Memeing through mayhem: Inside 14AGAIN's satirical rebellion

If you're even remotely familiar with Bangladesh's meme culture, you've probably heard of "14AGAIN."

In a country where satire often had to tiptoe around the edges of censorship, 14AGAIN stood out like a middle finger aimed squarely at the absurd. 

What began as a typical meme page has now become one of the boldest platforms of youth-driven political commentary in Bangladesh. Its founder, Syed Reehan Mahmud, sat down with us for an intimate conversation — one full of humour and rebellion.

Reehan, a reserved but sharp-witted young man with a twisted sense of humour, initially created the page for fun. 

But over time, it became one of the most recognisable meme spaces online – especially among politically aware Gen Z and millennials – often reflecting the collective angst of a generation betrayed.

Upon asking how 14AGAIN came into existence, Reehan laughed and admitted there was never a grand plan behind it.

Syed Reehan Mahmud. Photo: Courtesy

"Back in 2015, I didn't have a grand vision. I just wanted to start another meme page for fun, and that's how 14AGAIN was born," he recalled. 

"It started off as a typical meme page run with my close friends Mehrab, Jasir, Tahmid, and Rudro, who were just as enthusiastic as I was."

In its early days, the group mostly reposted content from pages like 9GAG but added their own touch, often by ranting about 14-year-olds in a self-deprecating, ironic way.

"We found our niche through 'Starter Pack' memes, that's what really set us apart," Reehan said. 

"Later on, my best bud Rizvee, Rafeyin and Prethu joined in, and even though we didn't exactly know what we were doing at the time, we were making the internet laugh, and that was enough for us."

What began as a light-hearted project among friends eventually evolved into a cultural phenomenon – one that now reflects a generation's political awakening, anxieties, and collective sense of humour.

When asked how 14AGAIN has evolved over the years, Reehan didn't shy away from recounting the highs and lows that shaped the journey.

"The original page was actually stolen in 2019 by people I'd brought in back in 2017, hoping to turn it into something more commercial. I was off the grid for almost a year after that," he shared.

It was his ex-wife, Ariana, who encouraged him to start afresh. 

With the support of a new team – Akeed, Aminul, Faizan, Yasin, Nahid, Zeesun, Rubayet, and Anas – Reehan relaunched 14AGAIN. 

Still, he admits he wasn't entirely motivated, taking an informal break from 2020 to early 2024.

"During that time, I gained perspective and realised I was ready to take things seriously," he said. 

That's when the idea for Bite-Sized satire was born – a blend of 9GAG and BuzzFeed-style content, but sharper, politically aware, and rooted in Bangladesh's current affairs.

"Now, we remind people of what's happening but with a twist. There's humour, yes, but also purpose," he explained.

Reehan credits his team, past and present, for keeping the page alive. 

He also extended heartfelt thanks to mentors like Zeeshan and Shagufta, along with his parents. 

"What started as a meme page is now my startup, my brand, and I'm not giving up on it ever again. We're turning humour into a revolution, and next, I've got my eyes on global domination."

When asked about the origin of the name 14AGAIN, Reehan shared that it was inspired by the film 17 Again, which he found "pretty cool" at the time. 

"I used to rant about 14-year-olds on my personal profile, and my friends suggested I start a meme page and call it 14AGAIN, so I did."

Regarding the process of meme making and satire, Reehan shared that it's almost instinctive for him "like breathing".  

"Whenever I come across something controversial or thought-provoking, my brain just starts building a satirical narrative around it," he said.  

As a professional graphic designer, he also finds it easy to translate those ideas visually, blending sharp commentary with bold visuals, something that gradually became 14AGAIN's signature style.

Reehan explained how he navigates the fine line between bold, dark, and relatable humour. 

"As a marketer and graphic designer, I've always had a good grasp of how the algorithm works," he said. 

"So I made a conscious decision not to categorise content in a way that might trigger it. Instead, I used friendlier terms to retain the boldness – this is how the satire took shape."

When asked about where his inspiration comes from, Reehan shared that most of his ideas stem from casually scrolling through his Facebook feed. 

"It could be a random meme or a story about government issues, celebrities, or gaming, whatever grabs my attention," he said. 

"I immediately start building a satire around it in my head. It's spontaneous, never pre-planned."

Upon asking if there was ever a meme he thought would flop but ended up going viral, Reehan pointed to his satirical takes on Zunaid Ahmed Palak. 

"At first, I didn't think people would find them relatable," he admitted. 

"But then the posts started blowing up. Every single Palak meme got anywhere between 50,000 to a million reactions."

When asked whether he ever received backlash for posting darker or more politically charged content, Reehan reflected on a clear shift that came with the student-led Mass Uprising of 5 August 2024. 

"Before that, we deliberately avoided posts that could land us in trouble. It simply wasn't safe; if we had crossed a line, we'd have ended up behind bars," he explained.

"But during the Uprising, when mainstream coverage was lacking and even our page lost monetisation, we knew we had to take a stand. Students were being beaten, even dying on the streets. We told ourselves, if they're out there risking their lives, the least we can do as 'keyboard warriors' is use our platform for something that matters. We decided to go all in, regardless of the consequences."

Soon after, the page began openly criticising then ruling Awami League. 

It didn't take long before the internet shutdown and coordinated reporting led to the page being unpublished. 

"We later reached out to Facebook's support team and showed them how a politically motivated group had repeatedly reported our content. They reversed the suspension, and five minutes later, we were back online posting Palak satires, which instantly started trending."

In response to whether the political tone of the page was deliberate, Reehan explained, "In Bangladesh, we have this issue: when something big happens, we remember it for two days, then we forget. So, when we joke about the Awami League or other political figures, it's not just for laughs. It's a reminder. It's our way of saying, Don't forget what they did."

When asked about his followers and the kind of audience 14AGAIN has built over the years, Reehan chuckled, "They get triggered easily." 

But this, he said, makes it even more important to be mindful of their sentiments. 

"Until December last year, we often used the term Gen Z youth in our satire. But many felt personally attacked by it. Some would say, 'Bro, we did this [referring to the mass uprising] for everyone—why are you ranting about us?' Eventually, we dropped the term. We realised that if we want to keep the page inclusive, we need to listen."

That said, there are moments when the page firmly takes a stand. 

"There are political parties in Bangladesh with supporters who'll blindly defend their leaders – even when those leaders are accused of horrific things like child molestation. When we posted about such issues, some of our followers got upset. But if you're choosing to side with perpetrators, that's on you. Yes, we care about our audience's feelings, but people also deserve the truth."

When asked whether he feels a sense of responsibility while posting, especially during difficult times, Reehan said his satire is first and foremost a coping mechanism. 

"Making people laugh is what I enjoy. That's where it all starts. Everything else – be it resistance, commentary, or critique – follows naturally from there."

Upon asking whether 14AGAIN plays a role in shaping the political mindset of young people, Reehan offered a bold take. 

"I'd rather say that 14AGAIN actually fixes the political view of Bangladesh." 

For him, it's not just about influencing thought – it's about recalibrating the way people think about politics altogether.

While the humour and commentary may seem effortless, there's a team quietly working behind the scenes. 

"It's not a full-time commitment for any of us," he explained. 

"We're six people at the moment. Whoever is needed steps in when necessary. No one's getting paid— yet. We only got monetised recently and sometimes work with PR. But we're hoping to expand, maybe even become a proper startup."

When asked if content creation will become a full-time gig, Reehan nodded. 

"We have plans. Podcasts, merchandise, video content – it's all on the table. We're especially excited about extending our bite-sized satire platform. That's definitely something to look forward to," he confirmed. 

In a post-revolution Bangladesh still reeling from the aftershocks of mass protests, brutal state crackdowns, and a political awakening, 14AGAIN is a digital artefact of resistance, grief, and growing pains.

Despite the risks, 14AGAIN has built a loyal community. People interact, tag friends, and share stories. 

In an era of performative activism and fleeting hashtags, 14AGAIN dares to provoke, poke fun, and keep memories alive. 

For many, 14AGAIN isn't just a meme page – it's a mirror of a generation too tired to cry and too angry to stay silent. And as long as there's heartbreak in the air, Reehan and his pixelated rebels will keep posting. 

They may not be able to change the world overnight, but at least they can meme about it.