Veteran Filmmaker Praises Imtiaz Ali’s Vision
Veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt has showered praise on director Imtiaz Ali for the remarkable turnaround of his latest film, Main Vaapas Aaunga, which has emerged as one of Bollywood’s biggest word-of-mouth success stories of 2026. Despite a slow start after its June 12 theatrical release, the film steadily gained momentum through strong audience appreciation and positive reviews.
Writing a special note for Variety India, Mahesh Bhatt described the film as one that “arrives quietly” but leaves a lasting emotional impact. He said the story explores the universal longing to return home, to be understood, and to discover meaning beyond the identities people build throughout their lives. He also recalled how Imtiaz Ali’s earlier film Highway had revealed deeper social realities, adding that Main Vaapas Aaunga carries the same emotional honesty.
‘Audiences Recognise Authenticity’
Mahesh Bhatt observed that many had dismissed the film as “dead on arrival” because of its modest opening at the box office. However, he argued that audiences possess a unique ability to recognise genuine storytelling, often before industry experts do. According to him, while trends, algorithms and commercial expectations may change, films that bear the personal signature of their creators continue to endure.
The filmmaker said Main Vaapas Aaunga deserves to be celebrated because it reflects Imtiaz Ali’s authentic voice and emotional depth. His appreciation comes at a time when the film is enjoying sustained theatrical success despite facing competition from several major releases.
Strong Word of Mouth Fuels Success
Starring Diljit Dosanjh, Sharvari, Vedang Raina and Naseeruddin Shah, the Partition-era romantic drama has witnessed a dramatic box-office revival after opening with modest collections. Positive audience response has helped the film register impressive growth over the following weeks, with worldwide collections crossing the ₹70 crore mark.
The film’s unexpected resurgence has made it one of the year’s most talked-about theatrical success stories. Industry observers believe its performance reinforces the importance of compelling storytelling and audience word of mouth, proving that strong content can overcome a slow start and eventually find widespread appreciation.
