Celebrated filmmaker Imtiaz Ali captivated audiences at the Centenary Celebration of the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Kolkata, offering profound personal insights into his cinematic journey and the evolving role of storytelling in shaping India’s future. The thought-provoking session was moderated by Mr Shashwat Goenka, Former President of the Indian Chamber of Commerce, and graced by Dr Rajeev Singh, Director General of the Indian Chamber of Commerce.
Reflecting on his return to the City of Joy, Imtiaz Ali began on an emotional note, “Calcutta feels like coming home, a city deeply interwoven with my personal and familial history, and it continues to anchor me both emotionally and creatively.”
He spoke candidly about the genesis of his passion for storytelling, “My journey into storytelling began with an instinctive curiosity about the lives of strangers, fleeting moments that sparked an urge to imagine, to interpret, and eventually to narrate. That impulse matured into filmmaking, a craft I have come to see as governed not by formulas or trends but by authenticity.”
Ali underscored the importance of truth in storytelling, noting, “When a story arises from a place of truth, it resonates far beyond technique or timing.” He emphasised that filmmaking is not a solitary act but a collective endeavour, “It is a deeply collaborative process rooted in intuition, listening, and shared vision.”
On the integral role of music in cinema, he remarked, “Music plays a vital role in this, not as ornamentation but as the emotional core that speaks where language cannot, often outliving the story itself.”
Recounting his earliest creative expressions, the acclaimed director shared, “As a director, I still carry the spirit of the child who once gathered classmates to stage plays, guided by the need to shape something meaningful from imagination.”
Ali paid heartfelt tribute to the women in his life, “The women in my life my mother, cousins, wife, and daughters have always inspired me with their complexity and intelligence, and portraying them with honesty has never been a conscious agenda but a natural act of reverence.”
Looking ahead, Imtiaz Ali offered a powerful vision for the future of Indian cinema as the country approaches the centenary of its independence in 2047, “I believe cinema holds immense potential not just as entertainment but as a cultural force that can help shape national identity and global perception.”
He concluded with a resonant message aligned with the national vision,“In alignment with the Prime Minister’s vision of establishing India as a global creative powerhouse, it is essential for filmmakers to stay rooted in the country’s soul, its people, its landscapes, and its evolving character, because when stories are told with honesty and care, they do not merely reflect who we are they help define who we are becoming.”
The ICC centenary event was marked by introspection, celebration, and a reaffirmation of creativity as a pillar of India’s growth, with Imtiaz Ali’s words leaving an indelible mark on all those present.
 in Kolkata, offering profound personal insights into his cinematic journey and the evolving role of storytelling in shaping India’s future.){kind=link}