Imtiaz Ali: eventually set his sights on Chandigarh, a city he calls “first world.” While visiting the theaters of City Beautiful to see how the audience reacted to his acclaimed film ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’, he also opened up about what inspired the film on Partition. He has seen many movies on the subject and considers Freedom at Midnight by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre to be the most important book of that era. But the real-life stories of people affected by the quick-draw Radcliffe Line really inspired his film.
Imtiaz Ali in two timelines depicted in ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’
His film moves between two timelines, 1947 and present-day Punjab, both of which, Imtiaz feels, have great meaning for a state he loves as deeply as the love stories he is famous for. As reported by Tribune India, he said, “The film is set in undivided India, so it’s not about loving or hating Pakistan. Besides, all the people I met none of them spoke of hatred.” Responding to those mocking Indian Muslims with the “go to Pakistan” taunt, he added, “More than anyone else, Indian Muslims have proved their patriotism by deciding to stay in India if they had a choice.“
Imtiaz Ali what home means to him
Since the film is essentially about love for one’s roots, with the idea that ‘home is where the heart is’, it makes one wonder what home really means to him. To this, the filmmaker replied, “Home is a version of who you are. Like Ishar in Main Vaapas … we all wish to go back to being the person we were when we were in the house.”
Imtiaz Ali in cinema and the test of time
The response to his film touched him, especially as it gained traction after the first scrap was “dead on arrival.” He shared that a theatrical run is very important to him, as he prefers people to watch his films on the big screen. Many of his works, Tamasha among them, are celebrated today as masterpieces despite not doing well at the box office when they were first released. Asked what a filmmaker finds more satisfying—a film’s instant success or its ability to stand the test of time—he simply says, “Pain is temporary…cinema is permanent.“His love for Punjab, something he always said, was as deep. When asked which image of the state he held closest, he answered without hesitation, “Wheat fields and gentle winds.”
Imtiaz Ali on Punjabi words and upcoming projects
No wonder, among the many Punjabi words, ‘chardi kalan’ ranks as his favourite. The songs of ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’, the controversial singer whose life story he captures in his powerful biopic, remain lyrics he will never forget. Just as ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’ led to ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’, ‘Laila Majnu’, produced by him and directed by his brother Sajid Ali, is set to be followed by ‘Heer Ranjha’, once again bringing in the same team.
Imtiaz Ali on audience response
The responses from moviegoers, including Gen Z, connected to the many poignant layers of his film, gave him a new perspective – one that will not only guide his future projects but also reinforce his conviction that “The audience is like a good film.”
About ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’
‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’ tells the story of a 95-year-old man who suffers a stroke and starts showing signs of dementia after deciding to travel to Pakistan. As his forgotten memories slowly return, his grandson begins to piece together a past that goes back to before Partition. The film tells a deeply emotional story about separation, identity, and relationships forever changed by one of the most painful events in history. It also marks the fifth time that filmmaker Imtiaz Ali has worked with music composer AR Rahman, after Rockstar, Highway, Tamasha, and Amar Singh Chamkila. Released in theaters on June 12, 2026, the film stars Diljit Dosanjh, Naseeruddin Shah, Sharvari, and Vedang Raina in the lead roles.