‘Jongli has taken a deep hold inside my heart’ : Siam Ahmed

Siam Ahmed's star power reached new heights with the release of 'Jongli' this Eid. The film, directed by M Raahim, became both a critical and commercial success, placing Siam at the forefront of the Bangladeshi film industry. Siam's stellar performance in "Jongli" garnered widespread praise, making him a standout among Eid releases.

Known for his National Film Award-winning performance and breakout role in Poramon 2, Siam had already impressed audiences with films like Dohon and Fagun Hawa. 

With Jongli, he once again demonstrated his remarkable range—equally convincing in tender, romantic moments and intense action scenes. His performance, rich in emotional depth and sincerity, particularly resonated due to the father-child relationship at the heart of the film.

Siam shared how profoundly the role affected him. "While playing this role, I could really feel that I was a father," he said. 

"The emotions I experienced during the shoot—I hoped the audience would feel them too. We always felt that Jongli had taken hold of something deep within us." His heartfelt portrayal struck a universal chord, moving audiences to tears.

Reflecting on the two-year long project, Siam admitted, "I felt the urge to show affection to children. I felt a deep emotional connection to them," explaining how he would often come home wanting to hug his kid. 

Back then, Jongli was just a vision—a story waiting to be told. Siam wasn't just an actor brought on board; he was involved in every step of its creation, from shaping the plot to sculpting the characters. 

Then came the long days on set, the hours in the dubbing studio, and the fine-toothed comb of post-production. The film had been slated for release the previous Eid, but fate had other plans.

Every successful film has a backstory of hard work and dedication, and Jongli is no different. Its success was built on months of preparation and teamwork, and Siam Ahmed, who played the lead role, was involved from the start.

"Including story development and all the preparatory work, we spent nearly eight months before the actual shooting began," he explained. Casting for the child character, Pakhi, was especially challenging.

"That alone took about four months," Siam shared, noting how vital the role was to the story. He credited the smooth production to strong teamwork, saying, "It was the spirit of teamwork that allowed us to complete the film so smoothly."

The actor also emphasised the importance of chemistry between cast members. "When the audience watches me on screen, they're also watching everyone around me," he said. 

"A co-actor can elevate a performance—or… diminish it." The dynamic between actors, he noted, plays a key role in delivering an impactful performance.

While on-screen pairings have become less common in recent Bangladeshi cinema, Jongli featured Siam alongside Shobnom Bubly. Their chemistry was well-received, prompting curiosity about future collaborations. When asked about reuniting with Bubly, Siam responded, "It's the director who creates a pair, and it's the audience who makes it successful." 

He added, "Before Jongli, I told the director our pairing should feel different from Taan. He took that challenge." Siam concluded, "If other directors want to pair us, I have no objection to working with Bubly again and again."

In today's Bangladeshi film industry, the commercial fate of a movie is often speculated before it even hits theatres. A limited release in the first week is frequently viewed as a sign of failure. But some films break that pattern. 

Jongli is one such exception. After its initial release during Eid, positive word-of-mouth led to an increase in screenings in the following weeks as more viewers embraced the film.

When asked whether popularity or profit matters more, Siam Ahmed offered a heartfelt response. "The most important thing is to touch people's hearts," he said. 

"If financial success comes along with that emotional connection, that's wonderful." He credited the success of Jongli to the passion of its young team and expressed hope that they continue to grow and contribute to the industry.

While the Bangladeshi film scene tends to thrive mostly during Eid, Siam believes the industry should aim for year-round activity. "The big production houses and the directors who are aiming to work on a large scale need to come together," he said. "They should sit down and plan a year-round release schedule."

He suggested that senior actor Shakib Khan could lead this effort, stating, "Since Shakib Bhai is the most senior among us actors, he should take the initiative to guide us."

Siam also highlighted a positive shift: "Many smart producers have entered the scene. We need to continue this spirit. Brotherhood shouldn't just be a slogan in front of the media—it should be practiced in reality."