"Experience Life; no one can give you the story. Be yourselves. Live a life so that you have stories to tell."

That was the message that Imtiaz Ali fervently sent out to a packed auditorium of students at this week's Master Class. The director was introduced to the students by WWI chairman Mr. Subhash Ghai as "a young, honest, soulful director whose films are to be appreciated for their simplicity and for not having any pretences." The previous evening, Imtiaz's runaway sleeper hit film Jab We Met (2005) had been screened -- by all accounts, a welcome repeat viewing for the students. With Imtiaz's Love Aaj Kal (2009) having reinforced his ability to reach out with young audiences, students were eager to discuss with him, his approach to film-making.
The youthful Imtiaz Ali whose looks and demeanour belied his 37 years, made an impact by declaring "Yahaan to apne hi log hai na" as he went down memory lane with refreshing candour. He made light of his years of "struggle", before he was able to make his first feature film, Socha Na Tha (2005). Imtiaz's debut film (as also that of actor Abhay Deol) -reportedly long in the making, with distribution problems- did not make waves at the box office but has acquired a fan following over time. To Imtiaz, "the journey of making the film is more important than the end. The process of making it is my reward. After that whatever happens is a bonus." With his next film Jab We Met, Imtiaz has been credited with having "rebooted the romantic genre", and the film endeared itself to audiences of all kinds with its real and relatable characters, and dialogues they could identify with. To a question on the inspiration for the unforgettable character of Geet, Imtiaz brought the house down with his answer: "There were many Geets in my life, many girls who talked too much... they have brilliant ideas and believe it their duty to share them with the rest of the world." He made light of its success, saying "I was not thinking about the fate of the movie. I was just trying to make a good film."
Imtiaz believes that the whole-hearted acceptence by the audience, young and old, of his Love Aaj Kal (the starting point being a "break-up party" of a friend!) is because he has been "able to capture their mood on how love has evolved over the years. The basic concept of the film is how relationships were in the past and how they have changed today."

When asked about his views on the change in Indian Cinema and in the audience of today, Imtiaz asserted that "it is the audience that has changed a lot-it has evolved and moved far ahead and is more intelligent than we (filmmakers) think they are. The excuse made earlier by us that the audience will not understand is not valid. The films being made now is because of this change." Imtiaz described the market at present, as "multi-segmented with various kinds of films, be they of the earlier vintage kind, or cutting-edge new cinema, accepted if they are well made." On the lack of importance of Lyrics in today's films, he said, "Poetry and Literature is not as much a part of our lives as it used to be; we have to learn to use lyrics as a tool to take the story forward."
His advice for the students: "Be who you are; whether you become an Actor, a Director or an Editor, what is interesting about you, is yourself. Improve yourself, but don't pretend to be anyone else. Experience Life; no one can give you the story. Live a life so that you have stories to tell."

Recalling his long journey to cinema, he expected the students to capitalise on their training, and make a jump start in the industry. Imtiaz was all praise for Whistling Woods International, and said that with the ingenuity and culture within it, he could "feel the very vibe and energy between the walls.

He signed off by saying" The zestful and informal atmosphere at WWI infused zing and a sense of youth in me. A very interesting experience coming here! I wish WWI all the best and I am sure students coming out from here will make the film industry stronger and better place to be."