Tasnia Farin Joins Shakib Khan in ‘Prince: Once Upon a Time in Dhaka’

Tasnia Farin is set to make a major leap onto the big screen opposite Shakib Khan after being confirmed as one of the lead actors in the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 film ‘Prince: Once Upon a Time in Dhaka’.

The casting has a personal connection for Farin. At an awards ceremony some time ago, she had told Shakib Khan that she wanted to act alongside him and was even willing to audition for the opportunity.

Shakib reportedly responded that she would not need to audition and that he would cast her himself. That promise has now turned into a major film collaboration.

Tasnia Farin Confirmed for ‘Prince’

The production company Creative Land confirmed Farin’s casting on November 15. Producer Shirin Sultana said Farin signed her contract on the night of November 14 and will play a lead role in the film.

“We signed Farin on Friday night [14 November]. She will play a lead role in the film,” Sultana told The TIMES of Bangladesh.

Farin has established herself through television dramas and OTT productions, making Prince a significant opportunity to expand her presence into mainstream theatrical cinema.

The film is being produced by Shirin Sultana under the Creative Land banner, with Shakib Khan in the central role.

‘Prince’ Will Feature More Than One Heroine

Producer Shirin Sultana has also confirmed that Prince will feature multiple heroines, although the identity of the second female lead has not been disclosed.

There had been speculation that Pakistani actor Hania Aamir might join the cast. Sultana, however, has rejected those reports and confirmed that Aamir is not part of the project.

She also explained that part of the film will be shot in India, while declining to reveal whether the second heroine will be from Bangladesh or India.

With Farin now confirmed, further casting announcements are expected as production moves forward.

Shooting to Begin in December

Filming for Prince: Once Upon a Time in Dhaka is scheduled to begin in December, with production planned across Bangladesh and India.

The film was formally announced with its first poster on August 22, establishing Shakib Khan as the lead.

The production is targeting an Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 release, placing the project among the major commercial films being prepared for the festive season.

A Different Story From the Earlier ‘Once Upon a Time in Dhaka’

The new Prince has also attracted attention because of its title and its connection to an earlier project announcement.

Several years ago, director Abu Hayat Mahmud had introduced a project titled Once Upon a Time in Dhaka, with Shariful Raj attached to star. At the time, the director had said the film would be inspired by the life of notorious criminal Kala Jahangir, a claim that generated controversy.

The production company has since made clear that the current Prince is not based on the life of any particular individual.

Instead, the filmmakers describe it as a larger-than-life story set in 1990s Dhaka, combining crime, romance, action, emotion and family drama.

‘Prince’ Targets a Broad Audience

According to the production team, the film is being designed for a wide cross-section of viewers, with its setting and commercial elements intended to appeal to audiences across Dhaka.

The filmmakers have positioned the project as an entertaining story rather than a biographical account of a real-life criminal figure.

For Tasnia Farin, meanwhile, Prince marks an important transition from the television and OTT space to one of Bangladesh’s biggest theatrical platforms.