May 30, 2026 6:00pm IST
Imtiaz Ali Reacts to ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’ Advance Ticket Bookings in North America: ‘The Film Is an Offering of Love’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali says he was both surprised and excited after exhibitors in North America (U.S. and Canada) pushed to open advance bookings for his upcoming film “Main Vaapas Aaunga” on June 5, a week ahead of its June 12 release.
Ali says, “This is unprecedented. I’ve never heard of such a thing coming from cinema theaters in North America — in Canada and in America — to advance the advance booking! In my career, I’ve not seen or even heard about something like this. My distribution team is very chuffed about it. It’s a very encouraging sign that the overseas audience — and this is not only in North America, I’ve seen it in other places also — has quite warmed up to the concept of this film.”
The filmmaker describes the response as “a very heartening sign,” particularly because the enthusiasm is coming directly from exhibitors and audiences.
Related Stories
‘This is the best time to tell a story of love’
Ali shares, “My initial thought was of gratitude and excitement because it was unexpected. It was very gratifying that the story, which belongs to the people, is already finding affection among them. It was almost like the verdict of the people. It wasn’t one person writing; it was the people who spoke, and that is what really moved me. Hopefully, all people will like it. It has really been made as an offering of love. There is strife, insecurity and trouble everywhere, so this is the best time to tell a story of love.”
‘The overseas audience best understands the concept of love and longing’
Set against the backdrop of Partition, “Main Vaapas Aaunga” centers on love and longing — themes Ali believes resonate strongly with Indian audiences, especially those overseas. He says, “This is a story that is close to the hearts of all Indian people because I think the Partition is the biggest historical event that has ever taken place in the Indian subcontinent. All of us have grown up with stories of Partition either in our own families or around us. The overseas audience best understands the concept of love and longing, especially in relation to their home, and that is an aspect that is surely bound to connect the film to their hearts.”
Ali adds, “The overseas audience — Indian people or people of Indian origin who live abroad — already have a sense of missing home. And many families living overseas also have a history connected to the Partition. They have grandparents who moved because of the Partition, and later, some of these families also migrated overseas, so they have a deeper sense of connection with it. They best understand the longing for home.” The film features Vedang Raina, Sharvari, Diljit Dosanjh and Naseeruddin Shah, among others.
‘This is a story I felt needed to come out’
Asked if he doesn’t think that enough films exploring the impact of Partition have already been made in Indian cinema, Ali says, “‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’ is more about love and longing than the horrors of Partition. It’s the personal story of a man and his lost love and, of course, it’s set during the time of Partition. It’s almost like the love story is in focus and the events of the Partition are out of focus, though they do happen.”
“While making this movie, I met 100-200 people who had seen the Partition with their own eyes. What I found common among them was that, even so many years after Partition, all they remembered were incidents of love and tender moments. They did not speak about hatred. This generation has not only survived the Partition but also conquered hatred with love. This is a story I felt needed to come out, which is why I made the film. I do think the history of our country should be a part of our cinema, but in a manner that does not evoke hatred, but instead encourages camaraderie and love.”
Comments are moderated. They may be edited for clarity and reprinting in whole or in part in Variety publications.