School Plays To College Ragging And Making Chamkila - Imtiaz Ali Opens Up On Baatein Dil Se With Navika Kumar

Imtiaz

Ali is a filmmaker whose stories make us want to live in them. The director is responsible for creating wonderlands through his films, where love, hope and a little suffering later - everyone finds their happily ever after. However, one important question that possibly needs a resounding answer is this - what is the story behind the making of the master storyteller himself? Recently, Imtiaz joined Editor-in-Chief of The Times Group Navika Kumar on her podcast Baatein Dil Se and got candid about his journey.

How was Imtiaz Ali as a school student?

During the chat, Imtiaz Ali opened up about his childhood and revealed how he was always inclined towards art. "I was the kid in school who was always doing plays and skits, " he said. He was also writing skits by the time he was in the ninth standard. By the time he left Jamshedpur, he had some experience in creating plays. The director revealed that while he was a topper in his college, he once failed during school. In his words, "I have seen it all."

Imtiaz Ali recalls getting bullied in college

When asked about the role religion plays in the public life, Imtiaz recalled a story from his own college life. The director finished his higher education from the prestigious Hindu College in Delhi. He recalled how he was ragged by seniors. He was asked what he was doing in Hindu College if he was Imtiaz Ali - a Muslim! They asked him to write an apology letter saying he should be removed from the institute. He did not answer back as they were seniors. However, he shared something really interesting. As he sat on the floor writing that apology letter, he noticed something; the bed on which the senior was sitting had a trunk underneath it. And it had his name written on it - Mehboob Aalam.

Why did Imtiaz Ali make Amar Singh Chamkila?

Imtiaz also shared why he thought of making Diljit Dosanjh starrer Amar Singh Chamkila. He recalled several conversations he had had at Dhabas where he was told how there are several famous singers but none as successful as Chamkila. He said that a man himself brought the story to him because he believed the director portrayed Punjab very well and had a great sense on music. Imtiaz added, "It just fell into my lap" and said that it was meant to be.

The full podcast will be available on Times Now YouTube Channel very soon. Stay tuned!