Wapsi (The Returning)
Ajay Raina
India - 2005
Punjabi with English Subtitles
58 mins

Directed by: Ajay Raina

In the times of yet another thaw in the relationship between India & Pakistan, an Indian 'Lover Of Cricket' finally manages to go across to the other side of the Line of Control...to journey through the heartland of Pakistan. Much in the style of Al Biruni, a Persian scholar, who visited this part of India more than a 1000 years ago to encounter an alien culture which he had called 'Al Hind', this is an account of the filmmaker's travels through that part of 'Al Hind', which is now a foreign country and a most bitter foe.

Starting from India's capital Delhi, the film takes a detour via Kashmir, Gujarat and Indian Punjab. It travels back and forth between memory and history to explore the 'idea' of Pakistan, the story of it's making, what it has become and how it affects Indians and Pakistanis, who in spite of the divide, remain connected to each other through Hate and through Love. For most Indians & Pakistanis a visit to each others’ country is a journey of return of various kinds – of nostalgia, hate, metaphor and reality. This film is one such travelogue, a song of hope, love, longing and betrayal.

Wapsi  has won the Best Narration/ Voice over Award at the 53rd National Film Awards, India.

Director’s Bio

Ajay Raina, an Alumni of the Film Institute, Pune, India has been making documentary films for the past 12 years. His last film was about his journey back home to Kashmir, Tell them, the tree they had planted has now grown, won The Golden Conch Award, The RAPA award and The IDPA silver trophy in 2002.