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Imtiaz Ali inspired by dream girl
The vivacious protagonist of Jab We Met was inspired by Imtiaz Ali's ideal travelling companion - a woman he is yet to meet.
The vivacious protagonist of Jab We Met was inspired by director Imtiaz Ali's ideal travelling companion - a woman he is yet to meet.
The film, one of the surprise hits of 2007, depicts two strangers falling in love after a chance meeting in a train.
Critics and audiences alike warmed to Ali's fresh take on romance and especially to its ebullient heroine Geet, played by Kareena Kapoor.
The character, whom Ali describes as a "bundle of energy", is someone the young filmmaker longs to meet in real life.
"I have never met anyone close to her but if I meet, I will have a great time travelling," said Ali. "She's my dream companion and fascination for this character is actually (the inspiration for) Jab We Met."
Though Ali is now basking in the film's success, the director reveals he had his doubts earlier this year after media reports that its lead pair, Kapoor and real-life beau Shahid Kapur, had split up.
"We had two portions of song sequences to shoot… but thankfully everything was fine," he said. "The atmosphere was cordial between Kareena and Shahid."
"With their relationship breaking up, I was apprehensive whether audiences would come to see two already separated stars romancing on screen."
