The filmmaker who was in the city to attend the film festival talks about his Ranchi connect, the Indian film industry, his forthcoming film and more… Like the characters of his films — be it Jeet inJab We Met or Jorden in Rockstar — Imtiaz Aliis ‘born to be a rebel’. Yes, that’s how he describes himself. “I am born a rebel but people like me, have to restrain ourselves after a point. Life’s too short. Unless you are a rebel, you can’t enjoy life.” The director was in the city to attend the Ranchi Film Festival tells about …
Indian cinema has evolved technically over the last century, but has degraded in terms of content. Do you agree with the thought?
I think every decade has seen some change in content. But yes, there was a phase when cheapness was on sale and filmmakers used to put obscene and objectionable content unnecessarily in movies to spice them up. Degradation of content is not time-bound, it happens when people serve obscenity intentionally. And it not only degrades the content but everything that goes into filmmaking.
Dirty Picture was denied television broadcast and it was allowed only after 56 cuts. Is it fair?
I would not call it unfair, but it also shows imbalances prevalent in our society. Why should there be any restriction on films when obscenity is served everywhere — be it on street hoardings, on the internet or journals. I feel government must ensure equal parameters for everybody.
You are from Jamshedpur, have done theaters and were founder of Ibtida, the dramatic society at Hindu College in Delhi. Don’t you think metro cities have more audience for theater than we see in small towns?
No, I have done three or four theatre shows in Jamshedpur by selling tickets professionally and this was when I was studying in college. People in small towns have advantage over big cities. A film made by someone hailing from a small town will be different from others because they can feel the pulse of the audience living there and would easily understand the likes and dislikes of the audience. I feel Mumbai wale thode unfortunate hain because their world is very limited. Buzz is that Rockstar magic will be recreated with Ranbir, AR Rahman and you coming together together once again. Anoushka and Katrina might also be there as female leads. I have gone through such articles but the fact is I have not signed Ranbir for a movie. We still have to finalise the script and casting will happen late. I am not in talks with Rahman either.
How do you connect to Ranchi?
I have a very interesting connect with city. My first school, St Mary’s, is here. I have my experience of first day in the school from this city. I still remember I was crying and my father took me to Hundru falls, so that I felt better.
Any childhood memory that you still cherish?
There are many, in fact, I still love to read story books, eat a lot and love to travel.
