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Laila Majnu director Sajid Ali, younger brother of filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, says he is highly influenced by the Rockstar maker who is like a father figure to him.
Sajid, who is making his debut with Laila Majnu, told IANS: “I am the first fan of my brother. Since he is 12 years older to me, he is more like a father than a sibling. So naturally, I am highly influenced by him — but more so as an individual, than a filmmaker.”
Recounting his childhood, he said: “Bhai is a natural storyteller. When I was a baby and he was in his boarding school, during his vacation, he used to put me to bed telling stories in a very engaging manner. He used to sing and do voice acting to tell a story. I used to close my eyes and imagine the visuals.”
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Sajid claims that then itself he knew that his brother is a great storyteller.
“I was never a good storyteller like him, but he constantly inspired me to be the one I am today,” he said.
Anything about Sajid that Imtiaz got inspired by?
“Yes, his hairstyle is actually influenced by mine,” Sajid said with a smile.
“It was the time around my college days after the release of his debut film ‘Socha Na Tha‘ when he came to visit our family home. I had long hair and he said, ‘Wow! I like your hairstyle, I think I am going to grow my hair’. So by the time ‘Jab We Met‘ released, the world saw Imtiaz Ali with long hair.
“But I doubt if he remembered because it was that small talk,” he quipped.
Imtiaz smiled and said: “That is possible if he says so, but I must say he always had good long hair.”
The film Laila Majnu, releasing on September 7, is written and presented by Imtiaz and directed by Sajid.