Imtiaz Ali reveals the real reason behind making Jab Harry Met Sejal

Imtiaz Ali is known for crafting intricate tales of love, often delving deep into the complexities of human relationships. However, the filmmaker had a surprising change of heart when he ventured into the world of "Jab Harry Met Sejal." The Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma starrer romantic drama, released in 2017, took a different approach, aiming for simplicity rather than intellectual depth.

Imtiaz Ali, revered for his thought-provoking movies like "Jab We Met" and "Rockstar," decided to create a film that would shed the label of an 'intellectual' director. In a candid conversation with Roshan Abbas for the Stumble Podcast, he shared the motivation behind this creative shift.

After the release of "Tamasha," his film had become the subject of intense intellectual discussion, with some suggesting that it was a movie meant only for the intelligentsia. Feeling that he had crossed into a realm where his work was being analyzed by an exclusive club, Ali wanted to return to a more accessible style of storytelling.

The movie itself was a simple, slice-of-life narrative, centered around two individuals and a quest for a lost ring. It was a departure from Imtiaz Ali's signature style, emphasizing organic and relatable storytelling over intricate intellectualism.

In retrospect, Imtiaz Ali recognized that the attempt to break free from his 'intellectual' director image had mixed results. He humorously acknowledged that audiences often felt they didn't fully grasp the film.