The Eid-ul-Azha release Tagar, starring Puja Chery and Ador Azad, has been withdrawn from the country’s three major multiplexes — Star Cineplex, Blockbuster Cinemas, and Lion Cinemas — due to disappointing audience turnout.
Directed by Alok Hasan and produced by AR Movie Network, the film had created early buzz with teaser trailers and promotional songs shared by its cast and crew. Initially, Tagar was scheduled to release in 11 theatres across the country but eventually opened in only six venues.
The film, a mix of romance, revenge, and political drama, struggled to attract viewers from the start. Though it secured multiple shows during the Eid holidays, audience response remained poor, forcing multiplex authorities to pull it from their schedules in the second week of release.
Multiplex officials confirmed that audience demand primarily influences show allotments. While several other Eid releases gained popularity and additional screenings, Tagar faced a steady decline in viewers. “We had to withdraw it because there weren’t enough audiences coming to watch,” said an official from one of the multiplex chains.
Interestingly, actress Dighi was initially cast in the lead role but was later replaced by Puja Chery reportedly over professionalism issues. Apart from Puja and Ador, the film featured Azad Abul Kalam, Razi Siddiqui, Suman Anwar, and Shariful in supporting roles.
Both Puja and Ador had pinned high hopes on the film’s success. Ador even termed it the best work of his career, while Puja described it as a special project. Despite their optimism, Tagar failed to leave a mark in the competitive Eid film market.
The film’s underwhelming performance once again highlights the unpredictable nature of the local cinema scene, especially during festival releases.
