Mumbai (Showbiz Desk): Renowned Indian filmmaker and director Imtiaz Ali has revealed that he was once kidnapped during his student days in Delhi due to a political dispute, although the incident later turned into a memorable experience for him.
Speaking to Indian media during the promotional campaign for his new romantic film, the 55-year-old director said that he found himself caught in an unexpected situation because of tensions between two student organizations during his college years.
He explained that a political poster had been placed on a hostel wall, and he simply removed it from the front wall and placed it elsewhere. However, some individuals misunderstood the incident, and a few days later he was forcibly taken to a deserted government building.
According to Imtiaz Ali, a leader of a political group questioned him there. Once it became clear that he had not torn down the poster but had only moved it to another location, he was released.
He said that although the incident could have turned dangerous, it eventually led to several new friendships and became one of the memorable experiences of his life.
Recalling his student years, the filmmaker said that university politics at the time was highly tense, and rivalry among different student organizations was common.
Talking about his new film, Imtiaz Ali said that the story revolves around themes such as Punjab, the impact of the Partition of India, the connection between the past and the present, music, and love that transcends borders.
He also revealed that the project marks his second collaboration with renowned singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh. For the music, he has once again teamed up with A.R. Rahman and lyricist Irshad Kamil, with whom he has worked on several successful films in the past.