Wikipedia

Imtiaz Ali (director)

Imtiaz Ali (born 16 June 1971) is an Indian film director, producer, and screenwriter. He is best known for directing Jab We Met (2007), Love Aaj Kal (2009), Rockstar (2011), Highway (2014), Tamasha (2015) and Amar Singh Chamkila (2024).

Imtiaz Ali
Ali in 2012
Born (1971-06-16) 16 June 1971 (age 53)
Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India
Occupations
  • Film director
  • screenwriter
  • producer
Years active1994–present
Spouse
Preety Ali
​
(m. 1995)​
Children1
RelativesKhalid Ahmed (maternal uncle)

Early and personal life

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Imtiaz Ali was born in Jamshedpur[1][2][3] and spent some of his early years in Patna.[4][5][6]

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.[7] His uncle, through his mother, is Pakistani TV actor and director/producer Khalid Ahmed.[8][9] He had his early education in St. Michael's High School, Patna and later in D.B.M.S. English School, Jamshedpur.[10][11][12] He is the brother of director Arif Ali (who made his directional 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.[13] Thereafter he moved to Mumbai and did a diploma course from Xavier Institute of Communication.[14][15]

Career

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Initial struggles and directorial debut (1994–2006)

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Ali began his career directing TV programs including Kurukshetra for Zee TV and Imtihaan for Doordarshan.[16] His initial work also includes a forty-five-minute slot telefilm for series Rishtey on Zee TV;[17] 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."[18] Upon release, it received mixed-to-positive reviews from the critics, but emerged as a commercial failure at the box office.[19][20] He quoted, later in an interview, that it took him three years to make the film.[21]

Widespread success (2007–2015)

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His second directorial venture, the romantic comedy Jab We Met starring Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor, emerged as a major critical and commercial success.[22][23] 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.[24][25]

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.[26][27] The film received widespread critical acclaim, earning Ali his second nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Director.[28][29] 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.[30][31]

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.[32][33] 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.[34][35]

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.[36][37]

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.[38][39] The film has been widely credited as one of Bollywood's best films depicting mental disorders (in this case, Stockholm syndrome).[40][41]

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;[42][43] however, it has gone on to achieve cult status for its subject and has also been recognised as one of Ali's best films.[44][45]

Creative decline (2017–2020)

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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.[46][47]

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.[48][49]

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.[50][51]

Resurgence (2024–present)

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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.[52][53] 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.[54]

Filmography

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Films

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Year Title Director Producer Writer Notes
2005 Socha Na Tha Yes Yes Also editor
2006 Ahista Ahista Yes
2007 Jab We Met Yes Yes
2009 Love Aaj Kal Yes Yes
2011 Rockstar Yes Yes
2012 Cocktail Yes
2014 Highway Yes Yes Yes
2015 Tamasha Yes Yes
2017 Jab Harry Met Sejal Yes Yes
Paani Panchayat Yes Yes Short[55]
2018 Laila Majnu Yes
The Other Way Yes Yes Yes Short
2020 Love Aaj Kal Yes Yes Yes
2022 Thai Massage Yes
2024 Amar Singh Chamkila Yes Yes Yes
2024 My Melbourne Yes Yes

Acting credits

Year Title Role
2004 Black Friday Yakub Memon

Television

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Year Title Director Producer Writer Creator Notes
1994 Imtihaan Yes Unknown episodes
2020–2022 She Yes Yes Yes 2 seasons; 14 episodes
2022 Dr. Arora Yes Yes Yes 8 episodes

Collaborators

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Collaborator Socha Na Tha
(2005) 		Jab We Met
(2007) 		Love Aaj Kal
(2009) 		Rockstar
(2011) 		Highway
(2014) 		Tamasha
(2015) 		Jab Harry Met Sejal
(2017) 		Love Aaj Kal
(2020) 		Amar Singh Chamkila
(2024)
Ranbir Kapoor    
Deepika Padukone    
Randeep Hooda    
Irshad Kamil                  
Sandesh Shandilya    
A. R. Rahman        
Pritam        
Mohit Chauhan              
Natty Subramaniam    
Anil Mehta    
Aarti Bajaj                

Awards and nominations

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

Filmfare Awards

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

Year Film Category Result Ref.
2008 Jab We Met Best Director Nominated [56][57]
Best Dialogue Won
2010 Love Aaj Kal Best Director Nominated [58]
Best Story Nominated
Best Screenplay Nominated
Best Dialogue Nominated
2012 Rockstar Best Director Nominated [59]
2015 Highway Best Story Nominated [60]

International Indian Film Academy Awards

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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.

Year Film Category Result Ref.
2008 Jab We Met Best Director Nominated [61][62]
Best Story Nominated
Best Dialogue Won
2010 Love Aaj Kal Best Director Nominated [63]
Best Story Nominated
2012 Rockstar Best Director Nominated [64]
Best Story Nominated
2015 Highway Best Film Nominated [65]
Best Director Nominated

Producers Guild Film Awards

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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.

Year Film Category Result Ref.
2008 Jab We Met Best Director Nominated [66][67]
Best Screenplay Nominated
Best Dialogues Won
2010 Love Aaj Kal Best Director Nominated [68][69]
Best Story Won
Best Screenplay Nominated
Best Dialogues Nominated
2012 Rockstar Best Director Nominated [70]
Best Screenplay Nominated
2015 Highway Best Director Nominated [71]
Best Story Nominated
Best Screenplay Nominated
Best Dialogues Nominated

Screen Awards

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

Year Film Category Result Ref.
2008 Jab We Met Best Story Nominated [72]
Best Screenplay Nominated
Best Dialogue Nominated
2010 Love Aaj Kal Best Director Nominated [73][74]
Best Story Won
Best Screenplay Nominated
Best Dialogue Nominated
2015 Highway Best Director Nominated [75]

Other awards

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Year Film Category Result Ref.
2017 — Kenya Tourism Board – IIFTC Tourism Impact Awards Won [76]
2019 Jab Harry Met Sejal Portuguese Government – Portuguese Touristic Medal of Merit Won [77][78]

References

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  1. ^ Gupta, Priya (13 May 2013). "I was an underachiever who lied to look better: Imtiaz Ali". The Times of India. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  2. ^ Gupta, Priya (13 May 2013). "I was an underachiever who lied to look better: Imtiaz Ali". The Times of India. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  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]
  4. ^ "I'd like to give Jab We Met an overhaul: Imtiaz Ali". CNN-IBN. 6 June 2009. Archived from the original on 7 June 2009. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  5. ^ "Imtiaz Ali mulls a film on Patna". The Times of India. 12 December 2016.
  6. ^ "Birthday Special: Imtiaz Ali dated a 14-year younger girl; had an affair with this Pakistani Actress!". 16 June 2019.
  7. ^ Khan, Tabish. "I was an underachiever who lied to look better: Imtiaz Ali". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 8 June 2013.
  8. ^ "From Patna boy to Pakistani TV legend". dna. 10 April 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  9. ^ "Pak films funded by the army for image building: Director Khalid Ahmad". 6 July 2016.
  10. ^ "Director Imtiaz Ali started with TV". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
  11. ^ Ali, Imtiaz. "A Poem of His". www.dbms.edu.in.
  12. ^ "DBMS to star in ex-student's film". www.dbms.edu.in.
  13. ^ The Graduates – the Hindu College alumni Indian Express, Tuesday, 14 April 2009.
  14. ^ Times interview The Times of India, 26 April 2009.
  15. ^ "Talented Mr Ali". Sakshijuneja.com. 7 April 2006. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  16. ^ "Imtiaz in no mood for sequels". IBNLive. Archived from the original on 3 February 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
  17. ^ Rishtey - Full Ep - 58 - Zee TV, 6 December 2019, retrieved 27 March 2024
  18. ^ "Imtiaz Ali was warned against narrating Socha Na Tha's script to Sunny Deol: 'He may slap you'". The Indian Express. 17 October 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  19. ^ "BBC - Movies - review - Socha Na Tha (Who Would Have Thought?)". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  20. ^ "Socha Na Tha - Movie - Box Office India". boxofficeindia.com. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  21. ^ It took 3 years to make my first movie: Imtiaz Ali, 9 September 2012, retrieved 28 January 2016
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  23. ^ "Box Office 2007". BoxOfficeIndia.com. Archived from the original on 14 October 2013. Retrieved 9 January 2008.
  24. ^ "16 Best Bollywood Romantic Movies That Define Love". filmfare.com. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  25. ^ "Valentine's Day: 5 best romantic movies to watch with your partner - Valentine's Day". The Economic Times. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  26. ^ "Love Aaj Kal - Movie - Box Office India". boxofficeindia.com. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  27. ^ Love Aaj Kal, a Smash Hit Archived 13 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  28. ^ "Love Aaj Kal (2009) | Hindi Movie Critic Review By Taran Adarsh". Bollywood Hungama. 25 January 2012. Archived from the original on 25 January 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  29. ^ "Love Aaj Kal Movie Review". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  30. ^ "'Love Aaj Kal' is classic Imtiaz Ali fare for today's hustle-hungry generation". Vogue India. 16 August 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  31. ^ "2009 Week: Love Aaj Kal, The Last Mainstream "Regular" Film Imtiaz Ali Made". dontcallitbollywood. 27 November 2019. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  32. ^ "Rockstar Movie Review". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  33. ^ "Review: Rockstar brings music back to our films". DNA India. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  34. ^ gupta, aarav (14 September 2023). "Exploring the Motif of Pain and Success in Imtiaz Ali's Rockstar". Medium. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  35. ^ "11 Years Of 'Rockstar': Revisiting Imtiaz Ali's Masterpiece On Its 11th Anniversary | Film Fugitives". 12 November 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  36. ^ "Movie Review: Cocktail's a heady mix of love, lust and longing - shaken and stirred". Firstpost. 13 July 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  37. ^ "Cocktail - Movie - Box Office India". boxofficeindia.com. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  38. ^ "Film review: Highway". Mumbai Mirror. 20 February 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  39. ^ "Movie Review : Highway Review: Don't miss it!". Sify. 20 February 2014. Archived from the original on 20 February 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  40. ^ "Throwback Thursday: Why Highway is the most non-Imtiaz Ali film by Imtiaz Ali ever". India Today. 13 February 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  41. ^ Khasnobish, Urmi (6 April 2022). "Breakfast Babble: Here's Why I Feel Highway Is The Finest Creation Of Imtiaz Ali!". Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  42. ^ "Tamasha movie review: Deepika, Ranbir or Imtiaz - spot the rockstar here". India Today. 27 November 2015. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  43. ^ "Tamasha Movie Review". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  44. ^ Mishra, Himanshu (6 March 2023). "How Ranbir Kapoor Reflects The Frustrations Of An Entire Generation In Tamasha". www.filmcompanion.in. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  45. ^ "Monday Masala: Why Tamasha is a complex yet beautiful film". India Today. 10 February 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  46. ^ "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". Bollywood Hungama. 4 August 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  47. ^ "Box Office: Jab Harry Met Sejal collects Rs. 3 crores on Tuesday, emerges a Disaster". Bollywood Hungama. 11 August 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  48. ^ "Laila Majnu movie review: Avinash Tiwary is star material, but why riddle an epic with Bollywood clichés?". Firstpost. 7 September 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  49. ^ "Laila Majnu - Movie - Box Office India". boxofficeindia.com. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  50. ^ Joshi, Namrata (14 February 2020). "'Love Aaj Kal' movie review: A tired, torturous and worn-out Valentine's Day offering". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  51. ^ Rajpal, Roktim. "'Love Aaj Kal' box office verdict: Kartik Aaryan and Sara Ali Khan's Movie Set To Be big disappointment". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  52. ^ Brzeski, Patrick (30 May 2023). "Diljit Dosanjh to Star in Netflix Music Biopic 'Amar Singh Chamkila'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  53. ^ "Parineeti Chopra, Diljit Dosanjh to begin shooting Imtiaz Ali's Chamkila". The Indian Express. 9 December 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  54. ^ Bhardwaj, Kartik (13 April 2024). "'Amar Singh Chamkila' movie review: A musical fable which shines better on the edges". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  55. ^ DNA web desk (2 May 2017). "Imtiaz Ali teams up with brother Arif for a short film titled 'Paani Panchayat'". DNA India.
  56. ^ "Winners of 53rd Annual Filmfare Awards". Bollywood Hungama. 23 February 2008. Archived from the original on 22 November 2011. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
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  58. ^ "Nominations for 55th Idea Filmfare Awards 2009". Bollywood Hungama. 11 February 2010. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
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  62. ^ "The winners of the prestigious IIFA Awards 2008". CNN-News18. 9 June 2008. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
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  64. ^ "Nominations for IIFA Awards 2012". Bollywood Hungama. 5 May 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  65. ^ "Nominations for IIFA Awards 2015". Bollywood Hungama. 14 April 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  66. ^ "'Chak De..' has a field day at Producers Guild Awards". The Hindu. 31 March 2008. Archived from the original on 5 April 2008. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  67. ^ "Nominations for 3rd Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards". Bollywood Hungama. 14 March 2008. Archived from the original on 18 June 2008. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  68. ^ "Nominations for 5th Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards". Bollywood Hungama. 15 December 2009. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  69. ^ "Winners of 5th Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards". Bollywood Hungama. 8 January 2010. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  70. ^ "Nominations for 7th Chevrolet Apsara Film and Television Producers Guild Awards". Bollywood Hungama. 25 January 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  71. ^ "Producers Guild of India Announced The Nominations for 2015". NDTV. 9 January 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  72. ^ "Nominees for 14th Annual Screen Awards". Bollywood Hungama. IndiaFM News Bureau. 2 January 2008. Archived from the original on 29 April 2009. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  73. ^ "Nominations for Nokia 16th Annual Star Screen Awards 2009". Bollywood Hungama. 31 December 2009. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  74. ^ "Winners of Nokia 16th Annual Star Screen Awards 2009". Bollywood Hungama. 9 January 2010. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  75. ^ "21st Annual Life OK Screen Awards nominations". Indian Express. 8 January 2010. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  76. ^ "Kenya Tourism Board felicitates film maker Imtiaz Ali with IIFTC Tourism Impact Awards". Travelmail. 7 March 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  77. ^ "Portugal honours Imtiaz Ali's Jab Harry Met Sejal". Outlook India. 18 July 2019. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  78. ^ "Medal of Merit to Imtiaz Ali for "Jab Harry Met Sejal"". Tourism India. 19 July 2019. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
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