On Monday, Imtiaz Ali penned a long and uncharacteristically explanatory note on his Instagram page, clarifying his recent comments on Deepika Padukone made during a promotional interview for Main Vaapas Aaunga. The remarks have since gone viral, sparking a controversy of sorts. 

Taking to his Instragram stories section, Imtiaz wrote, “My loveliest Deepika, you are my pal, my buddy, my safe option for humour. I think you will never misunderstand my wannabe fun remarks because you more than anyone else know how much i love you, admire you, understand you, appreciate you.”

And yet, the Tamasha filmmaker added in his note, “But I have been told you might misunderstand and be hurt so i am telling you please don't... To be mean to you is janam mein to possible nahin hai (is impossible in this lifetime)... I never thought I would write such a disclaimer to you but it’s been a while, and I didn’t want to take a chance. Wish you the best. best and love always.”

A few days ago, speaking with an online publication, Imtiaz said about Deepika Padukone’s casting in Cocktail, “She called me, and I told her, ‘why don’t you play Veronica?’ Veronica is so different from what Deepika’s image was at that time. But since I had been doing parties for her, I know how crazy and wild she can be. and she was otherwise projecting to be the good girl at that time.” On a light-hearted note, Imtiaz had added, “Now people have seen through the facade. So I thought this will be kind of new thing for her. I know this emotional ground exists.”

Imtiaz Ali and Deepika first worked together on Love Aaj Kal (2009), followed by Cocktail on which had Imtiaz as a screenwriter. Their third collaboration was Tamasha (2015), after which the two haven’t worked together.