LOVE IS STILL A MYSTERY TO ME
Imtiaz Ali says he knows nothing about love; relies on his thoughts and reflections to explore the concept
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 (laughs). 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 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 (smiles).’ 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 naturally have. I try to be touch with my ‘real’ lf, and not do things in action to something.
ming to your next, ve Aaj Kal [LAK], it ems to have the ame concept, attern as your first ve Aaj Kal. Your ke?
e, I’ve never done a ake, part two, a uel or anything of t sort. So, vis-à-vis AK, 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.
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.
You’ve seen many successes as well as failures. But by now, have you developed any software or hardware to deal with everything?
I think I entered the industry equipped with the software to deal with success and failure, and that’s shamelessness (laughs). It helps me not to ponder much. I always tell myself that I came from Jamshedpur/Delhi since I love making films. That’s what I should do and make them as well as I can since I enjoy that. I hope all my works is successful but if it’s not, then what different you can do. When Jab Harry Met Sejal didn’t do well, I, of course, didn’t enjoy that fact at all. But even if it was a success, I’d still be making the best film that I can. Right?
Talking about Love Aaj Kal [LAK], you chose the ’90s to showcase the past era. Do you feel a special affinity towards the ’90s?
I am at a different age now but when I see 20-year-olds, I think of the times when I was that age. That’s why the ’90s, when I was in my 20s. So, be it getting into relationships for the first time or the gamut of loverelated emotions, it all happened to me then. In my case, it was even earlier but the 20s is the age when it happens to most people. So, if a person, who is nearly my age, looks at modern-day relationships thinking of times when he was that young, then the ’90s becomes the right period.
For you, did the ’90s also bring a personal connection?
Yes, because I understand the texture of the romance of that era because I was there. I have seen those things around me, in me. For instance, in our film, a group goes to watch Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988), and that affects their romance. I know that emotion very well and also how people would wear clothes, especially in small towns. So, it’s about familiarity and also a secret desire to see what happens when Dil Deewana [from Maine Pyaar Kiya; 1989] plays in a gully. Those things bring a smile to my face. So, I was like, ‘let’s depict it, and pay homage to those great films, which had a great influence on my life.’
Coming to film’s star cast, what made you choose Kartik Aaryan and Sara Ali Khan?
I was initially trying to work out another story. And when I happened to meet Kartik, I discussed that story with him and found him very accessible, someone you can talk to, and he also understands quickly. So, I knew I can work with this guy. And then I spoke to him about Love Aaj Kal. And the same happened with Sara too, who is very talented. I have known her for the longest time, and was very eager to work with her. Now, I realise — especially after watching the film — that they are more suited to this story than the first one. I feel it’s all about signs connecting you to the right direction, where I also wanted to go.
And then, you also have a newbie, Arushi Sharma?
I am very fond of her. We first bumped into Arushi at her engineering college near Shimla, when one of my assistants zeroed in on her for the part of Princess Sanyukta
[in Tamasha; 2015]. And she did a great job in that little part. I was enchanted when I saw her for the first time. There’s something very pleasant about her. While working with her, I realised she has an innate, natural ability to act. So, I was looking for a chance to work with her again. When I finished writing LAK, I knew I will look for many girls — everyone out there — but I’ll finally choose her (smiles). Now, when people praise her after the trailer and songs, it kind of vindicates me. I feel relieved and gratified.