It took only a phrase for Sanjay Suri to give his nod to Imtiaz Ali’s Main Vaapas Aaunga. “Imtiaz used this line, ‘Opening of the heart’. That is what I was hoping someone would make,” recalled Suri, referring to Ali’s Partition drama that views the historic chapter through the lens of inclusivity, not divisiveness.

In the Naseeruddin Shah, Diljit Dosanjh, Sharvari, and Vedang Raina-starrer, Suri plays a Sikh man separated from his family after Partition and spends the rest of his life waiting for them. Ali’s treatment, coupled with the role, was just what the actor was looking for.

“There was a comfort in working with Imtiaz because I knew he is not leading you to hate. He is leading you to love, and to opening of the heart. The film asks what we humans are made of. This othering is so non-inclusive. If we live a life with inclusivity, it can be a joy to live,” reflected Suri.

His fondness for Ali began with the first meeting itself.  Suri recalled how they spoke more about life than his role. “I’m from Kashmir and he has a connect with the place. So, we chatted about life and then he said, ‘I am making a film, which is being seen from an old man’s viewpoint.’ Then we started talking about humans seeing grief, loss, and identity.”