How Imtiaz Ali Evolved from Stage Plays to Iconic Films
Imtiaz Ali: In Screenwriters Inc., Mihir Chitre interviews 33 prominent filmmakers and writers, including luminaries like Sai Paranjpye and Anjum Rajabali. Among them, Imtiaz Ali, the director behind hits like Socha Na Tha, Jab We Met, Rockstar, Amar Singh Chamkila, and the co-creator of the series She, shared insights into the evolution of his artistic vision.
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From Jamshedpur to Delhi and Bombay
Imtiaz Ali reflected on how his journey across cities shaped his approach to storytelling and filmmaking. “My perspective shifted significantly, influenced by the type of theatre I engaged with—not just as a writer but also as an actor and director,” he said.
In Jamshedpur, Imtiaz Ali’s focus was on traditional English theatre, which emphasized strict conventions, such as ensuring an actor’s shoulder blade never crossed the audience’s line of sight or that they never turned their back. His early writing mirrored this style—flowery, somewhat pretentious, and exclusively in English.
The move to Delhi proved transformative. Here, Imtiaz was exposed to experimental theatre, which marked a turning point in both his creative and linguistic journey. “Although Hindi was the language spoken at home, I had always written in English until I arrived in Delhi. This period introduced me to Hindi storytelling, and it completely changed the way I approached writing and direction,” he explained.