Published on 12:00 AM, May 06, 2017

Spotlight

Rakin Absar

Rakin Absar is a familiar name to anyone who watches Bangladeshi content on YouTube. He, along with BhaiBrothers LTD changed the game when it came to what our content creators could offer. However, his YouTube persona does not reflect what he really aspires to become. Star Showbiz catches up with Rakin Absar in this exclusive interview. 

We haven't seen you in a YouTube video for a while, why is that?

Nothing much, really! I have taken a break from it because of my studies. I'm currently studying in IUB and I really want to come out with good grades. Although it may not seem like it, education matters a lot to me and I used to be a nerd when I was in school. I plan to make a comeback very, very soon.

Why did you leave BhaiBrothers LTD? 

That's a question a lot of people have been asking me. Unlike many speculations and rumors, I did not have any problems that would force me to quit. I simply wasn't feeling it. I felt that I had done my part, and had nothing new to offer and that dissatisfied me as an artist. I am always looking for new things to do: whether it be acting, directing or content creation. Me and Asif are still very close friends and we hang out from time to time, he even tells me to come back. Even though I highly appreciate that, I want to move on to something new. 

Who are your inspirations in YouTube?

I had been inspired by PewDiePie because of his awesome humor, as I am a gamer myself. However, I do not enjoy his videos as much now as I feel like he changed. Liza Koshy is one of my inspirations as well. 

How difficult is it being a YouTuber in Bangladesh?

To be honest, the society is very reserved when it comes to accepting new things. We once came up with a video which parodied "50 Shades of Grey", but we had to remove it due to backlash because it wasn't something that they were accustomed to. We are trying our best to come up with the best stuff, but it is very hard to do with those kinds of restrictions. 

What can we expect from you in the near future?

You might be surprised, but I want to be a marketer who changes the atmosphere of our marketplace. There are many extremely talented people who are ignored because people are used to extremely generic things, and I will work for them so that they could have the spotlight to themselves one day. Besides that, I will continue acting. I really crave a tough, non-linear role which could test my skill and mettle and I look forward to offers to act in such a role. I am about direct my own short films, which you will get very soon. 

Interviewed by Sadi Mohammad Shahnewaz