Mumbai (India) (AFP) – In an era dominated by hyper-violent blockbusters and larger-than-life action spectacles, Indian filmmaker Imtiaz Ali believes young audiences are searching for something deeper -- love that lasts.
Issued on: 10/06/2026 - 07:12
2 min Reading time
The director behind cult romantic dramas such as "Jab We Met", "Rockstar" and "Love Aaj Kal" told AFP that while Gen Z youth may be growing up in a world of seemingly endless choice, that has only intensified their desire for meaningful connection."I think young people... are more desperate to find something that they can hold on to for longer -- forever perhaps," Ali, 54, said in an interview ahead of the June 12 release of his latest romance, "Main Vaapas Aaunga"."Everything is so accessible that almost everything has no value. So, I feel this is the right time to have a story of enduring love," he said.The film, whose title means "I will return", tells the story of a romance that survives nearly eight decades, inspired by real-life accounts from families affected by the 1947 partition of India and Pakistan.Ali said the idea emerged after hearing of two men, aged 91 and 95, who travelled to the India-Pakistan border hoping to visit the villages where they had spent their childhoods before the subcontinent was divided at the end of British rule.The sectarian bloodshed that accompanied the partition killed hundreds of thousands of people and left many families divided."Almost everything you will see in 'Main Vaapas Aaunga' is taken from somebody's life," said Ali, calling the film a "collection of stories of love".Hit action films such as "Animal", "Dhurandhar" and the "Pushpa" series have helped cement the dominance of violent action cinema in Bollywood.All three films celebrate highly dominant male protagonists who project raw power, aggression and emotional intensity.But Ali rejects the notion that audiences only want blood and gore."The kind of film that works... is a good film, a popular film, a film that people enjoy," he said.'The music in your heart'
