Exclusive: Imtiaz Ali Opens Up About Crafting Layered Characters in Main Vaapas Aaunga

Speaking exclusively to Filmfare, Ali explains that writing multi-dimensional characters comes naturally to him because that is how he sees people in real life. “It is not a conscious choice. When I am writing characters, the ones that come to my mind are not without layers. I have never seen a human being without layers. I represent people in my movie as I see them in real life. However, the layers should not be a problem for the audience,” he says.

Imtiaz adds that while layered storytelling excites him as a writer, it also comes with the responsibility of ensuring emotional accessibility for viewers. Referring to Vedang Raina and his role in the film, Ali shared, “For example, Vedang (Raina) is playing Keenu or Ishwar Singh. That character has too many layers. It is my responsibility to make those layers more hitting and enjoyable for the audience at the outset.”

Ali further emphasised that layered characters are now an integral part of his creative process. He said, “There is nothing in this that I need to understand. The layers should be visible clearly. I practice writing layered characters. It is my learning. You will also see such characters in this film.”

He also revealed that the film’s three male leads, Naseeruddin Shah, Vedang Raina and Diljit Dosanjh, all portray emotionally nuanced characters. “The three male actors in the film – Naseeruddin Shah, Vedang Raina and Diljit Dosanjh play characters that are multi-layered. All of them have subtleties. I wanted to give the audiences the channel to access the emotions quickly. That is where I have emphasised in this film,” he shares.

The movie is set to hit the theatres on June 12, 2026.

Also Read: Imtiaz Ali Shares BTS From Main Vaapas Aaunga Ft. Sharvari and Vedang Raina