Meet Rafeed Elahi Chowdhury, a writer from Bangladesh and now living in Vancouver, Canada. Rafeed has made a name for himself with his heartfelt short stories and poetry, mostly in the romance genre. Taking a bold turn, he recently unveiled his second novel, “Moho,” a thriller that’s capturing imaginations around the globe. Today, we’re sitting down with Rafeed to talk about his journey, how he switched gears to write a crime thriller, and what exciting projects he has on the horizon.
Rafeed, your journey has been nothing short of cinematic. Can you share the defining moment when you realized writing was your calling?
To be honest, when I used to write short stories as a teenager, and show them to my friends, their words of encouragement were what made me realize that it was my calling. There’s no exact moment, it’s more of a combination of events where my willpower to become a writer was echoed.
Your novels have a unique narrative voice that sets you apart. How did you develop this distinct style, and how does it reflect your experiences growing up in Bangladesh?
I think that since I’m someone who watches a lot of films – both Bangladeshi and non-Bangladeshi, imagining certain situations with a blend of multiple cultures helped me craft my own way of storytelling. I come from a middle-class family, and since I know people from variegated backgrounds, it helps me set the tone for the different environments of the country I grew up in.
Every star has its source of light. Who or what would you say has been your biggest inspiration in your writing journey?
I would be incorrect if I said only a few names, because throughout different steps of my journey, different people motivated me to take the extra step. But to this date, the constant factor happens to be my parents, who have always stood beside me throughout.
Juggling fame and personal life can be a tightrope walk. How do you maintain balance and stay grounded amidst the limelight?
Fame? I don’t think I’m famous, haha! Since I am very active on my social media, and I’m a marketer as well, I often have to represent myself in different programs, be it on stage, or in front of the camera. That being said, I’m a very shy and introverted person, so I don’t actually have a big bunch in my personal life. I only have my family, and a few friends.
Are there any untold stories or hidden inspirations behind your novels that your readers might be intrigued to learn about?
The simple answer would be yes. Although not in the case of all the characters or the story itself, in many cases the characters of my novels have a lot of resemblances to certain people in my life. Their philosophies, and their way of living add a lot of flair to the story, and that’s how the magic happens. There were instances when someone read my work, and confronted me if a little bit of the character was inspired by them. Well if it’s a positive character, then I am honest, and if it’s a negative character, then I just feel happy that they realized that it’s about them, haha!
Without giving too much away, can you share a sneak peek or a little teaser about your next project that could satisfy the curiosity of your eagerly waiting readers?
Yes, absolutely. There are three projects in the works currently, all of different genres – action, comedy, and of course, my signature genre – romance. I will announce the projects very soon. I think this time my goal would not be to stick to my comfort zone, but to explore readers from more scopes who would read my work if I stepped out and tried new things.
The connection between an author’s persona and their work can be quite captivating. How do you think your well-noted charm and warmth play into the readers’ reception and interpretation of your narratives?
By charm, if you’re referring to my behavior or the way I talk about my beliefs, I would have to give credit to the people around me, who instilled values within myself. If you’re referring to my hair, well, it’s just a gift that I have good hair – can’t help it, sorry. Just kidding.
