Imtiaz Ali, the director of the beloved Bollywood film "Jab We Met," recently revealed that he almost faced arrest due to the movie's depiction of Ratlam. In a recent interview, Ali recounted the incident, explaining that a scene in the film, where Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor's characters end up in a questionable hotel in Ratlam, sparked controversy among the locals.
The issue arose from the portrayal of Ratlam as a red-light area, which offended the community. According to the chargesheet, the film had damaged the reputation of the city, which was known for its local delicacies such as chivda and fafda. The complaint claimed that Ali had misrepresented Ratlam, causing offense and leading to a court summons and a non-bailable arrest warrant.
Ali recalled the moment when producer Dinesh Vijan informed him about the legal trouble while he was shooting for "Love Aaj Kal" in Kolkata. Vijan told him about the non-bailable arrest warrant and the risk of being arrested if his location was discovered.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, there were moments of levity. Ali fondly remembers Dolly Ahluwalia's reaction on set. She offered to personally make roti and feed him through the prison bars, which lightened the mood amidst the tension.
Reflecting on the incident, Ali expressed his surprise at facing legal trouble despite making a film like "Jab We Met." He also touched upon the broader concept of freedom, emphasizing the importance of speaking the truth in a public forum.
Interestingly, the scenes depicting Ratlam were not actually filmed in the city. Instead, they were shot in various locations, including Manali, Lonavala, and Mumbai. Ali explained that due to time constraints and logistical challenges, the crew had to improvise and shoot the scenes in different cities.
The film "Jab We Met," released in 2007, became a major hit and is still remembered for its humor, romance, and the chemistry between the lead actors, Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor. However, behind the light-hearted story, the film's depiction of Ratlam led to unexpected legal challenges for Imtiaz Ali. Despite the controversy, "Jab We Met" remains a classic in Bollywood cinema, and the story of Ali's near-arrest has become a memorable anecdote in the film's history.
