Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali recently took a heartwarming break from his cinematic endeavors to celebrate his mother's 75th birthday in the picturesque town of Pahalgam, Kashmir. The director, known for films like 'Rockstar' and 'Jab We Met', shared glimpses of the intimate family gathering on his Instagram, offering fans a peek into the joyous occasion.
The celebration saw Imtiaz and his family dressed in matching white T-shirts adorned with his mother's face, creating a visually endearing spectacle. The family came together for a cake-cutting ceremony, filled with laughter and warmth. Imtiaz captioned the post with "Gratitude and love as mom turns 75! In Pahalgam, Kashmir :)," tagging family members and close friends.
The serene backdrop of Pahalgam added a special touch to the celebrations. However, the town has recently been in the news for a tragic terror attack that resulted in the loss of over two dozen lives.
On the professional front, Imtiaz Ali has unveiled his next film project, featuring a cast including Diljit Dosanjh, Naseeruddin Shah, Vedang Raina, and Sharvari Wagh. Production is slated to begin in August with a release planned for Baisakhi 2026. Describing the film, Imtiaz quoted Urdu poet Momin, "Tum mere paas hote ho goya, Jab koi doosra nahin hota" ("You are with me, however, when there is no one else"). He added, "Can love really be lost? Can home be taken away from someone's heart? This film is about a boy and a girl, and also about a country. It's a large story with intimate emotions. As we dive into the currents of this story, we hope to surface next year with something that moves you deeply".
In other news, Imtiaz Ali has voiced his support for Diljit Dosanjh amidst the controversy surrounding the casting of "Sardaar Ji 3". He clarified that Diljit, was not involved in the casting decisions for the film.
Pahalgam holds a special place in Imtiaz Ali's memories. During the making of 'Rockstar', he and A.R. Rahman, created the song 'Phir Se Ud Chala' there. Ali recounted an amusing incident where local girls mistook Rahman for an electrician while he was setting up recording equipment.
Earlier this year, in April 2025, Pahalgam was in the news when Anurag Kashyap and Imtiaz Ali's daughters, Aaliyah and Ida, were vacationing in Kashmir. They expressed their shock and grief over the terror attack in Pahalgam, revealing they had been at the same location just two days prior.
