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XEFER

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MAHIYA TABASSUM
In a world where transformation is the name of the game and reinvention is the key to staying relevant, one artiste has taken a leap into the unknown, leaving a trail of intrigue and fascination in their wake. Xefer first broke into the scene with her soulful covers, capturing hearts with her deep baritone voice. Over the years, she not only continued her musical journey but also emerged as a style and youth icon. With chart-toppers like Jhumka , Nei Proyojon to contemporary beats like Harbo Na , and Ojana , she’s proven her versatility time and again.
Your transformation in ‘Last Defenders of Monogamy ’ has caused a significant stir in the media. Could you share about your journey?
To begin with, I’ve overcome a significant insecurity regarding my image. This new look has become a part of my daily life. I had been accustomed to a certain appearance for nearly 14 years before adopting this new style, primarily for the film Monogamy . I love how everyone received it with positive responses and compliments.
It made me realise that perhaps my concerns were just in my head. Farooki bhai repeatedly assured me that I was looking beautiful in my latest look. So, yes, it’s been a wonderful journey, and I’ve discovered another facet of myself.
Will this new version of you remain, or are you going to revert back to your previous look at some point?
I’ve become so accustomed to this new look that I’m grappling with the idea of returning to my previous one.
Your song ‘Jhumka’ is topping the charts and is popular at weddings across the country. Was this newfound success planned?
I didn’t specifically plan for it, to be honest. I also made my acting debut alongside my favourite artiste, Chanchal Chowdhury, under the direction of Mostofa Sarwar Farooki bhai . What more could I ask for? Everything seems to be falling into place for me.
Do you see yourself on the silver screen in the future? If given the opportunity, who would you like to collaborate with?
My primary focus has always been on music. Acting represents a new journey and a new learning curve for me. If I were to make a silver screen debut in the future, it would have to be something special and personally resonant. I haven’t planned beyond that at this point.
Was there an instance where you felt frustrated with your own career?
I’ve always remained true to myself. I believe that I may have been the first Bangladeshi to release an original English album, which in itself was a significant challenge. People often wonder how this transition happened– from Uncaged to Jhumka ! During the pandemic, I realised that I should venture into my unexplored side. I believed that I was capable of doing it, and I wanted to see myself in a different place.
Besides being a popular musician, you are also a belly dancer. Why have we barely seen that version of you?
How did you know! Yes, I am excellent at it. However, I’m not giving it all away just yet. I want to keep surprising my audience. I have reshaped my image–from flamboyant to a softer look, made my acting debut and there are more versions of me yet to be revealed. You’ll just have to wait!
Are you aware that you’re s one of the first YouTubers in our country? Do you think you have received the recognition it deserved?
Even though I was amongst the first to drop covers on YouTube here, I don’t think I could reach as wide an audience as Salman could. I don’t have to have the ‘tag’ as the first YouTuber. I don’t need that.
What’s next for Xefer?
My second-to-last release was Nei Proyojon , followed by Jhumka . It’s evident that I’m going through a transformation as an artiste, exploring genres. I don’t want to limit myself to a niche. I’m currently in an exploratory phase, and I have several upcoming projects and ‘experiments’ that you’ll discover soon. One thing I can promise is that I’ll maintain consistency in releasing new music.