Rockstar (2026 film)

Development

Rockstar is the second collaboration between Shakib Khan and Sun Motion Pictures Limited, following the unreleased film Soldier.^[5][6] Director Azman Rusho said the initial idea came from Khan, who wanted to play such a role.^[7] The screenplay was written by Nusraat Mati, with dialogue by Ayman Asib Swadhin and Samiul Bhuiyan.^[8] Cinematography was by Abdul Mamun, who previously worked on Kaiser (2022), Pett Kata Shaw (2022), and Dui Shaw (2025). Editing was by Anis Masud.^[9] The songs were written and composed by Ahmed Hasan Sunny, while Jahid Nirob handled music direction and background score.^[10][11]

Costume designer Safia Sathi worked on Shakib Khan's costumes, having previously worked with him on a television commercial directed by Adnan Al Rajeev.^[12] Indian makeup artist Amit Ambarkar joined the film for character makeup and transformation. It was his third collaboration with Khan, following Borbaad (2025) and Prince: Once Upon a Time in Dhaka (2026).^[9]

Casting

Mohit Tanmoy served as the film's casting director and was responsible for casting sports presenter Kazi Sabir in the film.^[13] Shakib Khan officially signed on to the project on 6 October 2025.^[14][15] Tangia Zaman Methila was cast as the female lead in February 2026.^[16] Although reports circulated that a Pakistani actress would portray the second female lead, the claim was later dismissed by the director.^[17][18] The role eventually went to Sabila Nur, marking her second collaboration with Khan following the success of Taandob in 2025.^[19][20]

In late March, renowned Bangladeshi musician Pantha Kanai confirmed his involvement in the film in a significant role, marking his second screen appearance following Fatima (2024).^[21][22][23] Tariq Anam Khan and Rosey Siddiqui were also reported to have been cast as the parents of Khan's character.^[21]

Filming

Principal photography began in Malaysia on 24 March 2026.^[24] On 1 April, Shakib Khan returned to Bangladesh after completing the first filming schedule to participate in the promotional campaign for Prince: Once Upon a Time in Dhaka (2026).^[25] Following the first phase of filming in mid-April, the cast and crew returned to Bangladesh and continued filming in multiple location in Dhaka.^[26] On 2 May, following the release of the film's pre-teaser, the director stated that the director informed the media that the final stage of filming was in progress in Tongi, Gazipur.^[27][28]

Box office

Although Bangladesh does not have an official box-office tracking system, Bangla Tribune reported that the film had grossed ৳1.34 crore from multiplexes alone by the end its third day of release.^[42]

Critical response

Rockstar received widely mixed responses from audiences and critics. While Shakib Khan's performance and screen presentation were generally well received, the film attracted criticism for its story and screenplay, with several commentators highlighting inconsistencies in its narrative.^[43]

Critic Pritha Parmita Nag of Prothom Alo praised the film's visual presentation, musical setting, and Shakib Khan's performance, particularly his portrayal of emotional vulnerability. However, she felt that the film focused too heavily on romance at the expense of its musical narrative and criticized its pacing and character development. Despite these, she commended director Azman Rusho for presenting a different screen image of Khan.^[44] Meanwhile, Bangladeshi musician A K Rahul of The Daily Star praised the film's cinematography and the performances of Khan and Sabila Nur. However, he criticized its portrayal of the Bangladeshi rock music scene, arguing that the soundtrack lacked memorability and that the film failed to capture the unique struggles of local musicians. He concluded that while Rockstar succeeds as an entertaining film, it falls short of its potential as a definitive Bangladeshi rock film.^[45]

Film critic Rahman Moti of Bangla Movie Database rated the film 6.5 out of 10 and described the film as a Khan-centric film, praising Khan's screen presence and Nur's performance. However, he criticized the screenplay for lacking depth and argued that the film relied too heavily on its lead star while failing to fully explore its musical themes or establish a distinct directorial vision.^[46] Furthermore, The Business Standard described the film as a visually ambitious but emotionally flat film, praising its cinematography and Khan's performance in musical sequences while criticizing its screenplay, pacing, and lack of narrative cohesion.^[47]

In another for Bangla Movie Database, writer Mahfuz Siddiqui Himaloy praised the film for its central premise and a handful of memorable moments, but criticized its screenplay, soundtrack, and characterization, concluding that the film was a missed opportunity that failed to fulfill the potential of its musical concept.^[48] Badiuzzaman Milon of ATN News praised Rockstar for its technical execution, visual style, music, and Khan's performance, describing it as a distinctive musical drama that set a new benchmark for Dhallywood despite some narrative weaknesses in its final act.^[49] In a review, filmmaker Abu Shahed Emon praised the film's technical execution, cinematography, and performances, particularly Khan's departure from his established action-oriented image. Nevertheless, he criticized the film's screenplay, arguing that Agun's rise to stardom was underdeveloped and that the narrative failed to fully realize its themes of artistic identity, fame, and addiction.^[50]

Abrar Jahin of Khoborer Kagoj praised the film's visual presentation, music, and Khan's performance, but criticized its screenplay and characterization. He also expressed concern over the frequent depiction of drug use, arguing that the film risked glamorizing narcotics despite its apparent cautionary message.^[51] Writing for Desh Rupantor, the reviewer also commended Khan's departure from his established screen image and praised the film's cinematography, musical sequences, and production values. While noting shortcomings in the screenplay and character development, the review regarded Rockstar as a largely successful and aesthetically ambitious attempt to break away from conventional Dhallywood formulas.^[52] Lyricist and journalist Zahid Akbar described Rockstar as a potential iconic romantic film. He praised Khan's performance, Nur's portrayal of Meera, and Ahmed Hasan Sunny's songs, while also commending the film's dialogue, cinematography, and direction. He further characterized Rockstar as a modern romantic drama and predicted that it could become an iconic love story in Bangladeshi cinema.^[53]

Film critic RnaR commended the film's costumes, visual presentation, and cinematography, arguing that Rockstar established a new benchmark for Bangladeshi cinema. However, he criticized its story, screenplay, and dialogue as uneven and incoherent.^[54] Writing for Alap News, Ahsan Kabir praised the film's cinematography, performances, and Azman Rusho's directorial debut, but criticized its portrayal of rock music, emphasis on addiction, and limited depiction of the protagonist's musical development.^[55]