Imtiaz Ali reacts to Main Vaapas Aaunga clash with Kangana Ranaut’s Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata: ‘We announced first’

Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali has addressed the upcoming box office clash between his much-anticipated period drama Main Vaapas Aaunga and Kangana Ranaut’s Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata. While the June 12, 2026 release date is now shaping up to be one of the most crowded weekends of the year, Ali appears unfazed by the competition. The director, whose film stars Diljit Dosanjh, Vedang Raina, Sharvari and Naseeruddin Shah, pointed out that Main Vaapas Aaunga was the first film to lock the date before several other projects joined the race. Imtiaz Ali on the four-way box office clash Speaking about the crowded release calendar, Ali noted that his film had announced its release date much earlier.

In an interview with Free Press Journal, the filmmaker said that Main Vaapas Aaunga was already slated for June 12 before other titles, including Kangana Ranaut’s Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata, Manoj Bajpayee-starrer Governor: The Silent Saviour and Vikram Bhatt’s Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past, chose the same release window. Despite the competition, Ali maintained a calm stance, expressing confidence in his film rather than focusing on the clash. He said, “These things are not in control. We announced first.

Usually, in the film industry, there’s a kind of bhaichara like ‘meri film aarahi hai toh tu mat aa, next baar aaja’ and that kind of thing, and it usually works. This is the first time I am hearing that other movies are also coming out on that day.

But, if that is going to be the case, then so be it." The June 12 frame will now see four Hindi films competing for screens and audience attention, making it one of Bollywood’s biggest box office battles of the year. About Main Vaapas Aaunga Directed by Imtiaz Ali, Main Vaapas Aaunga is set against the backdrop of the Partition and explores themes of love, longing, memory and separation. The film reunites Ali with composer A. R.

Rahman and lyricist Irshad Kamil, a collaboration that has previously delivered memorable soundtracks in films such as Rockstar and Tamasha. The recently released trailer generated significant buzz online, with Vedang Raina's performance drawing particular attention. Diljit Dosanjh, Sharvari and Naseeruddin Shah also feature prominently in the emotional drama. Kangana Ranaut’s film joins the race Kangana Ranaut’s Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata was announced for the same release date earlier this month, setting up a direct confrontation between two filmmaker-led projects targeting distinct audiences.

The release calendar became even more crowded when Governor: The Silent Saviour and Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past also locked June 12, turning what was initially a solo release for Ali’s film into a four-way contest. Can multiple films survive the same weekend?

While box office clashes often generate headlines, recent years have shown that films catering to different audience segments can coexist if word-of-mouth remains strong. Industry observers will be watching closely to see whether the emotional sweep of Main Vaapas Aaunga can stand out amid a crowded marketplace. For now, Ali appears focused on the film itself rather than the competition, with the filmmaker reiterating that his team announced the date first and remains committed to the planned release.