Imtiaz Ali director

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Imtiaz Ali
Imtiaz Ali
Ali in 2012
Born
1971-06-16 (age 55)
Jamshedpur, Bihar, (Present day Jharkhand) India


Occupation
Template:Hlist



Imtiaz Ali (born 16 June 1971) is an Indian filmmaker. He is best known for writing and directing the romantic comedies Jab We Met (2007) and Love Aaj Kal (2009), and the dramas Rockstar (2011), Highway (2014), Tamasha (2015), Jab Harry Met Sejal (2017), and Amar Singh Chamkila (2024).

Early and personal life

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 in irrigation, 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 at St. Michael's High School, Patna and later at D.B.M.S. English School, Jamshedpur.[10][11][12] He is the elder brother of director Arif Ali, who made his directorial debut with Lekar Hum Deewana Dil (2014).

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

Initial struggles and directorial debut (1994–2006)

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]

Success (2007–2015)

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 Template:Lang 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)

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)

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] Ali is set to continue his partnership with Netflix through the upcoming romance series O Saathi Re, directed by his brother Arif Ali with Arjun Rampal in the lead role.

Filmography

Template:Pending films key

Films

Year Title Director Producer Writer Notes
2005 Socha Na Tha Template:Yes Template:Yes Template:No wrap
2006 Ahista Ahista Template:Yes
2007 Jab We Met Template:Yes Template:Yes
2009 Love Aaj Kal Template:Yes Template:Yes
2011 Rockstar Template:Yes Template:Yes
2012 Cocktail Template:Yes
2014 Highway Template:Yes Template:Yes Template:Yes
2015 Tamasha Template:Yes Template:Yes
2017 Jab Harry Met Sejal Template:Yes Template:Yes
Paani Panchayat Template:Yes Template:Yes Short[55]
2018 Laila Majnu Template:Yes
The Other Way Template:Yes Template:Yes Template:Yes Short
2020 Love Aaj Kal Template:Yes Template:Yes Template:Yes
2022 Thai Massage Template:Yes
2024 Amar Singh Chamkila Template:Yes Template:Yes Template:Yes
My Melbourne Template:Yes Anthology film
2026 Template:Pending film Template:Yes Template:Yes
As actor
Year Title Role
2004 Black Friday Yakub Memon
2025 Metro... In Dino Himself

Television

Year Title Director Producer Writer Creator Notes
1994 Imtihaan Template:Yes Unknown episodes
2020–2022 She Template:Yes Template:Yes Template:Yes 2 seasons; Template:No wrap
2022 Dr. Arora Template:Yes Template:Yes Template:Yes 8 episodes

Collaborators

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

Awards and nominations

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

Filmfare Awards

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 Template:Tooltip
2008 Jab We Met Best Director Template:Nom [56][57]
Best Dialogue Template:Won
2010 Template:Lang Best Director Template:Nom [58]
Best Story Template:Nom
Best Screenplay Template:Nom
Best Dialogue Template:Nom
2012 Rockstar Best Director Template:Nom [59]
2015 Highway Best Story Template:Nom [60]

International Indian Film Academy Awards

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 Template:Tooltip
2008 Jab We Met Best Director Template:Nom [61][62]
Best Story Template:Nom
Best Dialogue Template:Won
2010 Template:Lang Best Director Template:Nom [63]
Best Story Template:Nom
2012 Rockstar Best Director Template:Nom [64]
Best Story Template:Nom
2015 Highway Best Film Template:Nom [65]
Best Director Template:Nom

Producers Guild Film Awards

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 Template:Tooltip
2008 Jab We Met Best Director Template:Nom [66][67]
Best Screenplay Template:Nom
Best Dialogues Template:Won
2010 Template:Lang Best Director Template:Nom [68][69]
Best Story Template:Won
Best Screenplay Template:Nom
Best Dialogues Template:Nom
2012 Rockstar Best Director Template:Nom [70]
Best Screenplay Template:Nom
2015 Highway Best Director Template:Nom [71]
Best Story Template:Nom
Best Screenplay Template:Nom
Best Dialogues Template:Nom

Screen Awards

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

Year Film Category Result Template:Tooltip
2008 Jab We Met Best Story Template:Nom [72]
Best Screenplay Template:Nom
Best Dialogue Template:Nom
2010 Template:Lang Best Director Template:Nom [73][74]
Best Story Template:Won
Best Screenplay Template:Nom
Best Dialogue Template:Nom
2015 Highway Best Director Template:Nom [75]

Other awards

Year Film Category Result Template:Tooltip
2017 Template:N/A Kenya Tourism Board – IIFTC Tourism Impact Awards Template:Won [76]
2019 Jab Harry Met Sejal Portuguese Government – Portuguese Touristic Medal of Merit Template:Won [77][78]

References

  1. ↑ I was an underachiever who lied to look better: Imtiaz Ali. The Times of India(13 May 2013). Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  2. ↑ I was an underachiever who lied to look better: Imtiaz Ali. The Times of India(13 May 2013). 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 Template:Dead link
  4. ↑ I'd like to give Jab We Met an overhaul: Imtiaz Ali. CNN-IBN(6 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. ↑ I was an underachiever who lied to look better: Imtiaz Ali. The Times of India.
  8. ↑ From Patna boy to Pakistani TV legend. dna(2016-04-10). Retrieved 2018-08-29.
  9. ↑ Pak films funded by the army for image building: Director Khalid Ahmad(6 July 2016).
  10. ↑ Director Imtiaz Ali started with TV. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
  11. ↑ A Poem of His, Ali, Imtiaz. 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). Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  16. ↑ Imtiaz in no mood for sequels. IBNLive. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
  17. ↑ Rishtey - Full Ep - 58 - Zee TV(6 December 2019).
  18. ↑ Imtiaz Ali was warned against narrating Socha Na Tha's script to Sunny Deol: 'He may slap you'. The Indian Express(2023-10-17). Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  19. ↑ BBC - Movies - review - Socha Na Tha (Who Would Have Thought?). www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  20. ↑ Socha Na Tha - Movie - Box Office India. boxofficeindia.com. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  21. ↑ It took 3 years to make my first movie: Imtiaz Ali(2012-09-09).
  22. ↑ Jab We Met Movie Review. The Times of India. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  23. ↑ Box Office 2007. BoxOfficeIndia.com. Retrieved 9 January 2008.
  24. ↑ 16 Best Bollywood Romantic Movies That Define Love. filmfare.com. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  25. ↑ Valentine's Day: 5 best romantic movies to watch with your partner - Valentine's Day. The Economic Times. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  26. ↑ Love Aaj Kal - Movie - Box Office India. boxofficeindia.com. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  27. ↑ Love Aaj Kal, a Smash Hit Template:Webarchive
  28. ↑ Love Aaj Kal (2009) | Hindi Movie Critic Review By Taran Adarsh. Bollywood Hungama(2012-01-25). Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  29. ↑ Love Aaj Kal Movie Review. The Times of India. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  30. ↑ 'Love Aaj Kal' is classic Imtiaz Ali fare for today's hustle-hungry generation. Vogue India(2023-08-16). Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  31. ↑ 2009 Week: Love Aaj Kal, The Last Mainstream "Regular" Film Imtiaz Ali Made. dontcallitbollywood(2019-11-27). Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  32. ↑ Rockstar Movie Review. The Times of India. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  33. ↑ Review: Rockstar brings music back to our films. DNA India. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  34. ↑ Exploring the Motif of Pain and Success in Imtiaz Ali's Rockstar, gupta, aarav. Medium(2023-09-14). Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  35. ↑ 11 Years Of 'Rockstar': Revisiting Imtiaz Ali's Masterpiece On Its 11th Anniversary | Film Fugitives(2022-11-12). Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  36. ↑ Movie Review: Cocktail's a heady mix of love, lust and longing - shaken and stirred. Firstpost(2012-07-13). Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  37. ↑ Cocktail - Movie - Box Office India. boxofficeindia.com. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  38. ↑ Film review: Highway. Mumbai Mirror(February 20, 2014). Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  39. ↑ Movie Review : Highway Review: Don't miss it!. Sify(2014-02-20). Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  40. ↑ Throwback Thursday: Why Highway is the most non-Imtiaz Ali film by Imtiaz Ali ever. India Today(13 February 2020). Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  41. ↑ Breakfast Babble: Here's Why I Feel Highway Is The Finest Creation Of Imtiaz Ali!, Khasnobish, Urmi(2022-04-06). Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  42. ↑ Tamasha movie review: Deepika, Ranbir or Imtiaz - spot the rockstar here. India Today(27 November 2015). Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  43. ↑ Tamasha Movie Review. The Times of India. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  44. ↑ How Ranbir Kapoor Reflects The Frustrations Of An Entire Generation In Tamasha, Mishra, Himanshu. www.filmcompanion.in(2023-03-06). Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  45. ↑ Monday Masala: Why Tamasha is a complex yet beautiful film. India Today(10 February 2020). Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  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(2017-08-04). Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  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(2018-09-07). Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  49. ↑ Laila Majnu - Movie - Box Office India. boxofficeindia.com. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  50. ↑ 'Love Aaj Kal' movie review: A tired, torturous and worn-out Valentine's Day offering. The Hindu(2020-02-14). Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  51. ↑ 'Love Aaj Kal' box office verdict: Kartik Aaryan and Sara Ali Khan's Movie Set To Be big disappointment, Rajpal, Roktim. Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  52. ↑ Diljit Dosanjh to Star in Netflix Music Biopic 'Amar Singh Chamkila', Brzeski, Patrick. The Hollywood Reporter(2023-05-30). Retrieved 2023-10-02.
  53. ↑ Parineeti Chopra, Diljit Dosanjh to begin shooting Imtiaz Ali's Chamkila. The Indian Express(2022-12-09). Retrieved 2023-10-02.
  54. ↑ 'Amar Singh Chamkila' movie review: A musical fable which shines better on the edges, Bhardwaj, Kartik. The New Indian Express(2024-04-13). Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  55. ↑ Imtiaz Ali teams up with brother Arif for a short film titled 'Paani Panchayat'. DNA India(May 2, 2017).
  56. ↑ Winners of 53rd Annual Filmfare Awards. Bollywood Hungama(23 February 2008). Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  57. ↑ Nominees – 53rd Annual Filmfare Awards. Bollywood Hungama(6 February 2008). Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  58. ↑ Nominations for 55th Idea Filmfare Awards 2009. Bollywood Hungama(11 February 2010). Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  59. ↑ Filmfare Awards 2011 Nominations. The Times of India(1 February 2012). Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  60. ↑ 60th Filmfare Awards: Complete list of winners. India TV(2 February 2015). Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  61. ↑ Nominations for the IIFA Awards 2008. Bollywood Hungama(16 April 2008). Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  62. ↑ The winners of the prestigious IIFA Awards 2008. CNN-News18(9 June 2008). Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  63. ↑ Nominations for IIFA Awards 2010. Bollywood Hungama(8 May 2010). Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  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). Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  67. ↑ Nominations for 3rd Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards. Bollywood Hungama(14 March 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(2 January 2008). 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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