The Bengal Story Bureau: Imtiaz Ali’s latest directorial venture, Main Vaapas Aaunga, has managed a rare feat at the domestic box office by earning more on its first Monday than on its opening day. Fronted by veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah and Diljit Dosanjh, the partition-themed drama minted Rs 1.25 crore on Monday, surpassing its Friday collection of Rs 1.15 crore.
The film’s total net collections in India now stand at Rs 6.75 crore after four days in theatres, with a gross collection of Rs 8.10 crore, according to industry tracker Sacnilk.
The weekend saw a steady upward trend for the movie, which also features Vedang Raina and Sharvari. After its opening day numbers, the film collected Rs 1.85 crore on Saturday and peaked at Rs 2.50 crore on Sunday.
Read More: “Watch It on Mute and It Looks Serious”: Ahmed Khan on Welcome To The Jungle
The Monday figure of Rs 1.25 crore, recorded across 2,139 shows, indicates strong positive word-of-mouth. Films typically witness a significant drop in collections on the first weekday, making this growth a positive indicator for the film’s sustained run.
Industry Praise and Musical Reunion
Several prominent Bollywood filmmakers have publicly praised the film. Zoya Akhtar congratulated the team on social media, calling it a beautiful film. Anurag Kashyap specifically lauded editor Aarti Bajaj, while Anubhav Sinha commended Imtiaz Ali for retaining the vital virtues of the cinematic art form.
Main Vaapas Aaunga marks the second collaboration between the director and Diljit Dosanjh, following their 2024 streaming hit Amar Singh Chamkila. The project also brings back the acclaimed musical trio of Imtiaz Ali, composer A. R. Rahman and lyricist Irshad Kamil, who previously collaborated on soundtracks for Rockstar, Tamasha and Highway.
The storyline weaves together the historical trauma of the partition with the personal struggles of dementia, anchored by Naseeruddin Shah’s central performance.
