It is 80 years but the pain of partition does not subside. Over the years so much has changed in both the countries, new governments, new leaders, new strategies and yet, the old wounds don’t heal. Probably because some scars are so deep that they are not meant to fade. Imtiaaz Ali’s protagonist/ Ishar Singh Grewal/ Naseeruddin Shah battles with dementia in Main Wapas Aaunga while Rajkumar Santoshi’s Maii/ Shabana Azmi is mentally alert but pining for her separated family. during the 1947 riots.
Both are stories of partition, reliving the heartbreaks of displacement. Ishar Singh is physically active but emotionally disconnected with family while Maii is physically restricted but alert of her surroundings. She is invested in the Muslim family now occupying the lower portion of her mansion. Singh is stuck in a time, obsessed with his young girl friend Gia. He is guilty of not keeping his promise. Maii will not leave her mansion till her son returns home.
Both are waiting…Ishar Singh for Gia and Maii for her son Ratan. Singh’s grandson/ Diljeet Dosanjh unites him with Gia and Sunny Deol reunites Maii with Ratan.