Shakib Khan's 'Borbad' on track for box office success in Italy

After successful screenings in Rome and Venice, discussions are underway to bring the action thriller to Milan

Bangladeshi action thriller "Borbad" is making waves in Italy since its Eid-ul-Fitr release. Among the six films released during the holiday, "Borbad" has not only resonated with moviegoers back home but has also struck a chord with expatriate audiences abroad.

Starring superstar Bangladeshi actor Shakib Khan opposite Idhika Paul from Kolkata, the film was screened on Sunday night at the Broadway Cinema Hall in Rome.

The screening, organised by AP Entertainment and managed by Amir Hossain, saw a strong turnout from the Bangladeshi community.

Due to the overwhelming response and a packed theatre on opening night, a second screening was held the following evening at the same venue. Both shows played to full houses.

“The idea behind these regular screenings is to ensure that expatriates are not deprived of Bangladeshi cinema. We're seeing a much stronger response than before. If this continues, we hope to bring even more films in the future,” said Amir.

Praising the film's quality, audience member MK Rahman Liton said: “Bangladeshi films have come a long way. Now it's something you can enjoy with your whole family at the theatre. The success of 'Borbad' proves that if a film is good, people will turn up.”

Following its successful run in Rome, "Borbad" is set to screen at the IMG Cinema Hall on Tuesday and again on May 4.

All tickets for the first screening sold out within 24 hours of the announcement and a second show had to be arranged due to popular demand, according to the organisers.

Discussions are also underway to release "Borbad" in Milan, another Italian city with a large Bangladeshi community.