Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali believes Indian cinema will never see another Amitabh Bachchan. Having grown up in an era shaped by the legendary actor’s towering presence, Ali considers himself fortunate to have witnessed the superstar’s enduring influence and hopes to direct him in a film someday.

Bachchan, one of the most celebrated stars in Indian cinema, turned 84 on Sunday, marking another milestone in a career that spans more than five decades. On the occasion, Ali reflected on his admiration for the veteran actor and the possibility of working with him.

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“There is nobody like Amitabh Bachchan and there never will be. I will categorise myself as a person who was born in the Amitabh Bachchan era in India,” Ali told PTI.

The filmmaker, known for films such as ‘Jab We Met’, ‘Rockstar’, ‘Tamasha’ and ‘Love Aaj Kal’, admitted that collaborating with Bachchan once seemed like an impossible prospect. The actor’s stature was so formidable that Ali was unsure how he would even approach him professionally.

“When I came into the film industry, I thought I’ll never work with Amitabh Bachchan because he’s just like... I don’t know what I can say to him,” he said.

However, an opportunity to direct Bachchan in an advertisement changed that perception. The experience made Ali realise that a film collaboration was not beyond reach.

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“But I had the good fortune of doing an ad film with him. And then I realised that, ‘No, no. I can work with this gentleman, and I would love to, like any director.’ Hopefully, someday I’ll work with him,” he added.

Imtiaz Ali reflects on 25 years in cinema

Ali was speaking on the sidelines of Whistling Woods International’s annual cinema festival, ‘Celebrate Cinema ’26’, where he participated in a session centred on his film ‘Main Wapas Aaunga’.

The filmmaker is marking 25 years in the film industry, a milestone that has prompted him to reflect on his journey and the audiences who have supported his work. With his latest release, ‘Main Wapas Aaunga’, performing well at the box office and his daughter Ida recently getting engaged, the year has brought several personal and professional moments of significance.

For Ali, the audience’s affection has also deepened his sense of responsibility as a filmmaker. He said he now approaches every project with the desire to give something meaningful back to those who have stood by him.

“I want to give a gift back to the audience. So now, when I’m making a film, I always keep that in mind. I feel that I’m here only by the kindness of the audience and people in the film industry, and I want to do my best for them,” he said.

‘There’s no pressure’: Imtiaz Ali on filmmaking

Despite his desire to live up to the audience’s affection, Ali does not view filmmaking as a burden. Instead, he considers it a rare privilege, one he continues to approach with gratitude and a sense of wonder.

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Asked whether the expectations surrounding his work ever become overwhelming, the director said filmmaking remains an essential part of his life, rather than a source of pressure.

“I’m not ever going to take my work as pressure because I can’t even survive without it. I feel that it’s a rare privilege that somebody can make a film in this world, and I have been given that privilege,” he said.