IMTIAZ ALI BREAKS SILENCE ON BACKLASH AGAINST JHMS

Jab Harry Met Sejal (JHMS) finally released this weekend worldwide and surprisingly, was greeted to a rather mixed reviews with most reviewers lashing out at the director of the film, Imtiaz Ali. The film starring Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma in lead roles has been receiving mixed response with most of the critics saying that the film lacks Imtiaz's magical touch, something that was evident in his previous works.

At a recent promotional event held for the film, when the film-maker was quizzed about the same, he said, "I am sure that a lot of people do not think that Jab Harry Met Sejal is an intellectual masterpiece, but I did not intend it to be one.” He further explained, "Some said you really need to be intelligent to understand an Imtiaz Ali film. For me that was a blow. I feel that I have never been part of any intelligent club. I wanted to make a very simple film with all my heart...I have not made this film for praise. You know I would like to be the director who can make different kinds of films. This one is made to reach the maximum number of people. Not to just get praise for myself."

Talking about the subject of Imtiaz having lost his touch and being unable to recreate his magic with Jab Harry Met Sejal, Shah Rukh gave an explanation and was quoted as saying, "I have always believed the film should go beyond the subject and create some magic. I also believe people come with preconceived notion that they have seen already."

SRK further added, "I am speaking on his (Imtiaz Ali’s) behalf. I think sometimes the bigger feeling is to try something new. I have been in the business long enough to try a formula film and to try a film with no formula. Succeeded and failed at both. So, I understood that I can’t even try to recreate the magic. Take Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, for example. I have worked with Adi (director Aditya Chopra) again. Me and Anushka have (in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi). But there will never be another DDLJ. So every writer or director does not want to go back to the same magic because he/she does not know how it was created. Some critics have talked about the magic being missing. I think he would not like to recreate that magic that he has done in the past. This one has a new magic. It’s a new trick. Maybe just the newness of it is going to take some time for people to understand the magic of the film. Working with Imtiaz was quite magical."

Well, SRK sure does seem to have a point! Have you seen the film yet? Share your take on it with us in the comments section below!