I guess I may be the only exception who did not watch Dhurandhar (The Expert), a 2025 Hindi film, which broke multiple records and reportedly grossed a revenue of Rs. 1000/- Crore worldwide. Why ? Because I know what a spy thriller will be all about in the context of two neighbouring countries that have nurtured a quaint love hate relation since their births.
But I watched Main Vaapas Aaunga (I Will Come Back) on Netflix. Against the backdrop of a Partition ravaged Punjab is the story of the budding romance between Keenu and Jiya belonging to two different communities – romance which is under the constant threat of being nipped at the bud by the blood thirsty communal rioters. To assuage Jiya’s fear that she may have to be estranged from her lover anytime soon Keenu makes a promise that even if circumstances force him to leave the land where he belongs he will soon come back to reclaim not only his sweetheart but also the life he has known.
Keenu keeps his promise and returns after six years to find that his dream of being reunited with Jiya can never transpire into reality. He returns heartbroken, rebuilds his life from scratch in a country where he feels alienated and secretly keeps pining for Jiya. In his ripe old age, in the throes of fast encroaching dementia, post repeated strokes, he keeps mumbling about a curse on his family and an unfinished job that he has to finish.
Main Vaapas Aaunga effectively relives the anarchy and trauma of the Partition. More importantly it showcases how political decisions upend the lives of the common people. The belongingness one has towards one’s roots cannot be altered overnight by the drawing of a man made line (The Radcliffe Line) which may determine the geographical boundaries of two countries but cannot be driven through people’s hearts.
Keenu’s “flashbulb memories” on deathbed compellingly reinforce the futility of all the havoc that terror and war mongers wreak. The movie ends on a kaleidoscopic sweep of all the recent terrorist attacks, human exodus across borders and survival of human spirit in refugee camps world over delivering once again the pressing need of converging collective will towards building rather than breaking – an imperative that a narrative founded on excessively gory and violence ridden saga of espionage may never have been able to put across.
Trivia I : “The Partition of India in August 1947 split British India into two independent countries, India and Pakistan (which later split into Pakistan and Bangladesh) causing a massive humanitarian crisis, mass migration, leading to displacement of 12 to 20 million people and an estimated death toll between 200,000 and 2 million due to widespread communal violence. Millions of Hindus and Sikhs moved toward India, while millions of Muslims crossed into West and East Pakistan. Riots, massacres, and brutal attacks targeted refugee trains and walking columns (kafilas). Tens of thousands of women faced abduction, assault, and forced separation or conversion. Delhi, Punjab, and West Bengal are a few cities/states that struggled for decades to house and integrate millions of destitutes. Resultant generational trauma, border fencing, and strained diplomatic relations continue to affect South Asian politics.” (Wikipedia)
Trivia II : Sir Cyril Radcliffe, a lawyer by profession, had never set foot in India prior to his arrival on July 8, 1947. He was chosen to chair the boundary commissions specifically for his complete lack of prior connection to the subcontinent. He drew the Radcliffe Line using maps and census data, left almost immediately after finishing, and never returned. He arrived on 8th July 1947 and was given a brief window of roughly five weeks to divide the provinces of Punjab and Bengal. He left India shortly after completing the boundary award and never visited the region again. (Wikipedia)
I’ve watched both. And the message the earlier one sends is: “ये माँ है तो वो सौतेली माँ है।” While the later one says, “ये माँ है तो वो मौसी है।” I’d always pick the latter.
By the way, I also watched Batwara, 1947. That too was a good story. I think we’re a little tired of being Dhurandhar. Something’s gotta give. 🙂
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The theme of Dhurandhar is redundant now, I feel. It’s propagandist and does not clearly show the real picture.
I belong to a family with a history of partition survival. We have lost much. Not only materially but emotionally. Now whenever I think of reconnecting with my roots the current diplomatic situation comes in the way.
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It is hard to understand the political strategy of holding onto old grudges when ordinary people simply crave reconciliation. You are not alone in thinking this; I have met many elderly people who have never lost hope.
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The strategy is to keep the old grudges alive so that they can be (mis)utilised anytime. I still believe in that song “We Shall Overcome”
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Geetashree, what a beautiful film choice. And what a profound review. The way you’ve captured it how ‘The Partition of India’ didn’t just draw geographical lines but severed human hearts, yes. That line about the Radcliffe Line determining boundaries on maps but never in people’s hearts… I felt that deeply. The promise Keenu makes and keeps, only to find the world has changed while he was away. That’s displacement in its truest form. And yes, ‘flashbulb memories on a deathbed’ what a way to show the futility. This film understands what so many don’t: that the real cost of partition isn’t political. It’s personal. It’s a love story that can never be reclaimed. Thank you for introducing me to this film. 💙
Much love,
Khadija 💕🤗
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Yes, you have just said it. The partition was a personal trauma for a whole generation and not merely a political move. In fact, the decision played with the lives of the people on either side of the barbed wires. Thanks Khadija for your sensitive response.
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sounds like a good movie! I like movies with a good story line!
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Yes, it’s a good movie, especially, for those whose parents or grandparents have gone through that phase.
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I don’t have a heart to watch some
movies and I think this would be one!
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It’s better than the violent Dhurandhar
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I had to watch Dhurander because my husband was watching 🤷♀️! Maybe should give this one a try!
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I remember watching the movie Gandhi in the Eighties, and feeling embarrassed to be British.
Now, I could use a film recommendation or two. 🙏🏻🙏🏻 Cheers!
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History is history….we should only learn from it.
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Is your TV subscription there are all on Netflix? It’s still different here, but some used Netflix already. We don’t yet. Sounds like a moving movie, and a wonderful historical text.
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No, I have various subscriptions but I end up Netflix more. 😌 Yes, it was a very moving movie , specifically for Partition survivor families.
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Partition is one of the worst tragedies of human history.For many it may be just another movie but sensitive souls like you feel it.
I have long stopped watching movies like dhurandhar and kashmir files(to keep my mind peaceful),but will watch this one.
Imagine Di,a man watching his brother’s funeral across river Neelam in Keran but never allowed to cross the line of actual control.
If Imtiyaz Ali’s movie
Mai wapas aaunga makes hearts beat not because of the animosity between two countries but because of a love story,he has done a good job.
Thanks Di for recommending this movie,I was a bit confused whether to watch it or not.
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I belong to a family which survived partition. So the movie hit me in more than one way Nusrat.
I liked this movie because of its sensitive portrayal and the powerful message.
I really wish the decision makers pay heed to the needs of the hour to save humans from extinction.
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Oh, I almost forgot you are from Bengal.
Bengal,Punjab and Kashmir were brutally divided into two.
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Yes….and we understand partition better than any others…
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I haven’t watched either of the movies but I know that there were many unfair decisions taken regarding the partition.
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Yes, you are absolutely correct. I agree with you dear.
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The British dealt us- both countries , a raw hand.
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Yes, they did but at that time we could have bargained for something better but we did not.
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Yes, perhaps no one realized how desperate the British were to offload the colonies.
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Yes, they were economically very weak after WW II.
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Yes they were. But their parting present to us was shown as a huge favor to both nations.
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British ruled us for 200 years on the principle of Divide And Rule. Their parting award was also based on the same. We kept on pandering to their wishes.
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Very true my friend. They played us for fools
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The history is so important
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It is Derrick. It tells us not to repeat the same mistakes but we are a bunch of slow learners
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Partition literature has always interested me and recently during our monthly book club a friend recommended that I should watch this movie. I watched Dhurandhar (gasps expected) and the violence just gets to into your head and messes it up!
Interestingly not a lot is talked about or written about the eastern side of partition and I have searched for books but haven’t found a lot. My family were displaced during the partition and I have seen them lamenting but with that generation almost wiped off I wonder how will we remember history-our leaders definitely are not doing a good job and all we have now is hate and more hate.
On a different note if you can find your hands on the books “Remnants of a Separation” and “The Book of Everlasting Things” by Aachal Malhotra do read them. The first one is non-fiction-stories of people who have an artifact with them which they managed to save during partition and subsequent forced migration and the second is a fictional love story of two people separated by partition.
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I do not know whether you can read Bangla or watch Bangla movies. The films made by Ritwik Ghatak mostly deal with partition – Meghe Dhala Tara and Komol Gandhar. Some of Mrinal Sen’s movies too. About books if I get hold of some I will let you know. Thanks for the suggested titles. I will look through. Incidentally, I too belong to a family of partition survivors. When I shared the link to this movie with my close group of friends, all of us had the same thoughts – how have our mothers and grandmothers coped with the uprooting ….it’s a trauma which will stay long even with us those who have not directly experienced the division but lived the same through personal anecdotes.
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I can read Bangla with some effort and yes regularly watch Bangla movies. I have seen some of Ghatak’s and Sen’s movies but not these ones. I have made a note 🙂
And I remember Goynar Baksho, not directly Partition but has some bits and the Mukti Bahini movement.
You are right, while we have not lived the horrors, the miseries or even the happy stories of our grandmothers and grandfathers growing up days, the stories made me feel I was there.
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Hurrah! I haven’t watched Dhurandhar either 😁
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Good.
We seem to be thriving on hatred and oneupmanship. Cinema can be used for better purpose.
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