Before creating well-known works such as 'Geet', 'Jordan', and 'Ved', Imtiaz Ali was a boy who feared school and failed the 9th grade.
Before creating well-known works such as 'Geet', 'Jordan', and 'Ved', Imtiaz Ali was a boy who feared school and failed the 9th grade.
Growing up in Jamshedpur, studies were never easy for Imtiaz. He failed in the 9th grade. This result shocked him so much that for two days he could not find the strength to go to school. He would approach the gates, turn around, and return home, fearing ridicule from his classmates.
For many, such a failure becomes a lifelong stigma. However, for Imtiaz, it became a reason for reflection: 'Why don't I understand this?' Instead of trying to memorize material more diligently, he changed his approach to learning, focusing on understanding concepts rather than just repeating them. Gradually, things started to make sense to him.
The same boy who once failed the 9th grade eventually enrolled in Delhi University and graduated at the top. Nevertheless, the academic environment was not where his heart wanted to stay. At Delhi University, he immersed himself in theater, writing and staging street performances that explored people, emotions, and daily life. Storytelling stopped being just a hobby and turned into a calling.
These performances eventually led him to Mumbai, where he began his career in television before moving on to film production. His subsequent films—such as 'Jab We Met', 'Rockstar', 'Highway', 'Tamasha', and many others—did not rely on superhuman heroes. Instead, they portrayed imperfect people searching for purpose, love, freedom, and self-identity. Perhaps this is why audiences keep returning to these works.
Imtiaz Ali's films remind us that sometimes getting lost is the only way to understand who you truly are. The boy who once stood at the school gates, afraid of judgment for his failure, grew up to tell stories that make millions of people feel seen. Perhaps this is what Imtiaz Ali has been telling us all along—that in life, just like in his films, the journey truly begins when everything falls apart.
Schools in Boland are grieving the passing of 15-year-old Max Immelman, whose inspiring struggle against leukemia resonated deeply with many people. His mother, the well-known actress Barbara-Marié Immelman, shared details of their difficult journey, emphasizing the importance of hope and community support.
Max battled leukemia and passed away on June 19, just a few weeks before his sixteenth birthday, which was on July 2. In March, Barbara-Marié Immelman shared a message addressed to mothers whose children suffer from cancer. She recounted that her son developed leukemia, was diagnosed last year, and underwent a full course of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and bone marrow transplantation.
She continued that he experienced a relapse in February of this year, which was extremely difficult. Despite feelings of confusion, distress, and deep sadness, the family received support through prayers, maintaining hope. Barbara-Marié Immelman emphasized that God performed incredible miracles throughout this journey and urged other mothers to continue praying, focusing on the present day, and loving their children endlessly.
Following Max's tragic death, his current and former educational institutions expressed their condolences. Parel Vallei High School in Somerset West announced on its social media that it is bidding farewell to Max Immelman, a Grade 10 student, with heavy hearts. The school noted that although his time with them was shortened, the impact he made will be felt for a long time, and thanked him for his joy and fighting spirit.
Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch, where Max previously studied, published a statement about the deep sorrow of the PRG community following Max's long battle with cancer. It mentioned that Max attended PRG in grades 8 and 9 before moving to Parel Vallei to be closer to home during treatment. The school expressed respect for the nobility he displayed even in the most difficult moments.
Beaumont Primary School also stated that Max will always be remembered by friends and teachers for his kindness, gentle nature, excellent manners, and the warmth he gave to those around him. The school's post noted that they fondly remember his outstanding talents, including his phenomenal public speaking ability and memorable role as the Red King in the school production, as well as his willingness to participate in all aspects of school life.
