Tamasha has become a cult film over the years. Although it did not set the box-office on fire, the Ranbir Kapoor-Deepika Padukone movie gave many fans an existential crisis and an urge to leave their stable 9-5 jobs and go on a self-discovery journey. In a recent interview, director Imtiaz Ali revealed he regretted how the movie inspired so many fans to make unsound decisions of leaving their jobs. In a chat with News 18, the Jab We Met director admitted that he felt “terribly guilty.” He also recalled how he met many budding writers at a convention many of whom told him they left their corporate careers to pursue writing full-time. He said he hoped they succeeded in their careers. “If they don’t, then I become responsible for the disaster in their lives. I feel responsible and guilty not only towards the person but also towards their whole families – their wives, suffering children and parents. Their parents may have had aspirations ki mera beta engineer banega aur aage America mein kaam karega…” he said. He admitted he felt extra guilty at seeing professionals, successful at their jobs, leave their prosperous career to pursue their dream to be a writer, actor or director in Mumbai and go through a period of struggle as most aspiring artists do. He concluded that he sends his prayers to them. While he feels a sense of responsibility for them, he also feels proud that his film inspired them to chase their dreams unapologetically. Recently, a tweet that shared an anecdote about a woman who left her corporate career to become an artist after watching Tamasha became viral. Taking to X, a man named Harsh revealed how he met a woman who left her job to become an artist. She did a diploma in arts and tried to build a career as an artiste, held exhibitions, but eventually, the money exhausted and she did not have the success she wanted. Two years later, she is back on the job market, looking for a corporate role. The post resonated widely on social media because it reflected the complicated reality of pursuing one’s dreams — the inspiration that comes from taking a bold leap of faith, as well as the difficult consequences that can accompany it. Harsh pointed out that the positive side of the decision was the absence of lifelong regret, however he acknowledged that she was facing a daunting prospect: Rebuilding her career in her 30s in a volatile job market. He concluded that one can and should follow their passions, but be aware of the ramifications as the economy is brutal.