Imtiaz Ali: Each time I visit the college, I see they have changed it for the worse
This time, I realised there was nothing to resent as change is inevitable. IMTIAZ ALI, Filmmaker
Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, who was in the Capital for the 99th Foundation Day celebrations of Delhi University (DU), intended to make a clandestine visit to his alma mater, Hindu College. But, once he entered the campus, he couldn’t stop himself from spending time there and was soon discovered!
“I was in the area and thought I’ll sneak in to have a look around, no pictures, just keep the visit to myself. However, once I saw Hindu College, I spent more and more time there, and was finally discovered by the vice principal and the principal and then I took pictures,” he smiles.
His days at the college, where he pursued English Hons are special to him, so much so that it almost made him feel resentful towards the way the college has changed over the years. But this time was different, says the 50-yearold. “Each time I visit the college, I see that they have changed it for the worse. This time, I realised there was nothing to resent because change is inevitable. And they are not making changes for the worse. It’s just different from how I remembered it back in my day,” Ali shares, adding that his bond with the college and campus is “eternal” and that will “never change”.
In the current situation, with the campus going online, he finds it “unfortunate” as he is of the opinion that virtual classes are no way to educate students. “But I’m sure this time will pass soon... With the correct mentality about safety precautions, I am sure DU will be able to make the classes more and more in person,” he adds, referring to the phased reopening.
Ask if we’ll get to see glimpses of DU or Hindu College in his upcoming projects and the filmmaker, who shot Rockstar
(2011) there, states,
“No such immediate plans. But hopefully soon… I’d like to say that there are many incidents featured in my stories and movies, which have taken inspiration from the time I spent in DU.”