Rajkumar (2024) [Movie Review]: Shakib Khan’s Bangladeshi Romantic Drama

Rajkumar (2024) is a Bangladeshi romantic drama written and directed by Himel Ashraf. Starring Bangladeshi superstar Shakib Khan in the title role, it also introduces American actress Courtney Coffey as Julie (her Bangladeshi debut) alongside veteran actors Tariq Anam Khan, Dilara Zaman, and Mahiya Mahi. The story traces a determined young man, Rajkumar (Shakib Khan), as he leaves rural Bangladesh for the United States in search of his missing mother. This journey, sparked by family and freedom-war ties, provides a heartfelt mix of romance and drama that forms the emotional core of the film.

Cast and Performances

Shakib Khan leads the film with his trademark charisma as Shamsul “Sam” Haque, also known as Rajkumar. He deftly handles both the action sequences and emotional moments, reinforcing why he is a leading figure in Bangladeshi cinema. Courtney Coffey (Julie) provides a fresh counterpart in this cross-cultural romance, and despite some promotional snags (see below) her on-screen chemistry with Shakib is a positive surprise. Supporting actors enrich the family drama: Tariq Anam Khan plays Sam’s determined father, Mahiya Mahi makes a poignant special appearance as his mother, and Dilara Zaman and Ejajul Islam round out the cast as wise elders and friends. Overall, the performances are a strong point – Shakib’s veteran presence and the ensemble’s sincerity keep the audience invested, even if a few roles are underused.

• Shakib Khan (Sam/Rajkumar): Delivers his usual star power with conviction.

• Courtney Coffey (Julie): Holds her own in her debut role, lending a sweet romantic angle.

• Tariq Anam Khan: Solid as Sam’s father, grounding the family element.

• Mahiya Mahi & Dilara Zaman: Provide emotional weight as Sam’s mother and grandmother.

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Direction, Cinematography, and Music

Himel Ashraf’s direction is assured and visually ambitious. Filmed in picturesque locations across Bangladesh and New York, Sheikh Rajibul Islam’s cinematography brings both the verdant countryside and urban landscapes to life. Many viewers have praised these visuals – for instance, one reviewer noted “the cinematography is excellent, with great color grading and visual effects”. The use of color and framing adds a sweeping, polished look that elevates the storytelling. The soundtrack (composed by Emon Chowdhury, Akassh, Prince Mahmud, among others) blends Bangladeshi and modern elements; critics found the songs well-integrated. In fact, audiences have highlighted that “the songs are good and placed appropriately in the narrative”. These technical strengths – especially the lush camerawork and fitting music – form the film’s best qualities and make Rajkumar an engaging cinematic experience.

Critique and Weaknesses

Not everything clicks perfectly. Some viewers point out technical flaws such as inconsistent dubbing and sound-sync issues (Courtney Coffey’s lip-sync was notably questioned). A few scenes feel unevenly dubbed, which can distract from immersion. There are also plot issues: certain twists near the climax strain credibility – one critic wrote that the ending had “illogical” plot points that hurt its impact. A handful of performances (even Shakib’s) came off as less powerful than expected; one comment dryly observed Shakib’s acting was “below average” in spots. In protest of the marketing, Courtney Coffey noted that promotional materials repeatedly centered on Shakib Khan while her name was missing or minimized. While this doesn’t affect the film’s story, it marred the marketing narrative around the movie.

• Audio/Dubbing: Some dialogue feels awkwardly dubbed (lip-sync problems).

• Plot: A couple of story beats (especially the finale) come across as forced or illogical.

• Performances: On rare occasions, key roles didn’t hit the mark (some found even Shakib Khan’s scenes underwhelming).

• Promotion: Lead actress Courtney Coffey noted that posters in Bangladesh and abroad downplayed her role – her name was often missing or printed in tiny letters.

Final Verdict

Rajkumar is largely a romantic drama worth watching. It delivers the emotional journey it promises, anchored by Shakib Khan’s star power and strong production values. The film’s strengths – a touching mother-son story, solid performances, and impressive visuals/soundtrack – account for the majority of the experience. Its flaws (mainly the technical dubbing hiccups and a few contrived plot turns) are noticeable but not fatal. Critically, it earned generally mixed-to-positive reviews upon release, and it went on to become a major box-office success (“super hit”) in Bangladesh.

In summary, Rajkumar is a heartfelt and engaging Bangladeshi romantic drama that should please fans of Shakib Khan and family stories. It isn’t perfect, but the positives clearly outweigh the negatives. Rating: 3.5/5

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Key Takeaways

• Emotional Core: A heartfelt mother-son narrative set between Bangladesh and the US.

• Lead Cast: Shakib Khan brings the dreamer Rajkumar to life, and Courtney Coffey’s debut performance leaves a positive mark.

• Technical Craft: Gorgeous cinematography and music are standout features.

• Weaknesses: Some audio sync issues and a couple of plot holes near the end.

• Overall: A largely satisfying film that resonates emotionally, earning it an above-average 3.5/5.