Imran’s coming of age in ZNMD
*Sigh* Today I find myself at the graveyard again. Burying another one of my failed attempts of not rewatching ZNMD. As ironic as it may sound, I try not to rewatch it ‘very often’ because I want to rewatch it for the rest of my life.
There are many possible explanations of why I adore this movie so much, all of them being — I’m a basic bitch when it comes to my cinema choices :) Just kidding, we are all suckers for classic bollywood aren’t we? (pls say yes)
Although all the characters have their own complete arcs, Imran’s arc is the most fleshed out for me and the following sequence is at the heart of his coming-of-age.
I’m referring to the sequence when Imran’s dad gets them out of the jail and they are at his place and just for context I am not a huge movie crier (if that’s a word) in general, but my god this scene make me weep like a baby every single time!
Since the first act of the movie, Imran oozes charm and effortless likeability despite his borderline narcissism and lack of empathy for both Kabir and Arjun in their own personal narratives in the film.
But in this scene, when Salman Habib (Naseeruddin shah) asks all 3 of them what they do for a living — you see Imran’s charm tumble and vanish. For the first time.
He just stands there emotionally naked as he quips — “Mai likhta hoon” his eyes longing for validation from his father via their shared thread of creative expression. He doesn't get it.
As Arjun and Kabir leave, Imran’s visible discomfort at the casualness with which Salman walks up to say — “Tumhare haath bilkul meri tarah hai” makes my heart ache.
The entire trip had led up to this for him.
“Tumhare baarein mein kahi baar socha maine, but yeh nahi samajh paya ke jab milunga tumse tab kahunga kya”
‘Sach kahiye’, Imran retorts, although in that moment, it is so apparent that he wants to hear anything but the truth. It feels like he almost wishes Salman lies to him about why he never reached out.
“Sach kya hota hai? Sab ka apna ek version hota hai sach ka”
I struggle to interpret Imran’s expression when Salman says — “Main uss zimmedari ke liye tabh taiyyar nahi tha, ab bhi nahi hu”. Is it admiration for his clarity? Is it loss of respect? Did he have any respect for him in the first place?
On my first watch, this scene invoked empathy for Imran and sudden hostility towards his dad. Now, after countless rewatches, even if I want to dislike Salman in that moment, Naseeruddin Shah’s eyes just make it impossible. The uncomfortable, unapologetic yet unabashed way in which he expresses his version of truth to his son, just through his eyes, is beautiful.
(Sidenote — What an Actor. His voice, tonality, dialogue delivery, everything just pulls this scene together)
I’m always fascinated by pre-hooks — basically the line which precedes the main show-stealing dialogue
Salman’s insincere “I’m sorry Imran, kuch kar sakta hu main tumharein liye? sets it up so beautifully for one of the most satisfying callbacks of all time
“Sorry tab kahiyega jab yaha (dil) se nikle”
As tears tumble down Imran’s cheeks in his moment of realization, I pretend not to notice the front of my tshirt getting soaking wet as well.
The aching silence of the night makes him finally confront and rethink his own insincereness towards Arjun. I’d like to believe the crack of dawn being the backdrop for this scene is absolutely intentional as we see a new Imran.
He could have easily mentally resolved his involvement with Arjun’s ex by taking a leaf out of his father’s book and saying ‘Sab ka apna version hota hai sach ka’ but he dosen’t. His vulnerable yet heartfelt apology to Arjun is what sums up Imran’s character for me.
His confrontation with his dad might not have given him all the answers he hoped for, but he learnt courage from him. (Or the lack of it)
While the crack in Imran’s voice when he apologizes to Arjun breaks my heart, their deep embrace as life comes full circle for them mends it for me.
In his search for closure with his dad which evaded him, he finally finds it in his relationship with Arjun.
I have said it before and I will say it again, this is arguably one of the best written (and performed) sequences in Bollywood.
