Happy Birthday Imtiaz Ali: Here’s a list of must-watch movies directed by Imtiaz Ali

Imtiaz Ali is one of the eminent filmmakers in the Bollywood known for his out-of-the-box movies. Imtiaz made his Bollywood debut with ‘Socha Na Tha’ in 2005, however, he gained more popularity after the success for ‘Jab We Met’ starring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Shahid Kapoor in 2007. The beauty of Imtiaz Ali’s directorial lies in the relatable yet complicated storylines which explore both flawed and subtle emotions of human relationships. Known for his off-beat characters in real-life situations, no wonder his movies are popular among most age groups. Hence, to pay tribute on his birthday, there’s no other way than binge-watching some of his best Bollywood movies. For starters, here’s a list of must-watch movies directed by Imtiaz Ali that everyone should watch once in their lifetime.

Ali’s directorial ‘Socha Na Tha’ in 2005 marked his entry to the Hindi acting industry. Infact, this movie was also the debut film for Abhay Doel who shared the screen with Ayesha Takia. This romantic-comedy was all about wrong life decisions clubbed with family problems and an essential Goa trip. It potrays the unexpected twists and turns in relationships and shows how impulsive falling in love can be. Altogether, ‘Socha Na Tha’ is one of Ali’s underrated movies that one needs to reconsider.

Written and directed by Imtiaz Ali, ‘Jab We Met’ was one of the biggest hits of 2007. Another rom-com that talked about two very different main characters who caught in a situation decide to take a journey together and eventually fall in love without realising. Filled with laughter and emotional scene, the movie has a happy ending which fetched several awards. This light-hearted happy movie should not go missed by anyone who enjoys modern love stories.

‘Rockstar’ is a one-of-a-kind musical romantic-drama movie by Imtiaz which attracted positive reviews from the viewers. Starring Ranbir Kapoor with Nargis Fakhri, the movie along with its songs composed by A.R. Rahman remained a chart buster for a long time. The movie plot revolves around an aspiring music artist who attains fame and money in his future yet continue to live in anguish for the death of his ladylove caused by him, unintentionally.

'Highway' movie is a never-before Indian road drama that features Alia Bhatt and Randeep Hooda. Released in 2014, 'Highway' had received numerous positive reviews from critics for its strong storyline and brilliant actor performances. Based on a web series by Ali, this movie highlights the story of a kidnapped girl and her freedom as she takes a journey with the kidnaper. Evidently, it gained worldwide popularity.

'Tamasha' is probably the most praised film of Imtiaz which talks about insecurities of life, mental health, the plight of the new generation, and the psyche of minds. It also explores complexities and flaws in human relationships. The beauty of this movie can only be seen when you actually watch this movie. No to mention, the movie along with its songs were both record-breaking popular. What a gem!