Taskeen Rahman finding purpose in acting

Sinister and yet dashing, the steely blue eyes of the villain portrayed by Taskeen Rahman left an unforgettable mark on viewers watching “Dhaka Attack”. But the actor never intended to make a villainous debut; he had been in Bangladesh shooting for a supporting role in another action flick titled “Aadi”, where Shatabdi Wadud, would appear as the main antagonist. Taskeen's first forays into Dhallywood created an unexpected sensation, leaving viewers to wonder what he has in store next. Taskeen's experiences give him a distinctive edge, and the actor is determined to take the bull by the horns and display his acting prowess in a variety of genres this year.

The emerging artiste returned to Bangladesh briefly from Sydney, Australia, to film for his next venture, a romantic drama titled “Jodi Ekdin”. Helmed by Mohammad Mostofa Kamal Raz, the film includes popular singer-actor Tahsan and Tollywood star Srabonti Chatterjee in starring roles. It is yet unclear as to what Taskeen's character will contribute towards the plot, as the actor is determined to keep mum. “I can't divulge too much about the story and the character, but it's very different from what I portrayed in 'Dhaka Attack'. Here I'm a complete Romeo, and there are plenty of plot twists which I am sure will keep the audience on their toes. The release date of the film has not yet been fixed,” he stated.

Filming for the first lot of the film began on January 4, after which the actor will take a month-long hiatus to return to Sydney, before returning to Bangladesh to shoot the rest of the film in March.

His return in March will also hopefully undo what he had missed last year following the release of “Dhaka Attack”, as the month marks the release of “Aadi”, directed by his elder brother and well-known small screen director Taneem Anam Angshu. While the “Dhaka Attack” cast and crew enjoyed being under the spotlight, Taskeen Rahman had to return to his regular day job in Sydney where he had been living since 2002.

“I didn't want to be away at all; I constantly kept in touch with the team to be able to feel some of the impact of the film's success,” Taskeen told The Daily Star. “But they did screen the film in Sydney, so I was able to enjoy a measure of the success.”

Many noted the depth of his portrayal of the Zishan, the diabolical and formidable villain of “Dhaka Attack”, and his close understanding of the character could have stemmed from his profession in Australia. In Sydney, Taskeen Rahman is a government employee working in the corrective services of Crime Prevention Department, where he deals with criminal files and investigative work closely. “It's a proper 9-5 job,” he added, “I wouldn't call it exciting; the things I deal with are very real. Acting is very important to me, as nothing makes me happier when I am being creative. It's the only way I can set myself free.”