JFF 2026: Imtiaz Ali Reflects On Box Office Success Of Main Vaapas Aaunga; 'Had Confidence It Will Work..'

Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali graced the Jagran Film Festival 2026 on the last day and spoke at the festival's special segment 'Writing Love That Never Really Ends'. The filmmaker has been known for showcasing unrequited love, heartbreak and yearning in his movies, which have been well received by the audience.

The most recent is 'Main Vaapas Aaunga', which had these elements but also the horror of the partition of India and Pakistan. While speaking at JFF, Imtiaz Ali talked about the success of the film and what were his expectations. He revealed that he had good expectations from the project as many people from the film fraternity praised it before the release.

"Before the release of Main Vaapas Aaunga, my friends in the film fraternity praised it and we had an idea that it might work well. People praised it, so I had the confidence it would be a success."

 

 

 

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The filmmaker also emphasised how he wanted Main Vaapas Aaunga to do well monetarily because of the business. "But I also wanted it to work in theatres because of the business purpose," he added.

The movie stars Naseeruddin Shah, Diljit Dosanjh, Sharvari and Vedang Raina in lead roles, with Vinod Nagpal, Dolly Ahluwalia, Rajat Kapoor, Sanjay Suri, Manish Chaudhari, Anjana Sukhani, Banita Sandhu and Danish Pandor in supporting roles.

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Main Vaapas Aaunga, initially, did not open to good numbers at the box office, but good word of mouth had benefitted it. The movie had a successfull run even in its third and fourth week and also received more popularity after being released on OTT.

The plot follows a grandson who cares for his dying, dementia-stricken grandfather as the elderly man revisits memories of a tragic romance during the Partition of British India.

Coming back to JFF 2026, Imtiaz Ali was delighted with the energy students showed. He said that the students who were first shy while escorting him to the venue later were happily dancing to the dhol beats while welcoming him.