooving to the electrifying upbeat rap track, while netizens have been praising the singer and the Dhallywood superstar for such an energetic and enthralling performance. "Surma Surma" is another top hit this Eid from the aforementioned Topu Khan directorial film "Leader Amie Bangladesh." The song is voiced by Imran Mahmudul and Konal and composed, produced, and arranged by Naved Parvez while Zahid Akbar penned the lyrics, and the melodious track has also received a massive buzz from the audiences.

Amid the Eid celebration, renowned guitarist-composer and former guitarist of Bangladeshi heavy metal band Warfaze, Oni Hasan, premiered a 23-minute-long video on his YouTube channel on Monday titled "The Biggest Bangladeshi Guitar Collab Song -1", featuring a total of 32 guitarists, all of whom played over different sections of the same backing track. From legendary and popular Bangladeshi guitarists including Lutful Ahmed Labu, Ershad Zaman, Iqbal Asif Jewel, Saadi Muktafi, Shishir Ahmed, Raef Al Hasan Rafa, Diat Khan, Mahaan Fahim and Bakhtiar Hossain to new generation guitarists including Ariyan Chowdhury, Dibbo Nasser, Aditya Ghosh, Zahin Rafid and more, the electrifying collaboration amused and enthralled rock enthusiasts all over the internet. The biggest surprise in the video was Nafisa Khanam Nitu, the only female guitarist in the collab. The Chattogram-based advocate is the guitarist of the band HeartzRelation and also a guitar instructor at Guitar Hall - School of Music, and her performance in the collab has garnered the attention of music lovers.

From the glorious and festive Eid occasions with much-awaited cassette and CD albums of prominent music artists to the current YouTube-Spotify and social media platforms-based single releases, the nation continues to celebrate quality music and this year's Eid has been no different.

Besides, television channels have frequently showcased seven to ten days special programmes featuring a number of dramas, telefilms, live and recorded talk shows with celebrities and magazine shows including the longest-running and most popular Bangladeshi magazine programme 'Ityadi' - among other entertaining arrangements, to bring colour to the biggest religious festivity in Bangladesh.