Mumbai, July 31 — Acclaimed filmmaker Imtiaz Ali expressed gratitude for the sustained audience response to his latest release, Main Vaapas Aaunga, and said the responsibility now lies with filmmakers to create compelling cinema for viewers returning to theatres.

On Instagram, Ali shared a poster marking the film’s nearly two-month theatrical run, describing it as a “rare feat for any film.” He wrote: “Main Vaapas Aaunga achieves this today and my first thought is of gratitude towards the audience – the good people that watch cinema, who invested emotionally in the film and convinced others to watch it, who created the extraordinary word of mouth – for no reason except that they liked the film. May the tribe increase!”

Ali characterised the positive reception as “a beacon of hope for all contemporary filmmakers.” He added that the affection shown by audiences “will always be in my heart and inspire me to make better and more entertaining cinema in its service.”

He also acknowledged the contributions of the cast and crew as well as the support of exhibitors and distributors. “The love that the stellar cast and crew put into the film has been reciprocated by the audience and I am very happy about that. The support of exhibitors and distributors to this film that did not have a good opening was crucial for its unusual success.”

Looking beyond his own project, Ali congratulated the wider Hindi film industry on improved footfalls this year. “And finally, congratulations to the entire Hindi film industry for the footfalls we are receiving this year at the theatres. Now the impetus is on us filmmakers to make wonderful films for the audience that seems keen to visit theatres for it.”

Main Vaapas Aaunga features Diljit Dosanjh, Naseeruddin Shah, Sharvari, Vedang Raina, Banita Sandhu, Rajat Kapoor, Sanjay Suri, Anjana Sukhani and Danish Pandor.

Ali’s remarks frame the film’s extended run as evidence of audience willingness to support cinema that resonates emotionally, while placing the onus on creators to meet that renewed interest with consistently strong storytelling.

Mumbai, July 31 — Acclaimed filmmaker Imtiaz Ali expressed gratitude for the sustained audience response to his latest release, Main Vaapas Aaunga, and said the responsibility now lies with filmmakers to create compelling cinema for viewers returning to theatres.

On Instagram, Ali shared a poster marking the film’s nearly two-month theatrical run, describing it as a “rare feat for any film.” He wrote: “Main Vaapas Aaunga achieves this today and my first thought is of gratitude towards the audience – the good people that watch cinema, who invested emotionally in the film and convinced others to watch it, who created the extraordinary word of mouth – for no reason except that they liked the film. May the tribe increase!”

Ali characterised the positive reception as “a beacon of hope for all contemporary filmmakers.” He added that the affection shown by audiences “will always be in my heart and inspire me to make better and more entertaining cinema in its service.”

He also acknowledged the contributions of the cast and crew as well as the support of exhibitors and distributors. “The love that the stellar cast and crew put into the film has been reciprocated by the audience and I am very happy about that. The support of exhibitors and distributors to this film that did not have a good opening was crucial for its unusual success.”

Looking beyond his own project, Ali congratulated the wider Hindi film industry on improved footfalls this year. “And finally, congratulations to the entire Hindi film industry for the footfalls we are receiving this year at the theatres. Now the impetus is on us filmmakers to make wonderful films for the audience that seems keen to visit theatres for it.”

Main Vaapas Aaunga features Diljit Dosanjh, Naseeruddin Shah, Sharvari, Vedang Raina, Banita Sandhu, Rajat Kapoor, Sanjay Suri, Anjana Sukhani and Danish Pandor.

Ali’s remarks frame the film’s extended run as evidence of audience willingness to support cinema that resonates emotionally, while placing the onus on creators to meet that renewed interest with consistently strong storytelling.