LET'S EXPLORE ALI'S FILMMAKING STYLE! 

ALI'S MUSICAL JOURNEY 

“Music can make or break a movie”, said Ali in a recent interview.

It can add a stronger recall value to the films. Music has always played a crucial role in any of Ali’s movies. His movie Rockstar was a musician’s journey and undoubtedly has brilliant music by A.R Rahman. Almost all the songs for his movies are penned by Irshad Kamil who is a genius in his own might and has written some of the gems such as Sadda Haq, Nadaan Parinde, Ajj Din Chadheya, and Tum Se Hi. Irshad Kamil, A.R. Rahman and Ali himself are like the holy trinity when it comes to producing soulful music for the films. His movie, Rockstar connected with the youth, especially the song ‘Sadda Haq’ which had a strong message that stood out, even though the lyrics were difficult to understand. The song ‘Kyun Faya Kyun’ is a soothing and soulful affair in its own.

ROMANTICIZING MOUNTAINS 

Imtiaz Ali’s movies are underlined with travel and a journey to the mountains. They inspire us to travel and live life to the fullest. His films show a lot of travel amidst the mountains that reflects on the concept of the ‘journey’ and portrays the character’s growth. The character of Veera from Highway, undergoes a self- realization and feels at peace in the mountains, in the song ‘Kahan ho main’. The characters in his movies are often fascinated by the mountains. Most of his films have a song sequence that truly displays the beautiful landscapes and heavenly mountains- ‘Katiya Karun’ or ‘Kahaan Hoon Main’ in the Himalayas, ‘Yes Ishq Haye’ or ‘Safarnama’ in Shimla.

In the movie, Rockstar Heer convinced Jordan to go to the mountains, "Mujhe pahadon mein jaana hai, phir se Himalayas dekhna hai." In the movie, Tamasha,, when tara reminds Ved of his true being, she says, ‘"Tum toh pahadon se baatein karte ho". In Jab We Met, Geet says, “Mai bahut jaldi bhaagne vali hun Anshuman k saath, tum aur Roop bhi bhaag lo. Fir chaaron ikkathe rahenge pahado mein.” This element in the film clearly shows how the characters long to spend time in the mountains.

CROSSING PATHS AND TRAVEL TOGETHER

In most of his films, strangers meet, travel together, spend time together and develop a bond like no other. for instance, in his debut film (socha na tha), two youngsters discover and rediscover each other at a non-touristy beach in goa. In jab we me met, the characters meet on a train in Mumbai, bond over while travelling amidst Manali's mistry hills. In Harry Met Sejal, Sejal meets Harry on a tour who turns out to be her tour guide. In Tamasha, Ved and Tara explore Corsica together. In Rockstar, Heer and Jordan travel to Kashmir. The characters travel to create a world of their own and share things they never shared with anyone else. It is amusing how the theme of traveling is present in all of his films.

BTS OF 'KAHAAN HOON MAIN' - HIGHWAY

DID YOU KNOW?

Imtiaz Ali said, "I think I am a travel junkie, and I have never enjoyed anything else in my life more than travelling and going to places."