Despite a slow start, Imtiaz Ali’s Main Vaapas Aaunga is climbing up the box office, purely by virtue of word-of-mouth publicity. The Naseeruddin Shah, Diljit Dosanjh, Sharvari and Vedang Raina starrer had its opening weekend at a net collection of Rs 5.5 crore but its second weekend collections have risen to Rs 12 crore, which is a commendable 118 per cent increase. The films’ total net collection is at Rs 24.25 crore.

The film is being lauded by many in the industry and recently, veteran filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, known for helming Mr. India (1987) and Bandit Queen (1994), took to X to praise the film. “Thank you Imtiaz Ali. With your film Main Wapaas Aaunga, you busted the myth that the first week box office defines the future of your film. You proved what counts is a great story well told.. What counts is respect for your audiences,” he wrote.

Previously, Pathaan (2023) director Siddharth Anand had also taken to social media to applaud Imtiaz. “Just booked my tickets for Tuesday night for Main Vaapas Aaunga! After Dhurandhar, booked tickets for this one in ADVANCE!! So happy that diverse genres like these are working with our audience even today! Power of a story teller!! Full power to you Imtiaz Ali!!”

Main Vaapas Aaunga tells the story of an old man (Naseeruddin Shah) on his death bed as he remembers his life and love before the Partition of India. The younger Shah is played by Vedang Raina, while his love interest is played by Sharvari. Diljit plays Shah’s grandson who is trying to find what secret is ailing his dying grandfather.