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Stories told with honesty help define who we are becoming: Imtiaz Ali
Stories told with honesty help define who we are becoming: Imtiaz Ali

Time of India

time5 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • Time of India

Stories told with honesty help define who we are becoming: Imtiaz Ali

Imtiaz Ali, speaking at the Indian Chamber of Commerce Centenary Celebration in Kolkata, shared his personal journey into filmmaking, emphasizing authenticity and the importance of truth in storytelling. He highlighted the collaborative nature of cinema and the vital role of music in conveying emotions. Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali captivated audiences at the Centenary Celebration of the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Kolkata, offering profound personal insights into his cinematic journey and the evolving role of storytelling in shaping India's future. Reflecting on his return to the City of Joy, Imtiaz Ali began on an emotional note, 'Calcutta feels like coming home, a city deeply interwoven with my personal and familial history, and it continues to anchor me both emotionally and creatively.' He spoke candidly about the genesis of his passion for storytelling, 'My storytelling journey began with an instinctive curiosity about the lives of strangers, fleeting moments that sparked an urge to imagine, to interpret, and eventually to narrate. That impulse matured into filmmaking, a craft I have come to see as governed not by formulas or trends but by authenticity.' Ali underscored the importance of truth in storytelling, noting, 'When a story arises from a place of truth, it resonates far beyond technique or timing.' He emphasised that filmmaking is not a solitary act but a collective endeavour, 'It is a deeply collaborative process rooted in intuition, listening, and shared vision.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning For Working Professionals. BITS Pilani WILP Apply Now Undo On the integral role of music in cinema, he remarked, 'Music plays a vital role in this, not as ornamentation but as the emotional core that speaks where language cannot, often outliving the story itself.' Recounting his earliest creative expressions, the acclaimed director shared, 'As a director, I still carry the spirit of the child who once gathered classmates to stage plays, guided by the need to shape something meaningful from imagination.' Ali paid heartfelt tribute to the women in his life, 'The women in my life my mother, cousins, wife, and daughters, have always inspired me with their complexity and intelligence, and portraying them with honesty has never been a conscious agenda but a natural act of reverence.' Looking ahead, Imtiaz offered a powerful vision for the future of Indian cinema as the country approaches the centenary of its independence in 2047, 'I believe cinema holds immense potential not just as entertainment but as a cultural force that can help shape national identity and global perception.' Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .

Not Nargis Fakhri, Deepika Padukone was the first choice for Ranbir Kapoor starrer 'Rockstar'
Not Nargis Fakhri, Deepika Padukone was the first choice for Ranbir Kapoor starrer 'Rockstar'

Time of India

time6 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • Time of India

Not Nargis Fakhri, Deepika Padukone was the first choice for Ranbir Kapoor starrer 'Rockstar'

Deepika Padukone was Imtiaz Ali's initial choice for the female lead in Rockstar, opposite Ranbir Kapoor. Ali remembered a strong first impression from Padukone, even before her film debut. Ultimately, Nargis Fakhri debuted in the role of Heer, and despite initial doubts, Rockstar became a cult classic, celebrated for Ranbir's performance. Despite their personal history, Deepika Padukone and Ranbir Kapoor remain one of Bollywood's most beloved on-screen pairs. From Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008) to Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013) and Tamasha (2015), the duo has delivered blockbuster hits that continue to charm audiences. The Original Vision for Rockstar Interestingly, this iconic duo was originally envisioned for a fourth film together—Imtiaz Ali's Rockstar (2011). In a 2019 blog post on his website, the director revealed that Deepika Padukone was his first choice for the female lead opposite Ranbir Kapoor. Imtiaz Ali's First Impression Imtiaz Ali once shared that Deepika Padukone was his original choice for the female lead in Rockstar. He recalled their first meeting vividly, describing an instant connection and a strong impression she left on him, even before any of her films had released. Although the film was delayed and eventually made years later with a different cast, he admitted that moment with Deepika stayed with him. Nargis Fakhri's Debut and Fan Reactions The role eventually went to Nargis Fakhri, who debuted as Heer Kaul opposite Ranbir Kapoor's Jordan. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Secure Your Child's Future with Strong English Fluency Planet Spark Learn More Undo Despite fans' initial doubts about Nargis' inexperience affecting the film's impact, Rockstar remains a cult classic and is celebrated as one of Ranbir's finest performances. Deepika and Imtiaz have teamed up several times over the years, notably in Love Aaj Kal (2009) and Tamasha (2015). They also collaborated on Deepika's breakout film Cocktail (2012), directed by Homi Adajania but written by Imtiaz, showcasing their creative partnership beyond just directing. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .

Sandeep Reddy Vanga-Deepika Padukone to Kareena Kapoor-Sanjay Leela Bhansali: A look at 5 controversial director-actor fallouts
Sandeep Reddy Vanga-Deepika Padukone to Kareena Kapoor-Sanjay Leela Bhansali: A look at 5 controversial director-actor fallouts

Indian Express

time27-05-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Indian Express

Sandeep Reddy Vanga-Deepika Padukone to Kareena Kapoor-Sanjay Leela Bhansali: A look at 5 controversial director-actor fallouts

The fallout between Spirit director Sandeep Reddy Vanga and actress Deepika Padukone has become the centre of attraction in the showbiz industry, especially after the announcement of Triptii Dimri replacing the actress in the Prabhas-starrer film. What was first cited as creative difference between the actor-director duo took an ugly turn when certain publications revealed the plot of Vanga's upcoming 'A-Rated cop thriller'. Earlier, reports said Deepika said that Spirit fall-out happened after she demanded 8-hour shift given she is a new mother, a hefty pay cheque and refusal to dub telugu dialogues. On Tuesday, Vanga wrote on X, 'When I narrate a story to an actor, I place 100% faith. There is an unsaid NDA(Non Disclosure Agreement) between us. But by doing this, You've 'DISCLOSED' the person that you are…. Putting down a Younger actor and ousting my story? Is this what your feminism stands for ? As a filmmaker, I put years of hard work behind my craft & for me, filmmaking is everything. You didn't get it. You won't get it. You will never get it. Aisa karo…. Agli baar poori kahani bolna… kyunki mujhe jarra bhi farak nahi padtha. #dirtyPRgames I like this kahawath very much :-) खुंदक में बिल्ली खंबा नोचे !' However, this is not the first time when a movie made so much noise amid its production. When Sandeep Reddy Vanga announced his dream project, Animal, he shared Ranbir Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra will be playing the lead roles. Later, the actress opted out of the project. Her team cited scheduling conflict as the reason behind her absence from the film. They shared the Hasee Toh Phasee actress wanted to star in Imtiaz Ali's Chamkila, which was scheduled for the same time. Speaking about her decision to opt out of the controversial film, Parineeti Chopra told on Aap Ki Adalat, 'To be honest, God was on my side. I was all set to do Animal, everything had worked out, but for the same dates as Animal, I received an offer to do Imtiaz Ali's Chamkila. I was getting a meaty role, I had so many songs, I got to sing for (AR) Rahman sir and Imtiaz Ali was my dream director, so I had to choose it over Animal. And the kind of love, respect and recognition I have received for Chamkila, I don't think I regret my decision at all.' However, when Sandeep Reddy Vanga spoke about his decision to not keep Parineeti in the film, he had a completely different story to share. Speaking with Komal Nahta, the filmmaker said, 'It was my fault. I even apologised to her. I had signed her about a year before starting the shoot for the film. For some reason, I didn't see Geetanjali in her. I don't believe in audition, but go with my instinct. However, my instinct in case of Parineeti went wrong. So I told her, 'Sorry, nothing is bigger than the film, I am going ahead with some other artist.' She felt bad, but she understood.' Back in 2002, Kareena Kapoor was first cast as Paro in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Devdas. However, his last minute decision to cast Aishwarya Rai Bachchan made things ugly for the actor-director duo. In an interview with Filmfare, a frustrated Kareena shared, 'What he did to me was wrong. He screen-tested me for Devdas, gave me a signing amount, then took someone else. That was wrong, it hurt especially because I was at the start of my career. It's okay, because the day he dropped me, I signed Yaadein. Sanjay hurt me. Even if I have no work, I'll never work with him.' ALSO READ | Sandeep Reddy Vanga slams Deepika Padukone for playing 'dirty PR games', 'putting down a younger actor' after being replaced by Triptii Dimri | Controversy explained Same year, SLB reacted to Kareena's accusations and told Filmfare, 'She came to my house with Neeta Lulla and said she wanted to work with me. We fixed up a photo-shoot with the right costumes. Since Babitaji and Karisma Kapoor were also at the shoot, I made it clear to all of them that the shoot wasn't a confirmation that I would cast Kareena. They were okay with that at the time. After going through the photographs, I told Kareena that I felt Aishwarya Rai was fabulous and perfect for Paro; she has the aristocratic looks I required. Kareena didn't say a word then but some days later I found her lashing out at me in print. She accused me of backing out after having given her the signing amount and contract. Believe me, this is not true.' The two, however, patched up at Sikander Kher's birthday party after Kirron Kher played mediator. Kartik Aaryan, Siddhant Chaturvedi, and Janhvi Kapoor were all set to star together in Karan Johar's Dostana 2. However, mid shoot in 2021, Dharma Productions released a statement against Kartik and stopped filming. Their statement read, 'Due to professional circumstances, on which we have decided to maintain dignified silence – we will be recasting Dostana 2, directed by Collin D'Cunha. Please wait for the official announcement soon.' Later, in an interview with The Indian Express, Kartik Aaryan shared, 'What happens, at times, is people make 'baat ka batangad'. There is nothing more to it. No one has so much time. Everybody just wants to work, do good work. Other than that, things are just rumours.' However, two years later, they put an end to their feud when Karan Johar announced a new film with Kartik Aaryan. The untitled film, directed by Sandeep Modi, is scheduled for a 2025 release. Jab We Met, which today enjoys a cult following, was first decided to be made with Bobby Deol and not Shahid Kapoor. However, things didn't unfold the way it should have, eventually the team recasting and bringing Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor on board. Speaking about this change, Imitaz Ali told in an interview with Lallantop, 'I was planning to make Jab We Met with Bobby Deol. I was eagerly waiting to start the shoot of the film, but he was constantly receiving film offers with bigger directors. So he put Jab We Met on hold. After waiting for so long, eventually a time came when I thought, 'If we go ahead with this project, things between Bobby and I will not be the same'. After spending five years on Socha Na Tha, I waited for two more years and eventually told Bobby, 'Let's not make this film.' We shook hands on it and dropped the idea of making the film together.' However, Bobby Deol had a very different version to share. 'I was also to do Jab We Met. Back then, it was titled Geet. I had seen Socha Na Tha and instantly reached out to Imtiaz saying that he's an incredible storyteller with a terrific future. I told him I wanted to work with him and he had the script of Jab We Met ready. He was looking for financiers.' Bobby claimed to convince Ashtavinayak to fund the film. He shared, 'Suddenly, I read that Astavinayak has signed Imtiaz for Jab We Met and Kareena is doing the film and she has gotten her then boyfriend, Shahid Kapoor to act opposite her. I was like, wow. Quite an industry.'' Unlike the above mentioned actor-director duos, the feud between Rishab Shetty and Rashmika Mandanna started after the actress ignored to name the production house, Paramvah Studios, that launched her. Rishab's anger was evident when he shared a post on X celebrating eight years of Kirik Party, a film that shot both Rishab and Rashmika to fame. While he mentioned all the important members of the film, he avoided mentioning Rashmika Mandanna, despite her playing the lead role in the Kannada college drama. Later, the drama intensified, when Rashmika despite being born in Karnataka called Hyderabad her home. Speaking at an event in Mumbai, the actress shared, 'Even though I am from Hyderabad, the affection shown towards me here makes me very happy.' This irked the Kannadigas who even demanded her ban in the industry.

Imtiaz Ali talks about storytelling journey, the women in his life and more at an event in Kolkata
Imtiaz Ali talks about storytelling journey, the women in his life and more at an event in Kolkata

Time of India

time26-05-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Time of India

Imtiaz Ali talks about storytelling journey, the women in his life and more at an event in Kolkata

Imtiaz Ali, during his Kolkata visit, expressed that the city feels like a homecoming, deeply connected to his personal and familial roots. He emphasized that his storytelling journey began with a curiosity about strangers' lives, evolving into filmmaking driven by authenticity. Imtiaz Ali recently attended an event in Kolkata, where he offered profound insights into his creative journey and shared his vision for how storytelling can shape India's future. His compelling reflections captivated the audience, highlighting the enduring power of narrative. A cinematic homecoming: Kolkata's enduring embrace Reflecting on his return to the City of Joy, Imtiaz began on an emotional note sharing, 'Calcutta feels like coming home, a city deeply interwoven with my personal and familial history, and it continues to anchor me both emotionally and creatively.' He spoke candidly about the genesis of his passion for storytelling, adding, 'My journey into storytelling began with an instinctive curiosity about the lives of strangers, fleeting moments that sparked an urge to imagine, to interpret, and eventually to narrate. That impulse matured into filmmaking, a craft I have come to see as governed not by formulas or trends but by authenticity.' The unseen threads in storytelling Imtiaz also highlighted the importance of truth in storytelling, noting, 'When a story arises from a place of truth, it resonates far beyond technique or timing.' He emphasised that filmmaking is not a solitary act but a collective endeavour: 'It is a deeply collaborative process rooted in intuition, listening, and shared vision.' Recounting his earliest creative expressions, the acclaimed director shared, 'As a director, I still carry the spirit of the child who once gathered classmates to stage plays, guided by the need to shape something meaningful from imagination. ' The women who inspire The filmmaker also paid a heartfelt tribute to the women in his life and said, 'The women in my life—my mother, cousins, wife, and daughters—have always inspired me with their complexity and intelligence and portraying them with honesty has never been a conscious agenda but a natural act of reverence.' Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .

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