Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, known for his heartwarming romantic stories, recently opened up about his 2017 film Jab Harry Met Sejal, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma. The movie, which received mixed critical reception and underperformed commercially, marked a turning point for Imtiaz’s success streak.
Imtiaz Ali recalls feeling “Strange melancholy” after Jab Harry Met Sejal debacle: “I was trying to make a light, easy film”
Jab Harry Met Sejal: A Critical and Commercial Misstep
While Imtiaz Ali had delivered a string of critically acclaimed hits like Socha Na Tha, Jab We Met, and Rockstar, Jab Harry Met Sejal fell short of expectations. In Ranveer Allahbadia’s podcast, the director confessed that the film’s failure caused him a “strange melancholy” years later. He acknowledged, “I felt a sense of ownership over the film, I felt like telling it, ‘I am not embarrassed of you brother, you are mine, as much as any other film of mine.’ So, in that moment, I felt a strange melancholy, ek ajeeb sa dard mehsoos hua, that oh this was an unsuccessful film, which I didn’t feel in this manner back then.”
“But I could feel it at this point. Back then, calculations were happening, I was reading people’s faces, and I could sense disappointment. I had dengue, so I was also bedridden for a month,” said Imtiaz.
Processing Failure and Embracing Experimentation
Ali revealed that the initial disappointment of the film’s performance was compounded by personal health issues at the time. However, he added, “You have to let it go… I feel lucky for all my failures. Now Jab Harry Met Sejal didn’t work, still I felt there was something good happening. I am not perturbed by it. You shouldn’t be so bothered with success or failure.”
Breaking the Mold: Jab Harry Met Sejal as an Experiment
Ali explained that Jab Harry Met Sejal was a conscious effort to break away from his signature style. He aimed to create a lighter, more effortless film compared to his philosophically layered narratives. “I was trying to make a light film, an easy film…That was a pure thought. Some experiments won’t work,” he said.
Imtiaz Ali’s Recent Success with Amar Singh Chamkila
Despite the challenges with Jab Harry Met Sejal, Imtiaz Ali continues to push boundaries. His recent directorial venture, Amar Singh Chamkila, starring Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra, received critical acclaim.
More Pages: Jab Harry Met Sejal Box Office Collection
, Jab Harry Met Sejal Movie Review
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