Bollywood movie *Laila Majnu*, a tragic romance that artfully captured the serene beauty of Kashmir and its rich cultural tapestry in 2018, has surged to significance once again. The INOX Theatre in Srinagar was packed to capacity on Friday for the film’s re-release, marking a rare moment of cinematic revival in a region deprived of cinema halls for decades.
“We had all the tickets sold for the first show. It was houseful,” said Vikas Dhar, Managing Director of Taksal Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., which owns the multiplex. The film’s initial release in 2018 had failed to create a significant impact at the box office. However, its decision to avoid depicting the conflict-stricken reality of Kashmir and instead, focus on the everyday lives, traditions, and emotional experiences of the people, endeared it to many locals.
Engineering student Majid Altaf expressed his delight, saying, “This film always addressed my nostalgia by portraying Kashmir as it is when I studied in Bangalore. I was waiting for its re-release in Srinagar. It’s a dream come true to watch the movie in Srinagar today.”
The film, directed by Sajid Ali—brother of renowned filmmaker Imtiaz Ali—features actors Avinash Tiwary and Tripti Dimri in the lead roles. Conceived and shot during a tumultuous period marked by the assassination of Hizbul Mujahideen leader Burhan Wani, *Laila Majnu* never saw the light of day in Kashmir initially due to the absence of operational cinema halls. Its nationwide release was met with apathy, and screenings were sparsely attended.
“When I visited a cinema hall after the movie’s release outside J&K, it had just 25 people, including my family. There was just one poster promoting it. Cut to 2024, it’s houseful in Srinagar and there are big posters outside. The re-release has become a reality because of the love shown by Kashmiris. When the movie was made there were no cinema halls in Kashmir. Today, I sat with the audience to watch it,” actor Avinash Tiwary reminisced.
Director Sajid Ali remarked that the film has significant meaning for local audiences.
. “They see their own characters coming alive on the bigger screen, making it very relatable. I will always remain indebted to people for their faith in the movie,” Ali said. He also credited his brother Imtiaz Ali for encouraging him to capture the authentic essence of Kashmiri life. “This movie is about the people of Kashmir, who live in a normal society. They marry, they get divorced and die a normal death too. It’s a classical story with modern characters picked from Kashmir,” he added.
Producer Preety Ali announced plans to re-release Laila Majnu in other major cities across India. “It has become a cult film in the romance genre, which is far more rewarding than the business it did. The music too became a hit. People in Kashmir remember the songs even after six years. It created a magic, which was widely appreciated,” she said.
The enthusiasm was palpable as young fans waited eagerly to meet the *Laila Majnu* team, particularly actor Avinash Tiwary, for a photo session after the first show. The scene was a stark contrast to the region’s past, where cinema halls were non-existent for over three decades. The INOX multiplex, inaugurated in October 2022, has pioneered the return of cinema to the valley, with several other theatres now opening in different parts.
Up until 1990, Kashmir had 11 cinema halls that were subsequently shut down due to rising militancy. Efforts by former Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah to reopen them in 1996 were thwarted by militant attacks and lack of audience interest. The last attempt to revive cinema, the Regal Cinema in Lal Chowk, closed its doors permanently in 1999 after a grenade attack.
The re-release of *Laila Majnu* symbolizes more than just the return of a beloved film; it marks a cultural renaissance in a region long starved of cinematic experiences. This momentous event not only reflects the public’s longing for representation on the silver screen but also the gradual normalization of life in a place that has faced persistent turmoil. The full houses and enthusiastic crowds stand testament to the enduring power of cinema to heal, unite, and inspire.
