Expectations are always high when a film starring Shakib Khan hits the big screen. However, this Eid release, “Prince”, has struggled to fully meet audience expectations, largely due to several technical shortcomings, including issues with sound and colour grading.
Ten days after the film’s release, the Dhallywood superstar has finally addressed the concerns, attributing the shortcomings to time constraints and unavoidable circumstances.
Speaking at a press conference following a special screening held on Tuesday night at Star Cineplex Centrepoint, Shakib openly reflected on the challenges faced during the production. The event was attended by director Abu Hayat Mahmud, producer Shirin Sultana, actors Tasnia Farin, Jyotirmoyee Kundu, Dr Ejaz, and Intekhab Dinar, among others.
“I do admit that the ‘Prince’ team could not present a complete film or reach audiences across the country the way we had hoped. But there was no lack of effort,” said the actor.
Recalling his initial reaction to the script, Shakib Khan shared, “When I first heard the story of ‘Prince’, I felt it could become the biggest film of my career. Perhaps due to a lack of time, we could not achieve that. I apologise on behalf of the entire team, including the director and producer.”
He further explained that the production was severely disrupted by multiple setbacks. “We were unable to obtain permission to shoot in India for three months. After that, the situation became even more difficult. The set we had constructed was dismantled and relocated elsewhere, which caused further delays. Eventually, we had to continue working until the day before Eid. As a result, many flaws remained due to the lack of time. Had we received adequate time, the outcome could have been much better.”
Echoing his earlier remarks, the actor acknowledged audience complaints regarding technical aspects of the film. “These issues—particularly colour grading and overall finishing—require time, which we simply did not have,” he said, adding that he would be more cautious in selecting and executing future projects.
Shakib also revealed that he is highly selective when it comes to choosing scripts. “I listen to more than 30 stories before selecting one. In fact, I spend the entire year hearing scripts before making a decision. But this time, the circumstances were different,” he noted.
Despite its shortcomings, the actor expressed gratitude towards audiences for their continued support. Observing the film’s performance from Malaysia, he said that although “Prince” initially struggled to secure screenings, the situation improved. “For the first five days, we were completely out of the market. But afterwards, we secured 22 shows—far more than expected. That, to me, reflects the love of the audience.”
