Laila Majnu returns to Indian cinemas: A cult classic revisited

The 2018 film Laila Majnu, starring Avinash Tiwary and Triptii Dimri, is once again making waves as it returns to Indian cinemas today. Originally released six years ago, the movie, which tells the timeless tale of Qais and Laila, received a lukewarm commercial response at the time. However, in the years since, it has garnered significant acclaim for its compelling narrative and strong performances.

Directed by filmmaker Imtiaz Ali's brother Sajid Ali, Laila Majnu has found a new life with audiences. The Rockstar director recently took to Instagram to express his gratitude, stating that the film is "back on popular demand," and thanked fans for their continued support, which has brought the movie back to theaters after six years.

The film's re-release has already generated considerable buzz, particularly in Srinagar, where it was shown on August 2, 2024, to an overwhelmingly positive reception. The enthusiastic response led INOX Srinagar to add shows, further testament to the film’s enduring appeal.

Notably, the title song 'Laila Majnu', performed by renowned Pakistani singer Atif Aslam, remains a highlight, along with another track,'Tum' sung by Aslam as well.

The re-release of Laila Majnu received a warm response from audiences. According to the ticketing platform BookMyShow, nearly all shows for the film were almost fully booked throughout the weekend.

Ticketing PlatformBook My Show Website (Screenshot)

Laila Majnu wasn't the only collaboration between Dimri and Tiwary. The duo also appeared together in the 2020 OTT release Bulbbul. Dimri also gained fame with the film Animal and recently played the main lead opposite Vicky Kaushal and Ammy Virk in Bad Newz.

It is widely speculated that the success of Bad Newz at the box office prompted the producers to re-release Laila Majnu. The film neither did well at the Indian Box Office nor in Pakistan when it was released in 2018. However, with Dimri gaining a name for herself in recent years, the re-release might be seen as an intelligent business decision.

Simultaneously, Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit's blockbuster movie Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! was also re-released in Indian theaters last week. Originally released in 1994, the re-release marked its 30th anniversary.

There has been a total ban on the screening of Indian films in Pakistani cinemas since late 2019. However, movie enthusiasts can still easily watch these films on legal streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.