Imtiaz Ali’s phone has been constantly beeping with congratulatory calls and messages. The look of contentment is apparent on his face, as he settles down to chat with us about films and more...
Imtiaz Ali has been getting some high praise for Tamasha, which was one of the most awaited films of the year. In his words, “The response is better than what I expected, for sure.” He is clearly not a numbers person, although he has had an impressive record at the box office. “I just have a feeling that people will like the film. The other day I met a girl who told me that she had quit her job after watching the film. Of course, there are those who didn’t like the film and I knew Tamasha was not a safe film to make. But I feel gratified and overwhelmed when people I don’t know tell me the film has had a positive effect on them.”
Right from the time the film was announced, Tamasha has been making news, mostly because of its lead actors Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone and the personal history they share. In a candid chat, Imtiaz talks about his actors, his approach to cinema, casting coups, his newly acquired ‘flirt’ tag, how his daughter helped him make Tamasha and more. Excerpts:
On working with former lovers: I don’t think that has any bearing on the film. Those who are interested in the personal lives of people are not interested in the cinema of those people. But the fact that Ranbir and Deepika respect each other as actors and share a comfortable equation, really helped. They have known each other a long time and that is certainly an advantage — there is this intoxication to work or to act that they share.
On his approach to cinema: I want to make interesting films but I do understand that entertainment doesn’t only mean laughter and hot saucy scenes. I also have to keep in mind that those who have invested in the film should get their money back, and those who are watching, get their money’s worth. Making a film is the most expensive way to tell a story and it needs to reach a large number of people. If it doesn’t do that, I won’t make the film. I will probably write it as a novel or as a play.
On what makes him trust Ranbir Kapoor: People like to see him. A film is permanent but fame and popularity is very transient. Ten years from now, nobody will even remember that Ranbir went through a lean phase in his career. During Jab We Met, neither Shahid nor Kareena were enjoying their best time careerwise. Other actors were doing a lot better than them. But today, nobody will say that I should have cast others. It really depends upon the film. The film has such a long life. I don’t really believe in the immediate market value of an actor, I believe in an actor’s capability to play a character.
On Deepika calling him a flirt: Don’t believe in hearsay, we are friends we pull each other’s leg. Because I was not part of the interview, they went ahead and said what they had to (chuckles). You are a girl. Do you feel I am flirting with you I think women are smart enough to know who’s a flirt and who’s not. I wish I were more successful in charming girls. If the tag was real, then I wouldn’t be how I am right now.
On his daughter: She’s too young, she’s in school. She is interested in watching good films and is interested in stories. We talk about a lot of stories and she has her own stories to say. In fact, I have not really said this aloud before, but she really was my bouncing boat for Tamasha. Especially towards the beginning, all the stories and the world of stories the kid goes to, I bounced those by her and she gave me some ideas, she also approved and rejected a few. I have trusted her sensibility a lot for this film. Of course, there is a large part of the film that she is not old enough to understand. But I do see that she is interested in stories. I don’t know where that’s going to go. The world is open and the choice is hers. I will encourage her in whichever path she chooses to take.
