Tahar Rahim: The Concern

Tahar Rahim is an actor who never ceases to surprise. A chameleon in his craft, he reinvents his performance with each role, immersing himself in both physical and mental transformations. His ability to blend into complex characters makes him one of the most intriguing figures in French cinema. He proved this talent once again recently during his appearance on TF1’s 8 PM news on October 13th. On screen, something struck viewers: the actor seemed to have lost a considerable amount of weight. Intrigued, some even worried about his health.

During the interview, Tahar Rahim took the time to explain, addressing this frailer appearance without hesitation. His tone is reassuring, his posture relaxed, and his smile leaves no doubt: he is fine. Still as committed to his career as ever, the actor is about to take on a major artistic challenge that led him to adopt this spectacular physical transformation. But he prefers to keep the suspense, leaving an aura of mystery over this change.

Tahar Rahim, in the shoes of Charles Aznavour

On October 23rd, he will star in the highly anticipated biopic Monsieur Aznavour, portraying the legend of French chanson, Charles Aznavour. This film, directed by Grand Corps Malade and Mehdi Idir, offers a unique glimpse into the artist’s life. To fit the character, Tahar Rahim once again had to work deeply on his voice, his acting, and especially his appearance. The actor is known for his unwavering commitment, to the point that even at home, he continued to live as "Aznavour," much to the dismay of his wife, Leïla Bekhti. This new role, a true tour de force, promises a memorable performance, as Rahim puts his heart and soul into each of his projects.

But this role is just another step in a career marked by bold choices. We remember his striking performance in A Prophet (2009), where his physical commitment had already impressed.

An even greater challenge ahead

However, if Tahar Rahim appears so thin today, it is not solely for the Aznavour biopic. In reality, he is in the midst of preparing for another project, the upcoming film by Julia Ducournau, titled Alpha. Director of the acclaimed Titane, Ducournau is known for her dark and intense worlds, requiring profound transformations from her actors. For this role, Rahim once again had to alter his body, proving once more that he is willing to do anything to bring characters of great intensity to life.

This extraordinary actor, who had already lost a lot of weight to portray a detainee at Guantanamo in The Mauritanian (2021), does not shy away from anything for his roles. His dedication to his craft is exemplary, making him one of the most respected talents of his generation.

A private life preserved

Despite his growing success, Tahar Rahim manages to maintain a balance between his career and his private life. Married to Leïla Bekhti, with whom he has four children, he ensures that his children are protected from the spotlight. The couple is keen to keep their family life away from the public sphere. Their children thus grow up far from the glitz of cinema, still unaware of their parents’ fame.

An anecdote illustrates this discretion: one day, upon seeing posters of his mother in the streets, their eldest son, Souleiman, asked why she was everywhere. Tahar Rahim, with his usual humor, replied that it was simply to accompany him on his way to school.

An actor in perpetual evolution

With this new project under the direction of Julia Ducournau, Tahar Rahim once again demonstrates his total commitment to his craft. His successive transformations are not only the result of ambition but the reflection of an artistic demand he carries within him. Each film is for him a new opportunity to push his limits, both physically and mentally.

Thus, concerns about his thinness fade away. For if the actor is very slim today, it is primarily to meet the demands of a particularly ambitious role. Once again, Tahar Rahim proves that excellence in the art of acting comes through total self-commitment.