Despite several actors and filmmakers expressing interest in having their projects screened at international film festivals, filmmaker Imtiaz Ali says he has never aspired to do so. Highway (2014), starring Alia Bhatt, is his only film to have played at an international film festival, the Berlin International Film Festival.

Ali admits that he has never considered entering his films in a film festival. “I never considered it,” he says. I know a group of filmmakers who would attend a film festival, but I don’t think that way. I primarily want to make films that people want to see; if they get to Cannes, that’s fine.”

“I want all of my films to have a large global audience,” he adds, “but I’ve never aspired for any of my films to be shown at a film festival.” I don’t know much about it (film festivals) either. But I suppose I should consider it.”

Ali, who was in Delhi for the Kathakar International Storytellers Festival, has a long history with the event. “The urge to tell a story is very compelling,” he said, praising the art of storytelling. We can’t get rid of hunger or thirst without telling stories. The reason for making a film as a filmmaker is to tell a story that you have imagined. My Kathakar trick is that I don’t know what to say, so I don’t prepare anything. Then things happen that are both surprising and intriguing.”

“There are many stories within the story of a movie, all of which combines together,” he says when asked if he takes the same approach as a filmmaker. You can have a plan on the day of the shoot. But the best strategy is to ignore that strategy as well. A scene is intended to be shot, but things happen during the shoot, and something unexpected and real can happen. That window should remain open.”

Ali’s most recent film was Love Aaj Kal (2020), which was the sequel to Ali’s 2009 film of the same name. When asked when the audience will be able to see him work his magic on the big screen again, he says he is working on “many” new projects but “can’t talk” about them right now.