Ishtiaque started exploring filmmaking techniques in 2005 by producing shorts, assisting fellow directors in different roles, watching movies, and studying books - in no particular order. He graduated in mathematics from Dhaka University. He participated in the Berlinale Talent Campus in 2011 as a director-producer. Traveled in Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Singapore, and South Korea. He lives in his hometown, Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh.