1988–2009: Early years and initial releases

Eskay Movies was founded by Ashok and Himanshu Dhanuka in 1988.^[1] In 2005, Eskay released their first feature film, Chore Chore Mastuto Bhai, starring Mithun Chakraborty, Chiranjeet Chakraborty, Jisshu Sengupta.^[2] From 2008, Eskay would begin to release films every year, such as Bhalobasa Bhalobasa,^[3] Dujone,^[4][5] and Jamai Raja.

2010–2013: Commercial successes

Eskay Movies released two films in 2010, Kohono Biday Bolo Na and Wanted, the latter of which became popular for its director-actor duo of Rabi Kinagi and Jeet.^[6] After releasing Hello Memsaheb, Eskay would go on to release Fighter^[7] and Shotru^[8] in 2011.

Eskay began 2012 with the critically acclaimed film Khokababu starring Dev and Subhashree Ganguly,^[9][10] which became one of the highest grossing Bengali films. Eskay would go on to release Bikram Singha: The Lion Is Back^[11][12] and Idiot.^[13] After the successful release of Kanamachi,^[14] Eskay released Khoka 420^[15] and Khiladi,^[16] with the former becoming a box office success.^[17] Eskay has also acquired the rights to remake the hit youth-centric romantic comedy Kannada movie Googly.^[18]

2014–present: India-Bangladesh joint ventures and critical acclaim

Eskay Movies' sole release in 2014 was Ami Shudhu Cheyechi Tomay, which was co-produced with Bangladeshi film company Action Cut Entertainment.^[19] The film, which won the award for Best Bengali Film at the 2015 Kalakar Awards, would go on to spark a trend of Indo-Bangla joint venture films, most of which would be a co-production of Eskay Movies and Jaaz Multimedia.^[20]

Aside from their film Mayer Biye,^[21] Eskay Movies co-produced three films with Jaaz Multimedia in 2015: Romeo vs Juliet, Agnee 2 and Aashiqui: True Love. Despite having initial success with the audience,^[22] Romeo vs Juliet, a remake of the film Jatt & Juliet, was panned critically.^[23] Agnee 2, a sequel to the Bangladeshi film Agnee, was released to commercial success^[24] but mixed critical reception.^[25] Aashiqui: True Love would launch the career of actress Nusrat Faria in both India and Bangladesh.^[26][27]

Eskay Movies released seven films in 2016, all of which were co-produced by Jaaz Multimedia: Angaar, Hero 420, Niyoti, Badsha – The Don, Shikari, Prem Ki Bujhini and Rokto. The year began with two films starring Om, Angaar,^[28] a drama, and Hero 420, a romantic comedy.^[29] Hero 420 was released for the occasion of Valentine's Day, releasing on 12 February in India and 19 February in Bangladesh.^[30][31] After debuting in Angaar, Jolly starred alongside acclaimed actor Arifin Shuvo in the film Niyoti, which released in India in June^[32] and in Bangladesh in August.^[33] Badsha – The Don, a remake of the film Don Seenu starring Jeet^[34] and Nusrat Faria, received commercial success^[35][36] and mixed critical reception.^[37] Shikari, which stars Shakib Khan and Srabanti Chatterjee,^[38][39] was a commercial success^[35][36] and received critical acclaim,^[40][41] leading to a Best Film win at the Kalakar Awards, where Srabanti Chatterjee also won Best Actress.^[42] Shikari also led for two Best Actor wins for Shakib Khan, at the Tele Cine Awards^[43] and Bangladesh's Meril Prothom Alo Awards.^[44] Prem Ki Bujhini received negative reception^[45] while Rokto received mixed reception.^[46]

In 2017, Eskay Movies released two Indian films, The Bongs Again and Byomkesh O Agnibaan, and two films co-produced with Jaaz Multimedia, Nabab and Doob: No Bed of Roses. The Bongs Again, a sequel to The Bong Connection, received mixed reception.^[47] Byomkesh O Agnibaan, a sequel to Byomkesh O Chiriyakhana, also received mixed reception.^[48][49] Both Nabab and Doob were a box office successes and received critical acclaim,^{[50][51][52][53]} but Doob, starring Irrfan Khan, received international praise,^[54][55][56] competing at the Shanghai International Film Festival^[57] and winning at the Moscow International Film Festival.^[58]

Released