‘Laila Majnu’ Trailer: Meet Imitiaz Ali’s Star-Crossed Lovers

The trailer promises an intense love story with a hint of madness.

Laila (Tripti Dimri) and Majnu (Avinash Tiwary) in a still from the trailer.

(Photo Courtesy: YouTube)

The trailer of Imtiaz Ali and Ekta Kapoor’s Laila Majnu is out. The film is a modern day retelling of the classic love story of Laila and Majnu, previously depicted in HS Rawail’s Laila Majnu back in 1976, starring Rishi Kapoor and Ranjeeta. Directed by Imtiaz Ali’s younger brother Sajid Ali, the film is co-written by the Ali brothers as well.

Watch the trailer here:

“Pyaar ka problem kya hai na: ke jab tak usme paagalpan na ho, woh pyaar hi nahin.” (“You know what the problem with love is? That until it has a little madness, it ceases to be love at all”)

The trailer begins with this line, which captures the overarching plot of the film. Set in Kashmir, Laila Majnu is about the love story of Laila (Tripti Dimri), a confident sprightly young girl, and Majnu (Avinash Tiwary), a “typical rich spoilt brat”.

Laila (Tripti Dimri) in a still from the trailer.

The beginning of the trailer depicts their budding romance, and is packed with witty punchlines and flirty dialogues.

The lovers in a still from the trailer.

Only during the latter part of the trailer is the conflict introduced: the enmity of the lovers’ families, and Majnu’s descent into madness. Watching Avinish Tiwary portray his character losing his mind reminded me a lot of Shahid Kapoor in Haidar, as the bearded look, costumes and setting are the same. Laila Majnu promises an intense love story with a hint of madness.

Majnu (Avinash Tiwary) descended into madness.

Presented by Imtiaz Ali and produced by Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Motion Pictures and PI Films, Laila Majnu is scheduled to release on 24 August, 2018.