Duratta is another of Murshed's films on children. As he says, 'I enjoy making films on children. In fact, I started my cultural activities working with children. In 1978, I formed a theatrical group named Dhaka Little Theatre. In those days I directed many stage plays performed by children like Tasher Deshey, Hirok Rajar Deshey and others. Another of my films on children, titled Dipu Number Two, has had a huge response in home and abroad.'

Murshed has his own distinctive directorial approach. He always tries to express his films through easy narration so that viewers can empathise with the characters. 'Sometimes, however, I have to change my style. In Chaka, I intentionally took many long duration shots,' he says. Chaka won many prestigious awards at the international level like Grand Prix for the best film and best direction in Dunkerque Film Festival, France in 1993.

Reminiscing on his directorial career, Murshed says, 'I have no academic training on filmmaking. In 1981, I participated in a film appreciation course conducted by eminent filmmaker Alamgir Kabir. Around that time, several of us started a film society movement in Bangladesh. Like other renowned filmmakers such as Tanvir Mokammel and Manzare Hassin Murad, I am also a product of that movement as well as that film appreciation course.'

Murshed's first film was Aagami (1982), which is on our Liberation War. The film won the Silver Peacock award for best direction in the 10th International Film Festival, New Delhi, in 1985. Aagami has played a key role in establishing an alternative film movement in Bangladesh.

Explaining what an alternative film is, Murshed says, 'In a departure from commercial films, we work from a different angle, which we call an 'alternative'. In my view, this translates into making cheaper films with complete artistic freedom. In the commercial film trend, these goals cannot be fulfilled because one often has to compromise with the producer's demands. That is why we started our venture in the 16-milimetre format. We held the shows of our films at different venues instead of cinema halls.

However, Murshed thinks that the films they are making at the present cannot be recognised as alternative films. 'We are now making films in 32mm format. Moreover, we are taking technical support from Film Development Corporation (FDC). The films are being screened at cinema halls,' Murshed reasons.

Commenting on the recent ventures of the private TV channels into films, Murshed says, 'As long as promoting the film industry is concerned, it is a positive development. Filmmakers like us really struggle to find sponsors for our films. These channels can produce good films, as funds are not a big problem for them. If the trend continues, within a few years there will be many good films. This will fuel the interest of the middle class in cinema.'

Murshed has had his share of acclaim. For Dukhai he received the National Award in nine categories including best film in 1997. He also wore the hat of the General Secretary of Bangladesh Federation of Film societies from 1988 to 1994.

In the days to come, Murshed is likely to be on his toes. His plan is to make international standard films in the future. For admirers of his films this is good news indeed.