Tripti Dimri may have risen to stardom after Sandeep Reddy Vanga's 2023 action-gore and controversial movie Animal but the true artist in the actor has always been alive and thrived in movies like Laila Majnu, Qala and Bulbbul. After a successful re-release in Kashmir, driven by fan requests, Laila Majnu is now set to return to theatres across the country. Sajid Ali, who directed the film, admits that he was surprised by the film's enduring popularity. "The fans are the custodians and real owners of this film," Sajid remarks. "We are still relevant because of them. I wasn’t on social media until recently, so I had no idea of the following the film had accumulated. It was quite a surprise."

Laila Majnu re-releases in theatres across India on August 9, 2024. Tickets can be booked on Book My Show. 

Sajid is particularly proud of Tripti's journey. He recalls how she faced challenges after the film's initial failure. "I’ve always known she’d do well. For a year, she was a Bollywood heroine, but then the film flopped, and I saw her struggle," Sajid recalls. "She wasn’t wearing the fancy clothes she used to, there weren’t any hired vehicles, and she was travelling in autos. It was tough, but she didn’t give up. She took up an acting course, and that’s when her true potential as an actor emerged. She’s truly self-made, and I give her all the credit in the world."

The film, which initially failed at the box office, has since found a dedicated fanbase. Reflecting on its slow rise to acclaim, as per Hindustan Times, Sajid suggests that a sense of guilt might have played a role in its belated success. "People have probably taken more from the film than what it offered. I've heard conversations where people talk about Laila Majnu out of guilt, and I feel that guilt has led to some overcompensation," he shares.

The film's initial failure was a tough pill to swallow for Sajid. "It hurt a lot when it didn’t work. I believed it had all the elements to succeed, but people didn’t come to the theatres. By the seventh day, it was washed out. It took me a while to get back to reality," he admits. "I thought I had moved on, but the film started seeping back into my life recently."

Now, with the re-release underway, Sajid is optimistic but not overly anxious. "I'm not as nervous this time because the heartbreak has already happened. There’s no better time for the film to get a re-release," he says. The re-release has already been a hit in Kashmir, where houseful shows have become the norm. "The only houseful show I’d seen before was the cast and crew screening in 2018. Now, we’ve been having back-to-back housefuls in Kashmir. I’m curious to see how it performs in other cities."

For Sajid, 2024 has been a year of significant milestones. His personal life has seen the arrival of his son, while his brother Imtiaz Ali, who produced Laila Majnu, delivered the successful Amar Singh Chamkila. Avinash Tiwary has also seen success with Madgaon Express and Tripti Dimri scored a hit with Bad Newz. However, Sajid remains grounded. "It’s a little scary like you’re being watched. Not every year will be like this. It feels like everything is happening at once," he muses.

Laila Majnu may have had a rocky start, but its re-release is a testament to the power of persistence, both for the film itself and for those who believed in it.

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