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Recently, the master of romantic dramas Imtiaz Ali opened up about the failures of his movie released in 2017, ‘Jab Harry Met Sejal’, and spoke about his latest project, ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’. Despite the film’s star power and its underwhelming reception, Ali’s reflections offer a deeper understanding of the challenges and learnings from his career.
The Missed Potential of Jab Harry Met Sejal.
‘Jab Harry Met Sejal’, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma, was intended to be a contemporary love story brimming with charm. However, the film failed to meet the expectations of critics as well as the box office. Imtiaz Ali has since admitted that there were a couple of big mistakes made in the way the film utilized its lead actor, Shah Rukh Khan.
In a candid discussion with Mid Day, Ali admitted, “I feel that Shah Rukh is the biggest star I worked with, but he is so accessible that he never gives you the impression that ‘I am somebody’. He is just a regular guy, sitting over here and talking.” This down-to-earth demeanor, Ali noted, led him to direct the film without fully leveraging Khan’s star power.
Ali reflected that his approach was too conventional, failing to tap into the unique strengths of Khan as both an actor and a superstar. “I didn’t figure that out,” Ali confessed. He suggested that adding more flashbacks and a deeper backstory could have enhanced Khan’s character, making the film more engaging. “I would have written and showcased the film differently,” he explained. “Not in an extremely filmy way, but with elements that could have utilized Shah Rukh’s presence to its fullest.”
A New Chapter: Amar Singh Chamkila.
Moving on from past projects, Ali’s latest film, Amar Singh Chamkila, has been met with acclaim. Released directly on Netflix on April 12, 2024, the biopic tells the story of Punjab’s legendary singer, Amar Singh Chamkila. Known as the ‘Elvis Presley of Punjab’, Chamkila’s life and untimely death at 27 provide a dramatic and compelling narrative.
The film’s success was recently noticed at the 15th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), where it won ‘The Breakout Film of the Year’. On this front, Ali was hopeful that ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’ would continue to receive such accolades and even the National Awards.
“There was confusion about whether films released direct-to-digital would be eligible for National Awards,” he shared. “But I think there’s a verdict now in favor of digital releases. I’m hoping the National Awards will look kindly on ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’.”
Embracing new platforms and audiences.
‘Amar Singh Chamkila’ represents Ali’s debut on a streaming platform, a significant shift from traditional theatrical releases. The film’s direct-to-digital release marks a new era for Ali, allowing him to reach audiences beyond the confines of cinema halls. Ali expressed satisfaction with the film’s reception and the opportunity to tell a story rooted in the heartland of India. “It’s made out of metros and mini-metros, and it goes into the heartland of India, where most of the country lives,” he noted.
Ali’s reflections on his previous work also include the re-release of ‘Laila Majnu’ in theaters, a film that gained a cult following after an initial lukewarm response. “I’m glad that people can return to my films whenever they want,” he said, appreciating the renewed interest. The re-release of ‘Laila Majnu’ is a testament to the enduring appeal of his work and the growing accessibility of films through various platforms. (Also read : https://test.inpactimes.com/laila-majnu-shines-in-re-release-surpassing-original-collection-avinash-tiwary-and-tripti-dimri-reflect-on-films-renewed-success/)
Looking Ahead.
As Ali continues to explore new creative avenues, he is already working on several new scripts. While he hasn’t decided which project will be his next focus, he hinted at another man-woman relationship film with a fresh perspective. “There’s going to be a man-woman relationship at the center, but it is not the expected route,” Ali teased. “There will be something new as well for me in the film that I’m planning now.”
Imtiaz Ali’s journey reflects a blend of introspection and innovation. After the lost chances with ‘Jab Harry Met Sejal’ to the critical acclaim of ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’ and the anticipation for future projects, Ali still grows as a director and is still trying to find a way to touch people’s hearts.
