Entertainment Desk:

Once Upon a Time in Dhaka’, directed by Abu Hayat Mahmud. At the time, neither Shakib nor the film’s producer officially confirmed the figure.

Now, producer Shirin Sultana has officially confirmed Shakib’s staggering remuneration, making him the highest-paid actor in the Bengali film industry, both in Bangladesh and Kolkata. By comparison, actors like Dev and Jeet reportedly earn between Tk 1 and 1.5 crore per film.

Shirin, head of Creative Land, said, “This is what he deserves. The remuneration is higher than his previous films, but given the scope of this project, it is justified.” She praised Shakib’s dedication, adding, “He listened to the story of Prince in 45 minutes with full attention, as if he had memorized it. His success is a result of years of hard work.”

Nazifa Tushi stars opposite Shakib as the lead actress. Shirin added that casting for other roles is ongoing, with both domestic and international talent being considered. “We have faith in our team and the audience’s support encourages us to meet their expectations,” she said.

The first-look poster of Prince, released Friday, shows Shakib prominently holding dual pistols, surrounded by armed figures. A map of Dhaka highlights areas such as Uttara, Ashkona, Badda, Gabtoli, Mohammadpur, Kafrul, Karwan Bazar, Shankhari Bazar and Gendaria. The poster tagline reads: “A new chapter begins – the city will recognize its real hero.”