A.R. Rahman humorously addresses 'anti-national' claims about Imtiaz Ali's film

Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman has responded with humor to the ongoing social media debate surrounding filmmaker Imtiaz Ali’s latest release, Main Vaapas Aaunga. The film, which hit theaters on June 12, 2026, has sparked controversy over its depiction of Pakistan, with some viewers labeling it 'anti-national'.

The romantic period drama, set against the backdrop of the 1947 Partition, features an ensemble cast including Diljit Dosanjh, Naseeruddin Shah, Vedang Raina, and Sharvari Wagh. While the film has been receiving a mixed response from audiences, it has also managed to gradually strengthen its box office performance, collecting ₹10.05 crore as of Wednesday.

The controversy stems from a section of social media users questioning the portrayal of Pakistan in the film, leading to accusations of promoting an 'anti-national' narrative. In response, Rahman took to Instagram to share a satirical post mocking these allegations. The post humorously highlighted the film’s portrayal of Pakistan without resorting to stereotypical depictions of terrorists or secret agents. Rahman added a laughing emoji to his Instagram story, subtly dismissing the criticism.

This marks the fifth collaboration between Rahman and Imtiaz Ali, following their work on Highway, Rockstar, Tamasha, and Amar Singh Chamkila. For Main Vaapas Aaunga, Rahman teamed up once again with lyricist Irshad Kamil to create the film's soundtrack.

Despite the controversy, the film continues to generate discussions online and draw audiences to theaters, solidifying its presence at the box office.