While borders may physically divide countries, mentally, most Indians and Pakistanis share a mutual love rooted in talent and historical ties. Indians often admire Pakistani music, while Pakistanis are captivated by Indian cinema. Amid this cultural exchange, a post by Pakistani man Saad Sheikh has stolen hearts on the internet. He took to Instagram to share how he rushed to the Attari-Wagah border to meet Indian director Imtiaz Ali, a filmmaker he deeply admires.
The Journey to the Border
Residing in Lahore, Sheikh noted that most Lahoris live about 20 kilometers from India. However, on Sundays, when the border opens, those 20 kilometers become a 20-minute journey. He recounted seeing an online reel of Imtiaz Ali announcing he would be at the border alongside AR Rahman and their team. "Those 20 mins were long enough to remind you how these two artists have shaped your art for all these years," he wrote.
Thus, a man who had not visited the border since 2004 decided to go. "Even as a young man I hated every part of that border because borders are only nice when they are friendly and open. This time, my sentiments were the same. Still don't love over the top patriotism, shouting for the love of your land forgetting that on the other side too, it's Punjab," he expressed.
Meeting Imtiaz Ali
Sheikh shared that he rushed to the border, and a friend helped him gain access to zero point, where Indians and Pakistanis can meet, talk, and greet each other. "As I got there I saw curly white hair, without wasting a second I screamed. IMTIAZZ, IMTIAAZZZZ. I think he turned around in panic," he recalled.
He launched into a monologue, telling the director how much he loved him, how celebrated he is across the border, and how his music, cinema, and storytelling have shaped an entire generation of filmmakers. "He kept smiling and saying thank you, thanks so much. The finale I told him 'Mai Vaapis Aunga' that's when the entire Indian side cheered, smiled and clapped and for a brief second the gates had abolished, the borders were friendly and art had won," Sheikh wrote.
He added, "Same Sun, Same Birds, Same Fields, Same Punjab. May the war end and lovers meet." In the caption, he expressed his wish: "In an alternate universe Punjab is Sanjha!"
Social Media Reactions
Users from both sides of the border appreciated his post, congratulating him and inviting him to India. One Indian user wrote, "Such a beautiful post! Love you hai bhai! I hope ek na ek din aana ho. Sending love." Another commented, "Beautiful post. Only Punjabis know the sadness of partition, to have one half of your heart denied access to the other. For Sikhs it's a double sadness, separation from half our heart and separation from the birthplace of Guru Nanak Sahib Ji."
A user who saw the movie in Toronto remarked, "The theatre was full of Pakistanis and Indians, and EVERYONE was crying. There was no hatred—only love, empathy, and shared emotions. I don't understand. If we can coexist in Western countries, where almost every Pakistani has at least one close Indian friend, and Indians have at least one roommate that's Pakistani, why can't we coexist peacefully in our own countries?"
Another user wrote, "This made me moist-eyed. So easy to love but still humans choose the path of conflict and hatred. May the power of love rise above all the hate one day."
