Imtiaz Ali revisits his roots at St Michael’s High School, Patna

Patna: Renowned filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, celebrated for films such as Jab We Met, Rockstar, and Tamasha, recently returned to his alma mater, St Michael’s High School in Patna, where he studied from Class 3 to Class 8. This nostalgic visit was marked by heartfelt reflections on his formative years at the institution.

Taking to social media, Ali shared a poignant post about his visit, reminiscing about the memories etched into the school’s corridors. “Nervous kid back to walk your corridors!! St Michaels Patna – also my school – 3rd to 8th standard. The staircase that fascinated me, the marvellous statue I enjoyed looking at, the tree I fell from and fractured my arm and the unique floor mop! Remembering my buddy Ved, remembering Satyarth, Faiz, Manish Madhukar, Nirvikar Prasad, Faisal, Irshad and so many others, thanks to Manish Anand!” wrote the filmmaker.

Ali’s journey from a middle-class family in Jamshedpur to becoming one of India’s most revered storytellers finds its roots in Patna, where he spent his early years. At St Michael’s, he forged friendships and developed a creative spirit that would later define his cinematic works. Ali has often credited his schooling for instilling a sense of curiosity and imagination.

St Michael’s High School, established in 1858, is one of Patna’s oldest and most prestigious institutions. Known for its academic excellence and holistic approach to education, the school has produced a host of notable alumni across various fields.

For Ali, this visit was more than a trip down memory lane—it was a reconnection with the roots that nurtured his dreams. His reflections offer a glimpse into the mind of a storyteller who finds meaning and inspiration in life’s smallest details.