Pressure Cooker () is a 2026 Bangladeshi Bengali language hyperlink drama-thriller directed by Raihan Rafi. The film features an ensemble cast led by Shobnom Bubly, Nazifa Tushi, Maria Hossain Shanto, and Snigdha Chowdhury.

Produced under Kanon Films and Impress Telefilm, with Rafi making his debut as co-producer alongside Faridur Reza Sagar, it marks Impress Telefilm's return to Eid theatrical releases after 21 years. Pressure Cooker was theatrically released in Bangladesh on 19 March 2026, during Eid al-Fitr. .The film received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its direction, socially relevant themes the performances of the ensemble cast, particularly that of Nazifa Tushi. Director Raihan Rafi was commended for his handling of a multi-narrative structure and for presenting a grounded portrayal of urban struggles faced by women of Dhaka. However, the film’s dark tone, explicit content, and intense subject matter drew criticism from some reviewers, who felt it limited its accessibility to mainstream audiences. The film performed well at the box office and became one of the highest grossing Bangladeshi films of 2026.

Plot The film uses a hyperlink narrative to explore interconnected stories of four women facing social, personal, and psychological pressures in urban Dhaka.

The official synopsis states that Dhaka is a "pressure cooker" for women: if their screams cannot be endured, the whistle blows. Neither can they leave the city, nor can the city leave them.

Cast Shobnom Bubly as Azmeri Nazifa Tushi as Reshma Mariya Hossain Shanto as Ananna Snigdha Chowdhury as Raka Faizul Yameen as Shakil Fazlur Rahman Babu Misha Sawdagor as Adnan Seikh Shahiduzzaman Selim Rizvi Riju as Tanmay Chanchal Chowdhury (special appearance) Gazi Rakayet as Political leader

Production Raihan Rafi wrote the story, screenplay, and dialogue. The film is described as a hybrid that blends artistic and commercial elements, neither purely art-house nor conventional mainstream, using a hyperlink structure where multiple stories converge.

The film is dedicated to the late filmmaker Tareque Masud, whom Rafi credits as his mentor and inspiration for entering filmmaking. Rafi stated the dedication was fitting for his first produced film, with themes of liberation echoing Masud's work.

Principal photography included Shobnom Bubly joining the shoot in January 2026, reuniting with Rafi after nearly three years.

Music

Marketing Marketing included the first official poster in February 2026, featuring the four leads in traditional attire, and a promotional "First Whistle" preview in early March.

Release Pressure Cooker received an uncut "A" (adults only) certificate from the Bangladesh Film Certification Board. It was released theatrically on 19 March 2026, coinciding with Eid-ul-Fitr, competing with other major releases.

Reception

Critical response Writing in The Daily Times of Bangladesh, Md Ishtiak Hossain gave Pressure Cooker a positive review, highlighting its shift from traditional male-centric narratives to focusing on female agency and urban survival in Dhaka. Hossain praised director Raihan Rafi's use of a hyperlinked narrative structure to connect the lives of four women from diverse backgrounds, describing Nazifa Tushi's emotional performance as a standout in recent Bangladeshi cinema. While noting narrative imbalances and limited screen time for secondary characters played by Shobnom Bubly and Snigdha Chowdhury, he commended the film's realistic tone, striking cinematography, urban background score, and grounded supporting performances by the male cast. Hossain concluded that despite its minor flaws, the film serves as a bold and reflective contribution to contemporary Bangladeshi cinema.

Writing for The Business Standard Graduates, Nazmul Haque Parthib gave Pressure Cooker a strongly favorable assessment, praising director Raihan Rafi for taking creative risks and avoiding predictable storytelling conventions. Parthib highlighted the film's non-linear narrative and nuanced portrayal of four Dhaka women navigating socioeconomic hardship. He singled out Nazifa Tushi's performance as exceptional, tracing her character's plausible evolution from a naive single mother to a self-determined survivor. Additionally, he praised Fazlur Rahman Babu's layered and sophisticated performance in the second half, along with notable supporting turns by Chanchal Chowdhury and Shahiduzzaman Selim. Concluding that the film excels by refusing to offer comfortable or sanitized endings, Parthib described it as a thought-provoking cinematic achievement.

Writing for The Business Standard, Adiba Khondokar offered a mixed to favorable review of Pressure Cooker, commending director Raihan Rafi for crafting a courageous, female-led commercial narrative that strays from conventional cinematic formulas. Khondokar praised Nazifa Tushi's compelling performance as Reshma, noting her ability to portray a complex, multi-layered journey from innocence to compromise in the face of urban hardship. She also highlighted Fazlur Rahman Babu's standout performance as a menacing police inspector, alongside strong supporting work from the broader ensemble cast. However, the reviewer noted several technical and narrative flaws, including a chaotic hyperlink structure, uneven dialogue quality, choppy editing, and awkward visual framing. Despite these technical inconsistencies, Khondokar concluded that the film's striking visuals, realism, and willingness to tackle bold themes make it a significant and commendable effort in modern Bangladeshi cinema.

Writing for Prothom Alo, Sheikh Hafijur Rahman delivered a positive review of Pressure Cooker, characterizing it as a poignant psychological thriller and feminist narrative that critiques patriarchal urban structures and the socioeconomic struggles of middle-class women in Dhaka. Rahman lauded director Raihan Rafi's directional skill, sharp dialogues, and use of a hyperlinked storytelling style, noting that the city of Dhaka itself is portrayed as a living, dynamic character. While pointing out that the film features unfiltered adult language and mature themes warranting its adult rating he commended the director for maintaining artistic restraint without resorting to gratuitous vulgarity. Rahman concluded that through its powerful character developments and symbolic themes of resilience, Pressure Cooker leaves a lasting impression on the audience.

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