Imtiaz Ali:The period coming-of-age drama of ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’ has won widespread appreciation for its sensitive portrayal of Partition and the possibility of reconciliation. At the center of the story is 95-year-old Ishwar (Naseeruddin Shah), who wanted to revisit his hometown of Sargodha in what is now Pakistan, a decision that left his family, especially his grandson Nirvair (Diljit Dosanjh), confused. As the film continues to strike a chord with audiences, co-writer Nayanika Mahtani reflects on its deep personal roots and the ideas that shape its narrative.Nayanika recalls how her collaboration with Imtiaz Ali began unexpectedly in Mussoorie. He happened to meet the filmmaker there and gave him a copy of his novel Across The Line, which also explores Partition. Coincidentally, Imtiaz was working on a story on the same historical event and he was asked to write 20-30 pages on the subject. After reading his work, he simply told her, “We’re going.”The opportunity was especially meaningful for Nayanika as she wanted to tell a story of Partition without partition stories. “I am, of course, happy to tell a story of Partition, and that too with the feeling that Imtiaz brings to it, because I obviously don’t want to tell a story where there is ‘other’ or the ‘other.’ I would rather not tell a story than tell that kind of story,” he said.For the writer, Main Vaapas Aaunga is also rooted in family history. All four of his grandparents immigrated from what is now Pakistan, and his maternal grandmother was from Sargodha, the same town that is central to the film. Recalling her grandmother’s memories, Nayanika said, “Whenever my nani talks about Sargodha, she talks only about happy memories. There is no bitterness.“He shared that his paternal grandparents, who hailed from Lahore and Rawalpindi, had similar memories. Instead of getting angry, they remember the friendship that transcends religion. “Their best friends remain Muslims. I have never seen that generation with an ounce of anger. So, when we told this story, even Imtiaz had the same feeling, like no one else,” he added.Nayanika also believes that the emotional wounds carried by many who lived through Partition remain untold. Talking about Ishwar’s character in the film, he explained, “Ishar Grewal is not a good person. He is a bitter man. But look at what he went through. And here comes the closure, because we only judge them by what we see, but there is something they don’t talk about. “Expanding on that thought, he said, “There’s something that’s never talked about. So many of them are dealing with PTSD. But no one talks about it, because Independence coincided with partition, and that took center stage. So, you’re not allowed to be unhappy. But imagine on the eve of Independence, every year, what they think. “Nayanika further revealed that she and Imtiaz Ali were determined to portray the suffering experienced on both sides of the border, rather than presenting a one-sided narrative. “One thing Imtiaz and I were (very sure about). I told him, ‘There has to be a scene where we see Muslims being killed.’ So, that train scene where Keenu’s hat falls, and the one when the train arrives at Lahore station, and Afzal finds his entire family dead. So, we can see both sides, and have a balanced view. Otherwise, it could be rage-bait,” he argued.