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Imtiaz Ali: Youth Crave Old-Fashioned Love
11 Jul
Summary
- Young audiences deeply connect with old-fashioned love stories.
- Departures and goodbyes hold significant emotional value in films.
- Filmmaker observes broader audience interests in diverse cinema.

Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali expressed his gratitude to audiences in Kolkata, highlighting the profound connection his recent film has forged, particularly with younger viewers. He observed that today's youth, often associated with fleeting relationships, deeply aspire to and connect with narratives of old-fashioned love, finding its themes of emotional displacement and commitment relevant.
Ali further elaborated on his fascination with departures, likening goodbyes to a bittersweet sorrow that underscores the value of what is being lost. He views every ending as a potential new beginning, a theme woven into his characters' journeys of searching. This sentiment is echoed in the film's multilingual song, acknowledging the shared experiences of Partition across different regions.
Discussing the broader cinematic landscape of early 2026, Ali noted a heartening return of audiences to theaters, demonstrating a wide range of interests beyond conventional genres. He also reflected on his male characters, describing them as emotionally expressive and sensitive, influenced by the women in his life, which helps break traditional masculine molds.