Sharvari's Punjab trip for 'Main Vapas Aaunga' turned into a family tour
Synopsis
Sharvari flew to Punjab to research her Punjabi character in Imtiaz Ali's 'Main Vapas Aaunga' — but ended up on a mother-daughter tourist trail instead, visiting monuments and the Partition Museum. She says the unscripted trip was what made her fall in love with the land and its people.
Key Takeaways
Sharvari visited Punjab with her mother ahead of filming 'Main Vapas Aaunga' to understand the region's culture and people.
The trip was not formally planned as research — the two ended up doing 'touristy things', including visiting the Partition Museum .
Director Imtiaz Ali's passion for Punjab inspired Sharvari to experience the state first-hand before script readings began.
Sharvari, from a Maharashtrian background, plays a Punjabi woman in the film. 'Main Vapas Aaunga' is set to release in cinemas on 12 June 2026 .
Bollywood actress Sharvari has revealed that a research trip she undertook to Punjab ahead of her upcoming film 'Main Vapas Aaunga' quickly turned into a full-blown tourist outing with her mother — and she has no regrets about it. The actress, who hails from a Maharashtrian background, was preparing to portray a Punjabi woman on screen, and felt an immersive first-hand experience was essential before filming began.
The Research Trip That Became a Holiday
Speaking during the film's promotional events in Mumbai, Sharvari explained that she convinced her mother to accompany her on the trip, and the two ended up exploring Punjab organically rather than through a structured research lens. 'My mom and I both went on a trip to Punjab. And we did all the touristy things. From eating food to going to all the monuments to going to the partition museum,' she said. She added that she went 'purely not thinking that it would be for research' but simply to experience the place and, as she put it, 'give it the opportunity so that I fall in love with it.'
Imtiaz Ali's Influence and Sharvari's 'First Bencher' Approach
Sharvari credited director Imtiaz Ali as a key inspiration for her curiosity about the region. 'Imtiaz sir speaks so much about Punjab. I feel like him and Punjab is a love story of its own,' she said, adding that she felt she was 'lacking' simply by hearing about it second-hand. Her self-described 'first bencher' approach to life — marked by note-taking, research, and enthusiastic preparation — drove her to seek out the experience before the script discussions had even formally begun.
What She Found
The trip, which included visits to historical monuments and the Partition Museum, left a lasting impression on the actress. 'I think that the people in Punjab are the most heartwarming people,' she said. The experience, though unplanned as formal research, appears to have deeply informed her understanding of the character she plays in the film.
About the Film
'Main Vapas Aaunga', directed by Imtiaz Ali, also stars Vedang Raina. The film is set to release in cinemas on 12 June 2026. Sharvari and Raina appeared alongside Ali at the film's promotional events in Mumbai ahead of the release.
Point of View
Before script readings began, suggests a seriousness of intent that goes beyond the usual promotional soundbite. For a Maharashtrian actress stepping into a distinctly Punjabi cultural space, the organic approach may matter more than any structured workshop. Whether that translates on screen is the real question — and one that only the 12 June release will answer.
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Sharvari visit Punjab for 'Main Vapas Aaunga'?
Sharvari visited Punjab to immerse herself in the culture and understand the land before playing a Punjabi woman in the film. Inspired by director Imtiaz Ali's deep connection to the state, she felt hearing about it second-hand was not enough.
What did Sharvari do during her Punjab trip?
Sharvari and her mother visited local monuments, ate regional food, and went to the Partition Museum. She described the trip as doing 'touristy things' rather than structured research, saying she wanted to simply experience the place organically.
When does 'Main Vapas Aaunga' release?
'Main Vapas Aaunga' is set to release in cinemas on 12 June 2026.
Who stars in 'Main Vapas Aaunga'?
The film stars Sharvari and Vedang Raina, and is directed by Imtiaz Ali.
What is Sharvari's background and how does it relate to her role?
Sharvari comes from a Maharashtrian background and plays a Punjabi woman in 'Main Vapas Aaunga'. She undertook the Punjab trip specifically to bridge that cultural gap before filming began.
