Imtiaz Ali seems to have found his way back to the kind of deeply emotional storytelling that made audiences fall in love with films like Rockstar and Tamasha. The trailer of Main Vaapas Aaunga feels poetic, nostalgic and heartbreakingly tender, weaving together themes of love, memory, Partition and longing across generations.
During the interview, Imtiaz Ali described the film’s emotional landscape with a striking line:
“A city looks most beautiful in the light of a burning bridge.”
The filmmaker explained that themes of separation and return have always stayed close to him because Partition is an experience deeply connected to people around him. Recalling a moving anecdote, he shared that someone who had lost his memory once asked, “Why is the Wagah border shut?” — having forgotten that a border existed in the first place.
When asked why so many of his stories revolve around people returning, Imtiaz said the feeling of longing and belonging naturally finds its way into his narratives.
Vedang Raina revealed that being a Kashmiri Pandit allowed him to emotionally connect with the story’s sense of displacement. Calling the film a “unique opportunity,” he expressed gratitude to Imtiaz Ali for trusting him with the project.
Sharvari, meanwhile, described love as the core value of the film. When the trio was asked whether they believed in love at first sight, Imtiaz offered a philosophical answer:
“Love can have any definition. It can happen once, at first sight… it’s like how people talk about God — He exists if you believe in Him.”
The title Main Vaapas Aaunga itself emerged from a powerful moment during filming. Imtiaz revealed that when Vedang passionately screamed the line “Main Vaapas Aaunga” during a scene, he instantly realized that it captured the soul of the story and deserved to be the film’s title.
The conversation also turned deeply personal when the actors were asked about heartbreak. Vedang admitted he has experienced it, saying heartbreak becomes “a major milestone” in life.
“It shapes you forever… and also traumatises you,” he said candidly.
Sharvari spoke about the purity she associates with love.
“When you give someone your word, that means something,” she said, adding that she believes relationships never truly end.
The actors also shared memories from the making of the film. Their first recce trip with Imtiaz Ali was filled with fun and bonding, while Vedang joked that the experience made him realize “actors are useless” compared to the countless people working tirelessly behind the scenes.
Both actors loved shooting in Punjab, where the production even brought in a locomotive from Rewari that had existed during the Partition era, adding authenticity and emotional weight to the film’s atmosphere.
Speaking about Sharvari’s character, Imtiaz described her as a mystery.
“She’s like a flower with bees constantly buzzing around it. Everyone is trying to reach her because she remains an enigma,” he said.
The film’s music also received praise during the interaction, especially the collaboration between A. R. Rahman and Imtiaz Ali. Sharvari admitted she was extremely nervous before shooting her very first scene in the film because she had previously watched Imtiaz’s theatre plays and admired his craft deeply.
Towards the end of the conversation, Imtiaz also spoke warmly about Diljit Dosanjh, calling him “a lovely and pure person.”