'He should've slapped me': Imtiaz Ali on directing Naseeruddin Shah in 'Main Vaapas Aaunga' and Diljit Dosanjh's 'Oh baap rey'

Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali opened up about his experience directing veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah in the upcoming period drama 'Main Vaapas Aaunga'.Speaking about the collaboration in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Ali admitted that he adopted a creative approach with Shah that he would not ordinarily use with other actors. The director said he felt comfortable pushing certain boundaries because of the veteran actor's openness to experimentation and his ability to instantly respond to feedback. Imtiaz Ali said, "The liberties that I took with Naseer, I didn't take with Vedang Raina and Sharvari. Now that I’m thinking about it, he should have slapped me a few times."Imtiaz Ali also revealed that he often communicated with Shah while scenes were actively being filmed. Instead of waiting for a take to finish, he would sometimes offer instructions in real time and later remove his voice during post-production. Describing the process, Imtiaz Ali said, "The camera is rolling, the take is on, he is performing, and within the take I was giving him instructions! I know that I can take my sound out from the final version, so I am giving him instructions, as though he is a junior artist." The director explained that Naseeruddin Shah's ability to absorb those directions instantly made the process possible. He added, "Not only am I giving him the instructions, but he is also receiving it; it's changing his eyes, I can see the difference. He is the kind of actor who, if you say something, there will be a change instantly."According to Imtiaz Ali, this responsiveness allowed him to fine-tune performances even while scenes were unfolding in front of the camera.One of the most memorable moments from the shoot came during the filming of an emotionally exhausting climax sequence. After Naseeruddin Shah completed a demanding take, Ali felt another attempt could further enhance the scene.The suggestion, however, reportedly surprised co-star Diljit Dosanjh.Recalling the incident, 'Highway director said, "After a beautiful take (for the climax), when he was finished, exhausted everything, I remember telling Diljeet that I was going to ask for one more take from him. Diljit said, 'Oh baap rey, main toh bahar jaa raa hu, aap maanglo, all the best sir!'" (Oh my god, I am going outside, you go ahead and ask, all the best sir!)When Imtiaz Ali eventually requested another take, Shah initially questioned the decision. The director recalled the actor saying, "What nonsense... how can I do another take, what (exactly) do you want?!" Despite the initial reaction, Shah listened to the explanation and agreed to perform the sequence once again. Imtiaz Ali later reflected on the moment, saying, "Then Naseer said, 'What nonsense... how can I do another take, what (exactly) do you want?!' I said something and then he agreed. He is like a kid; he reacts like that. Because it (the scene) is painful, and he is doing it with full intensity, which isn't easy. But he did it." Interestingly, when Naseeruddin Shah later watched the completed film, he wanted to know which take had been used in the final version.The filmmaker also expressed excitement about presenting the veteran actor in a role unlike anything audiences may have seen from him before. He said, "He is someone I am genuinely excited for people to see on screen because I have never seen him like this in any film. I didn't want to cast him just to play a version of who we think he is. There has to be something new for a Naseeruddin Shah, because the man has already done everything."Set against the backdrop of the 1947 Partition, 'Main Vaapas Aaunga' stars Naseeruddin Shah, Diljit Dosanjh, Vedang Raina and Sharvari. The film features music by A. R. Rahman and is scheduled to arrive in theatres on June 12, 2026.