Imtiaz Ali is a prominent figure in Indian cinema, celebrated for his unique storytelling and direction. This comprehensive biography delves into his life, career, and personal journey.
Wiki/Biography
Imtiaz Ali was born on June 16, 1971 (age 52 as of 2023), in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India. His early years were partly spent in Patna. A Gemini, his father’s job with the Irrigation Department exposed him to various facets of Indian life. He attended St. Michael’s High School, Patna, and D.B.M.S. English School, Jamshedpur.
His schooling years included a period living with his aunt at Krim Mansion in Jamshedpur, adjacent to a cinema hall, granting him free movie access. He developed a friendship with the projectionist, fueling his fascination with filmmaking. Academically, he struggled, even failing the 9th standard. Despite this, his father encouraged him to pursue the Civil Services.
Following school, he enrolled at Hindu College, University of Delhi, starting his graduation and preparing for the Civil Services. However, his passion for cinema and drama led him to join Ibtida, Hindu College’s dramatics society. He later moved to Delhi for filmmaking studies at Xavier Institution of Communication, further enhancing his skills with an advertising and marketing course.
Physical Appearance
- Height (approx.): 5′ 10″
- Hair Colour: Black
- Eye Colour: Black
Family, Caste & Wife
Imtiaz Ali comes from a Muslim family. His father, Mansoor Ali, worked in the Irrigation Department. Details about his mother remain scarce. He has an older brother, Arif Ali (also a director), and a younger brother, Sajid Ali.
He married Preety Ali, a producer, and they have a daughter, Ida Ali. The couple divorced in 2012. He’s been rumored to be dating Pakistani actress Iman Ali.
Career
Imtiaz began his career as a writer at Crest Communications, working long hours writing scripts for television programmers. He later directed shows like “Imtehaan,” “Naina,” and “Kurukshetra” for Doordarshan.
His directorial debut feature film, “Socha Na Tha,” although taking three years to complete, didn’t achieve significant box office success. However, his subsequent film, “Jab We Met,” starring Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor, became a major hit, launching him into wider recognition.
He followed up with other commercially successful films like “Love Aaj Kal” (2009) and “Rockstar” (2011). “Highway” (2014), a critically acclaimed film, was a script he’d written nearly two decades earlier. He continued his successful run directing “Tamasha” and “Jab Harry Met Sejal.”
Beyond writing and directing, he’s also acted, notably in “Black Friday,” portraying Yakub Memon.
Favourite Things
Here’s a glimpse into Imtiaz Ali’s preferences:
| Category | Preference |
|---|---|
| Lyricist | Irshad Kamil |
| Films | Junoon, The English Patient, In the Mood for Love, Chungking Express, Map of the Human Heart, Prisoner of the Mountains |
| Musician | A. R. Rahman |
| Singer | Mohit Chauhan |
| Actor | Ranbir Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan |
| Actress | Deepika Padukone |
| Writer | Ruskin Bond |
| Cricketer | Kapil Dev |
| Sport | Basketball |
Facts/Trivia
Imtiaz Ali’s hobbies include reading, writing, and travelling. He’s known to smoke and drink alcohol. He maintains close relationships with Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone.
He’s openly discussed his personal complexities, which often influence his characters. His first salary was ?1,500, earned working under Kunal Kohli at Zee TV. During the 2020 lockdown, he shared a photo of his first car, a Maruti 800, on Instagram.
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