For actress Anjana Sukhani, i will come back This has turned out to be one of those rare career moments that feels worth the wait. The actress, who plays Naseeruddin Shah’s daughter-in-law Meher in Imtiaz Ali’s latest film, is enjoying the love her character is getting. speaking specifically to India TodayThe actor opens up about playing the role, working with Shah and Diljit Dosanjh and the emotional core of the film.

“Honestly, being a part of Imtiaz’s film has been absolutely wonderful, delightful, magical. I think I couldn’t have asked for a better 2026,” she said, still feeling flattered by the response. Anjana further explained how she feels that this role was destined for her, as everything fell into place effortlessly.

“I got a call from Mukesh Chhabra, and he asked me to send him a basic introduction video. I shot a funny, silly video without even asking him what it was for. Within the next 20 minutes, he called me back and said I had to meet Imtiaz, and I was stunned. At this stage of my career, what better could I have asked for?” His meeting with the filmmaker was also very brief, he said.

“I think he knew I was Meher by watching the video or seeing me, and he just narrated the part and asked, ‘What do you think?’ And I said to him, ‘Do you even need an answer?’ Undoubtedly it is yes. So it was not even a matter of eight hours that everything was done,” said the actor.

While audiences have described Meher as a firebrand who says the most outrageous things without any malice, Anjana insists that most of the credit belongs to the filmmaker himself.

She added, “It may have been too stereotypical, but he kept it very strong. He knew what he wanted Meher to be. I also think his women are never villains; they are very childishly mature and very real.”

Given that most of her scenes were with Naseeruddin Shah, Anjana also considered working with the veteran actor. She said, “There wasn’t much conversation when we were shooting because I understood how intense his character was and I wanted to respect that space. Of course, we talked, but watching him work felt like a live masterclass. It’s been a very moving experience and extremely enjoyable.”

Anjana told that Imtiaz saw her relationship with Diljit Dosanjh’s character as more of a friendship than a traditional one. aunt-nephew relationship.

He said, “He wanted someone young who was of the same age as Diljit. Who was not a typical aunty but more like a friend.”

And while the world already knows Diljit’s playful side through social media, Anjana shared that what impressed her the most is the honesty he brings to his work.

“She’s really a lot of fun off-screen, which we obviously see through Instagram. Her personality is really fun, and that’s a fact. But she’s also so honest about her work. Her eyes are so honest and sincere that when you watch her perform, there’s still a lot of Therava (Peace) in their performance. It was great to experience it live,” she said.

As someone whose grandparents migrated from Sindh during Partition, the film’s emotional exploration of displacement struck a deep personal connection.

“Both my grandparents came from Sindh; so, I grew up hearing stories from them Maternal grandmother What was their childhood like there and how they had to start from the grassroots level after coming here,” he said.

See also

Entertainment

Arshad Warsi on his kids joining Bollywood: Why would anyone bet on my son?

The film has also started a conversation about India-Pakistan relations and whether stories that avoid demonizing ordinary Pakistanis are viewed differently today. Anjana shared that the answer lies in recognizing the difference between politics and people.

He added, “And that’s why I think Imtiaz has portrayed the conflict creators so beautifully as Martians. Because normal people want peace and prosperity.” He said that unfortunately, society has become more comfortable with conflict than compassion.

He said, “We live in a world where anarchy is promoted and accepted more than love.”

As the film is receiving praise, Anjana is also getting renewed appreciation for her work. But looking back at his journey Salute to love The actor says he has no regrets.

She laughed, saying, “Maybe I wasn’t ready or I wasn’t offered the things I wanted to do. These question marks will always be there. But what happened brought me here, and I can only be grateful for that. What’s gone by, I can’t go back and change anything. I’m looking forward to it. These are amazing new-age filmmakers who are trying to tell these beautiful stories and new stories. I love being a part of all of them.” Will do. Or maybe I can work in some other film of Imtiaz Ali.”

i will come back Released in theaters on 12 June.