Whether it’s the soul-stirring “Buker Ba Pashe,” the tender pull of “Takey Olpo Kachhe Dakchhi,” or the rain-soaked longing of “Tumi Brishti Cheyechho Bole,” Mahtim Shakib’s voice quietly steals the show in these tracks.
A rising star in the Bangladeshi music scene, Mahtim’s journey has been marked by standout songs like “Pakhi Pakhi Mon” and “Megh Balika,” which earned him back-to-back wins at the Blender’s Choice – The Daily Star OTT & Digital Content Awards. The singer sat down for an exclusive photoshoot and candid chat with The Daily Star, where he reflected on his career and the path that led him to where he is today.
Mahtim began his musical journey in 2018, initially gaining attention with covers before moving on to original songs. He recalls his early days: “I started with a Rabindranath mashup, ‘Ei Mon Tomake Dilam,’ and ‘Ei Poth Jodi Na Shesh Hoy.’ Within a month, I released my first originals, ‘Mon Bojhena’ and then ‘Buker Ba Pashe.'” Despite his rapid success, he feels fortunate that people embraced his music early on.
Like many Bangladeshi children, Mahtim once dreamed of becoming a cricketer or even an astronaut. However, his path took a musical turn when he discovered his true calling during adolescence. “In 2010, I participated in a reality show, and by 2013, when my voice changed during puberty, I realised how much I missed singing. That’s when I knew music was what I wanted to pursue,” he shared.
Training from a young age at Chakrabak Academy, Mahtim’s early influences included Nishi Sir, Shuvro Sir, and Dipu Sir, and he is now learning folk and dotara under Fakir Arif Baul. He speaks proudly of his roots in Bangladeshi music, stressing that “if we don’t cover Rabindra Sangeet or Nazrul Sangeet, aren’t we drifting from our roots?” Mahtim believes that even cover songs are integral to understanding and preserving Bangladesh’s musical heritage.
Though he enjoys folk music, he has also explored other genres, including ghazals and contemporary songs. In 2019, Mahtim made his playback debut in the Shakib Khan film Moner Moto Manush Pailam Na, with the song “Pran Juriye Jay,” composed by Shafiq Tuhin. His big break in West Bengal came when music director Arindom Bhattacharya approached him after hearing “Ei Mon Tomake Dilam.” This led to Mahtim’s Tollywood debut with Takey Olpo Kachhe Dakchhi, a song that went viral.
In today’s content-driven world, Mahtim shares new music regularly, including covers. However, he’s aware of the changing landscape in music. “The algorithm has shifted; it’s less about quality and more about quantity. To stay in the game, we must post regularly. But I can’t create a meaningful track every day—art takes time,” he noted.
For Mahtim, music is not just a career, it’s his life. As a self-critical artist, he has been focusing more on original work this year. “Music is like breathing—something I love far beyond earning a living,” he said. Over the years, he has lent his voice to films like Dewaler Desh (2024), Jongli (2025), Prem Tame (2021), and Cheeni 2 (2023), continuing to solidify his place in both Bangladeshi and Tollywood music.
An old soul at heart, Mahtim keeps his social media presence minimal, using it solely for professional purposes. “I only appear online as much as needed for work. You’re either a consumer or a creator; I’d rather focus on creating quality content and practising music. It takes time and energy,” he explained. He runs two YouTube channels and several social media pages but avoids personal accounts.
With a contract at SVF until 2027, Mahtim aims to explore more original music, especially in folk and other genres. He considers himself not just a musician but a storyteller. “I like telling stories, through singing, writing, or directing music videos,” he said. Although he has tried acting in commercials, it didn’t feel right for him, and he has dabbled in digital painting as well.
Clearing up a few misconceptions, he shared, “First, people often mispronounce my name, and sometimes make it something else, even Mahtab! Then they assume I’m very young—but I’m not! Some think I’m from India, which is untrue. I was born and raised in Dhaka. I’m not from Chittagong either—my grandparents are from Narshingdi.”
With his dedication to music and a bright future ahead, Mahtim’s journey is one to watch. His passion for storytelling, both through music and beyond, continues to resonate with listeners.