Imtiaz Ali returns to the top as Main Vaapas Aaunga leads IMDb buzz

MUMBAI: “Vaapas” is not just in the title it’s the mood around Imtiaz Ali right now. The filmmaker appears to be staging a full-blown return to the kind of aching, emotionally rich storytelling that first made audiences fall in love with his cinema, and moviegoers cannot seem to get enough of it.

Imtiaz Ali’s Main Vaapas Aaunga has officially topped IMDb’s list of the most anticipated Indian films and shows of 2026, adding fresh momentum to the buzz surrounding the film ahead of its theatrical release on 12 June.

Starring Vedang Raina, Sharvari, Diljit Dosanjh and Naseeruddin Shah, the film unfolds against the backdrop of the Partition era and promises an emotionally charged journey steeped in love, longing and loss themes Ali has long made his signature.

The excitement around the film has only intensified since the release of its trailer, which quickly sparked conversation across social media for its stirring visuals and emotional depth. Its soundtrack, too, has struck a chord with listeners, already finding a place on playlists weeks before release.

For many fans, Main Vaapas Aaunga feels less like another period drama and more like the return of the classic Imtiaz Ali emotional, intimate, poetic and deeply human. The IMDb ranking only underlines what social media chatter has been hinting at for weeks: audiences are counting down the days.

Backed by Applause Entertainment and Window Seat Films, with music by TIPS, Main Vaapas Aaunga arrives in cinemas on 12 June 2026.