I have not made this film for praise, says Imtiaz Ali on ‘JHMS’ earning poor reviews

Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali’s brand of cinema has always dealt with romance in its most unique forms, sometimes unfulfilled, yet leaving you with a sense of contentment. But, his latest flick ‘Jab Harry Met Sejal’ starring Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma in the lead roles hasn’t met the expectations of the audience who loved this kind of cinema. The movie which hit the screens on August 4, has been receiving poor reviews from the critics and audiences too. So when the filmmaker was asked about his current state of mind as his movie has earned poor ratings, here’s what he said.

“I am sure that a lot of people do not think that ‘Jab Harry Met Sejal’ is an intellectual masterpiece, but I did not intend it to be one,” said Imtiaz Ali. He further added, “Some said you really need to be intelligent to understand an Imtiaz Ali film. For me that was a blow. I feel that I have never been part of any intelligent club. I wanted to make a very simple film with all my heart. I have not made this film for praise. You know I would like to be the director who can make different kinds of films. This one is made to reach the maximum number of people. Not to just get praise for myself. I have been a veteran at this. When ‘Tamasha’ released, lot of people praised the film but the film was not reaching the audience.” (Also Read: After ‘JHMS’, SRK wants to work more with Imtiaz Ali)

Shah Rukh Khan too echoed a similar sentiment as the director by saying, “I have not seen Imtiaz Ali’s previous work. I have always believed the film should go beyond the subject and create some magic. I also believe people come with preconceived notion that they have seen already. I am speaking on his (Imtiaz Ali’s) behalf. I think sometimes the bigger feeling is to try something new. I have been in the business long enough to try a formula film and to try a film with no formula. Succeeded and failed at both. So, I understood that I can’t even try to recreate the magic. Take ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’, for example. I have worked with Adi (director Aditya Chopra) again. Me and Anushka have (in ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’). But there will never be another ‘DDLJ’.”

He further added, “So every writer or director does not want to go back to the same magic because he/she does not know how it was created. Some critics have talked about the magic being missing. I think he would not like to recreate that magic that he has done in the past. This one has a new magic. It’s a new trick. Maybe just the newness of it is going to take some time for people to understand the magic of the film. Working with Imtiaz was quite magical.”

‘Jab Harry Met Sejal’ stars Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma in lead roles.

Prajakta Ajgaonkar

Passionate about writing, and a Bollywood lover, she is all that is sweet and endearing! She desires to put her best foot forward in everything that she does and loves to help anyone who’s in need.