Digital world isolates people, cinema offers collective experience, says Imtiaz Ali

Digital world isolates people, cinema offers collective experience, says Imtiaz Ali

Mumbai, Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali believes the growing consumption of digital content has made people more isolated, while the big screen offers a shared emotional experience.

Digital world isolates people, cinema offers collective experience, says Imtiaz Ali

"Post COVID, the viewing habits have changed. Today, people watch a lot more ... So, things have changed big time in the industry. Today, we're watching ten times more content in different forms, be it reels, stories, etc. But these things are often watched in isolation, either on a phone or on some other device, when you're alone," Ali said last evening on day one of a film festival here.

The filmmaker said the theatrical experience remains valuable because cinema allows people to share their reactions and emotions with others.

"When I'm experiencing something, like an emotion, and the people around me are experiencing the same thing, it gives a very beautiful feeling because humans were not created to live isolated from everyone," he said.

"However, the disadvantage of the digital world is that it isolates people, whereas the advantage of theatre is that it gives people a collective experience. I don't have a secret formula to give as to how a film works but I hope films work in theatres and that people go to theatres to watch a film. Like, it happened in case of 'Main Vaapas Aaunga'," Ali added.

"The lesson that we got from this was that there should be a direct interaction between a filmmaker and audience, every filmmaker and artist should be connected to people, then they will know what more can they do in their respective field. Otherwise, we are taking a shot in the dark, and that's why our work sometimes does not hit the mark," Ali said.

Asked about his next film, the director said he is currently writing a story and doesn't have actors in mind.

"Now, whether it is going to be a contemporary or romance-drama, is something I don't know," Ali said.

Ali's last film "Main Vaapas Aaunga" was a star-crossed romance set during the Partition but told through the eyes of present generation.

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