“Laila Majnu,” directed by Sajid Ali and released in 2018, had a short run in theaters. Despite this, the film, starring Avinash Tiwary and Tripti Dimri, has built a dedicated fanbase over the years. This growing appreciation has led to its re-release in Kashmir, where the film’s beautiful visuals and touching love story hold special significance.
Upon having a conversation with Avinash he said, “I know the desire and intent exist, and if nowhere else, people in Srinagar really wanted a re-release because none of them got a chance to see it in theatres. I spoke to Imtiaz Ali filmmaker) sir, and he said ‘haan, honi chahiye re-release’. I was thinking that when the film clocks in 10 years, we’d have a screening, but I am the happiest man with a re-release at the six-year mark.”
He continued his remarks and praised the director Sajid Ali, “I wanted it the most for him than anyone else. Most of the love for the film came on social media, and with him not being there, he couldn’t get to see it.”
Interestingly, Avinash recently returned to Kashmir after seven years and was met with a great deal of affection from the locals. He expressed “It was absolutely overwhelming, and I really missed Triptii (Dimri, actor) along as she is equally deserving of all the love that I saw. And I’d be lying if I assume they came for Avinash Tiwary, they came for Qais Bhat, their Majnu.”
He also added “Laila Majnu didn’t get a chance to grow and was just taken off when it was released. So, I did feel a pain for it, and one just wanted due space for it to grow. But when I see so much love, there are moments I feel I wish they had shown it when it released, and the second thought that comes that good work does reach out to people. If not anything, the love from people at least heals you. So, I do feel my wound pretty healed.”
