Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali Overwhelmed by Audience Response to Main Vaapas Aaunga
Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali has expressed his overwhelming gratitude for the audience's embrace of his Partition drama, Main Vaapas Aaunga, which has staged a remarkable theatrical turnaround in its second week. The film, which released on June 12, recorded its highest single-day collection on day 10, earning a net of Rs 5.75 crore from 1,971 shows across India, according to trade tracking website Sacnilk.
Ali, who has been touring multiple cities and visiting theaters to gauge audience reactions, told PTI, "Ultimately, 'Janata janardan hai'. We always try to predict people, put them into categories and socio-economic classes and we try to make strategies to predict how people are going to react to a brand or a film, but I think people largely understand cinema. We should actually learn from them how to make a film and how to market films."
From Slow Start to Second-Week Surge
Main Vaapas Aaunga opened to positive reviews but experienced a tepid box office response in its first three days. However, the film gained momentum on day seven, earning Rs 2.20 crore and bringing the first week's total to Rs 12.25 crore. In a surprising turnaround during the second week, the film collected approximately Rs 12 crore in just three days, equaling its entire first-week haul. Distributors and exhibitors, buoyed by positive word-of-mouth, added more shows for the movie.
As of now, the film's net collection stands at Rs 26.75 crore, after earning Rs 2.50 crore on Monday, as per Sacnilk. The film stars Naseeruddin Shah, Diljit Dosanjh, Vedang Raina, and Sharvari.
Ali Credits Trade and Audience Connection
Ali expressed his gratitude to the trade community, whom he described as "the first line of contact with the audience," for their support in increasing screen counts based on positive word-of-mouth. He noted, "In this journey, I have realised the amazing connection between audience and exhibitors, the theatre halls and the distributors, what we call trade and who we usually are scared off as filmmakers... It has been a divine connection for 'Main Vaapas Aaunga'."
He added, "The community of exhibitors, theatre owners and distributors and so many people from the trade have stepped and supported 'Main Vaapas Aaunga' as though it is their film. The community of distributors and exhibitors has started shows at unlikely times at so many theatres because of the audience demand."
Sharvari Celebrates Film's Growing Popularity
Actor Sharvari, who plays a key role in the film, also celebrated its growing popularity on Instagram. She wrote, "I don’t know if there’s a greater feeling than seeing something you poured your heart into find a place in other people’s hearts. The messages, the videos, the tears, the conversations, the love... I’ve been reading and watching all of it, often with tears in my own eyes."
Sharvari shared behind-the-scenes photographs from the film's set and expressed her gratitude: "Seeing so many of you connect with Main Vaapas Aaunga the way you have has been incredibly humbling. Thank you for showing up. Thank you for feeling every emotion with us. Thank you for carrying this film forward with your love. My heart is very, very full."
Film Details and Production
Main Vaapas Aaunga, set in present-day India, is narrated through the ramblings of a 95-year-old man whose grandson pieces together a story of Partition, trauma, and love. The film features music by AR Rahman and lyrics by Irshad Kamil. It is produced by Birla Studios and Applause Entertainment in association with Window Seat Films.
