Imtiaz AliA name synonymous with Sufi-inspired storytelling, it will be 21 years in cinema in 2026. His latest film, ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’, has an excellent ensemble cast. Naseeruddin Shah, Vedang Raina, Diljit Dosanjhand Sharvari, and is all set to hit theaters on June 12.
About directing Imtiaz Ali Naseeruddin Shah for the first time
Speaking to Firstpost, Imtiaz spoke about various aspects of the film, the background of his score, his first collaboration with Naseeruddin Shah, his creative partnership with Pritam and AR Rahman and the little-known story behind the making of ‘Tamasha’. When asked about directing Naseeruddin for the first time, and whether the poetic quality of the film reminds him of ‘Ijaazat’ and whether he felt like Shah entered his world as a filmmaker, Imtiaz replied, “I don’t know what Imtiaz Ali’s world is, but I think everyone who has seen the film has appreciated his work. And no matter how an actor adapts, he still seeks the approval of the audience when he makes a decent film. Naseeruddin Shah, I find him as fresh as a new actor, as untainted or uncorrupted as a new actor, but he has the widest experience an actor can have. He is the first most prolific actress of this country. First of all, it was a great pleasure for me to work with him.’He added, “It was also a surprise because he didn’t seem like a very veteran actor. He had a very strong energy. I hope people like him in this film. I’ve never seen him as Sardarji. And it was very charming to see him because I’m wearing a turban and also he took the trouble and learned the language so that he could incorporate that culture into his behavior.”
Imtiaz Ali on establishing ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’ against partition
When asked how he prepared for partition, one of the most devastating chapters in Indian history, as a canvas for a love story, and how he prepared for such a weighty subject as a writer and director, Ali said, “The preparation started long before my visits to Punjab, I heard many beautiful stories of love and memories and fondness. This was from the mouths of people who have seen the partition. And then I feel that, and I have this feeling, this growing feeling, that maybe the biggest event of our subcontinent has not been portrayed in the best possible way. I realized that the younger generation, which is otherwise very knowledgeable, does not even know what happened to their people in the recent past and how much influence it has had and how much beauty has been ignored.”“Another thing is that, more and more, as I got into Punjab, I realized that the generation that saw the partition with their own eyes is dying. They are dying. So before they all die, I thought I should make a film, which is their own film for them, which talks about the beauty of their hearts and the events of love and romance,” he added.
‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’ hits theaters on June 12
Directed by Imtiaz Ali, ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’ starring Diljit Dosanjh, Naseeruddin Shah, Vedang Raina and Sharvari will hit the theaters on June 12, 2025.
