Marking 21 years in cinema, Imtiaz Ali returns with Main Vaapas Aaunga, a Partition-era love story starring Naseeruddin Shah, Diljit Dosanjh, Vedang Raina and Sharvari. Imtiaz says: “The generation that saw Partition with its own eyes is dying now.” The film will be shown on June 12.
Imtiaz Ali, a name synonymous with Sufi-inspired storytelling, is celebrating 21 years in cinema in 2026. His latest film, “Main Vaapas Aaunga”, brings together an impressive ensemble cast that includes Naseeruddin Shah, Vedang Raina,
Diljit Dosanjh
and Sharvari, is scheduled to hit theaters on June 12.
Imtiaz Ali for Naseeruddin Shah’s directorial debut
Speaking to Firstpost, Imtiaz spoke about several aspects of the film, the background to Partition, his first collaboration with Naseeruddin Shah, his creative partnerships with Pritam and AR Rahman, and the lesser-known story behind the making of ‘Tamasha’. When asked about Naseeruddin’s directorial debut, whether the poetic quality of the film reminded him of Ijaza and how he felt Shah fit into his world as a director, Imtiaz replied: “I don’t know what Imtiaz Ali’s world is, but I think everyone who saw the film appreciated his work.
No matter how fit an actor is, he still seeks audience approval when he does a good movie. Naseeruddin Shah, I find him very fresh as a new actor, untainted and uncorrupted, as a new actor, and yet with as much experience as any actor can have. He is the most prolific first actor in this country. Firstly, it was a pleasure to work with him.”He added, “It was also a surprise because he didn’t come across as a very seasoned actor.
It appeared as an extremely powerful energy. I hope people like him in this movie. I have never seen him as a Sardarji. It was very charming to see me wearing a turban, and he also went through trouble and learned the language so that he could imbibe that culture in his behavior.
Imtiaz Ali on putting ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’ against the oath
When asked about approaching Partition, one of the most devastating chapters in Indian history, as a canvas for a love story, and how he prepared himself for such an important subject as a writer and director, Ali said: “I started prep long before I started my visits to Punjab. I had heard so many beautiful love stories and stories of remembrance and fondness approaching Partition.
This was from the mouths of those who saw the partition. And then I feel it, and I have this feeling, this growing feeling that perhaps the biggest incident in our subcontinent has not been represented in the best possible way. I realized that the younger generation, who are so curious, don’t even know what happened to their country in the recent past and how much it affected and how much beauty is ignored.He added, “The other thing is that when I went to Punjabi, I realized that the generation that saw Partition with their own eyes is dying now. They are dying. So I thought before they all die, I should make a film, which is their film for them, that talks about the beauty of their hearts and the incidents of love, romance and beauty during Partition.”
‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’ hits theaters on June 12
Main Vaapas Aaunga, directed by Imtiaz Ali, starring Diljit Dosanjh, Naseeruddin Shah, Vedang Raina, and Sharvari, is scheduled to hit theaters on June 12, 2025.