Imtiaz Ali is in the US busy promoting another director's film!

Mangesh Hadawale, director of the award-winning Marathi film Tingya, considers Imtiaz Ali as an elder brother. He is also his sounding board when it comes to story narrations and scripts.

So it comes as no surprise that Imtiaz is presently in New Jersey to showcase Hadawale's upcoming Hindi film starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Tannishta Chatterjee.

The film, set in rural Rajasthan, was the opening attraction at the New Jersey Independent South Asian Cine Fest 2012 on October 5. As Hadawale and the cast members were busy with their other commitments, Imtiaz agreed to present the film at the fest.

Says Hadawale, `After Imtiaz saw my film, he liked it so much that he agreed to be a presenter of the film as well as help in its promotions.` Incidentally, the makers were first keen to cast Imtiaz as an actor in the project.

But when he declined their offer due to his filmmaking pursuits, he agreed to be associated with the project behind the scenes. Though it may be rare to have a filmmaker promote the work of another, Imtiaz feels that Hadwale's film needs to be seen. Due to which he is lending his name as a presenter even though he is not associated with the project in any capacity.

Adds Hadawale, `Imtiaz had seen Tingya and liked it too. It's not that I knew him for a long time. I met him during the making of my Hindi film and we clicked.`

He adds, `The film has been to several film festivals in the country as well as abroad. It was recently screened in Norway and is slated to be screened at Brisbane later this month.`