Imtiaz AliThe lead time drama ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’ has become popular due to its clear portrayal of the Division and its potential for reconciliation. At the heart of the story is 95-year-old Ishwar (Naseeruddin Shah), who wants to revisit his hometown of Sargodha in Pakistan today, a decision that leaves his family, especially his grandson Nirvair (Diljit Dosanjh), surprise. As the film continues to gain traction, co-writer Nayanika Mahtani reflects on its deep roots and the ideas behind its story.Nayanika recalled how her collaboration with Imtiaz Ali began unexpectedly in Mussoorie. He met a film producer there and he gave him his book Across The Line, which also analyzed Section. Fortunately, Imtiaz was preparing a story on the same history and asked him to write 20-30 pages on the subject. After reading his work, he simply told her, “We’re on our way.”This opportunity was very important for Nayanika because she wanted to tell the story of Partition without the issues of partition. “I was excited to tell the story of Partition, and with the wisdom that Imtiaz brings, because I was very clear that I didn’t want to tell a story where there would be ‘other’ or ‘other.’ “I would rather not tell a story than to tell a story like this,” he said.For the writer, Main Vaapas Aaunga also comes from family history. All four of his grandfathers immigrated to Pakistan, and his maternal grandmother is from Sargodha, the same town at the center of the movie. Recalling her grandmother’s memories, Nayanika said: “Whenever my father talked about Sargodha, he only talked about the happy things he remembered. There was no pain. There was no chaos.“He said that his paternal grandparents, who came from Lahore and Rawalpindi, had similar memories. Instead of getting angry, they remembered friends who were more than religion. “Their close friends remained Muslims. I have never seen in that generation confusion. Therefore, when we are talking about this matter, even Imtiaz had the same thoughts, that there was no one,” he added.Nayanika also believes that the emotional wounds that many of those who experienced Partition have not been told. About Ishwar’s character in the film, he explained, “Ishar Grewal is not a good person. He is a bitter man. But look at what he experienced. And this is where the closure comes in, because we just judged them on what we saw, but there is something they never talked about. “In addition to that idea, he said, “There was something that was never mentioned. Many of them were struggling with PTSD. But no one would talk about it, because Autonomy was related to distribution, and it took the base. Therefore, you were not allowed to be unhappy. But just imagine on that Independence day, every year, what he would have thought. “Nayanika also revealed that she and Imtiaz Ali were determined to portray the suffering on both sides of the border, instead of telling a one-sided story. “One thing Imtiaz and I were very (certain). I told him, ‘We have to have a place where we see Muslims being killed.’ So, that scene in the train when Keenu’s hat falls, and that scene when the train arrives at Lahore station, and Afzal finds his whole family dead. So, we see both sides, and there are reasonable opinions. Otherwise, it can become a bait of anger,” he argued.