Imtiaz Ali, known for his romantic dramas, has expressed a keen interest in venturing into the horror genre. The acclaimed filmmaker recently shared his thoughts on directing a horror movie with depth, aiming to go beyond mere scares.
Imtiaz Ali’s Fascination with Horror Films
During an appearance on Ranveer Allahbadia’s podcast, Imtiaz Ali revealed his longstanding fascination with horror films. He mentioned that he has contemplated making a horror movie several times. Unlike typical horror films that focus solely on scaring the audience, Imtiaz envisions a horror movie with a deeper narrative. He aims to blend horror with other emotions, creating a more profound cinematic experience.
Imtiaz Ali’s Favorite Hindi Horror Movie
Describing Bimal Roy’s Madhumati as his favorite Hindi horror movie, Imtiaz Ali shared an interesting anecdote related to the legendary actress Madhubala. He recalled filming at Madhubala’s old bungalow, Kismat Bungalow, which was rumored to be haunted by her ghost. Imtiaz mentioned that people avoided filming there at night due to these supernatural beliefs. Despite the eerie reputation of the bungalow, Imtiaz found the experience intriguing rather than frightening.
Filming in Madhubala’s Haunted Bungalow
Imtiaz Ali recounted his experiences filming at Kismat Bungalow, often exploring its darkest corners alone at night. He shared, “I shot there quite a bit at night. And I would go to the quietest, darkest corners of that house alone, and I used to wonder if Madhubala’s ghost would come. Although I don’t really believe in spirits, but I remember that feeling.” He described the atmosphere as a unique blend of horror, awe, and romanticism, making the experience memorable.
Imtiaz Ali’s Tribute to Madhubala
A couple of years ago, on Madhubala’s 89th birth anniversary, Imtiaz Ali paid tribute to the iconic actress on social media. He posted a picture of Madhubala and wrote, “I have shot nights at her old bungalow hoping for her ghost to show up.” Madhubala, known for her roles in classic films like Mughal-e-Azam, Chalti Ka Naam Gadi, and Mahal, passed away at the young age of 36 in 1969 due to a prolonged illness.
Imtiaz Ali’s Future Projects
Imtiaz Ali recently directed the acclaimed Netflix film Amar Singh Chamkila. Known for his storytelling prowess, he continues to explore diverse themes in his work. In the podcast interview, Imtiaz mentioned that the theme of his next project is ‘reminiscence.’ This indicates his ongoing interest in blending different genres and emotions to create compelling narratives.