Whether it's by crafting a groundbreaking IP with "Pett Kata Shaw", making history by working with Hollywood juggernaut Jordan Peele, or by being a revered member of the Writers' Guild of America, Nuhash Humayun's journey in Bangladeshi showbiz is nothing short of remarkable. We sat down with the ambitious director days after the release of "Dui Shaw", the second iteration of his horror phenomenon.

It must feel good knowing that you've created a franchise that arguably outgrown you in popularity?

Definitely does. I'll tell you a story: We needed a photographer to do a BTS for "Dui Shaw". When one of them was told that it was for a Chorki project, he declined. When he got to know that it was mine, he said that he was still not sure. After he realised that it was for "Dui Shaw", he was there in the blink of an eye!

Where exactly are you in your journey?

At a crossroads. My life significantly changed in 2022, when "Pett Kata Shaw" and "Moshari" were released. "Moshari" brought me so much fame in international circuits – it unlocked a whole new path for me. I eventually got signed with CAA, anonymous content, I joined the Writers' Guild of America this year – the upward trajectory definitely started from there.

So, I am at a point where I see my career going in the direction of Korean director Bong Joon-ho, who made Parasite in his own language, but also Snowpiercer with Chris Evans. I'm not saying that I'm at his level, but he is someone that I would love to emulate.

I can see that happening, since after 'Pett Kata Shaw', you ceased being the 'niche' director, and became much more accessible for people in the industry.

It was always easy for me to access talent in the industry, because remember, I come from a family of directors – there's a level of accessibility and privilege in that. But you're right, having something that I can call distinctly my own really gives me a form of credibility that I did not have before.

Did you ever think of releasing the 'Shaw' series on an international streaming platform?

Look, we did not send season 1 to any international festivals, but Rotterdam approached me after hearing of it. We played at Rotterdam, Fantasia, and even won Best Film at Fantasia in London (We had edited the series into a film for it). In the end, it did not matter that it was on Chorki and not on Netflix. I hear from the platform that certain people subscribe to only watch "Pett Kata Shaw" and "Dui Shaw". If your content is good, it can reach the ends of the earth, and I want to keep contributing to platforms belonging to Bangladesh, not just the international ones. 

Do you feel 'unburdened' from the high expectations of your family name?

I think the 'super-high' expectations are generated by the media. Growing up, I was never treated differently because I was Humayun Ahmed's son. People really misunderstand my relationship with my family, and some even think that I am 'burdened' by my last name. The very first thing I had ever written was a long piece on my father. I love him a lot, and it's also very humbling the way that people revere my father. For some people, I will always be Humayun Ahmed's son, and for others, I will be Gultekin Khan's son, and I am at peace okay with that. At the same time, I am an award-winning director in my own right.

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Would you like to adapt any of Humayun Ahmed's legendary characters?

I am not opposed to it, as one of the rightful owners of that IP. However, I also want Bangladeshi directors to come to me and ask to adapt those characters – I want different artistes to take his work and interpret it in their own way.