Violence, perserverence, transformation: Siam Ahmed dissects ‘Rakkhosh’

On the very first day of the new year, Siam Ahmed sent a clear message to audiences: 'hold on tight to your cinema seats'. With a daring new slate of characters lined up, the actor is ready to set the silver screen ablaze in 2026.

A recent glimpse into one of his most extreme transformations came through the first look of Mehedi Hassan Hridoy's upcoming film "Rakkhosh". In the teaser, Siam appears almost unrecognisable—dressed in a stark white suit and boots, a rose stem clenched between his lips, a Chinese axe in one hand and a pistol in the other. The look is unapologetically violent, deeply unsettling, yet impossible to ignore. It doesn't just scream brutality; it teases mystery, drawing viewers into the unsettling psyche of his character.

Naturally, the question arises: what turns this man into a 'Rakkhosh' (the Monster)? Addressing the curiousity, Siam revealed that this is the most violent character he has ever portrayed on screen. He believes audiences will be stunned to see him in such an unfamiliar avatar. "This film explores how violent a person can become because of love. The audience won't feel disturbed—they will feel completely engaged," he said.

While fans have been raving about his intense new look, some viewers have drawn comparisons between the teaser and violent aesthetics seen in Bollywood and South Indian cinema. When asked about these comparisons, Siam responded candidly, placing his trust firmly in the filmmaker's vision. "I don't respond to these comments because this is a vision, and that vision belongs to the director. As a team member and the lead artiste, it's my responsibility to enact it in a way that is entertaining and gripping for the audience. I believe in doing my job."

He further dismissed claims of imitation, stressing that "Rakkhosh" is rooted in originality.

"There is no sense in saying it has been copied. We have never intentionally done that. As audiences, when we see violence or certain visuals, we tend to associate them with films we've already watched. But in terms of originality and performance, I believe "Rakkhosh" will be something never seen before in the Bangladeshi film industry."

The makers have already completed a major portion of the shoot in Dhaka and are now preparing to begin filming in Sri Lanka.

"The Sri Lanka shooting is about to begin, so I will be able to share more about that soon. So far, we have shot a major portion in Bangladesh, and the entire team is very excited," Siam shared.

For a long time, audiences were accustomed to seeing Siam Ahmed in romantic roles, often tagging him with a "chocolate boy" image. When asked whether he fears being stereotyped again—this time with a series of violent characters—the actor was clear in his response.

"I don't think I will be stereotyped. I have done a lot of romantic and drama-based work, and at one point I was worried the audience might get bored seeing me in similar roles. That's why I look for characters with an X-factor, something entertaining and different."

He explained that his recent choices stem from a desire to experiment rather than abandon romance altogether.

"If I had continued doing only romantic roles, that would have been stereotyping. I was experimenting with characters and demeanours. "Taandob's" Arman Mansur and "Jongli's" Jony connected with audiences because they were honest portrayals. It's not that I've played many violent characters. Honestly, my most violent and stylised action film so far is "Rakkhosh". However, I definitely want to work in romantic films again, but I want to return with something beautiful and unique for the audience."

Siam Ahmed is also known for speaking out fearlessly against social injustice on social media, often without concern for potential backlash. On this, he quoted a line from the Spider-Man films.

"I think everybody has heard this quote: 'With great power comes great responsibility.' As an artiste, we should have the courage to speak out against any injustice in society. My audience is my biggest strength, and I can go to any lengths to ensure their voice is heard. Their love and support give me protection against anything and everything."

When asked whether audiences might see him on OTT platforms soon, Siam made it clear that his focus remains on the big screen.

"Right now, I'm very busy with cinema, and I don't think I'll be seen on OTT anytime soon. My main focus is the big-screen audience, and I'm deeply committed to them. I have wonderful scripts and projects with talented directors, and InshaAllah, some beautiful films are being made. With all the feedback and love I get from my audience, I'm forever indebted to them. The people who have been cheering for me since day one I just want to make them proud."