Imtiaz Ali transformed into a storyteller for Delhiites at the Kathakar International Storytelling Festival on a frigid winter Sunday night at Sunder Nursery. It was certainly the best way for his devotees, who arrived bearing the filmmaker’s photographs, CDs, and posters of his flicks, to spend their Sunday evening. Imtiaz discussed his Delhi days, what caused him to miss the FIFA World Cup, and why producing music for Rockstar felt like a workshop in an interview with Mohit Chauhan.
WAS SCHEDULED TO ATTEND A WORLD CUP MATCH IN QATAR, BUT CAME TO DELHI INSTEAD: ALI IMTIAZ
“It is true that the aura of this area is fortunate in many ways,” Imtiaz, a regular speaker at the Kathakar International Storytelling Festival, said. If you look around, you will see huge historical structures as well as spirituality. Next door is Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, and there is Gurdwara Damdama Sahib. In some respects, I believe this is a really lucky location. I was meant to be in Qatar for the World Cup, seeing a match, and I was going to be driven there for free, with someone organising the ticket as well.Unhone kaha aap kaun si team karte ho? I stated I follow Brazil and believe we will win this time. I wanted to attend a Brazil game, but there was also this, so I figured woh pata nahi, yeh dekh lete hain pehle. That wasn’t the main reason, but I’m glad to be here.
‘DELHI GIRLS ARE VERY TALKATIVE, AND THEY TALK IN A SPECIFIC STYLE.’
Imtiaz has various anecdotes to tell about his time in Delhi. The moderator began by stating that there are stories that we may discuss and ones that we cannot discuss. “The tale that I’m thinking about, it’s a story with numerous people,” Imtiaz responded. “I had moved to Delhi from Jamshedpur; I used to be a part of a theatre company called Act One while residing at the Hindu College’s dormitory,” he said. We used to travel to Jamshedpur by rail from Delhi. My pals would insist on accompanying me since the most attractive girl was usually in my compartment.Buses are really convenient. I used to find Delhi females to be highly chatty; they would chatter nonstop.
‘JAB WE MEET WAS THE MOST REJECTED’
According to Imtiaz Ali, one of his most beloved films, Jab We Met, was the most rejected. “But not everything that is rejected is always harmful.” It’s just not suitable for that person right now.
Everything I’ve done, especially the ones that have been successful, jo zyada chali hain, wahi zyada reject bhi hui hain. I can’t tell you how many producers and actors turned it down. Not because it was wrong, but because it was inappropriate for them at the time. And this is what I want to convey to young people: rejection is not a reflection of the quality of your work.Rejections must be viewed as a badge of honour. If something is easily accepted, there is typically something wrong with it. “”Be careful of things that are readily accepted; they indicate that you haven’t reached your depth in them,” the director cautioned.
Imtiaz Ali: My films fulfil all of the unfinished storylines in my life
