Main Vaapas Aaunga REVIEW: Imtiaz Ali’s Partition Drama Through The Lens Of Love And Longing Is Unmissable

Film:
Main Vaapas Aaunga

Director: Imtiaz Ali

Writer: Imtiaz Ali, Nayanika Mahtani

Cast: Diljit Dosanjh, Naseeruddin Shah, Vedang Raina, Sharvari, Danish Pandor, Banita Sandhu, Manish Chaudhari, Rajat Kapoor, Anjana Sukhani

Runtime: 166 Minutes (2 Hours, 46 Minutes)

Platform: In Theatres

Main Vaapas Aaunga

Imtiaz Ali’s Main Vaapas Aaunga is not just a film, it’s a beautiful hug from that special someone who’s telling a story about their live with all its goods, bads and uglies. This romantic drama – that can also be dubbed an A R Rahman musical, is raw, emotional story that explores young love, the pain of partition, unfulfilled dreams and trying to mend relationships before it’s too late.

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Main Vaapas Aaunga begins when 95-year-old Ishar Singh Grewal (Naseeruddin Shah) decides he wants to go back to his pre-partitioned hometown – currently in Pakistan. As his health progressively worsens and doctors give him just days to live, his British citizenship-holding grandson, Nirvair (Diljit Dosanjh) returns to India. While spending quality time with him grandfather during his final days, Nirvair attempts to understand Ishar and fulfil his last wish. But what is it?

Parallel to this, we are taken back to pre-partitioned India and shown flashes of Ishar’s (Vedang Raina) from 1947. Alongside Ishar, we are also introduced to Jiya (Sharvari) his classmate and love interest. While the political turmoil rises and a partition is waiting to happen, love blossoms between this Sikh and Muslim duo. While circumstance separate them, Ishar makes a promise, “Main Wapas Aaunga.” But does he?

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But is this Applause Entertainment, Birla Studios and Window Seat Films-backed film worth a watch? We say yes. To know the answer (to the above asked questioned) you will need to watch Main Vaapas Aaunga and here’s our honest review on why it won’t disappoint.

What Works

Naseeruddin Shah’s performance as a 95-year-old dementia patient on his death bed is stellar. He makes you feel every second of his fight to want to live just long enough to fulfil his dream. Imtiaz Ali’s ability to tell a heartbreaking story of love left unfulfilled due to the partition of India so beautifully and thoughtfully needs to be studies.

A R Rahman’s music adds soul to this film and elevated it narrative to another level.

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Technical Analysis

Direction

Imtiaz Ali is a master of his craft and he proved it once again with this Diljit Dosanjh, Sharvari and Vedang Raina-led film. He has managed to portray relationships and emotions with utmost simplicity but deep impact. Despite being a partition film, Main Vaapas Aaunga isn’t overly dramatised or action heavy, here, emotions are the main character and Imtiaz let’s it shine.

The film is filled with several beautiful moment, and many of the scenes – be they filled with love, longing or fear, linger in your hearts and minds even after the end credits roll by.

Story & Screenplay

The story takes place across two time periods and follows a non-linear format of storytelling. While this type of narrative isn’t loved by many (as it sometimes gets confusing to keep up), Imtiaz and Nayanika has managed to keep it engaging and interesting.

The film’s dialogues are simple yet have a profound impact. Be it Vedang’s character making speeches in 1947 or Diljeet’s during his stand-up comedy gigs, every word spoken convey great emotions or will make you reflect on life.

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Editing & Cinematography

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Main Vaapas Aaunga Music

If Imtiaz Ali and Nayanika Mahtani’s writing is the heart of Main Vaapas Aaunga, A R Rahman’s music is the film’s soul. Be it the songs or the background score, the music naturally integrates into the story and elevated it notches higher. Each song enhances a specific emotion, especially the special video at the end. It’s deeply emotional and impactful – do not leave your seats till the song ends.

Star Cast

Every cast member – be it the main leads, the supporting character or the villainous ones, every single artist has delivered superb performances. Starting with the best -Naseeruddin Shah deserves a standing ovation as well as a thunderous round of applause for his performance as the the 95-year-old Sardarji fighting dementia but still remembering life for nearly 70 years ago. The veteran actor’s nuanced performance captured both the confusions of a fading mind as well as a longing for a love that never left his heart.

Vedang Raina has shown much improvement and delivers an effortless but convincing performance as a young Sikh torn from family and home due the partition. His expressions and dialogue delivery surely impress. Sharvari delivers a stellar performance by blending confidence, innocence and strength. It is safe to say this is one of her most memorable performances to date.

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Diljit Dosanjh delivers a balanced and impressive performance. He leaves an impact without making much noise and stealing from the love story. His lovestory with Banita Sandhu is a small but Impactful part of the narrative.

Manish Chaudhari, Danish Pandor, Rajat Kapoor and Anjana Sukhani have also done justice to their roles.

Conclusion

Imtiaz Ali’s film will take you back the 1940s and made you remember the partition and the wounds it gave the refugees with strong intensity. Till date we have always remembered the partition by only reading, hearing or watching the devastation it left in its wake, this romantic drama – complete with A R Rahman’s music, will make it all the more sad and sweet with its unfulfilled love story, and stellar acting.

If you want to watch a beautiful Bollywood film this weekend, make sure to book your tickets ASAP – you don’t want the best seats booked for your favourite show.

Watch the trailer of Main Vaapas Aaunga here:

Also Read: Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai REVIEW: Varun Dhawan, Mrunal Thakur, Pooja Hegde’s Predictable Rom-Com Fails To Impress

Grinell Jacinto

With nearly 10 years of experience, Grinell Esther Jacinto is the Desk Head of Bollywood Bubble. Her interests lie in everything that is kaleshi and she loves to dig deeper into the lives of B-town actors. She has a problem though – she loves horror films but will have chills the minute the theatres lights dims. She’s previously worked with Koimoi, UrbanAsian and SpotboyE.