Director Imitiaz Ali has long been associated with heartfelt romantic movies, which, although not always perfect, remains rooted in intense emotions that run deep and never really fades away. Be it Deepika Padukone-Saif Ali Khan’s complicated relationship in Love Aaaj Kal (2009) or Ranbir Kapoor-Nargis Fakhri’s fiery-forbidden romance in Rockstar (2011) and Alia Bhatt-Randeep Hooda’s unusual love story in Highway (2014), the 54-year-old has explored the depth of love in its most profound sense. Now, the filmmaker, who is awaiting the release of Vedang Raina and Sharvari Wagh’s Main Vaapas Aaunga has shared his thoughts on the Gen Z dating culture. Imtiaz Ali on yearning and modern romance Imtiaz Ali, in a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India, revealed that although the younger generation are ‘yearning’ to be loved, they are far lonelier that the previous generations. Explaining his perspective on modern relationships, the director suggested that today’s generation often feels as though love is always within reach, yet somehow remains emotionally out of grasp. According to Imtiaz Ali, despite having endless opportunities to connect through social media and dating apps, many youngsters struggle to experience the emotional depth and lasting intimacy they truly desire. He implied that modern romance often feels temporary and fragile, disappearing just when individuals believe that they have finally found the right partner and a meaningful bond. Imtiaz Ali on Gen Z loneliness in loveImtiaz Ali added that Gen Z continues to be on the lookout for a passionate and enduring love that offers comfort, emotional security, companionship, and a sense of belonging over a lifetime. He noted that young people still dream of relationships where they can feel emotionally safe, deeply understood, and genuinely connected to another person for years. Imtiaz Ali, however, believes that the loneliness faced by the current generation has intensified because they live in a hyper-social and highly interactive world filled with endless options and constant comparisons. While people today are more connected digitally than ever before, the filmmaker pointed out that many still feel emotionally unfulfilled because the intensity of love they seek often does not match the reality they experience. More on Imtiaz Ali’s Main Vaapas AaungaAccording to Imtiaz Ali, this gap between expectation and emotional satisfaction continues to fuel a deeper sense of longing and loneliness among today’s youth. His upcoming film Main Vaapas Aaunga, also starring Naseeruddin Shah and Diljit Dosanjh tells the tale of one such nostalgic and old-school love between Jiya (Sharvari Wagh) and Keenu (Vedang Raina). Main Vaapas Aaunga, set against the backdrop of the Partition of India, the romantic drama touches on the themes of longing, memory and waiting for someone (for 78 years), showcasing how true love can transcend time and distance even when separated. Main Vaapas Aaunga will hit the silver screens on June 12.