Renowned filmmaker Imtiaz Ali recently shared a heartwarming and humorous account of his first meeting with the legendary director Mahesh Bhatt. The interaction, which took place many years ago, was a pivotal moment in Ali’s career, often remembered for its amusingly awkward nature and the turning point it represented. During a candid conversation on Mid-day’s ‘Sit With Hitlist,’ Ali delved into the details of this memorable encounter.
Imtiaz Ali, widely recognized for his impactful contributions to Indian cinema, began his journey in the entertainment world through television. Among his early projects were ‘Kurukshetra’ for Zee TV and ‘Imtihaan’ for Doordarshan. His venture into filmmaking commenced officially in 2005 with the release of ‘Socha Na Tha,’ a romantic comedy starring Abhay Deol and Ayesha Takia. However, his initial step towards moviemaking was supposed to be alongside Mahesh Bhatt, a collaboration that, regrettably, never came to fruition.
Reflecting on the momentous event, Imtiaz shared, “Mahesh Bhatt was the first person who asked me to direct a film. At that time, I was already working in television. One day, while working with Manoj Bajpayee on a series called ‘Imtihaan’ (1994), Manoj mentioned me to Bhatt Saab because they frequently collaborated on films. Bhatt Saab watched some of my work and subsequently, I received a call to meet him.”
The meeting at Vishesh Films was far from a casual encounter. Walking into a room filled with people discussing fervently under the charismatic presence of Mahesh Bhatt was an intimidating experience for the young director. With a mixture of excitement and nervousness, Imtiaz summoned the courage to introduce himself to Bhatt.
“So, I went to Vishesh Films and found a room full of people. It took me ten minutes to build up the courage to enter because of the overwhelming crowd. Bhatt Saab, like a God man, was engaging everyone with great passion,” Ali laughed. “He welcomed me saying, ‘Oh, come in. You are Imtiaz? I saw your work. This scene was good, that scene not so much… blah-blah-blah… You are directing my next film. Now you can go because I don’t have time for you.
.’ I was bewildered and left the room.”
Confused by the swift conclusion of the meeting, Imtiaz found himself at a payphone, attempting to make sense of the interaction. “I went to a PCO, put in a coin, and called him back. I asked, ‘Hello, excuse me, this is Imtiaz. Bhatt Saab, I didn’t understand what you said.’ He laughed and said, ‘Ha ha ha bete, it’s always like this. Come tomorrow morning at such-and-such place, and we will talk.’”
What followed was a series of discussions centered around a film that Imtiaz was to direct for Vishesh Films – a story about two musicians. Despite the enthusiastic planning, the project never saw the light of day. “Unfortunately, it didn’t get made,” Ali said. “But then, something else came up, and I started making films elsewhere.”
Even though the initial project with Mahesh Bhatt did not materialize, Imtiaz maintained a close relationship with him over the years. “I have stayed in touch with Bhatt Saab. He is a very warm and intelligent person, always open to listening to new ideas and thoughts, which I greatly admire.”
Years later, this distinctive mentorship looped complete circle when Imtiaz Ali found himself working with Mahesh Bhatt’s daughter, Alia Bhatt, in the critically acclaimed film ‘Highway.’ Interestingly, Alia Bhatt showed initial hesitation – much like the uncertainty Imtiaz experienced years prior – when approached with the script. “She wasn’t sure if she could do the film,” he recalled.
The narrative of Imtiaz Ali’s first professional encounter with Mahesh Bhatt is more than just a humorous tale of misunderstanding. It is a testament to the unpredictability and serendipity in the world of cinema, illustrating how unexpected moments can pave the way for lifelong connections and significant career milestones.
Today, Imtiaz Ali stands as a celebrated filmmaker, with a portfolio of critically acclaimed films that have significantly impacted the industry. Meanwhile, his association with Mahesh Bhatt continues to be an anecdote that underscores the importance of mentorship, the value of creative risks, and the delightful unpredictability that characterizes the world of filmmaking.
