Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali has revealed that he once avoided working with the same actors again in his films. The director, known for movies like Jab We Met, Love Aaj Kal, Rockstar, and Highway, said he believed repeating actors could affect the freshness of his storytelling.
After making his debut with Socha Na Tha, Imtiaz became one of Bollywood’s most respected directors. Despite the success of his films, he stayed away from casting the same stars repeatedly.
In an interview with Hindustan Times, the filmmaker shared that he earlier believed he should never work with the same actor twice because he feared carrying a “hangover” from the previous film.
Imtiaz Ali Changed His Thinking During Tamasha
According to Imtiaz Ali, his mindset changed while making Tamasha. The movie starred Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone, both of whom he had already worked with earlier.
The director said he realised the fear he once had did not actually exist. He explained that every character feels different, even when played by the same actor. Imtiaz shared that he did not feel any “hangover” while working with Ranbir, Deepika, or even Diljit Dosanjh.
Why Imtiaz Ali Cast Diljit Dosanjh Again
Diljit Dosanjh worked with Imtiaz Ali in Amar Singh Chamkila and is now returning for the director’s upcoming movie Main Vaapas Aaunga. Talking about the casting choice, Imtiaz said he always writes the script first and then decides which actor fits the role best. He felt Diljit was the perfect choice for the new film and saw no reason to avoid working with him again.
The filmmaker added that the character of Nirvair in Main Vaapas Aaunga is completely different from Chamkila. He believes Diljit’s performance will bring something special to the role.
Ranbir Kapoor Played Very Different Roles
Imtiaz Ali also spoke about Ranbir Kapoor and how the actor played two very different characters in Rockstar and Tamasha. According to the director, Ranbir’s role in Tamasha was completely different from his intense musician character in Rockstar. This helped Imtiaz understand that talented actors can bring freshness to every film, even if they work together multiple times.
Tamasha Became a Cult Film Over the Years
When Tamasha was released, it performed moderately at the box office and earned around ₹136 crore worldwide. However, over time, the film gained a strong fan following and is now considered a cult classic by many movie lovers.
The emotional story, music, and performances of Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone continue to receive praise even years after its release. Meanwhile, Imtiaz Ali’s last film, Amar Singh Chamkila, released directly on Netflix and received positive reviews from critics as well as audiences.
About Main Vaapas Aaunga
Imtiaz Ali’s next film, Main Vaapas Aaunga, is a romantic drama set during the time of Partition. Apart from Diljit Dosanjh, the movie also stars Vedang Raina, Sharvari, and Naseeruddin Shah in important roles. The film is scheduled to release in theatres on June 12 and is already creating excitement among fans of Imtiaz Ali and Diljit Dosanjh.
