‘Rockstar’ hit by piracy amid box office struggles

Bangladeshi superstar Shakib Khan has suffered another setback after his Eid release, Rockstar was reportedly leaked online within days of its theatrical debut, raising concerns over the film’s box-office prospects at home and abroad.

Released during Eid-ul-Azha, Rockstar was expected to help Shakib Khan rebound from the disappointing performance of his previous film, Prince. However, the musical drama has received mixed reactions from audiences and critics, with exhibitors reporting slower-than-expected attendance during the holiday season.

Industry observers say the film has struggled to generate momentum despite its music-centric theme, as none of its songs managed to gain significant popularity among listeners.

The situation worsened after high-definition copies of the movie allegedly surfaced on social media platforms, messaging channels, and unauthorized streaming sites less than a week after release. The leak is expected to undermine the film’s overseas rollout, where producers had hoped to recover part of their investment through expatriate Bangladeshi audiences.

Piracy has become a recurring challenge for films starring Shakib Khan. Previous releases, including Borbaad and Tandob, were also affected by unauthorized distribution shortly after hitting theaters.

Neither director Azman Rusho nor the production team has publicly commented on the alleged leak.

The film stars Shakib Khan opposite Sabila Noor, with supporting performances from Tanjia Zaman Mithila, Sunidhi Nayek, Tariq Anam Khan, and several other prominent performers.

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Film analysts say the latest setback highlights both the importance of stronger content selection and the urgent need for more effective anti-piracy measures in Bangladesh’s film industry.