After his last film ‘Chamkila’ received a lot of love and critical acclaim, Imtiaz Ali is back with another film titled ‘Main Vaapas Aunga’. He has reunited with Diljit again for this. The film also stars Naseeruddin Shah, Vidang Raina, and Sharvari. While Imtiaz spoke about the film and the casting process, he revealed why he did not consider hiring another actor for the role played by Naseeruddin and Diljit.
He also talked about how thinking about what people felt during Partition became the core of this film.He told ETimes: “It came from the many stories I heard, mostly in Punjab about people who carried hope and love in their hearts during the Partition period. I have heard many beautiful stories based on the Partition period and they were contemporary because people were alive at that time and it still influences their films. The experience of Partition is the living wire of Punjabi and Bengali society.”
So much of our lives revolve around immigration.
Almost everyone has migrated from somewhere, especially India. “I thought this was a relevant story that came my way.”
Talking about the actors in this film, he said, “All the four actors are very different with each other. Instinctively, I find a way to work differently with each actor and how I should direct them. I have worked with Diljit before and none of them.”
I have seen a Vedang film before and not any Sharvari film. But the movies I saw about anyone were not on my mind. Although I had worked with Diljit before, it was not on my mind while casting or directing him.
All four are well suited to their roles. “He added: “To the extent that the role that Naseeruddin Shah plays is a carefully calculated role. His character has different levels of dementia. Sometimes he remembers, sometimes he forgets, and for the actor to go through this process in a realistic way, I needed the experience and confidence to forget it in the shot and not feel embarrassed to forget it.”
It all happened. A new actor or an actor who does not have the experience of a stalwart will find it impossible to do this.
We are fortunate that Naseer has a lot of experience and I have no choice over him in this part. I didn’t have a choice for Diljit because there is a whole social background that he comes with and he comes with an intention on his part which is very strong. Sharvari and Vedang in different ways. There was a certain character I was expecting from him that actually came out in this movie. “Sharvari has a certain liveliness.”‘Main Vaapas Aunga’ is slated to release on June 12.
