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Imtiaz Ali on Learning from History to Avoid Repeating Past Mistakes

Imtiaz Ali, promoting his upcoming film 'Main Vapas Aaunga', reflects on the cyclical nature of history and humanity. He emphasizes that forgetting history condemns us to repeat its mistakes, a core theme in his work. The film is a post-Partition era story, marking his second collaboration with actor Diljit Dosanjh. Ali sees the artist's job as injecting hope and pointing towards silver linings through connective storytelling.

Key Points: Imtiaz Ali: Forgetting History Condemns Us to Repeat It

  • Director on history's cyclical nature
  • Film set in post-Partition era
  • Artist's role to bring hope
  • Second collaboration with Diljit Dosanjh
  • Releasing June 2026
2 min read

Imtiaz Ali: One who forgets history, is condemned to repeat it

Director Imtiaz Ali discusses his film 'Main Vapas Aaunga', the cyclical nature of history, and the artist's role in offering hope.

"If one who forgets history, he is condemned to repeat it. - Imtiaz Ali"

Mumbai, April 21

Indian auteur Imtiaz Ali, who is gearing up for the release of his upcoming film 'Main Vapas Aaunga', believes that one should learn from history to not repeat the same mistakes.

The director spoke with IANS during the promotions of 'Main Vapas Aaunga', and shared that given human beings and the world is cyclical in nature, there's a certain inevitability to the scheme of things. The auteur said that in such a scenario, one must remember the past and not forget it.

He told IANS, "There is an inevitability. As someone says that if one who forgets history, he is condemned to repeat it. And so one must take lessons and be better, hopefully. And oftentimes, one is not, unfortunately. If battles happen again and again, if the same cruelty of history happens cyclically, then people like you and me also arise and put some honey into the bitterness".

He further mentioned, "That is our job as artistes. To bring hope, point towards the silver lining when there are clouds. So this is also our attempt. And how do we do it? We do it by talking about stories, which connect you to your own heart, the stories that open your heart. But a film is a film, a story is a story. Similarly, 'Main Vapas Aaunga' is a simple story of partition time, remembered 78 years later".

'Main Vapas Aaunga' marks the filmmaker's 2nd collaboration with Diljit Dosanjh, and is set in the era after the Partition of India, which is the largest mass migration in human history. The event, which led to the carving out of Pakistan from India, led to displacement of an estimated 14 to 18 million people.

The film is produced by Sameer Nair and Deepak Segal of Applause Entertainment, along with Mohit Choudhary and Shibasish Sarkar of Window Seat Films. It is set to release in cinemas on June 12, 2026.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
"One who forgets history is condemned to repeat it" – such a powerful line. We see this playing out in so many ways today. Artists have a responsibility to remind us. Excited for this film!
A
Aman W
While I appreciate the sentiment, I hope the film focuses on human stories and resilience, not just the politics. Sometimes these historical films can feel preachy. Fingers crossed for a balanced view.
S
Sarah B
As someone who studied South Asian history, it's heartening to see mainstream cinema tackle this. The scale of displacement was unimaginable. Hope it brings the stories of ordinary people to light.
K
Karthik V
Diljit Dosanjh and Imtiaz Ali together again! That's the real news for me. Their last collaboration was magic. This subject needs a sensitive touch, and I think they can deliver.
N
Nisha Z
My grandparents were children during Partition. They rarely speak of it. Maybe a film like this can help our generation understand the silence and the scars they carry. Important work.

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