Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali shared details about his childhood and early career during an appearance on the Baatein Dil Se podcast hosted by Navika Kumar [1].

The interview provides a rare look into the personal development of one of India's most prominent directors, linking his early creative interests to his professional work.

Ali spoke about his formative years, noting that his interest in performance began early. "I was deeply involved in plays and skits from a young age," Ali said [1]. These school productions served as an early introduction to the storytelling techniques he would later employ in his feature films.

Beyond the arts, Ali touched upon the social challenges he faced during his education. He discussed the experience of college hazing, a common but contentious practice in many Indian institutions. "I recall being ragged in college," Ali said [1].

The conversation also shifted toward his more recent professional endeavors, specifically his work on the project Chamkila [1]. Ali detailed the process of bringing the story to life, connecting his current creative approach to the experiences he had as a student.

The podcast, produced by the Times Network, represents a shift for host Navika Kumar. Known for her intense journalistic interrogations, Kumar uses the Baatein Dil Se platform to facilitate more sincere and personal dialogues with her guests [3].

“"I was deeply involved in plays and skits from a young age."”

The transition of journalist Navika Kumar from hard-news interrogation to a conversational podcast format reflects a broader trend in Indian media toward long-form, personality-driven content. By featuring figures like Imtiaz Ali, the series leverages celebrity narratives to explore broader social themes, such as the culture of ragging in higher education, while promoting new cinematic works.