Ziaur Rahman: For decades, Bengali cinema seemed stuck in a rut, churning out predictable tales of star-crossed love between the rich and poor, or heroes striking it rich with a lottery win. These were often spiced up with hero-villain showdowns, fight scenes, and the inevitable song-and-dance numbers in flower gardens or by the seaside.

But now, Bengali cinema is finally breaking free from that tired formula. Shakib Khan’s “Taandob” attempts to inject a political message into mainstream commercial cinema, marking a significant shift from the lovefest we were used to seeing.

Shakib is backed by a stellar ensemble cast, including Afzal Hossain, Shahiduzzaman Selim, Gazi Rakayet, Siam Ahmed, Afran Nisho, and Jaya Ahsan.

But in the end, the story outshines Shakib’s stardom, bringing yet another welcome change to the Bangladeshi film industry.

The film’s expansive plot is its biggest surprise. While it starts at a leisurely pace, Taandob certainly concludes with a bang, living up to its name.

That said, there are moments where the plot does admittedly lose its way a little.

The film kicks off with a news anchor at “Bangla Nine” television station, reading out a rather mundane weather forecast, assuring viewers there’s no risk of storms or rain. This understated opening sets the scene for Taandob.

In comes Swadhin, starting his rampage in full swing as his minions in monkey-faced masks surround the building.

The scenes are eerily derivative of those seen in blockbuster Bollywood movies, “Jawaan” and “Animal”, a trend noticed in Shakib’s last two movies as well.