Imtiaz Ali explains why Gen-Z connects with 'Rockstar' and 'Tamasha'

Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali observes that his films 'Rockstar' and 'Tamasha,' released over a decade ago, continue to attract new young fans. These movies have become touchstones for Gen-Z, capturing feelings of burnout and obsessive love. Ali notes that these younger audiences defend the films with passion, feeling a deep personal connection to the stories.

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The thing is that when we make movies, we should never make the mistake of first having a marketing strategy, first thinking about Gen‑Z, analysing them and then deciding what kind of movie to make.

Ali is cautious about turning this connection into a marketing strategy. He believes filmmaking is fundamentally an artistic and creative endeavor, not a demographic analysis. While he listens to how young viewers see themselves in his characters' struggles, he avoids creating films specifically to appeal to Gen-Z trends. He acknowledges he cannot fully grasp every current trend but finds a way to connect by recalling his own experiences at that age.

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The best way of finding out what a person of 25 is thinking today is to remember what I felt when I was 25.

Instead of viewing Gen-Z as a separate group, Ali emphasizes their shared human desires for recognition, understanding, love, and reciprocation. He suggests they may even seek these emotional connections more intensely than previous generations. This, he feels, is why films like 'Rockstar' and 'Tamasha,' which delve into characters experiencing overwhelming emotions, resonate so deeply.

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We should never think of Gen‑Z as ‘the other.’

These stories feature characters like Jordan, driven by a consuming need for love, and Ved, suffocated by an inauthentic life. For a generation often expressing feelings of numbness amid global crises, Ali's films offer a space to explore complex emotions authentically. He believes people today seek lasting meaning, a sentiment reflected in the enduring appeal of his work.

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Yes, they are looking for love, perhaps, more than we were. They are seeking emotionality more intensely than we were.