Danish Pandor on Working With Imtiaz Ali in ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga:’ ‘I Had Auditioned for This Role Before the Release of ‘Dhurandhar’’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Ahead of the release of Imtiaz Ali’s “Main Vaapas Aaunga,” actor Danish Pandor opens up about being a part of the film and working with the acclaimed filmmaker. Pandor reveals that he came on board the project even before “Dhurandhar” was released. “I had auditioned for this role just before the release of ‘Dhurandhar,’ and interestingly, I had already shot for it before its release. It all happened at the right time, and I’m really glad it did. It was quite a memorable experience,” he says.

‘Special,’ ‘significant,’ ‘a surprise’
While he remains tight-lipped about his role in the Partition-era romantic drama, Pandor hints that it plays an important part in the narrative. “It’s a special appearance, but it’s a character that’s quite significant and impactful to the story. I genuinely can’t reveal much at this point because that would take away the surprise. I’d rather let the audience experience it for themselves when they watch the film in theatres on June 12,” he says. The film stars Diljit Dosanjh, Sharvari, Vedang Raina and Naseeruddin Shah, with music composed by A. R. Rahman.

Related Stories

Imtiaz Ali on ‘Agar Tum Saath Ho’ from ‘Tamasha’ Becoming Spotify India’s Most-Streamed Song: ‘We Made It More for Ourselves’ (EXCLUSIVE)

‘Backrooms’ to ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’: Everything Releasing In Theatres This Week

Working with Imtiaz Ali: ‘An absolute privilege’
The actor is particularly thrilled about the opportunity to work with Imtiaz Ali. “Working with Imtiaz sir has been an absolute privilege. You grow up watching his films and hoping that one day you’ll get to work with a filmmaker like him, so when it actually happens, it’s surreal. He’s incredibly humble, warm and knows exactly what he wants. But at the same time, he gives actors the freedom to explore. Even the smallest tweak he suggests can completely transform a scene and make it feel fresh. Getting to share the screen with such wonderful actors under his direction is something I’ll always be grateful for,” Pandor shares.

Purposeful characters
Ask him what attracted him the most to Main Vaapas Aaunga, and the actor says, “What excites me the most is the story and the way the characters are written. Every character has a purpose and leaves an impression. It’s one of those films where the emotional journey stays with you long after it’s over, and that’s something I really connected with,” he says.
 

Pandor’s character: ‘It’s definitely different’
Pandor also describes the role as a departure from his previous work. “It’s definitely different from the kind of roles I’ve played. I enjoy challenging myself with every project, and this character gave me the chance to explore a completely different space. Even though it’s a special appearance, it carries a lot of weight, and that’s what drew me towards it,” he explains.