In the hustle and bustle of Dhaka city, a man is quietly redefining what vlogging can be. Sayem, a CNG driver who could not finish school after his father’s passing and once delivered food to survive, is now using his camera and voice to inspire thousands across Bangladesh and beyond. 

His aptly named Facebook page, Struggler Sayem, has over 100 thousand followers and depicts his daily challenges from the driver’s seat of a three-wheeler. We tracked down the most famous CNG driver in Bangladesh as he shared the story behind Struggler Sayem.

The story behind the title ‘Struggler’

Sayem grew up in his village and studied up to Class 4. To continue his education, he moved to Dhaka, but could not manage the costs of living and schooling. “I pushed up to Class 7, but then it became too hard. I eventually joined a madrasa where food and lodging were free. I memorised 15 paras of the Quran. But COVID-19 shut everything down. That’s when my real struggle began,” he recalls.

To support his family, Sayem took on various jobs, eventually becoming a delivery man for Foodpanda. However, these part-time roles were barely enough to get by. “I had been working with Foodpanda for two years, but it wasn’t enough. Supporting a family on that income was tough,” he says.

Living up to the nickname, Sayem persevered and found an opportunity to learn driving. “I learned to drive a CNG in my spare time and slowly made the switch. It wasn’t easy, but it brought some stability.”

Becoming a vlogger

Sayem’s videos take a more simple and authentic approach, often quiet and reflective. His motivation was never fame; rather, it stemmed from a deep urge to express his emotions through the lens. “Back in my Foodpanda days, I got a cheap smartphone just to get by. But once I started earning a bit more, I bought a used Infinix Note 40 Pro. That phone had a better camera, and that’s how I started posting videos.”

With a working camera, he began vlogging on 1 January 2025. Like many creators, it took time for his content to gain attention. “For two months, I didn’t tell anyone. But when they found out, they were supportive. Even friends and neighbours appreciated it,” he says. His vlogging journey also introduced him to some loyal supporters.

“It was very difficult. Once, my phone slipped from my hand and hit the road. The screen shattered. I had to spend Tk12,000 to fix it,” he shares. This setback was overcome with the help from an admirer. “One sister living abroad saw one of my videos. She learned about my struggle and gifted me a DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro. I won’t mention her name, but I’ll remain grateful for life.”

Deciding on English

Somewhat unexpectedly, Sayem speaks English fluently in his vlogs. A student who could not complete high school, he shares his emotions and struggles using a language he taught himself.
“English is an international language,” he says. “When I drive foreign passengers, if I can say a few words in English, I feel like I’m representing Bangladesh. I want people to know that we aren’t ignorant.”

He learnt the language informally—by watching videos and using online tools. “Textbooks don’t work for me. I learn through videos, apps, anything I can find online. There’s no method, just keep trying,” he says.

His motivation has deeper roots. “I’ve seen foreign vloggers mocking rickshaw pullers and drivers here. I want to change that. I want to show that we can speak for ourselves,” he says with quiet conviction.

The dreams of a Struggler

“My dream is to travel the world and vlog about it. I want to explore Allah’s beautiful creation,” he says. His role model? “Brother Nadir from Nadir on the Go. I want to make travel and documentary-style videos like him.”

Though time is limited, he remains committed. “I record between rides. But editing? That’s the hard part. After a full day’s work, sitting down to edit is tiring. Still, I do it—for the people who support me.”

Like any content creator, Sayem also faces criticism. “I get plenty of negative comments. But I don’t let them bother me. My supporters handle them for me,” he laughs. “I believe, when people talk about you, there will be praise and criticism. Not all fruits on a tree are sweet, some are rotten.”

Despite the negativity, the love he receives outweighs the hate. “I never expected such a positive response. People show so much love. I’m deeply grateful.”

“Dream big. Even if it seems impossible. Because when you start dreaming, the desire to fulfill that dream starts growing too,” he says.

He ends with a few original lines from his videos that have now become a mantra for many:
“Fall once, rise twice — that’s how dreams ignite,
Quitting too soon means you lose without a fight.”