Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer Imtiaz Ali is 55 years old as of 2026. He is known for making Hindi films that focus on love, emotion, identity, and personal conflict.
Imtiaz was born on 16 June 1971 in Jamshedpur, then in Bihar, and now in Jharkhand, India.
Ali began his career in television before moving to Hindi films. His first film as a director was Socha Na Tha in 2005. His second film, Jab We Met, made him widely known and also won him the Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue.
His films are often known for music, travel, romance, and characters who question their own life choices.
Quick Facts of Imtiaz Ali
| Full Name | Imtiaz Ali |
| Profession | Film director, screenwriter, producer |
| Age | 55 years old |
| Date of Birth | June 16, 1971 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Gemini |
| Birthplace | Jamshedpur (Jharkhand), Bihar, India |
| Current Address | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Gender | Male |
Imtiaz Ali Early Life and Education
Imtiaz Ali was born in Jamshedpur and spent some of his early years in Patna. His father, Mansoor Ali, worked as a contractor in irrigation.
As a child, Imtiaz sometimes went with his father during work visits. This helped him see different parts of Indian life from close range.
He studied in Patna and Jamshedpur during his school years. One source states that he also lived with his aunt in Jamshedpur during part of his schooling, near a cinema hall, where he often watched films.
Education
Imtiaz Ali studied at St. Michael’s High School in Patna and later at D.B.M.S. English School in Jamshedpur. He then attended Hindu College, University of Delhi.
At college, he took part in theatre and started Ibtida, the dramatic society of Hindu College. After this, he moved to Mumbai and completed a diploma course at Xavier Institute of Communication.
| School | D.B.M.S. English School, Jamshedpur |
| Alma Mater | Xavier Institute of Communication, |
| Highest Qualification | Diploma in Filmmaking |
Imtiaz Ali Personal Life
Imtiaz Ali was married to Preety Ali. Preety is a film producer who has worked on projects such as Shuruaat Ka Interval, Laila Majnu, and short-film-related productions.
The couple married in 1995, separated in 2012, and later reunited, but Preety Ali herself keeps a private life away from regular media attention.
Children
She and Imtiaz Ali have one daughter, Ida Ali, who is an Indian writer, director, and filmmaker.
Parents
His father’s name is Mansoor Ali. He worked in irrigation-related work. His mother’s name is not publicly confirmed in the sources checked.
Siblings
Imtiaz Ali is the brother of filmmaker Arif Ali and Sajid Ali as his younger brother.
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Wife | Preety Ali |
| Children | Ida Ali |
| Parents | Father: Mansoor Ali Mother: Yet to be updated |
| Siblings | Brothers: Arif Ali, Sajid Ali |
Career
Imtiaz Ali started his career with television before moving into films. He directed Imtihaan in 1994. Later, he also worked on digital shows as the creator and writer of She and Dr. Arora.
She stars Aaditi Pohankar, Vijay Varma, and Kishore (Kishore Kumar G). The series follows a female constable who goes undercover to expose a crime network. Dr. Arora stars Kumud Mishra as a small-town sex consultant who meets people dealing with private health and relationship issues.
Socha Na Tha
Imtiaz Ali made his directorial debut with Socha Na Tha in 2005. The film starred Abhay Deol, Ayesha Takia, Ayesha Jhulka, Apoorva Jha, and Suresh Oberoi.
The story is about Viren and Aditi, who meet for an arranged marriage but reject the match at first. They become friends, get engaged to other people, and later understand that they love each other.
Ahista Ahista
In 2006, Imtiaz Ali wrote Ahista Ahista. The film was directed by Shivam Nair and starred Abhay Deol, Soha Ali Khan, Shayan Munshi, Murad Ali, and Brijendra Kala.
The story follows Ankush, a man who works as a marriage witness in Delhi. He meets Megha, a woman who has been left by her lover, and slowly grows close to her. When her old lover returns, Ankush has to fight for his relationship.
Jab We Met
In 2007, Imtiaz Ali directed and wrote Jab We Met. The film starred Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan, with Tarun Arora, Saumya Tandon, Dara Singh, and Pavan Malhotra in supporting roles.
The story follows Aditya, a heartbroken businessman, who meets Geet, a talkative Punjabi woman, during a train trip. Their meeting changes both their lives, and the film became one of Imtiaz Ali’s most loved works.
Love Aaj Kal
In 2009, Imtiaz Ali directed and wrote Love Aaj Kal. The film starred Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, Rishi Kapoor, Giselli Monteiro, and Neetu Singh.
The film tells two love stories set in different time periods. Jai and Meera represent modern love, career pressure, and personal freedom, while the older love story shows a more traditional idea of commitment.
Rockstar
In 2011, Imtiaz Ali directed and wrote Rockstar. The film starred Ranbir Kapoor, Nargis Fakhri, Shammi Kapoor, Kumud Mishra, Piyush Mishra, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Sanjana Sanghi.
The story follows Janardhan Jakhar, a college student who wants to become a famous musician. He falls in love with Heer, and his pain, success, and inner conflict shape him into the singer Jordan.
Cocktail
In 2012, Imtiaz Ali wrote Cocktail. The film was directed by Homi Adajania and starred Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, Diana Penty, Dimple Kapadia, Boman Irani, Randeep Hooda, and Manoj Pahwa.
The story is about Gautam, Veronica, and Meera. Veronica and Meera are close friends with very different personalities, but their bond becomes complicated when both women become connected to Gautam.
Highway
In 2014, Imtiaz Ali directed, wrote, and produced Highway. The film starred Alia Bhatt and Randeep Hooda, with Durgesh Kumar and Pradeep Nagar in supporting roles.
The story follows Veera, a young woman who is kidnapped just before her wedding. As she travels with her kidnapper, she begins to face old pain from her past and forms a strange bond with him.
Tamasha
In 2015, Imtiaz Ali directed and wrote Tamasha. The film starred Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone, with Jawed Sheikh and Sushma Seth in supporting roles.
The story starts with Ved and Tara meeting in Corsica, where they decide to hide their real names and identities. Later, Tara meets Ved again and sees that he is living a life that does not match his true personality.
Jab Harry Met Sejal
In 2017, Imtiaz Ali directed and wrote Jab Harry Met Sejal. The film starred Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma, with Chandan Roy Sanyal, Evelyn Sharma, Kavi Shastri, and Aru Krishansh Verma in supporting roles.
The story follows Harry, a tour guide, and Sejal, a woman looking for her lost engagement ring in Europe. During their search, both characters face loneliness, love, and the need to understand themselves better.
Laila Majnu
In 2018, Imtiaz Ali worked on Laila Majnu as the screenplay writer and presenter. The film was directed by Sajid Ali and starred Avinash Tiwary and Triptii Dimri.
The film is a modern retelling of the classic Laila and Majnu love story. It follows Laila and Qais, two lovers who cannot unite because of family opposition, and their love later turns into tragedy.
Love Aaj Kal 2020
In 2020, Imtiaz Ali directed, wrote, and produced Love Aaj Kal. The film starred Kartik Aaryan, Sara Ali Khan, Randeep Hooda, Arushi Sharma, and Sonu Saini.
The story follows Zoe and Veer, a modern couple trying to balance love with career goals. A past love story runs beside their track and helps them question what they really want from life and relationships.
Thai Massage
In 2022, Imtiaz Ali produced Thai Massage with Bhushan Kumar. The film was directed by Mangesh Hadawale and starred Gajraj Rao, Divyenndu Sharma, Sunny Hinduja, Rajpal Yadav, Vibha Chibber, and Alina Zasobina.
The story is about Atmaram Dubey, a 70-year-old widower from Ujjain. The film deals with old age, desire, loneliness, and the social shame attached to private health issues.
Amar Singh Chamkila
In 2024, Imtiaz Ali directed, wrote, and produced Amar Singh Chamkila. The film starred Diljit Dosanjh as Amar Singh Chamkila and Parineeti Chopra as Amarjot Kaur.
The film is based on the life of Punjabi singer Amar Singh Chamkila. It shows his rise as a popular singer, his bold songs, public criticism, and his murder along with his wife, Amarjot.
My Melbourne
In 2024, Imtiaz Ali was one of the directors of My Melbourne, an Indian-Australian anthology film. The film also involved directors such as Onir, Rima Das, Kabir Khan, Arif Ali, and others.
The film has four different stories based on identity and belonging in Melbourne. It deals with subjects such as race, gender, disability, and sexuality through separate characters and situations.
Main Vaapas Aaunga
In 2026, Imtiaz Ali directed Main Vaapas Aaunga. The film starred Diljit Dosanjh, Naseeruddin Shah, Vedang Raina, Sharvari Wagh, and Banita Sandhu.
The story is set against the Partition of India. It deals with love, memory, migration, and the emotional bond people have with home and loved ones across generations.
Imtiaz Ali Upcoming Projects
- The Idiot of Istanbul: Imtiaz Ali has confirmed that he plans to make a film titled The Idiot of Istanbul. He said the film may not be his immediate next film, but he has been trying to make it for a long time. He also confirmed that he plans to make the film with Malayalam actor Fahadh Faasil. Faasil is the confirmed lead actor for the project. The release date is yet to be updated.
Imtiaz Ali Awards and Achievements
Here are the major milestones of Imtiaz Ali’s career:
Key Wins
- The Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue for Jab We Met in 2008.
- The IIFA Award for Best Dialogue for Jab We Met in 2008.
- The Producers Guild Film Award for Best Dialogue for Jab We Met. This added to the strong award response received by the film.
- The Producers Guild Film Award for Best Story for Love Aaj Kal in 2010.
- The Screen Award for Best Story for Love Aaj Kal in 2010.
- The Best Direction Film at the IIFA Digital Awards for Amar Singh Chamkila, and also won Best Film at the same event.
Key Nominations
- Received Filmfare nominations for Best Director for Jab We Met, Love Aaj Kal, and Rockstar.
- Received Filmfare nominations for Love Aaj Kal in the categories of Best Story, Best Screenplay, and Best Dialogue.
- Received a Filmfare nomination for Best Story for Highway in 2015.
- He received nominations for Love Aaj Kal and Rockstar in the categories of Best Director and Best Story.
- At the IIFA Awards, Highway was nominated for Best Film, and Imtiaz Ali was nominated for Best Director for the same film.
- At the Producers Guild Film Awards, he received nominations for films such as Jab We Met, Love Aaj Kal, Rockstar, and Highway in categories linked to direction, screenplay, story, and dialogue.
- In 2025, Amar Singh Chamkila, directed by Imtiaz Ali, received two International Emmy nominations. The film was nominated in the TV Movie/Mini-Series category, and Diljit Dosanjh was nominated for Best Performance by an Actor.
Imtiaz Ali Controversies
Imtiaz Ali has mostly kept a low public profile, but some issues linked to him have been discussed in the media.
In June 2026, Imtiaz Ali’s comments about the burqa and parda became a topic of public debate. During an interview, he questioned the idea that women can be fully comfortable with clothing or practices linked to social restrictions. The main issue was his statement that accepting such restrictions as comfort may show deep social conditioning. His remarks received mixed reactions on social media. Some people supported his comments as a criticism of patriarchy, while others felt he was questioning women’s personal choice.
Imtiaz Ali Net Worth
The estimated net worth of Imtiaz Ali is around ₹150-200 crores ($15.8-$21.1 million).
| Net Worth Approx. | ₹150-200 crores ($15.8-$21.1 million) |
Imtiaz Ali Height, Weight & Physical Stats
Below are the physical stats of Imtiaz Ali:
| Height | In centimetres: 178 cm In meters: 1.78 m In feet and inches: 5 feet 10 inches |
| Weight | In kg: 74 kg In lbs: 163 lbs |
| Body Measurements | 40-32-12 inches |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Black |
Imtiaz Ali Instagram, X, Facebook
 @imtiazaliofficial | |
| X |  @1mti4z_ali |
 @ImtiazAliOfficial |
FAQs
What is the age of Imtiaz Ali?
Imtiaz Ali is 55 years old. He was born on 16 June 1971 in Jamshedpur, Bihar, present-day Jharkhand, India.
What is Imtiaz Ali famous for?
Imtiaz is famous for directing Hindi films such as Jab We Met, Love Aaj Kal, Rockstar, Highway, Tamasha, and Amar Singh Chamkila.
Who is Imtiaz Ali’s wife?
Preety Ali is Imtiaz’s wife.
Does Imtiaz Ali have children?
Yes, Imtiaz Ali has one daughter named Ida Ali.
What is Imtiaz Ali’s education?
Imtiaz studied at Hindu College, University of Delhi, and completed a diploma course at Xavier Institute of Communication in Mumbai.
