Imtiaz Ali, a name synonymous with Sufi-inspired storytelling, is marking 21 years in cinema in 2026. His latest film, ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’, brings together a remarkable ensemble cast comprising Naseeruddin Shah, Vedang Raina, Diljit Dosanjh, and Sharvari, and is all set to arrive in cinemas on June 12.
Imtiaz Ali on directing Naseeruddin Shah for the first time
Speaking to Firstpost, Imtiaz opened up about several aspects of the film, its partition backdrop, his first-time 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 directing Naseeruddin for the first time, and whether the film’s poetic quality reminded him of ‘Ijaazat’ and how he felt Shah had fit into his world as a filmmaker, Imtiaz responded, “I don’t know what the world of Imtiaz Ali is, but I think everybody who’s seen the film has appreciated his work. And no matter how fit an actor becomes, he still seeks the approval of the audience when he does a decent film. Naseeruddin Shah, I find as fresh as a very new actor, as untainted or as uncorrupted, as a new actor, yet he has the most vast experience that any actor might have. He is the number one most prolific actor of this country. Firstly, it was a huge pleasure for me to work with him.”He added, “It was also a surprise because he did not come across as a very veteran actor. He came across as a very robust energy. I hope that people like him in this film. I have never seen him as a Sardarji. And it was very charming to see him as I am wearing a turban and he also took trouble and learned the language so that he could imbibe that culture in his behaviour.”
Imtiaz Ali on setting ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’ against the partition
When asked about approaching the partition, one of the most devastating chapters in Indian history, as the canvas for a love story, and how he readied himself for such a weighty subject both as a writer and a director, Ali said, “The prep had started a long time before I started making my visits to Punjab, I had heard many beautiful love stories and stories of remembrance and fondness which were bordering around partition. This was from the mouth of those people that have seen partition. And then I feel that, and I have this feeling, this growing feeling that perhaps the biggest incident in our subcontinent has not been represented in the best way possible. I realised that the youngest generation, which is otherwise very inquisitive, does not even know what has happened to their country in the recent past and how influential that has been and how much beauty has been ignored.”“The other thing is that more and more, that as I went into Punjabi, I realised that the generation that has seen partition with their own eyes is now dying out. They’re passing away. So I thought before all of them passed away, I should make a movie, which is their movie for them, which talks about the beauty of their hearts and the incidents of love and romance and beauty during partition”, he further added.
‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’ hits cinemas on June 12
‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’, helmed by Imtiaz Ali, stars Diljit Dosanjh, Naseeruddin Shah, Vedang Raina, and Sharvari, and is slated to hit cinemas on June 12, 2025.