Pakistani Filmmaker Umar Nasir Ali Praises Imtiaz Ali's Partition Drama 'Main Vaapas Aaunga'

Imtiaz Ali’s latest film, 'Main Vaapas Aaunga', has struck an emotional chord with audiences by revisiting the wounds of Partition through a deeply personal and romantic lens. The period drama has resonated strongly with viewers whose families experienced the upheaval of 1947, and its themes are now finding appreciation across borders as well.

Among those who have praised the film is Pakistani filmmaker Umar Nasir Ali, a popular director of feature films and advertisements. Taking to Instagram on Monday, Ali shared a heartfelt note about the film and its impact on him. “Main Vaapas Aaunga is a beautiful and deeply emotional film, one that stays with you long after it ends,” wrote the director in the caption.

Ali revealed that the themes explored in the film felt particularly close to him because his own upcoming directorial venture, tentatively titled 'Chor Aaye Hum', “echoes a similar sentiment of memory, belonging, and return” in the context of Partition. Curious to see how Imtiaz Ali approached the subject, he said the filmmaker delivered exactly what he expected. “As expected, it’s unmistakably Imtiaz Ali,” said Umar.

The filmmaker also singled out Naseeruddin Shah’s performance for special praise, describing it as “extraordinary”. He further applauded editor Aarti Bajaj’s work, calling it a “masterclass in cinematic storytelling” and suggesting that aspiring filmmakers could learn a great deal from it.

'Main Vaapas Aaunga' unfolds across three generations, tracing the lingering emotional impact of Partition. At the heart of the story is a Sikh family from Sargodha, now in Pakistan, that is forced to leave everything behind and migrate to India during the turmoil of 1947. Amid the chaos, young Keenu, played by Vedang Raina, is separated from Afsana (Sharvari), the woman he loves, whose Muslim family decides to remain in Pakistan. Although Keenu returns to Sargodha six years later hoping to reconnect with his past, a tragic revelation changes the course of his life, leading him to build a future in India instead.

More than seven decades later, Keenu is a 95-year-old businessman portrayed by Naseeruddin Shah. As he confronts the reality of his advancing age and mortality, he becomes determined to return to Sargodha one final time and resolve unfinished matters from his past. Accompanying him on this emotional journey is his grandson Nirvair, played by Diljit Dosanjh , who helps him pursue a long-held dream before time runs out.