While Eid in Bangladesh is often accompanied by a flood of festive commercials, Airtel has taken a different approach this year by presenting a story-driven short film titled “Home Not Coming.” The film highlights a heartfelt and relatable narrative from everyday life, focusing on friendship, connection, and the evolving meaning of home for the younger generation.
In Bangladesh, Eid traditionally marks the great journey from cities back to hometowns. Highways packed with travelers, crowded bus terminals and railway stations, last-minute shopping, and long-awaited family reunions define the season. From Dhaka to Chattogram, Barishal, Khulna, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Mymensingh, and Sylhet—Eid often means returning home.
But for today’s generation, is “home” only a physical place, or is it also an emotional connection with people who matter most? This question forms the core theme of “Home Not Coming.”
The film explores the emotions, friendships, celebrations, and everyday experiences of young people during Eid. While it reflects traditional elements of the festival, it also captures the mindset and lifestyle of the new generation. Through light humor and heartfelt moments, the story presents how friendships often become an extended form of family.
From video calls and group chats to memes, late-night conversations, hangouts, and shared celebrations, the film reflects the way modern friendships are formed and strengthened. It also touches on broader cultural themes such as Eid travel traditions in Bangladesh, generational perspectives between parents and children, and the growing role of social media in shaping celebrations.
The short film is directed by Zahid Pritom, one of the popular directors of the current generation. Through the narrative, he brings together the dynamics of family, parents, relatives, and a close-knit group of friends.
Sharing his experience from the shoot, Zahid Pritom said: “Working on this Eid project was both challenging and exciting. During the shoot, it often felt like we ourselves had gone back to our younger days with friends. The cast also built genuine friendships during the process, which made many moments feel real rather than acted. Capturing such emotions in a short time was not easy, but the energy and bonding of the team made the process much smoother.”
The short film features Meraj Hasan Raiyan in the lead role. Supporting performances come from Arpita Pal, Mahadi Rahman, Hridmila Rahman, Mashiyur Siam, Mainul Islam Shubho, and Mohiuddin Saifullah Shuvro, among others.
Explaining the idea behind the story-driven approach, Jaima Tahsin, general manager of brand and communication at Airtel, said: “For us, Eid is not only a religious festival; it is also a time to reconnect with the people we care about. Eid is not just about going home, but about returning to meaningful relationships. Through ‘Home Not Coming,’ we wanted to highlight that true ‘home’ lies in the people we feel connected to, regardless of distance. We believe everyday stories like these helps build a deeper relationship between the brand and its customers, especially with digital audiences and the younger generation who can easily relate to such moments.”
The short film is currently available on Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok, where it has already begun receiving positive responses from digital audiences. Despite its short duration, the film’s dialogues and visual storytelling have started drawing attention across social media platforms.
