To begin with, can you tell us which of your songs brought you under the limelight?

"Er Beshi Bhalobasha Jay Na" from my first single album "Shopno Ebong Tumi" helped me gain a lot of popularity as a singer amongst my fans; the tune was composed by Arfin Rumey. The other songs that are appreciated by the fans include "Amar E Khushi Te", "Tumi Prithibir Somudro Dekhecho", "Sraboni", "Sushmita", "Shona Jadu", "Paglami" and "Behaya Mon".

How long have you been involved with the film industry?

In 2012, I composed the tune and lyrics for the film "Onnorokom Bhalobasha". The title song "Bhalobashar Shobtuku Rong" by Samina Chowdhury and "Kolija Te Taan" by Kishor and Dolly Sayontoni were hits among the fans.

Ever since your debut in Dhallywood, you have never had to look back, have you?

That's right. There onwards, I was on the go working for songs like "Joley Joley Jonaki" in "Pora Mon", "Ey Dikey O Dikey" in "Onek Shadher Moyna", "Potakata Khamchatey" in "Desha The Leader", "Bidhata" in "Sweetheart" and "Agnee". These songs appealed greatly to the fans out there.

Who are your inspirations in music?

I have been inspired by the likes of Alauddin Ali, Gazi Mazharul Anwar, Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul, S. D. Burman, R. D. Burman, Pulak Bandyopadhyay and Gauri Prasanna Mazumder. Besides them, the poems of Nirmalendu Goon motivate me heavily to pen songs down.

Could you name the notable contributions you have made throughout your musical career?

The album "Mon Joley", solely written by me, was tuned and sung by Ayub Bachchu; the duet album by Shahnaz Rahmatullah and Samina Chowdhury; the duet album by Tapan Chowdhury and Kumar Bishwajit titled "Shondhatara"; Asif Akbar's "Eyto Jibon"; Bappa Majumder and Khalid's "Bolona Bidai". Apart from these, I have also won the national award for the song "Choto Choto Golpo" from the film "Projapoti".

Tell us about your own albums.

So far, four exclusive albums have been released. "Shopno Ebong Tumi", "Shafiq Tuhin Dot Com", "Pobitro Prem" and "Anguley Angul". Besides, another album titled "Paglami" featuring Nancy, Kona and Elita was also released.

What are you working on currently?

Recently I have been busy working on my fifth solo album titled "Chupkotha Rupkotha" which is due for release on Eid. I am also working on a folk album with Momtaz, Chandana Majumder and Salma, and I have also been working on Lemis's solo album. Besides, a music video called "Disheyhara Onubhob" is in the making as well.

If you were to share something about yourself, which your fans are unaware  of, what would it be?

Everyone knows me by the name Shafiq Tuhin, but my actual name is A K M Shafiqur Rahman, which I have used academically. My nick name is Tuhin, so my alias is a combination of both.

....................................................................
Interviewed by Zahid Akbar and 
Narrated by Minam Haque