Filmmaker Aanand L Rai has spoken about his approach to storytelling, explaining why he believes a film’s story should take priority over a director’s ego. Recalling his conversation with Imtiaz Ali before making Raanjhanaa, Rai said he reached out to the filmmaker after hearing him speak about Rockstar, as he wondered whether the two films might explore a similar emotional world.
Rai shared his thoughts while discussing his filmmaking philosophy in connection with his upcoming production, Nakhrewaalii, a romantic comedy starring Ansh Duggal and Pragati Srivastava. “I love stories much more than the director within me. I feel that if a story needs to be told, it should be told,” Rai said.
Aanand L Rai recalls calling Imtiaz Ali before Raanjhanaa
Rai recalled that while preparing to make Raanjhanaa, he heard Imtiaz Ali speak about Rockstar. This prompted him to consider whether the two films might be exploring similar themes or emotional territory. “When I was about to make Raanjhanaa, I heard Imtiaz saying something about Rockstar. And I thought, perhaps these two souls are the same,” he said.
Rather than proceed with that uncertainty, Rai decided to speak directly to Ali. He wanted to understand the world Ali was exploring and explain the direction he intended to take with his own film. “So I called up Imtiaz to understand and tell him which world I was going into. If we were in the same world and he was making it, I would prefer to explore his world, and I would make something else,” Rai said.
“Be slave to the story, nobody else”
Rai also spoke about the values that guide his approach to filmmaking, identifying intent, honesty and the ability to work without ego as important principles. “For me, what matters is intent, honesty and being egoless. Be slave to the story, nobody else,” he said.
Rai is backing Nakhrewaalii and Nayyi Navelli under Colour Yellow Productions, scheduled to be released on October 30 and October 16, respectively.
Also Read: Aanand L Rai-backed Nakhrewaalii set to release on October 30, 2026
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