Imtiaz Ali talks about storytelling journey, the women in his life and more at an event in Kolkata

Imtiaz Ali recently attended an event in Kolkata, where he offered profound insights into his creative journey and shared his vision for how storytelling can shape India’s future. His compelling reflections captivated the audience, highlighting the enduring power of narrative.



A cinematic homecoming: Kolkata's enduring embrace

Reflecting on his return to the City of Joy, Imtiaz began on an emotional note sharing, “Calcutta feels like coming home, a city deeply interwoven with my personal and familial history, and it continues to anchor me both emotionally and creatively.” He spoke candidly about the genesis of his passion for storytelling, adding, “My journey into storytelling began with an instinctive curiosity about the lives of strangers, fleeting moments that sparked an urge to imagine, to interpret, and eventually to narrate. That impulse matured into filmmaking, a craft I have come to see as governed not by formulas or trends but by authenticity.”



The unseen threads in storytelling

Imtiaz also highlighted the importance of truth in storytelling, noting, “When a story arises from a place of truth, it resonates far beyond technique or timing.” He emphasised that filmmaking is not a solitary act but a collective endeavour: “It is a deeply collaborative process rooted in intuition, listening, and shared vision.” Recounting his earliest creative expressions, the acclaimed director shared, “As a director, I still carry the spirit of the child who once gathered classmates to stage plays, guided by the need to shape something meaningful from imagination.”



The women who inspire

The filmmaker also paid a heartfelt tribute to the women in his life and said, “The women in my life—my mother, cousins, wife, and daughters—have always inspired me with their complexity and intelligence and portraying them with honesty has never been a conscious agenda but a natural act of reverence.”