Happy Birthday Imtiaz Ali: Jab We Met Director’s Top 6 Movies

Imtiaz Ali, the acclaimed director known for his thought-provoking and coming-of-age films, is celebrating his birthday today. Born on June 16, 1971, Imtiaz has gained a special recognition in the Hindi film industry with his unique filmmaking style and ability to portray complex emotions through his characters on the big screen.

He is often regarded as the ‘master of love stories’ for his works like Socha Na Tha, Love Aaj Kal, Rockstar, Jab We Met, and Highway. His stories and the intricacies portrayed within their characters have struck a chord with the audience, especially the younger generations.

Known for often blending romance and discovering oneself with travel and art in his films, the filmmaker also has a knack for exceptional music. His collaborations with maestros like AR Rahman, Pritam and Arijit Singh have given us some of the most iconic soundtracks over the years.

Most recently, after his superhit film Chamkila starring Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra, the filmmaker has gained global attention as well as critical acclaim. The biopic drama based on the life of the late Punjabi singer Amar Singh Chamkila released this year on April 8.

Imtiaz Ali has given several hits earlier as well, that not only resonated with the audience and got positive reviews, but also became cult classics over the years. As he turns 53 today, let’s take a look at some of his best films and upcoming projects.

Top 6 Movies Of Imtiaz Ali

1. Amar Singh Chamkila (2024)His latest film narrates the tragic story of Amar Singh, the highest-selling record artist in Punjab who was gunned down at the young age of 27. The words penned by Chamkila made him a polarising figure – he was a sensation that people adored as well as hated. Diljit Dosanjh plays the titular role, while Parineeti Chopra plays his wife and singer Amarjot Kaur.
2. Jab We Met (2007)In this Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan starrer, two characters with opposite personalities, end up falling in love. While Kareena plays a vibrant and extrovert girl named Geet, Shahid portrays Aditya, who is a no-nonsense and shy person. The iconic scenes and dialogues of the film still trend on social media.
3. Love Aaj Kal (2009)Starring Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone, Love Aaj Kal is the story of two lovers who break up after realising that their career goals are pulling them in different directions. Imtiaz’s unique storytelling style combined with the amazing chemistry of the lead pair made this film a sensation upon its release. The film was widely loved and praised for its contemporary take on different dynamics of love and relationships.
4. Highway (2014)This critically acclaimed film shows Imtiaz Ali’s storytelling at its best. Starring Alia Bhatt and Randeep Hooda, the movie follows the story of a young girl Veera who finds freedom and discovers herself after being kidnapped. Upon its release, the film earned rave reviews. Alia Bhatt’s performance and AR Rahman’s soulful music added to the film’s beauty and appeal.
5. Rockstar (2011)Another cult classic, this film narrates the story of a college student named Janardhan, played by Ranbir Kapoor. His character desperately seeks heartbreak as an inspiration for the musician inside him. Although heartbreak helps him reach his goal, it also leads him to self-destruction, guilt and loss.Nargis Fakhri plays Ranbir’s love interest, Heer Kaul, in the film.
6. Tamasha (2015)This film has still been receiving attention and love from people of all ages across the globe. Many have found it to be extremely relatable and much like their real-life situations. The film follows Ved (Ranbir Kapoor) and Tara (Deepika Padukone). They fall in love during a holiday in Corsica. Despite keeping their identities a secret, they meet again upon returning to Delhi. Now, their relationship takes a different turn as their real identities are revealed to each other.

Upcoming Projects

Post the release of Chamkila, the filmmaker has assured his fans that he has a bunch of scripts ready to be adapted into films.

During his recent media conversation, Imtiaz said, “Due to Covid, I had a lot of time to work on scripts. I wrote many scripts, and they are all ready. So now, one after another, I am going to make films. I am a director, and as such, I should be on set directing. I hope that now I can release films faster than before.”

He also added that he can’t share the details of his upcoming film right now, but it would be based on a genre that he enjoys the most.