Writer of the Week: Imtiaz Ali

Comments [ 0 ] By Jenifer Y. | 14 March 2014 | 10:13pm

To follow up from our special Writer of the Week feature, BollyCurry brings you the multi-talented director, producer and writer, Imtiaz Ali. Born on June 16th, 1971 in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India, he attended University of Delhi, where he largely participated in college theater. It was from this point that he saw himself becoming an integral part of the film industry and dedicated his future career in achieving success in this field.

Ali began his directorial career with television shows on top channels such as Star Plus and Zee TV. However, it was in 2005 when he made his film directorial debut in Bollywood with the movie Socha Na Tha, starring Abhay Deol in is debut role and Ayesha Takia. The film failed to do well at the box office but gained critical success. Ali's next film includes of the again Abhay Deol and Soha Ali Khan starrer Ahista Ahista in 2006. However, Ali just wrote the script and passed the director's hat to Shivam Nair who made his Bollywood directorial debut with this film.

Ali's next film came in 2007 with Jab We Met, starring the then real-life couple, Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor. The film gained him immense success and fame, marking his slow but sure rise to glory, including the Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue. Also in the same year, Ali starred in Anurag Kashyap's Black Friday as Yakub Memon, which is his only on-screen presence till date. His next directorial came with Love Aaj Kal in 2009 starring Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone. The movie remains to be his best commercial success to date grossing 89 crore in India alone.

In 2011, Ali directed Rockstar starring Ranbir Kapoor and debutante Nargis Fakri. The film was a huge commercial success winning numerous accolades, despite the mixed response and continuously being surrounded in a cloud of controversy pre and post release. Next followed Cocktail in 2012 starring the hit couple from his previous venture, Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone with Diana Penty make her Bollywood debut. Again Ali did not take directorial ownership of the film, giving it to Homi Adajania instead and writing just the script for this successful film.

In 2013, Ali founded his own production company called Window Seat Films. The company debuted with the 2014 film Highway starring Randeep Hooda and Alia Bhatt in lead roles. The movie was adapted from an episode of the same name from Zee TV's series Rishtey, which was also written and directed by Ali himself.

The next film to release under the production banner is the yet to be released film tentatively titled Window Seat. The movie will star the much talked of on-screen couple, Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone. The film is set to release in some time in 2015. There are also rumors that Ali plans on remaking a South Korean movie which will star Shahid Kapoor and Kaitrina Kaif in lead roles.

From the little boy who lived near cinema theaters and dreamt of living in film world himself, Imtiaz Ali is slowly achieving his goals but sure has come a long way in less than a decade. BollyCurry wishes him even further success and glory for the upcoming years!

Writer: Fariha L.
Editors: Komal P. and Jenifer Y.
Graphics: Komal P.

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