Imtiaz Ali (director)

Early and personal life

Imtiaz Ali was born in Jamshedpur and spent some of his early years in Patna.

His father Mansoor Ali was a contractor who did irrigation job, and as a child he would sometimes accompany him, which gave Imtiaz a sense of what was going on in the innards of India. His uncle, through his mother, is Pakistani TV actor and director/producer Khalid Ahmed. He had his early education at St. Michael's High School, Patna and later at D.B.M.S. English School, Jamshedpur. He is the brother of director Arif Ali (who made his directorial debut with the film Lekar Hum Deewana Dil).

He attended Hindu College, University of Delhi, where he took part in college theater. He was very successful in college. He also started Ibtida, the dramatics society of the college. Thereafter he moved to Mumbai and did a diploma course from Xavier Institute of Communication.

Career

Initial struggles and directorial debut (1994–2006)

Ali began his career directing TV programs including Kurukshetra for Zee TV and Imtihaan for Doordarshan. His initial work also includes a forty-five-minute slot telefilm for series Rishtey on Zee TV; he later made the story into a feature film named Highway. He moved on to Bollywood films. In 2005, he made his directorial debut with the romantic comedy, Socha Na Tha, starring Abhay Deol and Ayesha Takia. He got to direct the film following a meeting with Sunny Deol, who agreed to review his script and produce the film. Reflecting on this pivotal moment, Ali remarked that, "he didn’t ask me where I was from or about my experience. He holds a significant place in my life because he gave me my first film." Upon release, it received mixed-to-positive reviews from the critics, but emerged as a commercial failure at the box office. He quoted, later in an interview, that it took him three years to make the film.

Success (2007–2015)

His second directorial venture, the romantic comedy Jab We Met starring Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor, emerged as a major critical and commercial success. The film earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue, in addition to his first nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Director. It has been consistently ranked as one of the most popular romantic films of Bollywood.

His next film, the romantic comedy-drama Love Aaj Kal starring Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone, emerged as his biggest commercial success to date. The film received widespread critical acclaim, earning Ali his second nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Director. It has gone to achieve cult status, and has been acclaimed for its depiction of the feeling of pure love which never changes, although the perspective of realizing one's soulmate changes over time.

Ali's fourth directorial venture, the musical romantic drama Rockstar starring Ranbir Kapoor and Nargis Fakhri, also emerged as a major commercial success at the box office and received widespread critical acclaim with high praise for Ali's direction, Kapoor's performance and A. R. Rahman's music. The film earned him his third nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Director. It has now achieved cult status, and also has been frequently ranked in the lists of most iconic musical romances of Bollywood.

Post Rockstar, Ali penned the story and screenplay for the romantic comedy-drama Cocktail (2012), directed by Homi Adajania, starring Deepika Padukone, Saif Ali Khan and Diana Penty in lead roles. The film received positive reviews from critics upon release, and emerged as a commercial success at the box office.

Ali founded his film production company, Window Seat Films in 2013, whose first release was the road drama Highway (2014). Starring Alia Bhatt and Randeep Hooda, the film was highly appreciated by critics upon release, and also emerged as a commercial success at the box office. The film has been widely credited as one of Bollywood's best films depicting mental disorders (in this case, Stockholm syndrome).

His next directorial venture, the coming-of-age romantic drama Tamasha (2015), starred Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone in lead roles. Despite major hype, the film emerged as a moderate commercial success, but received positive reviews with high praise for Kapoor's performance upon release; however, it has gone on to achieve cult status for its subject and has also been recognised as one of Ali's best films.

Creative decline (2017–2020)

His next directorial, the romantic comedy Jab Harry Met Sejal starring Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma in lead roles, was released on 4 August 2017. The film released to mixed-to-negative reviews, and emerged as a commercial failure at the box office.

He then wrote the screenplay for his brother Sajid Ali's romance film Laila Majnu (2018), starring newcomers Avinash Tiwary and Tripti Dimri in lead roles. The film received mixed reviews upon release, and emerged as a commercial disaster at the box office.

After a gap of three years, his next directorial venture was the romantic drama Love Aaj Kal, starring Kartik Aaryan and Sara Ali Khan in lead roles. The film was the spiritual successor to Love Aaj Kal (2009), starring Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone, also directed by Ali. The film, which released on 14 February 2020, received mixed-to-negative reviews from critics, and emerged as a commercial failure at the box office.

Resurgence (2024–present)

In his first film collaboration with Netflix, Ali directed Amar Singh Chamkila, a biopic on the assassinated Punjabi musician Amar Singh Chamkila, starring Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra in the lead roles. It was released on 12 April 2024 to positive reviews from critics and audiences, alike. Many considered it to be a huge return to form for Ali. Ali is set to continue his partnership with Netflix through the upcoming romance series O Saathi Re, directed by his brother Arif Ali with Arjun Rampal in the lead role.

Filmography

Films

;As actor

Television

Collaborators

Awards and nominations

Below is a list of awards and nominations received by Imtiaz Ali.

Filmfare Awards

The Filmfare Awards are presented annually by The Times Group to honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in the Hindi cinema.

International Indian Film Academy Awards

The International Indian Film Academy Awards (shortened as IIFA) is an annual international event organised by the Wizcraft International Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. to honour excellence in the Hindi cinema.

Producers Guild Film Awards

The Producers Guild Film Awards (previously known as the Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards) is an annual event organised by the Film Producers Guild of India.

Screen Awards

The Screen Awards are presented annually by Indian Express Limited to honour excellence in Hindi cinema.

Other awards

References

References

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2. Gupta, Priya. (13 May 2013). "I was an underachiever who lied to look better: Imtiaz Ali". The Times of India.
3. https://elections.raftaar.in/imtiaz-valentine-valentines-unique-love-story-anil-ambani-वैलेंटाइन-डे-रिलीज-इम्तियाज-अनोखी-स्टोरी-अनिल-मुकेश-रिश्ता-शुरुआत/detail/fe73dd54fd295197d98aba1e2cbefb3c {{dead link. (July 2019)
4. (6 June 2009). "I'd like to give Jab We Met an overhaul: Imtiaz Ali". CNN-IBN.
5. (12 December 2016). "Imtiaz Ali mulls a film on Patna".
6. (16 June 2019). "Birthday Special: Imtiaz Ali dated a 14-year younger girl; had an affair with this Pakistani Actress!".
7. Khan, Tabish. "I was an underachiever who lied to look better: Imtiaz Ali". [[The Times of India]].
8. (2016-04-10). "From Patna boy to Pakistani TV legend". dna.
9. (6 July 2016). "Pak films funded by the army for image building: Director Khalid Ahmad".
10. "Director Imtiaz Ali started with TV". Hindustan Times.
11. Ali, Imtiaz. "A Poem of His".
12. "DBMS to star in ex-student's film".
13. [http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-graduates/446667/ The Graduates – the Hindu College alumni] [[Indian Express]], Tuesday, 14 April 2009.
14. [https://web.archive.org/web/20121023190038/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-04-26/news-interviews/28009285_1_journey-sunny-deol-film Times interview] [[The Times of India]], 26 April 2009.
15. (7 April 2006). "Talented Mr Ali". Sakshijuneja.com.
16. "Imtiaz in no mood for sequels". IBNLive.
17. (6 December 2019). "Rishtey - Full Ep - 58 - Zee TV".
18. (2023-10-17). "Imtiaz Ali was warned against narrating Socha Na Tha's script to Sunny Deol: 'He may slap you'".
19. "BBC - Movies - review - Socha Na Tha (Who Would Have Thought?)".
20. "Socha Na Tha - Movie - Box Office India".
21. (2012-09-09). "It took 3 years to make my first movie: Imtiaz Ali".
22. "Jab We Met Movie Review". The Times of India.
23. "Box Office 2007".
24. "16 Best Bollywood Romantic Movies That Define Love".
25. "Valentine's Day: 5 best romantic movies to watch with your partner - Valentine's Day".
26. "Love Aaj Kal - Movie - Box Office India".
27. [http://in.movies.yahoo.com/news-detail/61935/Love-Aaj-Kal-smash-hit.html Love Aaj Kal, a Smash Hit] {{webarchive. link. (13 August 2009)
28. (2012-01-25). "Love Aaj Kal (2009) {{!}} Hindi Movie Critic Review By Taran Adarsh".
29. "Love Aaj Kal Movie Review". The Times of India.
30. (2023-08-16). "'Love Aaj Kal' is classic Imtiaz Ali fare for today's hustle-hungry generation".
31. (2019-11-27). "2009 Week: Love Aaj Kal, The Last Mainstream "Regular" Film Imtiaz Ali Made".
32. "Rockstar Movie Review". The Times of India.
33. "Review: Rockstar brings music back to our films".
34. gupta, aarav. (2023-09-14). "Exploring the Motif of Pain and Success in Imtiaz Ali's Rockstar".
35. (2022-11-12). "11 Years Of 'Rockstar': Revisiting Imtiaz Ali's Masterpiece On Its 11th Anniversary {{!}} Film Fugitives".
36. (2012-07-13). "Movie Review: Cocktail's a heady mix of love, lust and longing - shaken and stirred".
37. "Cocktail - Movie - Box Office India".
38. (February 20, 2014). "Film review: Highway".
39. (2014-02-20). "Movie Review : Highway Review: Don't miss it!".
40. (13 February 2020). "Throwback Thursday: Why Highway is the most non-Imtiaz Ali film by Imtiaz Ali ever".
41. Khasnobish, Urmi. (2022-04-06). "Breakfast Babble: Here's Why I Feel Highway Is The Finest Creation Of Imtiaz Ali!".
42. (27 November 2015). "Tamasha movie review: Deepika, Ranbir or Imtiaz - spot the rockstar here".
43. "Tamasha Movie Review". The Times of India.
44. Mishra, Himanshu. (2023-03-06). "How Ranbir Kapoor Reflects The Frustrations Of An Entire Generation In Tamasha".
45. (10 February 2020). "Monday Masala: Why Tamasha is a complex yet beautiful film".
46. (2017-08-04). "Jab Harry Met Sejal Movie Review: Jab Harry Met Sejal has its moments. But the film is riddled with cliches and flaws that takes the film down, thanks to the poor script.".
47. (11 August 2017). "Box Office: Jab Harry Met Sejal collects Rs. 3 crores on Tuesday, emerges a Disaster". [[Bollywood Hungama]].
48. (2018-09-07). "Laila Majnu movie review: Avinash Tiwary is star material, but why riddle an epic with Bollywood clichés?".
49. "Laila Majnu - Movie - Box Office India".
50. Joshi, Namrata. (2020-02-14). "'Love Aaj Kal' movie review: A tired, torturous and worn-out Valentine's Day offering". The Hindu.
51. Rajpal, Roktim. "'Love Aaj Kal' box office verdict: Kartik Aaryan and Sara Ali Khan's Movie Set To Be big disappointment".
52. Brzeski, Patrick. (2023-05-30). "Diljit Dosanjh to Star in Netflix Music Biopic 'Amar Singh Chamkila'".
53. (2022-12-09). "Parineeti Chopra, Diljit Dosanjh to begin shooting Imtiaz Ali's Chamkila".
54. Bhardwaj, Kartik. (2024-04-13). "'Amar Singh Chamkila' movie review: A musical fable which shines better on the edges".
55. DNA web desk. (May 2, 2017). "Imtiaz Ali teams up with brother Arif for a short film titled 'Paani Panchayat'".
56. (23 February 2008). "Winners of 53rd Annual Filmfare Awards". Bollywood Hungama.
57. (6 February 2008). "Nominees – 53rd Annual Filmfare Awards". Bollywood Hungama.
58. (11 February 2010). "Nominations for 55th Idea Filmfare Awards 2009".
59. (1 February 2012). "Filmfare Awards 2011 Nominations".
60. (2 February 2015). "60th Filmfare Awards: Complete list of winners".
61. (16 April 2008). "Nominations for the IIFA Awards 2008". Bollywood Hungama.
62. (9 June 2008). "The winners of the prestigious IIFA Awards 2008".
63. (8 May 2010). "Nominations for IIFA Awards 2010".
64. (5 May 2012). "Nominations for IIFA Awards 2012".
65. (14 April 2015). "Nominations for IIFA Awards 2015".
66. (31 March 2008). "'Chak De..' has a field day at Producers Guild Awards". [[The Hindu]].
67. (14 March 2008). "Nominations for 3rd Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards". Bollywood Hungama.
68. (15 December 2009). "Nominations for 5th Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards".
69. (8 January 2010). "Winners of 5th Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards".
70. (25 January 2012). "Nominations for 7th Chevrolet Apsara Film and Television Producers Guild Awards".
71. (9 January 2015). "Producers Guild of India Announced The Nominations for 2015".
72. (2 January 2008). "Nominees for 14th Annual Screen Awards". Bollywood Hungama.
73. (31 December 2009). "Nominations for Nokia 16th Annual Star Screen Awards 2009".
74. (9 January 2010). "Winners of Nokia 16th Annual Star Screen Awards 2009".
75. (8 January 2010). "21st Annual Life OK Screen Awards nominations".
76. (7 March 2017). "Kenya Tourism Board felicitates film maker Imtiaz Ali with IIFTC Tourism Impact Awards".
77. (18 July 2019). "Portugal honours Imtiaz Ali's ''Jab Harry Met Sejal''".
78. (19 July 2019). "Medal of Merit to Imtiaz Ali for "Jab Harry Met Sejal"".