Priyotoma is a 2023 Bangladeshi romantic drama-tragedy film. The film was directed by Himel Ashraf, and is the second he has directed. It was produced by Arshad Adnan under the banner of Versatile Media. The film story was written by late Faruk Hossain alone and Himel Ashraf jointly wrote the screenplay and dialogues with him. It is a tragic love story that left an indelible mark on Sumon's (played by Shakib Khan) life, shattering his world and left him forever transformed, featuring Idhika Paul, Shahiduzzaman Selim and Lutfur Rahman George in the lead role. Many others including Elina Shammi, Don and Shiba Shanu performed important roles.
In 2017, Shakib Khan announced the film under his production. Six years after this announcement the principal photography of the film officially began on 8 May 2023, under Arshad Adnan's production. It was wrapped up on 21 June 2023. The film's first look was revealed on 2 June 2023, although no trailer was released. It got censor clarification on 22 June 2022. The film was shot mostly in Dhaka, Sylhet and Sunamganj with sporadic schedules in Cox's Bazar and Bandarban. The music was composed by Akassh, Prince Mahmud and Sajid Sarker, cinematography handled by Saiful Shaheen, choreographed by Baba Yadav and editing was by Simit Ray Antor.
Priyotoma received positive reviews from critics with high praise for the soundtrack and climax. It set several box office records for a Bangladeshi film and went on to become the highest grossing Bangladeshi film of all time, overtaking Beder Meye Joshna (1989) after 34 years. It is also the highest grossing Bangladeshi film of 2023.
The film won several accolades including nine awards (including Best Actor and Best Actress in the Special Honors category) at the 22nd Babisas Awards.
Synopsis Devastated by his brother's death, Sumon (Shakib Khan) embarks on a journey to a distant city to retrieve funds from his brother's business partner. Little did he know that this endeavor would lead him down an unexpected path of love. In a twist of fate, Sumon found himself in the arms of a politician's daughter, an encounter that would forever change the course of his existence. This tragic love story left an indelible mark on Sumon's life, shattering his world and leaving him forever changed.
Plot
Sumon (Shakib Khan) is a happy-go-lucky village boy from Dhaka. His elder brother, Sujon, runs a business in Cox's Bazar with Usman. One day, Sujon is killed — murdered by Usman over a money dispute. The incident destroys Sumon's family. After Sujon's death, his wife (Sumon's sister-in-law) tries to get her share of the money from Usman, but Usman's gang attacks her.
Devastated by his brother's death, Sumon travels to Cox's Bazar to collect the money from Usman. There, Khalek, the former Upazila Chairman and Iti's father, witnesses the fight and intervenes to settle the dispute. As a gesture of support, he invites Sumon to stay at his house.
At Khalek's house, Sumon meets Iti, also known as Priyotoma (Idhika Paul), the Chairman's spirited and bubbly daughter. She is naive and childish but very sweet. At first they fight, but slowly they fall in love.
The main problems begin because Iti is the daughter of a powerful politician, while Sumon is a nobody. There is a clear class difference, and to make things worse, Usman is still after Sumon. Iti's father, Khalek, does not accept their love.
Sumon gets pulled into politics while seeking justice for his brother, involving court cases and fights with Usman and Ranga.
Just when Sumon thinks he is about to win — getting justice for his brother and marrying Iti — tragedy strikes. Iti is diagnosed with a brain tumour and dies. Her sudden demise leaves an indelible mark on Sumon's life, shattering his world and leaving him forever transformed.
Twenty years later, an old Sumon is still living alone in that same house in Cox's Bazar, holding on to Iti's memories. He never marries anyone else and talks to her photo. The whole film is his flashback about how one love changed his entire life forever.
Cast Shakib Khan as Sumon Idhika Paul as Iti Shahiduzzaman Selim as Usman Lutfur Rahman George as Khalek a.k.a. Khalek Chairman, a former Chairman of Cox's Bazar Upazila Parishad and Iti's father. Kazi Hayat as Sumon's father Shiba Shanu as Sujon, a lessee of the Eid al-Adha's Qurbani hut and Sumon's elder brother. One of Usman's business partners. Later, he was killed by Usman. Don as Ranga, Usman right-hand Elina Shammi as Sujon's wife Lutfur Rahman Khan Shimanto as John Shahid-Un-Nabi as Khobir, Iti's elder brother Imtu Ratish Kochi Khandokar Kazi Uzzal Pran Roy Jahid Islam as Masud, Usman's gang
Production Development
In 2014, Shakib Khan produced his film Hero: The Superstar under his production company . Almost three years later, in November 2017, he announced the production of Priyotoma from his own production company, which was to be his second film at the time. Regarding his second production, he told Prothom Alo at that time, "It's been a long time since I produced my first film from SK Films. I was waiting for such a story for so long." Then on 6 November 2017, the name of this film was registered in the Bangladesh Film Directors Association. At that time, director Himel Ashraf told Prothom Alo that the filming would begin in late February or early March 2018.
The late Farooq Hossain wrote the story and screenplay of the film jointly with director Himel Ashraf, which is the last script he wrote. Earlier in 2015, Farooq Hossain went missing in the sea. It is the unfinished screenplay written by screenwriter Farooq Hossain. Subsequently, the film's director Himel Ashraf gave it a full form. Himel Ashraf told Prothom Alo, "I have made the screenplay my own way, making two unfinished screenplays of Farooq (Hossain) in one place." Khan's personal makeup artist Sabuj Khan and costume designer Farah Diba worked as a make-up artist in the film, who has previously collaborated with the protagonist in Nabab LLB, Antaratma and Leader: Amie Bangladesh. According to reports from the production company, it is the most expensive film to be released on Eid al-Adha 2023. On 28 June 2023, Samakal reported that over crore were spent on the film's production. Action director Rajesh Kannan worked as the film's stunt director, who had previously worked with the protagonist Khan in Shikari, Nabab and Chalbaaz.
On 25 April 2023, through a Facebook post, director Himel Ashraf announced the release date of the film on Eid al-Adha 2023 and named Arshad Adnan as the producer under Versatile Media. About film's pre-production work Himel Ashraf said in an interview with Channel i that, the pre-production work of the film began on 22 February 2023, and had more than 100 people working on its table work. He also said that the film would have stuntmen and choreographers from abroad and high-quality background music and all the post-production work of the film including post VFX would be done abroad.
Casting Initially no actress was selected for this film, but in November 2017, in an interview with Prothom Alos Manjur Quader, Shabnom Bubly claimed to act in the film herself as the lead actress. At that time, news about this was reported in the national media. However, on 5 May 2023, the name of Indian model-actress Idhika Paul was announced as the lead actress for the film. In response to the media's question as to why Shabnom Bubly was dropped from the film, Shakib Khan said that, "Bubly had to be dropped due to the needs of the character." Subsequently, in an exclusive conversation with Prothom Alo, he revealed the specific reason for not casting Bubly in the film, he said that, "Initially when Priyotoma was in under discussed, the story required someone completely new, who had done a few acts, but had absolutely no acting experience in films. Bubly has acted in more than a dozen films in the last few years. Apart from that, Bubly's age also is not covering with the story of the film. She was not taken into consideration at all."
Filming
The film's principal photography was begun on 8 May 2023. Two days later on 10 May, protagonist Shakib Khan participated in the filming of his part at Sadarghat in Old Dhaka. Himel Ashraf told Bangla Tribune, "In the first lot, we are filming in Dhaka. Then we'll go to Sunamganj. After filming there for several days, we'll go to Cox's Bazar. Filming will be completed by continuous shooting till 2 June.
The film was wrapped up on 21 June 2023.
Marketing Later on 10 May 2025, the first look of the film was revealed, where Shakib Khan was seen standing in the rain with long hair, slicked back, a sad look with a cigarette on his lips. Upon its release, it received critical acclaim from audiences and critics and went viral on social media. Later, the second look poster of the film was revealed on 28 May to mark protagonist Shakib Khan's 24 years in the film industry. Then on 17 June, a 30-second video first look teaser of the film was revealed. Upon its release, it received mixed reviews from audiences and critics. Later on 20 June, its third look was revealed, where Shakib Khan looks 80 years old. It received positive response from audiences and critics upon its release, his transformation as an old man considered is one of best look in his career. Khan's look cost an estimated 5 lakh to create. This look is used for six-seven minutes in the film. It takes about 15 days for a large makeup team skilled in prosthetic makeup to create it. Firstly, the measurements of Shakib Khan's face were taken. Then, a coating is formed in that way. The look is fixed by putting hair and beard there. Later the look is tested to check if it fits the character or not. Khan's personal make-up artist Sabuj Khan told Pratham Alo, "We were worried about this part throughout the shoot. Because prosthetic makeup is quite difficult. A long time is required. Have to sit continuously. Can't be wrong. All should be written separately. Makeup works should also be shared. It took us six to seven hours a day to apply this makeup during shooting. It also took three hours to remove this makeup. We have been with this makeup since three days ago." Each look and costume of the film sequence, entry, action and two songs were designed separately.
Soundtrack