The year 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark period for Bengali cinema, promising a powerful mix of emotion, star power, and box-office momentum. The upcoming slate is packed with highly anticipated sequels to beloved franchises, compelling real-life narratives, and fresh stories featuring both established stars and promising new talent.
Star-Studded Returns and Powerful Biopics
The lineup features significant comebacks and inspiring true stories. Jeet makes a notable return in Keu Bole Biplobi Keu Bole Dakat, directed by Pathikrit Basu and co-starring Tota Roy Choudhury. The film delves into the complex character of Ananta Singh, exploring themes of justice and moral ambiguity by weaving his freedom-fighter past with a modern crusade against corruption.
In a move towards realism, Dev stars in the biopic Bike Ambulance Dada, directed by Vinay Mudgil. The film is inspired by the life of Padma Shri awardee Karimul Haque, who gained fame for transporting sick villagers to hospital on his motorcycle. Dev's performance is expected to highlight the struggles, sacrifices, and heroism of this real-life figure.
Franchise Power and Suspenseful Adventures
Popular film series are set for grand returns, much to the delight of fans. The iconic Kakababu series returns after four years with Vijaynagar'er Hirey, directed by Chandrasish Ray. Prosenjit Chatterjee reprises his role in this mystery adventure set in the historical ruins of Hampi.
Similarly, the treasure-hunting Guptodhon franchise is back with its fourth instalment, Saptadingar Guptodhon. Directed by Dhrubo Banerjee, the film brings back Abir Chatterjee, Ishaa Saha, and Arjun Chakrabarty for a more suspenseful adventure involving hidden clues and high-stakes chases.
Diverse Genres: From Horror-Comedy to Political Thrillers
The 2026 slate showcases remarkable genre diversity. The horror-comedy Bhanupriya Bhooter Hotel, directed by Aritra Mukherjee and starring Mimi Chakraborty, is set in a haunted Kalimpong homestay, blending supernatural elements with reflections on the human mind.
On the serious side, director Arindam Sil presents Korpur, a political thriller starring Rituparna Sengupta and Bratya Basu. Loosely based on the disappearance of Calcutta University's Manisha Mukherjee, the film explores a decade-spanning education scam mystery, shifting between timelines in 1997 and 2019.
Notable Debuts and Emotional Sequels
The year will also see promising debuts and continuations of poignant stories. Mon Maaney Na marks the Tollywood debut of Ritwik Bhowmik and Hiya Chatterjee, directed by Rahool Mukherjee. It presents a contemporary love triangle set during a wedding.
Director Kaushik Ganguly continues the emotionally charged journey of Ajo Ardhangini, a sequel to the 2023 film Ardhangini. With Jaya Ahsan, Churni Ganguly, and Kaushik Sen returning, the story picks up 1.5 years later, delving deeper into themes of love and identity with the addition of a pivotal new character.
Other significant projects include Raj Chakrabarty's Hok Kolorob, exploring student politics with a fresh cast, and Srijit Mukherji's period drama Emperor Vs Sarat Chandra, revisiting the legacy of the banned novel Pather Dabi set in 1926. Furthermore, sources indicate that sequels to Khadaan and Bohurupi are also in development, adding to the anticipation for a cinematic feast in 2026.
