However, Bangladesh Film Producers and Distributors Association (BFPDA), a grade A member of FBCCI, is expecting the film industry to do brisk business on Eid. Nasiruddin Dilu, the president of BFPDA, said, "With blockbusters such as Chachchu and Kabin this year, we hope that viewers will increasingly come to the theatres this upcoming Eid."

Mahbubul Islam, the office secretary of BFPDA, pointed out that 19 films have won approval from BFPDA for release in the festival season. But, as he pointed out, both 'vulgar' and 'quality' movies are included in the list. To quote Islam, "If the film goer analyses the title and the name of the actors in the approved movie list for the forthcoming Eid, she or he will have be able to discriminate between vulgar and decent films."

Banglar Hero, Matha Noshto, Lengra Masud, Najar, Nishpaap Koyedi, Daku Phulan, Ora Nishpap, Babu Khuni, Encounter and others belong to the first group. On the other hand, Jomila Shundari, Bhalobasha Bhalobasha, Dhakaiya Pola Barisailya Maiya, Orey Shampanwala, Tumi Kato Shundar, Dajjal Shashuri and others belong to the second group.

Mahbubul further maintained, "Of these films, eight or nine movies will be ultimately released in over 700 theatres all over the country. And the rest of the movies will be released later."

According to the grapevine, Impress Telefilm produced two movies- Rupkathar Galpo directed by Tauqir Ahmed and O Amar Chhele directed by Shubhash Datta which will run in one theatre each. Sources confirmed that among the quality movies that will be released all over the country are Bhalobasha Bhalobasha directed by Mohammad Hannan and Dhakaiya Pola Barisailya Maiya directed by Uttam Akash. Riaz, Shabnur, ATM Shamsuzzaman are the major cast members of Bhalobasha Bhalobasha while Shabnur and Shakib Khan performs the central characters in Dhakaiya Pola Barisailya Maiya. At the same time, less tasteful movies such as Babu Khuni and Langra Masud will also be released. Babu Khuni is directed by Hanif Akand Dulal and stars Khalek, Shayla and Prince while Langra Masud is directed by Shafiul Alam Khokon, in which Khalek, Mehedi, Polly, Dolly, Swapna are major cast members.

Ultimately, producers will have to wait for the results at the box office to determine the success of the films. And different types of 'equations' are going on at the moment. Industry sources also asserted that, as in previous years, the influential politically backed syndicate will play a role during the release of the cinema over Eid. If the producer of one of the movies creates pressure to release his movie in at least 60 theatres, the whole equation will change.

The producers of Ora Nishiddha, directed by Shahadat Hossain, and Biyer Lagan, directed by Shahadat Hossain Liton, have decided not to release the movies during the Eid holidays. Interestingly the producer of the only folk-based family movie Jomila Shundori, directed by AK Sohel, in which Shabnur, Ferdaus and ATM Shamsuzzaman are the major cast members, will not be released since the movie is regarded as a 'business loss' in the midst of so many poor quality movies.

Replying to a question as to why the folk based movie, like Jomila Shundori, with a star cast and mass appeal is doubtful about box office success during Eid this year, film industry representatives trace it to a change of taste of the viewers. Earlier the target viewers for the Eid market were women and directors used to make folk-based entertaining family movies.

However, the satellite channels have cast a spell on the viewers living at the remote areas and district towns. As a result filmmakers aiming to grab the market are making films imitating the vulgar movies. That is a primary reason behind releasing 'vulgar' movies, as they have a higher success rate. However, in the 30 movie theatres in Dhaka city, the sophisticated moviegoers avoid films labeled as substandard and 'vulgar'. Moreover, the city dwellers avoid going to cinema halls because of their poor maintenance as they have easy access to alternative sources of home entertainment.

Whatever the underground 'equations' behind the release of the movies for the forthcoming Eid are, viewers hope against hope for better entertainment from Dhalliwood.