After Harry Met Sejal, director Imtiaz Ali is looking forward to his modern take on the classic folklore Laila Majnu. Imtiaz, who has written the film of the same name, has let his younger brother, Sajid Ali, direct. Imtiaz tells The Woods he is not trying to make the film any different from the original folklore. Excerpts from a chat.
The Woods: Laila Majnu has been made many times before. How is your version different?
Imtiaz Ali: We are trying to make it as original and true to the Laila Majnu story as possible. I have not seen any versions because the concept is original and the only thing I have done is place it in Kashmir in the present time. I am hoping it’s true to the conflict of Laila Majnu. I believe any eternal love story is modern every time you make it. You have to see it in a different light. Laila Majnu still has a lot to say.
• You are making the film with newcomers and not with established stars…
• Stars are of a certain age and they come with stardom. We wanted younger people and we wanted the audience to imagine them as Laila Majnu and not as actors are portraying Laila Majnu.
• Apart from Laila Majnu, what else is keeping you busy these days?
• I have written four screenplays, two of which are ready. One I will be doing now, and the other in the future.
• Most of your films have been romantic tales…
• There’s no personal influence. I make stories that come from my heart. I want to do action oriented. I want to make different films but somewhere the story ends up with a girl and it becomes a relationship story. What sells is what comes naturally to you. I don’t introduce romance in my films because it sells. It’s just how Rohit Shetty makes his action films. If I do action and Rohit Shetty does romance, I don’t think it will sell.
• What went wrong with When Harry met Sejal?
• I don’t know, the audience has to tell me what went wrong. I did my job. Now, it’s the audience’s take. I put in my best and tried to make it with all the love. The film didn’t do well but we recovered what we put in.
• We hear your daughter Ida is following in your footsteps?
• She is only involved because she is my daughter. Right now she is in Class XII and busy with studies. She did a short film titled Lift, which was much better than all my films put together. She is not involved in my work. She will probably train herself in filmmaking. She loves writing and direction. she tried acting but is more attracted to filmmaking.
• Will your brothers, Sajid and Arif , direct any of the scripts you are writing?
• I will start my next film by the end of the year. One story will be with newcomers. There is action in parts of the film but the core of all the stories is human relationships as I enjoy them. I am not sure if Sajid and Arif will be directing them, I want to direct all of them. So let’s see…
• How was it collaborating with Ekta Kapoor for the first time?
• We have been wanting to work together for a long time as we have known each other well. Ekta and I are different from each other but as people, we are similar… We are like unlike poles that attract each other.
• Any plans for a Jab We Met sequel?
• Many people said I should make a sequel to my films such as Jab We Met, Love Aaj Kal and Rockstar. The audience loves to watch a sequel even if it’s bad. Sequels make money. But I don’t want to make sequels just for the sake of it and spoil my image. If I find good content, I will certainly do it.
