Parkour is no longer seen as just a sport among today’s youth; it has become a symbol of courage, discipline, and self-confidence. Bangladesh’s popular parkour duo “Sazzad & Minhaz” have already built a unique identity through their daring stunts, cinematic videos, and inspirational content. In this interview, they share their journey, struggles, and dreams. Interviewed by: Sakibul Hasan

How did your interest in parkour and content creation begin?

As children, both of us used to watch the Ninja Hattori cartoon and wonder, “Can people really jump and climb walls like that?” From then on, we developed a different kind of love for movement and freedom. Later, after watching videos of foreign parkour athletes on YouTube, we started practicing on our own. For us, parkour was never just a game—it was a way of challenging ourselves. Eventually, we felt that our journey should also be shared with others, and that’s how our content creation journey began.

What was the scariest experience you faced while doing rooftop parkour?

Once, during rooftop practice, the surface suddenly became slippery due to the weather. Although the jump was successful, maintaining balance during the landing required intense focus. Those few seconds taught us a lot. We realized that parkour is not only about courage; it is also about patience, control, and preparation. Since that experience, we have become even more serious about safety.

What kind of preparation do you take before performing risky stunts?

We never perform stunts impulsively. Every movement involves extensive practice, planning, and preparation. First, we inspect the location, understand the landing area, and practice the movement repeatedly. Only after being mentally prepared do we attempt the stunt. For us, safety always comes first because parkour is not about reckless risks—it’s about smart movement.

What was the key strategy behind building such a large audience on Facebook and YouTube?

We never created content just to go viral. We always tried to present something real, cinematic, and inspiring. People don’t just watch stunts; they also connect with the struggle, emotions, and hard work behind them. That is probably why audiences have been able to connect with our journey.

How do you create content that connects with audiences so quickly?

We never try to show anything fake. The way we are in front of the camera is exactly how we are in real life. When people see genuine emotions and hard work, a natural connection is formed. We always want people not only to be entertained but also inspired.

What challenges did you face while trying to popularize parkour in Bangladesh?

In the beginning, people used to say many negative things. Some would ask, “What’s the point of all this jumping around?” At that time, people had very little understanding of parkour. We also faced serious financial struggles. There were times when we walked 10 to 15 kilometers to shoot videos because we couldn’t afford transportation, and then walked all the way back home. Since we didn’t have good devices, we had to edit videos with the help of friends and others. But one thing always remained strong—our belief. We believed that one day people would see parkour differently. Today, when we see the younger generation getting inspired, we feel that those struggles became our greatest strength.

What is the most important factor behind a viral video?

People are searching for real emotions now. A video truly connects with audiences when it inspires them, surprises them, or creates an emotional impact. We always try to include emotion in our content.

How do you deal with negative comments and criticism on social media?

We always try to maintain a positive mindset because we know criticism is inevitable when you do something different. However, the love and support from people always motivate us to keep moving forward.

How important has family support been in your journey?

Our family has been the greatest strength in our journey. In the beginning, they were naturally worried, but gradually, after seeing our dedication and hard work, they started supporting us. The prayers and support of our family have played a huge role in where we are today.

What advice would you give to those who want to start content creation?

We would tell everyone not to copy others but to discover their own originality. In the beginning, views may be low, but if you stay consistent and patient, success will eventually come. Most importantly, you have to truly love your work.

Which is more important for success-talent or consistency?

In our opinion, consistency is the most important factor. Talent may help people notice you at first, but long-term success is impossible without regular hard work and dedication.

Do you dream of representing Bangladesh internationally?

Absolutely. We want to stand on international stages carrying the flag of Bangladesh. We want the world to know that Bangladesh also has talented parkour athletes.

Where do you want to see the “Sazzad & Minhaz” brand in the next five years?

We want “Sazzad & Minhaz” to become more than just a content creator name—we want it to become a symbol of youth inspiration. Through the Bangladesh Parkour Association, we want to develop new talents so that young Bangladeshis can participate in international competitions in the future.

Tell us about a moment in your life that still makes you most proud.

Being featured in the UK documentary Art of the Jump and receiving the Chittagong Content Creator Award were extremely emotional moments for us. Because the journey people once failed to understand has now reached an international level.

How would you like people to remember the name “Sazzad & Minhaz” in the future?

We want people to remember “Sazzad & Minhaz” not only for stunts but also for struggle, discipline, inspiration, and positivity. If even one young person gains the courage to fight for their dreams after seeing our journey, that will be our greatest success.