On his birthday, we celebrate the filmmaker who makes us want to pack our bags and find ourselves.
Imtiaz Ali’s films do more than tell love stories — they invite us on journeys, both literal and emotional. As the celebrated filmmaker turns a year older, it’s the perfect moment to revisit how his cinematic world encourages us to break free from routine, discover new places, and, most importantly, rediscover ourselves. From the rugged mountains of ‘Highway’ to the bustling streets of ‘Tamasha’s Corsica, Ali uses travel as a metaphor for freedom and self-exploration. His characters often find clarity on the road, reminding us that sometimes, the best way to find answers is to get a little lost. This birthday, we celebrate the storyteller who makes us want to pack our bags — and live fully.
Imtiaz Ali once shared, “It is just the movies that I make… The films that I make are the diaries of my travel… Because for me, moviemaking is sort of linked with my personal travel.” Describing his films as his ‘travel diaries,’ the filmmaker — known for his love of exploring — revealed that he prefers immersing himself in the local culture and absorbing the essence of a place rather than following the typical tourist path. A passionate traveller at heart, Imtiaz admitted that he’s never maintained a scrapbook or written diary of his journeys; instead, he pours his experiences into his films, allowing his stories to become living records of the places and people that move him.
Imtiaz Ali leaves no detail unattended when it comes to making his films visually captivating. Known for his preference for striking backdrops, he doesn’t shy away from investing generously in securing breathtaking locations. From the picturesque Corsica in ‘Tamasha’ to the vibrant streets of Prague in ‘Rockstar’, his films often feature stunning international locales. Yet, his love for Indian landscapes is just as evident — with scenes from ‘Highway’ shot in the serene Aru Valley, and the unforgettable Rohtang Pass moments in ‘Jab We Met’. For Imtiaz, travel sequences are incomplete without the presence of mountains. Whether it’s joyful songs or quiet moments of introspection, his characters often find solace and freedom in the heart of nature.
(Credit: News18)
Though the characters and settings in Imtiaz Ali’s films may differ, their journeys often follow a familiar emotional arc — one of redemption, catharsis, and self-discovery. Regardless of the conflict, Ali’s consistent remedy is travel. In films like ‘Socha Na Tha’, ‘Jab We Met’, ‘Highway’, and ‘Tamasha’, this travel is not just symbolic but literal. His characters often stumble into scenic adventures that ultimately lead them inward, helping them uncover parts of themselves they never knew existed. For Ali, the essence lies in the journey rather than the destination — a theme that runs through his storytelling. Few directors in Hindi cinema have so beautifully used the natural world to reflect the complex terrain of the human soul.
Imtiaz Ali’s films don’t just take you on a visual journey — their music, too, ignites a powerful wanderlust and a deep desire to embrace life more fully. His soundtracks are often as soul-stirring as the stories themselves. A perfect example is ‘Safarnama’ from ‘Tamasha’, a track that literally means “travelogue” and beautifully mirrors the film’s core theme of exploration and finding oneself through the journey. Whether you’re hitting the road or daydreaming about your next escape, songs like ‘Hum Jo Chalne Lage’ from ‘Jab We Met’, ‘Patakha Guddi’ from ‘Highway’, and ‘Phir Se Udd Chala’ from ‘Rockstar’ are the perfect anthems. They don’t just accompany your travels — they inspire them.
Imtiaz Ali’s characters are rooted in reality, grappling with genuine, relatable struggles. Geet played by Kareena Kapoor in ‘Jab We Met’ longs to escape the constraints of her family’s expectations around arranged marriage, prompting her spontaneous journey to Manali. Ved played by Ranbir Kapoor in ‘Tamasha’ feels suffocated by the monotony of his corporate job and seeks liberation in the streets of Corsica. These characters aren’t merely running from responsibilities or for a vacation — they’re in search of spaces where they can shed societal roles and reconnect with their true selves. For them, travel becomes a means of self-liberation, not just escape.
