Rags-to-riches actor to start making arthouse films to win over tri-state residents

Gone are the days of sending five gangsters flying with one kick, said film actor Sayam Chowdhury, popular among the tasteless poor.  

From now on, Sayam will only be making arthouse films, catering to the refined palate of Gulshan, Banani and Baridhara residents.

"If they want sophisticated cinema, they'll get it. I'll do away with saving the damsel in distress; get ready to see a deconstruction of why the damsel has chosen this path of distress due to the socioeconomic pressures in society," he said.

After making his film debut with Mar Chokka in 2017, Sayam witnessed overwhelming fame, thanks to people who can't afford to live in the tri-state.

According to surveys, these uncouth residents only want to see the hero beat up bad guys and get the girl, not some vague ending that forces viewers to gaslight themselves into thinking how thought-provoking it was and say "that's cinema".

"If they want sophisticated cinema, they'll get it. I'll do away with saving the damsel in distress; get ready to see a deconstruction of why the damsel has chosen this path of distress due to the socioeconomic pressures in society."

Sayam has already contacted A24, the American company specialising in pretentious indie films. "I've proposed making an 'eat-the-rich' movie incorporating my journey of using my mountain of raunchy music videos to tackle Gulshan elites."

The company is yet to respond.

Asked why he took this decision, he said, "I now want to be part of the country's self-congratulatory inner circle of intellectuals and money-launderers. While my Korail-slum supporters have my back, they're just pebbles in front of a rich kid speeding in Banani. So, I have abandoned them for what they are -- roadkill."

His movies will no longer hit theatres; they will only go to niche film festivals that give very specific awards, like "Best Cinematography in Baridhara", he added.

Meanwhile, tri-state residents denounced classism and celebrated the diversity of culture in Bangladesh, on record. They said they don't want Sayam to change for anyone, and that would be a true victory.

Off the record, they said, "Eww".