Bollywood director Imtiaz Ali is fast becoming the voice of Punjab—both literally and metaphorically.His upcoming film, Main Vaapas Aaunga, set to release in cinemas on June 12, will be his third movie against the backdrop of Punjab. His previous films, Amar Singh Chamkila and Jab We Met, were also deeply rooted in Punjab and its culture.So, why Punjab? The filmmaker who was in Amritsar for a live performance by the movie’s music cast, led by legendary music composer and singer AR Rahman, at Attari-Wagah Joint Check Post, was quick to admit, “No family connection with Punjab; only an emotional one. And, with each film, this emotional connection is getting deeper.”Ali has just wrapped the shooting of Main Vaapas Aaunga before kicking off the promotional tour that started with the Attari show.As singers Rahman, Mohit Chauhan, Nilanjana Ghosh, Pooja Tiwari and Nargis, and actor Vedang Raina got ready to enthrall the huge gathering at the venue, Ali happily obliged the media persons who were curious to know about the film that boasts of an ensemble cast, including Diljit Dosanjh, Naseeruddin Shah, Sharvari and Vedang Raina.Elaborating on the movie, Ali said, “I am privileged to be a part of this troupe, and it is magical to start this promotional tour from Attari as the film is based on Partition. Not only homes and lives were lost in 1947, but hearts were broken too. The movie gives out the message of love because, ultimately, only love sustains us.”Why the team zeroed down on Attari to kick off the promotional tour started making sense. The border plays an important role in the film’s narrative. Main Vaapas Aaunga is a story of love and longing set against the backdrop of the Partition of India, the biggest migration to have taken place in the Indian subcontinent. The plot heavily borrows from the stories of the people who saw it all. And now, decades later, when those people have left behind the past and moved on, what remains is love… and fond memories. And that love is central to Ali’s film.“This is such a unique event. AR Rahman performing at the Attari Gate at the JCP Stadium. This performance is an ode to the national spirit, to our brave hearts on the border, the BSF, the Indian Army, and to the spirit of solidarity and love that binds us all,” he said.His words found an echo in Irshad Kamil’s lyrics as Rahman, Mohit Chauhan, Nilanjana Ghosh, Pooja Tiwari and Nargis sang a few songs from the film. And the national spirit he talked about found the ultimate expression when Rahman took the stage to sing his iconic composition – Maa Tujhe Salaam. His voice filled the venue with emotion.It was clear why Ali’s evocative world of love and longing would not be complete without Kamil’s heart-felt lyrics and Rahman’s soul-touching compositions.