Over the past two decades, Imtiaz Ali has carved his niche in Hindi cinema. An auteur in his own right, the filmmaker has given us iconic love stories, memorable characters, and unforgettable poignant on-screen moments filled with romance, yearning, and self-discovery. Between Geet and Aditya Kashyap’s relationship in Jab We Met and Jordan’s tryst with art and heartbreak, he has delivered some defining moments in movie history that speak to the current generation.

On the director’s birthday, here are some BTS pictures of Imtiaz Ali with his actors from the sets of his films.