Rajkumar[a] is a 2024 Bangladeshi romance drama film directed by Himel Ashraf and produced by Arshad Adnan under the banner of his Versatile Media.
The film revolves around the story of love, family relationships and a dreamy young man's journey from Bangladesh to America featuring Shakib Khan along with Courtney Coffey (in her Bangladeshi debut) in the lead roles.
It is the second collaboration between Shakib Khan, Himel Ashraf and Arshad Adnan trio after success of Priyotoma (2023).
[6] The filming wrapped up on March 1, 2024 with a climax scene featuring Shakib Khan and Mahiya Mahi in Sajek Valley, Rangamati.
The film was theatrically released on 11 April 2024, coinciding with Eid al-Fitr, which was met with mixed to positive reviews.
The film follows the journey of a determined young man from a rural village in Bangladesh to the bustling streets of the US in search of his long-lost mother.
[10] The director of photography in the film is Rajibul Islam Rajib, who previously worked in No Bed of Roses (2017).
Shakib Khan said, we have planned to made a big film here (US) for our Bangladeshi cinema industry with domestic and foreign technicians, artists.
[12][13][14] On the announcement of the film, director Himel Ashraf told Channel i Online, the story and screenplay of this new movie is mine.
Shakib Khan said in the event that not only Bangladesh, "Rajkumar" will be released in different countries of the world including US, London, Middle East, Canada, India.
[17] Prothom Alo quoting the director Himel Ashraf's source, said that the filming of Rajkumar will be begin in July 2022.
[31][32] Famous actress Mahiya Mahi was rumored to play Shakib Khan's mother in the film,[33][34] which was later confirmed by The Daily Star.
[38] It has been reported that Rajkumar is being made based on the story of love, family relationships and a dreamy young man moving from Bangladesh to America.
[41] Director Himel Ashraf confirmed that the filming of the second lot will continue for 9 consecutive days in Pabna.
[59] The song is a duet sung by Balam and Somnur Monir Konal and composed by Akassh Sen with penned by Asif Iqbal, the four previously worked in the 2023 film Priyotoma.
[65] After the massive popularity and critical acclaimed of "Eshwar" from Priyotoma (2023), it is the second collaboration between Prince Mahmud and Himel Ashraf.
[67] Than third singles "Ami Ekai Rajkumar" was released on April 5 as the film's theme song, which sung by Shamim Hasan and composed by Emon Chowdhury with lyrics penned by Ferari Forhad.
[73][74] Zahid Akbar penned a song titled "Nishana" in the film, with Sajid Sarker composition, which his third consecutive collaboration with Shakib Khan.
[85] However, it was released through Cinemark theaters in some notable locations like Los Angeles, the Bay area and Connecticut on April 26.
[88] On April 1, 2024, the advance ticket sale started 10 days before the film's release at Roots Cineclub in Sirajganj.
[95] On April 9, the Multiplex authorities released advance tickets for all Eid films including Rajkumar, due to audience demand.
Apart from this, almost all the tickets of Rajkumar's shows are sold out on the first and second day of Eid in Bashundhara City, Dhanmondi, Mirpur, Chittagong, Rajshahi branches of Cineplex.
[102] Apart from multiplexes, the film also dominated single screens in almost all the theatres of the country including Modhumita in Dhaka, Kuliarchar in Kishoreganj, Chittagong Sadar, Dinajpur on the day of Eid.
[105] Syed Nazmus Sakib mentioned in Desh Rupantor that the story of the film Rajkumar is remarkable.
[108] In a review featured in Kaler Kantho, Hridoy Ahmed lauded the film as a captivating and socially resonant piece.