Hailing from Bangladesh and currently residing in Vancouver, Rafeed Elahi Chowdhury is a novelist whose works have resonated with readers on both a local and global scale. Known for his heartfelt romance short stories and poems, Rafeed took readers by surprise with his second novel, ‘Moho’, a dive into the world of crime thrillers. The success of Moho, with its unique storytelling, has positioned him as a writer to watch. As the year draws to a close, there’s a lot of excitement for the readers, as Rafeed is slated to release not just one, but three new novels this winter. Given his consistent track record and the depth of his previous works, readers in Bangladesh and around the globe are eagerly waiting for another immersive journey through his words. Today, we will hear from him directly, as Rafeed joins us for an exclusive interview.
Do you ever write yourself into your stories, even just a tiny cameo or Easter egg for those who know you well?
I do. I sometimes give my protagonists a bit of my less-than-stellar traits. It’s like letting my quirks shine in the spotlight without getting side-eyed in real life. It’s my sneaky way of saying, ‘Look, I have flaws, and they’re fictionally fabulous! Come on, stop judging.
Which genre was the most challenging for you to delve into? Did it surprise you?
I think that more than the genre, emotional scenes are really challenging for me to write. Understanding the sensitivity, and trying to induce a certain reaction within my readers, that’s a tough job. At first, writing a thriller novel seemed the toughest job in the world, but after the launch of Moho, it feels like it’s a genre I will definitely enjoy exploring more.
In a hypothetical scenario, your romantic and crime thriller characters have a dinner party. Who do you think would stir up the most drama?
I think I should make a cameo and make the most drama.
One of your upcoming releases that are generating quite a buzz is ‘Fayez just became a Father‘. It dives into themes like refugees, fatherhood, an abusive marriage, and toxic parenting. It’s a heavy ensemble of topics. Yet, there are whispers that it leans into the realm of comedy or family drama. Can you shed some light on this choice of narrative tone and direction?
Writing about such real and touchy subjects is a big step. These topics make many of us uneasy when we talk about them in real life. But this new book, ‘Fayez just became a Father’, has important messages. I thought making it a bit funny and full of family drama might help get those messages across in a way that’s easier to take in. To be honest, I don’t know yet how people will perceive a way of storytelling that I will do for the first time. But isn’t art about pushing boundaries? Let’s find out.
Let’s talk about ‘Fangs and Firecrackers‘, another one of your releases coming out this winter. It’s got vampires, some mystery, a bit of thrill, and a lot of big movie-like drama. What inspired you to write this story and why did you decide to make it so dramatic?
Fangs and Firecrackers’ is a nod to the vampire movies and series I watched when I was a teenager. I’ve always been captivated by the larger-than-life drama of masala films, and I wondered, ‘What if I bring that cinematic drama into the world of vampires? This is another experiment. This will be my first novel with a story based out of Bangladesh.
Rules of Eternity – is the most anticipated novel out of the three winter releases. Readers are eager to dive into its tale of romance and friendship. We’ve heard that this project experienced some delays before finally making its way to the public. What were the challenges or considerations behind stalling it, and what inspired you to finally bring it to your readers now?
‘
Rules of Eternity’ holds a special place in my heart. Believe it or not, I’ve revisited and revised many scenes multiple times, always chasing a vision of perfection for this story. It might seem like a simple tale, but it talks about various angles of relationships and emotions: from romance to friendship, from loneliness to nostalgia. While I’m not sure I’ve achieved my exact vision of perfection, I believe the time taken has enriched the story. I’m genuinely eager for readers to experience it. And a little teaser for you all: the core essence of the novel revolves around the idea that life’s most treasured moments can’t be held onto forever
With your global audience growing, do you ever feel pressured to cater to an international readership rather than staying rooted in your Bangladeshi origins?
Although I don’t feel pressured, I’m naturally drawn to explore diverse cultures, understand various people, and share their narratives. There are global stories I’m eager for Bangladesh to hear, just as there are tales from Bangladesh I believe the world should know. It’s this exchange of stories across borders that, to me, is truly captivating.
Your writing style deviates from conventional novel writing, suggesting it’s a fusion of a story, a movie script, a news article, and a play all in one. Do you see it that way too?
I do. As a matter of fact, it is intentional. Look, you’ll find a lot of people who didn’t read the greatest novels in the world, but almost everyone’s watched big movies like ‘Titanic’ or ‘The Godfather’. Why do you think that is? Reading a book takes time, patience, and a love for reading. But I want to be the kind of writer who isn’t just for book lovers. I want people who don’t usually read to pick up my books and enjoy them. That’s why I mix things up in my writing style. I hope it feels fresh and keeps everyone interested, no matter how many pages they’re flipping through.
Word on the street is that you’ve shaken things up in the literary world with your unique style. Some of the more traditional writers might not be too happy about you not following the ‘usual’ way of doing things. Do those whispers and looks ever bother you, or are you just enjoying the ride with all the readers who love what you’re doing?
You know, I’ve heard that variety is the spice of life. So maybe I’m just adding a little extra seasoning to the literary stew. But I really don’t care about what others say. I focus on the joy my readers get from my work. Although, can you really blame them? I mean, have you seen my pretty face?
Let’s play a bit of rapid-fire with you. Coffee or tea?
Tea.
Favorite city of all time?
Chittagong, and Kolkata.
Morning person or night owl?
Night owl.
One thing from the 90s you’d bring back?
Pokemon games. Nintendo.
If you had to wear one outfit for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Panjabi.
You get one wish, but whatever you wish for, your worst enemy gets double. What do you wish for?
A billion dollars. Are you kidding?
Celebrity you’d want to have dinner with?
Emilia Clarke.
One word to your readers for your winter releases?
It’ll be worth it.
