The moment a film is announced as being directed by Imtiaz Ali, it naturally comes with a certain set of expectations. The filmmaker enjoys a legacy that few can match. He has cultivated a loyal fan following ever since his debut film, ‘Socha Na Tha’, followed by beloved titles like ‘Jab We Met’ and ‘Rockstar’, which have gone on to attain cult status.As Imtiaz returns with his latest film, ‘Main Vaapas Aunga’, which released in cinemas today, ETimes asked him in an exclusive conversation whether he feels any pressure to live up to the success of his previous work. The filmmaker, however, dismissed the idea and opened up about the mindset he carries into every new project.He told us, “I have one thought that will you come to the theatre to watch the film or do you want to talk about it? My thing is movies are made to be watched first and then spoken about. I understand it’s difficult to come to the theatres and watch a film, even for me, but is it worth it? I hope it’s worthy to watch. We’ve tried to make a film like that. I don’t have the baggage of my previous films. I try to get rid of the experience of my previous films so that I bring myself as a fresh film-maker each time and each time I think, is this film good for the audience to watch and not to talk about.”When it was pointed out that most of his films feel deeply rooted in their milieu and whether that is a conscious creative choice, Imtiaz reflected on the observation and said, “Geographically, I think you mean. I was thinking of my first film Socha Na Tha, which wasn’t that rooted. We didn’t show the ethnicity of the characters. But I think it’s important to me, now that I think of it, or it is getting important to me. I don’t have an answer but it’s an interesting observation you had.”Recently, a story surfaced about a young woman who reportedly quit her job to pursue art after being inspired by ‘Tamasha’. When asked whether he has ever found himself torn between what his heart wanted and what logic dictated, Imtiaz admitted that such dilemmas have been a constant in his life.”Always! Now when I look back, I feel that I always knew what was in my heart. Sometimes, I pretended like I’m weighing the odds, but I was always like a boat going with the flow in my life. I’ve always gone towards my interest. If the dilemma was there, half of it pretend dilemma and half of it was easy dilemma. I took many choices to go away from the line I was supposed to take.”Imtiaz’s ‘Main Vaapas Aunga’ has already started garnering positive reviews as it arrives in theatres. The film stars Naseeruddin Shah, Diljit Dosanjh, Sharvari and Vedang Raina in pivotal roles.
