Imtiaz Ali Finally, he set his sights on Chandigarh, a city he calls “first world.” While visiting theaters in the beautiful city to see the audience’s response to his critically acclaimed film Main Vaapas Aaunga, he also spoke about the inspiration behind the Partition film. He has seen many films on the subject and considers “Freedom at Midnight” by Larry Collins and Dominique LaPierre to be the most important book about the period. But it was the real-life stories of people affected by the hastily drawn Radcliffe line that truly inspired his film.
Two timelines depicted by Imtiaz Ali in Main Vaapas Aaunga
His film moves between two timelines: 1947 and present-day Punjab, both of which Imtiaz believes have immense significance for the country he loves so much, just like the love stories for which he is famous. According to The Tribune of India, he said, “The film is set in undivided India, so it is not about loving or hating Pakistan. Also, none of the people I met talked about hatred.” Responding to those who mocked Indian Muslims for “going to Pakistan,” he added, “The decision of Indian Muslims to stay in India when given a choice is a testament to their patriotism.“
Imtiaz Ali on what home means to him
Given that the film is essentially about love for one’s roots and the idea that “home is where the heart is,” it makes one wonder what home really means to him. To which the filmmaker responded: “Home is a version of you. Like Ishaal in Main Vaapas… we all long for the person we are back home.”
Imtiaz Ali on movies and the test of time
He was moved by the response to his film, especially the attention it gained after initially being considered “dead on arrival.” He said theatrical screenings are very important to him because he prefers people to watch his films on the big screen. Many of his works, among them Tamasha, are still regarded as masterpieces today despite not performing well at the box office when they were first released. When asked what the filmmaker finds more satisfying—a film’s immediate success or its ability to stand the test of time—he said simply, “Pain is temporary…Movies are permanent.”“The love for Punjab he often spoke of was equally deep. When asked about his most striking image of Punjab, he replied without hesitation: ‘Wheat fields and breeze.’
Imtiaz Ali talks Punjabi vocabulary and future projects
Not surprisingly, among the many Punjabi words, “chardi kalan” is his favorite. “Amar Singh Chamkila” is a controversial singer whose life story was recorded in his biopic and remains a lyric that he can never forget. Just as ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’ led to ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’, ‘Laila Majnu’, produced by him and directed by his brother Sajid Ali, will be followed by ‘Heer Ranjha’, bringing the same team together again.
Imtiaz Ali on audience reaction
The response from moviegoers, including Generation Z, gave him a new perspective that not only guided his future projects, but also strengthened his belief that “audiences love a good movie.”
About “Main Vaapas Aaunga”
“Main Vaapas Aaunga” tells the story of a 95-year-old man who suffers a stroke and begins to show signs of dementia after deciding to travel to Pakistan. As his forgotten memories slowly return, his grandson begins to piece together a past that stretches back to before Partition. The film tells a deeply emotional story about separation, identity, and relationships that were forever changed by one of the most painful events in history. This also marks the fifth time that filmmaker Imtiaz Ali has collaborated with music composer AR Rahman after Rockstar, Highway, Tamasha and Amar Singh Chamkila. The film releases in theaters on June 12, 2026, starring Diljit Dosanjh, Naseeruddin Shah, Sharvari and Vedang Raina.
