Manish Chaudhari Recalls 25-Year-Old ‘Socha Na Tha’ Connection With Imtiaz Ali at ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’ Trailer Launch

The trailer launch of Main Vaapas Aaunga in Mumbai turned nostalgic and emotional when actor Manish Chaudhari opened up about his long-standing connection with filmmaker Imtiaz Ali. The actor, who plays a pivotal role in the upcoming partition drama, shared a heartfelt and humorous anecdote about first working with Imtiaz over two decades ago in the director’s debut film Socha Na Tha.

Speaking during the event, Manish reflected on how his journey with Imtiaz Ali began nearly 25 years ago. “25 years ago, Imtiaz cast me in Socha Na Tha. Wow. And over these 25 years, he made many films, yet he didn't offer me any work. So, I am very happy that, after 25 years, he has finally given me a role,” the actor said, drawing laughter and applause from the audience present at the launch.

Manish Chaudhari had famously played the role of Abhay Deol’s elder brother in Socha Na Tha, a film that later went on to become a cult favorite among Hindi cinema lovers. His comments added a touching layer of nostalgia to the evening, especially for longtime fans of Imtiaz Ali’s filmography.

Beyond the lighthearted moment, the actor also spoke seriously about the importance of Main Vaapas Aaunga and why stories based on the Partition remain deeply necessary in Indian cinema. Thanking Imtiaz Ali for taking up such a sensitive subject, Manish said, “And also, thank you, Imtiaz, for making a film about the Partition. I don't think we tell enough stories about that period in our history—what was, I suppose, one of the most extreme genocides in the history of the world. Thank you for that—for telling us this story.”

His words resonated strongly with the audience, especially given the emotional themes explored in the film. Set during the backdrop of the 1947 Partition, Main Vaapas Aaunga explores cross-generational love, displacement, memory, longing, and nostalgia through deeply personal human stories. The trailer has already generated considerable buzz for its emotional storytelling and haunting visuals.

The film stars Diljit Dosanjh, Sharvari, Vedang Raina, and Naseeruddin Shah in key roles, with music composed by legendary musician A. R. Rahman. The project is already being seen as one of Imtiaz Ali’s most ambitious and emotionally layered films to date.

As conversations around the film continue to grow online, Manish Chaudhari’s emotional recollection of his 25-year journey with Imtiaz Ali added another memorable moment to the increasingly talked-about launch event.

Main Vaapas Aaunga is scheduled for a theatrical release on June 12, 2026.