Horror, humour, and the unexpected: Tanzim Rahman’s unique storytelling style

Growing up, Tanzim Rahman was a quiet child who often struggled with social anxiety. His mother, an avid reader, passed down her love for books, which became his refuge from the outside world. 

Immersing himself in literature, he developed a deep fascination with horror, thriller, and science fiction— genres that later shaped him into the author he is today.
Tanzim began his writing career with literary translation; he introduced Bangladeshi readers to Stephen King's iconic horror novel The Shining in Bangla in 2011. 
However, it was his original works—where he combined his unique take on the horror genre with his own touch of witty humour—that started setting him apart.
While his debut novel, Archon (published in 2015 by Batighor) created a buzz among readers, his second novel, Octarine, cemented his reputation as a promising new voice in Bangladeshi literature.

This time around in 2025, his horror novel, 'Brishtir Din Bhara Beshi', published by Afsar Brothers, became a sensation among readers of all ages. 

Praised for its seamless narration, sharp humour, and gripping plot, the book was among the first of its kind in our local horror genre. It struck such a chord with readers that it was reportedly sold out within weeks of its release. It resonated so deeply with audiences that it reportedly sold out within weeks of its release.

"My book was rather successful this time, and it definitely makes me happy," said Tanzim. 

Finding comfort in the world of horror

In Brishtir Din Bhara Beshi, the protagonist Haru, who is a rickshaw puller by profession, possesses a supernatural ability to see and communicate with the dead. His guides lost souls to a destination where they can resolve their unfinished business. 

As the story unravels, Haru encounters others with similar abilities, each with their own purpose and secrets. With every chapter, the narrative takes unexpected twists, revealing deeper mysteries.

"In adulthood, life runs on autopilot—one event after another—leaving you barely any time to process. Brishtir Din Bhara Beshi captures that very essence. When you read it, you'll notice how events unfold in quick succession, making it difficult to focus on just one thing. That, I think, is part of the fun," he explained.
 
Tanzim identifies himself as an experimental writer, always eager to explore new genres and push creative boundaries. And he feels he sees fragments of himself in his books.  

His earlier works often carried a strong presence of anxiety and stress—an echo of his own personal struggles. But as he found stability in both his personal and professional life, his writing evolved too.

"I really enjoy writing horror," he said. "I started dabbling in the genre as a way to release my buried thoughts, and over time, I became more comfortable with it. I've learned its architecture, how to build suspense, create tension, and play with the unknown."

Another ingrained aspect of his storytelling style is his use of observational humour. Rather than making his characters overtly "funny," it's his narration—how he frames certain antics, his phrasing of events, his intuition in expressing his characters' thoughts, and his knack for pointing out the irony—that brings humour to his novels. Brishtir Din Bhara Beshi was no exception.
When asked about the unexpected humour in his horror novel, he smiled and said, "There's always something funny in absurdity."

In adulthood, life runs on autopilot—one event after another—leaving you barely any time to process. Brishtir Din Bhara Beshi captures that very essence. When you read it, you'll notice how events unfold in quick succession, making it difficult to focus on just one thing. That, I think, is part of the fun

Tanzim Rahman

As an author, Tanzim follows a simple yet disciplined mantra—writing a page every day. However, it wasn't out of whim that he took up the genre of horror as his go-to style of writing.

Tanzim humbly believes he, along with many from a particular generation, was caught up in a literary wave that eventually inspired him to become the writer he is.

 The wave of new genre
 
When it comes to genre writing in Bangladesh, Seba Prokashoni stands as a pioneer, thanks to its legendary series Tin Goyenda, Masud Rana, and Kishor Classics. These books were the talk of the town from the 1980s through the early 2000s, captivating young readers with their gripping narratives.
 
"These books were adaptations of Western titles like The Three Investigators and James Bond, among many others. The publishers localised the characters to make them more relatable to Bangladeshi audiences. However, this also created a lasting appetite for genre books and, in turn, a growing interest in translations of original Western thrillers," he said.
 
Tanzim was also swept up in this literary wave. His novels Archon, Octarine Oboyob, and Anamika Chup explored unique and experimental storytelling, blending thriller elements with psychological depth and gripping suspense. To this date, Octarine stands as his best-selling piece.

Although these books were once highly popular, their demand began to decline in the late 2000s, especially among school-goers, the biggest readership demographic. The rise of satellite TV, the internet, and digital entertainment contributed to this shift, pushing traditional paperback thrillers aside.
However, by 2011, genres like thriller, horror, sci-fi, and fantasy experienced a revival. Unlike past decades dominated by adaptations, this resurgence focused on original storytelling.
Mohammad Nazim Uddin played a key role in this movement, translating Western thrillers and writing his own. His books, such as Nemesis, Contract, and Rabindranath Ekhane Kokhono Aseni, reshaped Bangladeshi thrillers.

Born and raised in Dhaka, Tanzim studied at North South University. Aside from being a writer, he works in communications at a leading NGO. Before wrapping up our conversation, we asked whether he plans to take up writing full-time.
 
"Writing doesn't pay your bills in this country—at least not yet. You need a day job for that," he concluded with a smile.