PremiumImtiaz Ali accepts Kartik Aaryan and Sara Ali Khan's Love Aaj Kal lacked freshness: 'Ease of the film was compromised'
Imtiaz Ali recently opened up about the failure of Love Aaj Kal (2020). The film's star cast included Sara Ali Khan and Kartik Aaryan.
Imtiaz Ali on Love Aaj Kal's failure.
Last Updated: 01.34 PM, Mar 16, 2025
Imtiaz Ali's 2020 film Love Aaj Kal, starring Kartik Aaryan and Sara Ali Khan, received lukewarm response upon its theatrical release. It was the sequel to his 2009 film of the same name. Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone played lead roles in the first installment. Despite the first film's success, Love Aaj Kal (2020) didn't enjoy the same fate. In the latest episode of Game Changers, Imtiaz accepted that Sara and Kartik's film lacked freshness. He also reflected on the film's failure.
Imtiaz Ali on Love Aaj Kal's (2020) failure
On Game Changers, Imtiaz Ali reflected on Love Aaj Kal's box office debacle. He also admitted to making a few mistakes in the film. "I could have done 2-3 things differently. I tried to put too much into it, and that’s why it became heavy. The ease of the film was compromised. It became thick, people didn’t understand what happened. It seemed like this didn’t come from the heart. Secondly, I feel the film lacked freshness," said Imtiaz.
When asked if the film didn't work due to its star cast, the filmmaker denied it. According to him, one has to have a proper reason while making a sequel. And while Imtiaz had a reason, he admitted that he wasn't able to express it. "At least, it didn’t get expressed in the publicity of the film," he shared.
The filmmaker further admitted that he has become hesitant to direct a sequel after Love Aaj Kal failed in 2020. The director mentioned that the movie didn't work even though it had a new story. "So unless it is really necessary, I am not interested in making sequels. But never say never—Rockstar 2 may be nice," added Imtiaz.
Imtiaz Ali-directed movies
On the work front, Imtiaz Ali made his directorial debut with Socha Na Tha in 2005. Some of his memorable directorial movies include Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor's Jab We Met, Ranbir Kapoor and Nargis Fakhri's Rockstar, Saif and Deepika's Love Aaj Kal, Alia Bhatt and Randeep Hooda's Highway, and among others.