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LOVE IS STILL A MYSTERY TO ME
Prashant Singh
When he first made people sit up and take notice of his talent in Socha Na Tha (2005) followed by the cult hit, Jab We Met (2007), not many knew that Imtiaz Ali will soon leave an indelible mark in the Hindi film world with his inimitable, deep-rooted take on love. But just when you think of anointing him the ‘master of romance’, Imtiaz leaves you stumped, saying he knows nothing about it. “It’s not as though I am a master at it so I am telling you such stories but it’s more like I’m trying to understand it and movies are getting made,” says Imtiaz, as he readies for the release of Love Aaj Kal (LAK) starring Kartik Aaryan, Sara Ali Khan and Arushi Sharma. Excerpts:
2020 marks 15 years since you have been weaving stories...
Honestly, I don’t look back at my career or the professional life. But I do look back at my life, friends and people, so looking back is personal that way. I am always connected with people from my past. But I don’t try to learn too much from what [work] I did in the past. Maybe, I should
You work on one film and put all of yourself into it. And then, you kind of move on from there, and not go back. So, in some way, it’s poignant and good too because that way, you clear out the deck for newer things to come in. Else, it’ll be like being in a relationship that you don’t have anymore.
Your first film (Socha Na Tha) had an innate charm that stemmed from the fact that it was very raw, real and innocent. Have you managed to retain that magic?
I don’t think I’m the right person to answer that. And I don’t even know whether I have been able to maintain or conserve the innocence or rawness in my filmmaking. But whatever I do, even now, I don’t try to be more innocent or raw. I think the only way ahead is truthfulness and honesty. I’m a different person from when I made Socha Na Tha, and have learnt many things after that. Now, I have to look at how I perceive things at this stage and depict them beautifully. But my basic tools, fascinations, interests and process, remain the same. Also, since I’ve always written and directed my films, the process has remained intact.
Along with your legion of fans, a section of people also feel that you only make romantic films. How do you react to this?
I feel many emotions at the same time. If it’s said in praise, I feel like telling them, ‘I don’t know about it [love]. Maybe, you know more than I do. And
Has your idea of love/ romance changed, or metamorphosed over the years, or does the core remain the same?
I know that since I often make films about romantic relationships, I’m supposed to be someone who ‘knows everything about love.’ But the fact is that I know nothing. Since I don’t know anything about it and am still engaged with that concept, I’m still trying to understand it, as it remains a mystery to me. And the movies I make are a result of that churning in my mind. I don’t know anything more than anyone else. I do have some images, reflections and thoughts, and I’ve also realised a few things which I can present through stories. that I am just more interested in it than you are.’ If someone feels I only make romantic films, I also wonder, ‘why that happens But the fact of the matter is that I can show only those grains that grow in my garden. I just can’t invent or artificially inseminate something. So, most of the times, when such things are said, I try and not get affected by it as I want to enjoy the freedom of the range that I aturally have. I try to be touch with my ‘real’ lf, and not do things reaction to mething.
oming to your next, ove Aaj Kal [LAK], it ems to have the me concept, pattern your first Love Aaj l. Your take?
e, I’ve never done a ake, part two, a uel or anything of that rt. So, vis-à-vis LAK, it all started with random conversations that if it was to be made today, it’d be very relevant and you would have a particular kind of guy and a girl. Also, I feel, it came from the fact that in the last 10 years, I’ve seen young people getting into relationships in a totally different — almost in a reverse kind of a process — than it was a decade back or 20 years ago. Yet, what they are looking for and their desire remains absolutely the same.
I enjoyed being in front of the camera and I liked rehearsing. But the moments in between the shots were the times when I used to feel lost.
ACTOR
So, are you saying that your ‘regular’ conversations led you to this film?
Yes, and also, I guess the whole idea of love and relationships have gradually gone through such a dramatic change that I found myself talking about it time and again. I was going to make another film but I spoke so much about it that it started to form like a story in my head. While I was prepping to get into the shoot of the other film, I realised that I already have this story and I’m more excited about it. And plus, this was also more topical. So, I went for it.