Mehedi Hassan Hridoy’s debut feature ‘Borbaad’ was marked by intense violence, with several scenes cut by the censor board. The first look of his second film, ‘Rakkhosh’, suggests that the director is once again treading the same brutal terrain.
The opening image is deliberately shocking. A white bathtub stands filled not with water, but with blood. A dead tiger lies submerged in it. Beside the tub stands Siam Ahmed, dressed in a white suit and boots. His expression is both devastating and mournful. A rose stem rests against his face. In one hand he holds a Chinese axe, in the other a pistol, which he fires at the lifeless tiger. As the camera slowly pulls back, a white room comes into view, its floor soaked in blood. In a single shot, the terrifying tone of Rakkhosh is firmly established.
The film promises full-scale action, where love and violence collide. According to Hridoy, violence is a defining element of his directorial style, and audiences can expect that signature once again in Rakkhosh. He suggests the film will share a similar intensity to ‘Animal’.
Asked about the possible impact of such violence on viewers, Hridoy remained unfazed. “I do not think the audience will be affected,” he said. “Cinema is not an educational institution. I believe the audience will be entertained.”
Siam Ahmed echoed that sentiment, explaining that the film explores the extremes a person can reach in the name of love. “This movie will show how violent someone can become because of love. The audience will not be bored. They will be fully entertained,” he said.
Addressing the relevance of a story like Rakkhosh, Siam reflected on the social climate. He argued that people in Bangladesh routinely witness injustice, legal harassment and prolonged court cases, often ending in frustration and a sense that resistance is futile. Yet, he said, a fantasy persists, the desire for someone to stand up for them, to act as a shield and tear down injustice.
In a society where decency and restraint often lead nowhere, Siam believes there is space for darker, more aggressive narratives. “The audience no longer wants gentle stories,” he said. “They want something that channels their suppressed anger. If the fight is demonic, it has to be ruthless.”
Siam Ahmed spent eight to nine months preparing for his role in Rakkhosh, a period during which he also acted in Raihan Rafi’s ‘Andhaar’. He expressed gratitude to the directors and producers of both projects for accommodating his schedule.
The film is being produced by Shehreen Islam Sumi under the banner of Real Energy, the production company behind Borbaad. Kolkata actor Susmita Chatterjee stars opposite Siam, while Sabila Noor is expected to play a significant role. Shooting began on Wednesday, with Rakkhosh slated for release on Eid-ul-Fitr next year.
