11 years after Tamasha, Imtiaz Ali feels guilty that Ved inspired fans to quit jobs
Imtiaz Ali said some viewers told him they quit their jobs after watching Tamasha. He said their stories leave him hopeful yet burdened by the risks families take for creative dreams.
Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali has said he feels "terribly guilty" when people tell him they quit their jobs after watching Tamasha, the 2015 film featuring Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone that later went on to attain cult status. Though the film opened to mixed reviews and a lukewarm box office response, it steadily found a following for its story of identity, dissatisfaction and self-discovery.
Over the years, Tamasha has come to be seen as more than a romance, with Ranbir Kapoor’s Ved standing apart from the usual Hindi film hero. Imtiaz highlighted that the film, often described as ahead of its time, prompted many urban millennials to think harder about unfulfilling careers, with some eventually leaving their professions altogether.
Why Imtiaz Ali feels responsible for failed career moves
Reflecting on the ongoing impact of the film, the filmmaker, in an interview with News 18, admitted he feels "terribly guilty" when fans tell him they walked away from their careers after watching it. Recalling a recent interaction at a writers' convention, he shared that multiple aspiring writers approached him and told him they "left their jobs" after watching the movie to pursue writing.
While Imtiaz sincerely hopes they succeed, he confessed that his sense of accountability extends far beyond the individuals themselves. The director explained that if things go wrong, he feels responsible for the potential "disaster in their lives" and the subsequent burden placed on their families, including wives, children, and parents who might have had traditional aspirations for them.
Imtiaz Ali on harsh reality faced by aspiring artists
The filmmaker emphasised the harsh reality of the entertainment business, pointing out that these individuals are now "struggling in Bombay" just like everyone else who enters the industry. He admitted to having complex emotions about the situation, acknowledging that many walked away from highly lucrative careers to become artists.
Despite his concerns, Imtiaz expressed gladness that they were chasing their passions, offering them his prayers and noting that he would be happy if he were in their shoes. Having never approached life in a "money-mindedly or practically" methodical way himself, the director concluded that while he ultimately feels good about their artistic pursuits, he remains bound by a strong sense of responsibility and connection to them.
Ali is now gearing up for the release of Main Vaapas Aaunga on June 12. Speaking about the film, he said, “A discovery of the past time from the present point of view is a big part of this film. Reminiscence is a big part of this film. This concept of ‘what I’ve lost with time’ is a big part of this film. It’s about ‘what I remember almost makes my personality the way it is now’.”
He added, “It makes a big impression at a time when migration is so drastic. You put the television on, and you see people migrating from one country to another across borders, legally and illegally. The sense of loss isn’t only material. It’s also emotional. This film is a bit about that, about the love you carry when you cross a border.” Ali’s remarks tied together the long afterlife of Tamasha and the ideas of memory, loss and personal change that he said also shape his upcoming film.
Imtiaz's upcoming directorial, Main Vaapas Aaunga was recently reviewed by producer Ekta Kapoor ahead of its June 12 release. She praised the film's cast in her X post.
The film features Diljit Dosanjh, Vedang Raina, Sharvari and Naseeruddin Shah in key roles.
Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali has said he feels "terribly guilty" when people tell him they quit their jobs after watching Tamasha, the 2015 film featuring Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone that later went on to attain cult status. Though the film opened to mixed reviews and a lukewarm box office response, it steadily found a following for its story of identity, dissatisfaction and self-discovery.
Over the years, Tamasha has come to be seen as more than a romance, with Ranbir Kapoor’s Ved standing apart from the usual Hindi film hero. Imtiaz highlighted that the film, often described as ahead of its time, prompted many urban millennials to think harder about unfulfilling careers, with some eventually leaving their professions altogether.
Why Imtiaz Ali feels responsible for failed career moves
Reflecting on the ongoing impact of the film, the filmmaker, in an interview with News 18, admitted he feels "terribly guilty" when fans tell him they walked away from their careers after watching it. Recalling a recent interaction at a writers' convention, he shared that multiple aspiring writers approached him and told him they "left their jobs" after watching the movie to pursue writing.
While Imtiaz sincerely hopes they succeed, he confessed that his sense of accountability extends far beyond the individuals themselves. The director explained that if things go wrong, he feels responsible for the potential "disaster in their lives" and the subsequent burden placed on their families, including wives, children, and parents who might have had traditional aspirations for them.
Imtiaz Ali on harsh reality faced by aspiring artists
The filmmaker emphasised the harsh reality of the entertainment business, pointing out that these individuals are now "struggling in Bombay" just like everyone else who enters the industry. He admitted to having complex emotions about the situation, acknowledging that many walked away from highly lucrative careers to become artists.
Despite his concerns, Imtiaz expressed gladness that they were chasing their passions, offering them his prayers and noting that he would be happy if he were in their shoes. Having never approached life in a "money-mindedly or practically" methodical way himself, the director concluded that while he ultimately feels good about their artistic pursuits, he remains bound by a strong sense of responsibility and connection to them.
Ali is now gearing up for the release of Main Vaapas Aaunga on June 12. Speaking about the film, he said, “A discovery of the past time from the present point of view is a big part of this film. Reminiscence is a big part of this film. This concept of ‘what I’ve lost with time’ is a big part of this film. It’s about ‘what I remember almost makes my personality the way it is now’.”
He added, “It makes a big impression at a time when migration is so drastic. You put the television on, and you see people migrating from one country to another across borders, legally and illegally. The sense of loss isn’t only material. It’s also emotional. This film is a bit about that, about the love you carry when you cross a border.” Ali’s remarks tied together the long afterlife of Tamasha and the ideas of memory, loss and personal change that he said also shape his upcoming film.
Imtiaz's upcoming directorial, Main Vaapas Aaunga was recently reviewed by producer Ekta Kapoor ahead of its June 12 release. She praised the film's cast in her X post.
The film features Diljit Dosanjh, Vedang Raina, Sharvari and Naseeruddin Shah in key roles.
