More than a decade after its 2015 release, the Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone starrer Tamasha continues to reign as a cult favorite among young audiences. The film’s core themes—breaking free from societal monotony and embarking on a journey of self-discovery—have profoundly impacted viewers.
However, director Imtiaz Ali recently revealed that this cinematic influence comes with a heavy emotional burden. Speaking at actor Boman Irani’s writers’ convention, Spiral Bound, Ali confessed to feeling a deep sense of guilt and responsibility for fans who made drastic, life-altering career pivots because of his film.
Mixed Feelings Over Creative Risks
During his interaction with aspiring writers at the convention, Ali was approached by numerous individuals who confessed they had abandoned lucrative, stable professions to pursue full-time writing after watching Tamasha.
While the filmmaker respects their bravery, the reality of the highly competitive creative industry weighs heavily on him:
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The Guilt: Ali admits he worries constantly about whether these individuals will find success, feeling personally responsible if their leap of faith backfires.
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The Paradox: Despite his anxiety over their financial security, Ali acknowledges that he possesses a similar mindset, rarely looking at life through a purely methodical or money-minded lens.
“I feel terribly guilty… So many of them came up to me and told me they left their jobs after watching Tamasha and now they’re writers. The instant thought that came to my mind is, I hope they succeed. I’ve got mixed feelings about all of this. I’m sure many of them had lucrative professions but left all of that to be artists.” — Imtiaz Ali
What’s Next for Imtiaz Ali?
While Tamasha continues to stir the hearts of corporate employees dreaming of an escape, Ali is looking forward to his next directorial venture.
His upcoming film, “Main Vaapas Aaunga”, is scheduled to hit theaters on June 12. The project promises to be another deeply emotional narrative, focusing heavily on themes of migration and profound personal loss.
The film features a stellar ensemble cast:
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Diljit Dosanjh
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Naseeruddin Shah
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Vedang Raina
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Sharvari
