Many directors in our industry started off as assistant directors (ADs). It’s natural that once you turn director, one doesn’t go back to being an AD. But Shaad Ali is an exception. He worked under Mani Ratnam, after which he turned into a reputed director. Yet, he likes to go back to work under his mentor whenever the opportunity arises. During an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama on 20 years of Bunty Aur Babli (2005) in May 2025, he opened up on this aspect.
EXCLUSIVE: Shaad Ali explains why he keeps working under Mani Ratnam despite turning a director: “It’s like going on a road trip a la Dil Chahta Hai”; reveals his crazy Raavan experience: “Went on the sets for 6 weeks but came back home only after 2 ½ years!”
Shaad Ali began by saying, “People misconstrue it and feel that main bahut bada koi kaam kar raha hoon. But that’s not the case. There are three reasons. Firstly, Mani Ratnam is a great person. Secondly, I benefit from working with him. Thirdly, as you grow a little older, you want to spend time with your parents.”
Shaad continued, “With Mani sir, my relation is such that neither he’s my mentor, nor he’s my elder brother. He’s not even my father. Now, he’s my son’s friend as well. All these relationships have been merged. There’s no definition to our equation. More than anything else, it’s like going on a road trip. It’s like somebody saying that I want to take a road trip once a year with my friends, like Dil Chahta Hai! That’s what it is with him, but that’s not only possible when he’s shooting a film. Or else, he’s planning his next film. Chutti pe jaane waale woh aadmi nahin hai (smiles). So, for me, holiday and work become one when I spend time with him. I have decided that I’ll not take up any project when he’s working on a film. I didn’t do anything for a year except working on Thug Life (2025).”
Shaad further said, “During Raavan (2010), I went for a holiday which was meant to last 6 weeks. But I returned from that ‘holiday’ after 2 ½ years! I have no regrets. Neither I asked him, ‘Ab main jaau?’ nor did he ask me, ‘Tujhe jaana toh nahin hai?’! That’s our relationship.”
Explaining more on this ‘trip’, Shaad Ali revealed, “I was in Kanpur and the shoot of Raavan was taking place in Orchha. I decided to go and have fun with the crew and then return. But everyday, he used to involve me and ask ‘Kal kya karna hai’. Kal karte karte dhai saal nikal gaye (laughs)! I returned home after the premiere, which took place in London. Before that, I didn’t go home.”
When asked about his next project, Shaad Ali said, “I am currently working on two diverse projects. One is a documentary; it’s about restoration – film restoration and relationship-based restoration between a father and son; a film that binds them as well as separates them. It’s based on me and my father (Muzaffar Ali). Hence, it’s deeply personal. As for my mainstream Hindi film, it’s under wraps currently. We are in the process of discussion.”
There have been reports that his next film will star Ahan Shetty. Shaad Ali confessed, “I am talking to him and there’s something we are working on together.”
More Pages: Raavan Box Office Collection , Raavan Movie Review
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