A. R. Rahman reacts to controversy over Imtiaz Ali's film portrayal of Pakistan

'There Can Be Normal Humans in Pakistan': AR Rahman Reacts to ‘Anti-National’ Controversy Surrounding Imtiaz Ali’s ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’

Imtiaz Ali’s latest film, *Main Vaapas Aaunga*, has been met with widespread acclaim from critics and audiences alike. The Partition-themed drama is benefiting from strong word-of-mouth, but its portrayal of Pakistan has sparked online controversy, with some social media users labeling the film “anti-national.”

Amid the heated debate, Oscar-winning composer A. R. Rahman shared his reaction in a subtle yet impactful manner. Taking to Instagram, Rahman reposted a screenshot of a satirical post that addressed the backlash surrounding the film. The post appeared to mock critics who were unhappy with the film’s depiction of Pakistan, which avoided the stereotypical portrayals commonly seen in mainstream cinema. The headline of the post read, “Anti-National? Movie dares to show Pakistan without terrorists and secret agents.”

The caption of the satirical post added further context, describing the confusion of a viewer who had expected a revenge-driven spy thriller but instead encountered a heartfelt drama. The viewer reportedly walked away with the realization that “there can be normal humans in Pakistan,” a perspective that challenged the typical narrative seen in other films.

Rahman responded to the controversy with a lighthearted touch. Rather than issuing a detailed statement, he reposted the screenshot on his Instagram story, accompanied by a laughing emoji. This gesture seemed to dismiss the criticism and reject the notion that *Main Vaapas Aaunga* carries an “anti-national” message.

The film also marks the fifth collaboration between Imtiaz Ali and A. R. Rahman, a partnership that has produced some of the most celebrated works in contemporary Hindi cinema. Their previous projects include *Rockstar*, *Highway*, *Tamasha*, and *Amar Singh Chamkila*, all of which have been praised for their unique blend of storytelling and music.