June 10, 2025: Imtiaz Ali’s Jab We Met may be a beloved Bollywood classic, but it once nearly landed its director behind bars. In a recent interview with Anupama Chopra for The Hollywood Reporter, Ali revealed the unexpected legal drama that followed the film’s release in 2007 — all thanks to a single scene set in Ratlam.
The iconic Ratlam sequence, where Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor’s characters get stranded and end up in a shady hotel, drew ire from locals. The portrayal, meant to be comical, sparked backlash for allegedly defaming the city — known for its snacks like chivda, fafda, and mixture. “The chargesheet said Ratlam has been shown as a red-light area, which hurt the town’s reputation,” Imtiaz explained. Things escalated to the point where a non-bailable arrest warrant was issued in his name.
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At the time, Ali was busy shooting Love Aaj Kal in Kolkata when producer Dinesh Vijan warned him, “If they find out you’re here, they’ll arrest you!” Recalling the tension, Ali joked, “It was in the papers just yesterday that we’re shooting here!”
Amid the panic, there was humor too. Veteran actor and costume designer Dolly Ahluwalia lightened the mood, promising to make rotis and feed Ali through prison bars if he was jailed — a moment that had the whole crew in splits.
Looking back, Imtiaz summed it up wryly: “If you can get court summons for Jab We Met, how safe can you ever be?”