Film director Imtiaz Ali (right), 45, calls himself the “adopted child of Punjab”. “The Punjab connect in my movies started with Jab We Met (2007). It’s supernatural. I feel so connected to this land that I don’t belong to yet many things started to flow from here,” says Ali.
“It is fulfilling to return to Punjab and interact with the youth here. People and places attract me. They introduce me to a space where I’ve never been before,” he says.
“Past generations have been dismissive about the way the country has been ruled. They think politicians are some other people. Today’s youth should feel more responsible towards their country. A sense of ownership should prevail,” he says.
For those who complain of a writer’s block, he says, “People earning out of writing can’t afford to wait for the rose to grow in the garden. It should not be encouraged as a thought. Keep a schedule and don’t let the luxury of writer’s block in.”
His favourite directors are Bimal Roy, Vijay Anand, and Raj Kapoor. “Sholay is my alltime favourite film,” he adds.