Danish Pandor on working with Imtiaz Ali in 'Main Vaapas Aaunga'
Synopsis
Danish Pandor quietly wrapped a special appearance in Imtiaz Ali's 'Main Vaapas Aaunga' before 'Dhurandhar' even hit theatres — and his account of Ali watching actors like a theatre audience, never glancing at the monitor, offers a rare window into how one of Hindi cinema's most distinctive directors actually works on set.
Key Takeaways
Danish Pandor has a special appearance in Imtiaz Ali's 'Main Vaapas Aaunga' , releasing worldwide on 12 June 2026 .
Pandor auditioned for the role just before Dhurandhar released and completed shooting before its theatrical run.
He described Imtiaz Ali as watching actors perform directly — without looking at the monitor — “as if he’s watching a play.” The film stars Diljit Dosanjh , Naseeruddin Shah , Sharvari Wagh , and Vedang Raina , with music by A.R.
The project is produced by Birla Studios , Applause Entertainment , and Window Seat Films .
Actor Danish Pandor, best known for his acclaimed performance in Dhurandhar, has spoken candidly about his experience working with celebrated filmmaker Imtiaz Ali in the highly anticipated film 'Main Vaapas Aaunga', slated for a worldwide theatrical release on 12 June 2026. Pandor is set to make a special appearance in the film, a role he says carries meaningful weight in the narrative.
How the Role Came About
Pandor revealed that he auditioned for the part just before the release of Dhurandhar, and had already completed his shoot for 'Main Vaapas Aaunga' prior to that film's theatrical run. The timeline underscores how quietly the project came together, with Pandor keeping details about his character closely guarded even now.
Despite the secrecy, he was candid about the significance of the role, hinting that even as a special appearance, it plays an important part in the story's fabric.
What It Was Like Performing for Imtiaz Ali
Pandor described Imtiaz Ali's on-set presence as unlike anything he had encountered before. “Whenever I used to perform or any other actor used to perform, he was right there, standing in front of you and seeing you as if he’s watching a play. And yeah, so that was a different feeling and an experience for me as well,” Pandor said.
He elaborated further on the director’s method: “Extremely humble soul, very polite, very, very calm, and he knows exactly what he wants from an actor. And he’ll make sure that he takes that thing out. And he doesn’t look at the monitor. He looks at the actor performing.” The detail about Ali forgoing the monitor in favour of direct observation is notable — it reflects a theatre-influenced directorial instinct that has long defined his collaborative style.
A Stellar Ensemble and Creative Team
'Main Vaapas Aaunga' boasts one of the most talked-about casts of 2026. The film features Diljit Dosanjh, Naseeruddin Shah, Sharvari Wagh, and Vedang Raina in key roles. The musical score has been composed by A.R. Rahman, with lyrics by Irshad Kamil — a pairing that has historically produced some of Hindi cinema’s most enduring soundtracks.
The film is jointly produced by Birla Studios, Applause Entertainment, and Window Seat Films' Mohit Choudhary and Shibasish Sarkar, reflecting a significant multi-banner investment in the project.
What to Watch For
With Imtiaz Ali returning to a large-scale production backed by an ensemble rarely assembled in recent Hindi cinema, audience anticipation is running high. Danish Pandor's presence, even in a special appearance, adds another layer of intrigue. The film releases in cinemas worldwide on 12 June 2026.
Point of View
Where the monitor has become a director’s primary interface with performance. Ali’s casting of Pandor, fresh off a breakout in Dhurandhar, also signals an eye for momentum rather than marquee safety. The real question heading into the 12 June release is whether 'Main Vaapas Aaunga' can hold its own against a crowded summer slate — and whether its ensemble, as impressive as it looks on paper, translates into the kind of emotionally coherent storytelling Ali’s best work is known for.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Danish Pandor and what is his role in 'Main Vaapas Aaunga'?
Danish Pandor is an actor who gained wide recognition for his performance in 'Dhurandhar'. He has a special appearance in Imtiaz Ali's 'Main Vaapas Aaunga', a role he has described as playing an important part in the story despite being a cameo.
When does 'Main Vaapas Aaunga' release?
'Main Vaapas Aaunga' is scheduled to release in cinemas worldwide on 12 June 2026.
Who else stars in 'Main Vaapas Aaunga'?
The film features Diljit Dosanjh, Naseeruddin Shah, Sharvari Wagh, and Vedang Raina in key roles, with music composed by A.R. Rahman and lyrics by Irshad Kamil.
Who is producing 'Main Vaapas Aaunga'?
The film is jointly produced by Birla Studios, Applause Entertainment, and Window Seat Films, with Mohit Choudhary and Shibasish Sarkar credited as producers.
What did Danish Pandor say about Imtiaz Ali's directing style?
Pandor said Ali stands directly in front of actors during performance rather than watching a monitor, describing it as feeling like performing in a play. He called Ali ‘an extremely humble soul’ who is calm but precise about what he wants from actors.
