Watch our in-depth review of Taandob (2025) — Raihan Rafi’s high-octane political thriller starring Shakib Khan and Jaya Ahsan.

🎬 A High-Stakes Socio‑Political Thriller with Dynamic Performances

Taandob, directed by Raihan Rafi and released on June 7, 2025, during Eid‑ul‑Adha, is a gripping socio-political thriller that marks the second collaboration between director Rafi and Bangladeshi superstar Shakib Khan since Toofan. Produced by SVF‑Alpha‑i & Chorki, the film fuses high-energy drama, pointed social commentary, and intense action to spotlight systemic corruption in Bangladesh.

📖 Plot Overview

Shakib Khan portrays Mikhail (also known as Shadhin), a masked intruder who storms a news studio and takes ministers hostage during a live broadcast, demanding public accountability for their corrupt dealings. The film’s fractured narrative—anchored by flashbacks—reveals Shadhin’s transformation from an optimistic young man to a vigilante fuelled by personal tragedies, including his lover’s suicide and a setup involving political murder and bribery.

The climax delivers a sharp twist: the true identity is not Shadhin but Mikhail, whose hidden motives propel the plot toward a tense, open-ended finish featuring Afran Nisho’s cameo, hinting at future vengeance.

🧑‍🎭 Cast & Performances

Shakib Khan delivers a commanding performance as Mikhail/Shadhin—a complex vigilante driven by righteous rage.
Jaya Ahsan, as the anchor exposing political malfeasance, lends emotional depth and journalistic integrity to the proceedings.
Sabila Nur plays the tragic love interest whose death catalyses Shadhin’s crusade.
Siam Ahmed stands out as Shafayet, the hidden antagonist whose actions trigger the plot’s fatal turn.

Supporting roles—Shahiduzzaman Selim, Shiba Shanu, Rosey Siddique, and Afran Nisho—enhance the narrative through layered performances and moral ambiguity.

🎥 Direction, Writing & Technical Craft

Raihan Rafi’s direction is taut and paced, sustaining tension through sharp intercuts of hostage drama and political exposé. Co-written by Rafi and Adnan Adib Khan (who scripted Toofan), the screenplay delivers topical critique but occasionally sacrifices coherency for spectacle.

Cinematography and production design emulate the high-stakes tone of real-world newsrooms and political rallies. Choreographed action sequences were filmed in Sri Lanka, injecting the finale with cinematic scale. However, some scenes reveal uneven pacing and character motivations that need sharper coherence.

🎶 Music & Sound

The film’s soundtrack, with music composed by Pritom Hasan, complements the dramatic narrative—intensifying emotional beats during hostage sequences and heightening suspense through the crescendoing score.

✅ What Works

Top-tier acting: Shakib Khan’s intense screen presence anchors the film, while Jaya Ahsan elevates tension with a poised performance.
Political resonance: The story’s critique of corruption and media manipulation sparks overdue national conversation.
High production value: From studio sets to Sri Lankan action locales, the visuals rival international thrillers.

⚠️ Areas for Improvement

Script coherence: Non-linear storytelling and twist elements occasionally result in narrative ambiguity.
Supporting arcs: Several characters lack depth, weakening emotional investment outside of the core trio.
Balancing scale and intimacy: Some powerful emotional beats are overshadowed by grandiose production.

🔍 Final Verdict

Taandob earns 4 out of 5 stars—a bold and timely piece of mainstream Bangladeshi cinema. Its major strength lies in Shakib Khan’s gripping portrayal and Raihan Rafi’s unflinching look at corruption. While not without flaws, the film sets a high bar for action thrillers in Bangladesh and promises new frontiers for socially conscious entertainment.

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