Imtiaz Ali Says He Expected Main Vaapas Aaunga To Have Slow Start At Box Office: 'Not A Star-Driven Film'

Imtiaz Ali’s latest film, Main Vaapas Aaunga, has been receiving a lot of love since its release. Starring Vedang Raina, Sharvari, Naseeruddin Shah and Diljit Dosanjh, the film is being lauded for its strong performances and compelling story. However, the appreciation has not reflected well on the box office. According to Imtiaz Ali, this is because the film is not driven by “stars”.

Imtiaz Ali said, as quoted by Hindustan Times, “We are not a star-driven film, so this film was supposed to be like this. It couldn’t have opened big. If it is good, people would go and tell other people to watch it, and that’s the only way this film is going to progress. Hopefully it will continue to grow and strengthen itself.”

“I am particularly happy that the

younger generation is coming in and liking it. Usually there is a phase lag between acclaim and box office, and hopefully we are coming close to the end of that lag,” the filmmaker said. “Now, there is an uptrend in the sale of tickets. The figures are improving if you see the sales,” Imtiaz Ali said.

Asked why Imtiaz chose newcomers Vedang and Sharvari for the film, the director said, “I have great confidence in performances. I am a man, not from the trade, but from the art of filmmaking. I do understand the power of cinema and performance, and also the power of good casting. If all those things come together, then there is a certain power that is created.”

“I had no doubt that both these actors will be able to headline this story well, but I also knew that on the poster, there is also Diljit. Everybody in the world knows him, and they are interested to see what he’s doing. I was sure that there was going to be a poster appeal because Diljit is there,” he mentioned.

Further reflecting on the younger generation connecting with the film, Imtiaz said, “I feel that the younger generation is the one that needs love the most. They are the most lost and yet most seeking of love. If there was a way for them to get the kind of love relationship that was possible in the past, they would take that route.”

“It’s very enchanting for them to imagine that kind of commitment. It’s a very sensitive and romantic generation. But it’s also a generation that has been misunderstood, misrepresented as though it is their fault that they are so flaky. Their lives are different from the previous generations, but they are seeking more,” the filmmaker concluded.