Happy Birthday, Imtiaz Ali! A look at the underrated movies by the filmmaker on his 51st birthday

Mumbai (Maharashtra): Imtiaz Ali is one of the most successful directors in Bollywood who has delivered soul-touching love stories on screen. A filmmaker who has given the Indian audience several self-finding journeys of characters that feel like home, Imtiaz has set the bar for love sagas high. From seeing Geet from Jab We Met be silly in love, break down when her dreams shatter and find herself again with the help of Aditya; to going on the journey of love with Janardhan from Rockstar who loses himself and the love of his life in his quest to become Jordan. Imtiaz Ali has shown all sides of love, the one that lifts you and the one that completely and utterly shatters you.

But there are some of his films that did not receive the appreciation and love that his other films got, despite being on par with them. On his 51^st birthday, let’s take a look at the three underrated gems of Imtiaz Ali’s world of love and self-discovery.

Socha Na Tha (2005)

Imtiaz Ali debuted in Bollywood with this light-hearted romantic film that shows the struggles of the heart and its unpredictability. The story of Viren and Aditi is one for the books as they slowly fall in love after rejecting each other during an arranged set-up. It beautifully shows the turmoil both of them go through as they prepare to get married to their respective girlfriend/boyfriend for whom they fought with their entire families. The movie can be called ‘ahead of its time’ as it failed to garner an audience despite having a fresh and good pair of Ayesha Takia and Abhay Deol and a similarly out-of-the-box love story.

Tamasha (2015)

Tamasha is a movie that showed Imtiaz Ali’s connection with Delhi’s theatre art. It may be a love story but it takes one on an unconventional journey of self-reflection and self-discovery. The film featuring the beloved pair of Deepika Padukone and Ranbir Kapoor is based on the bandwagon effect and how love can force you to come out on your own. The love of Tara and Ved did not sit well with the viewers as it was a piece of art that had not been attempted before that.

Laila Majnu (2018)

Although not directed by Imtiaz Ali, Laila Majnu has a little bit of his narrative style in every word of its story. Adapted from the classic tale of star-crossed lovers, Laila Majnu, it depicts the story of Qais and Laila and the madness of love that destroys Qais completely. When one watches the movie, one can see Imtiaz Ali in every scene. That is how beautifully the filmmaker has written the screenplay. Again, a film that is unconventional for the Indian audience, it is something that makes you think; that makes you feel emotions that were hidden behind for years. Laila Majnu may not be appreciated today, but it will be considered a classic in the coming times.