Archive · 18 Sep 2025
Imtiaz Ali Discusses Creative Process and Career Journey
Imtiaz Ali, the director of movies like 'Jab We Met,' says his ideas come from real life but are then mixed with imagination.
He talked about how his experiences in different cities shaped his storytelling.
For example, the idea for 'Jab We Met' came from seeing a girl on a train.
He also discussed how television taught him to write and film quickly.
He shared stories about writing his first movie and how it got made.
Imtiaz Ali emphasizes the importance of lived experience as a starting point for creativity.
Imtiaz Ali's creative process begins with lived experience, followed by imagination.
His artistic perspective evolved through experiences in Jamshedpur, Delhi, and Mumbai.
Delhi's experimental theatre and 'roughness' greatly influenced Ali's work.
Ali wrote 'Jab We Met' in just two nights, using an idea from a friend.
Television work taught Ali to write quickly; he sees it as a film school.
- Who
- Imtiaz Ali, writer and director.
- What
- Interview discussing his creative process, early career, and influences.
- When
- The interview occurred at an unspecified time.
- Where
- The interview took place in an unknown location.
- Why
- To explore the creative journey and influences of Imtiaz Ali.
- Occupation
- Writer-Director
- Films Directed
- Socha Na Tha, Jab We Met, Rockstar, Amar Singh Chamkila
- Show Co-creator
- She
- First Film Script
- Socha Na Tha
- First Film Commission
- Star Bestsellers
- Jab We Met Writing Time
- Two Nights