Avinash Tiwary says Laila Majnu posters were pulled down from cinemas in three days, recalls snarky remarks passed to his parents: ‘Ladka dikh nahi raha”

Avinash Tiwary says Laila Majnu posters were pulled down from cinemas in three days, recalls snarky remarks passed to his parents: ‘Ladka dikh nahi raha”

After 15 years of struggle, actor Avinash Tiwary landed his breakout film Laila Majnu, on which he worked hard for three years. Produced by Imtiaz Ali, the film bombed upon release. Ten days later, he found himself bed ridden after an accident. In many ways, it was Avinash Tiwary’s ‘ye dukh kaahe nahi khatam hota’ moment, where challenges kept mounting for the actor.

In an interview with Humans of Bombay, Avinash spoke about his journey and revealed how thrilled he was when he came on board to headline Laila Majnu, and how everything came crashing down when the film didn’t work.

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“Laila Majnu is such a great folklore of our country, and I have this memory of the third day (of release), the posters were being pulled down. I had given three years to that film, and I didn’t know how I should take it. After three years of hard work with these people, the film disappeared on the third day. So, what else will I say to myself? There was no end to this. But all that I have today is because of the credibility that I started earning from Laila Majnu,” he said.

Directed by Sajid Ali, who co-wrote the film with Imtiaz, the film also starred Triptii Dimri. Though not a commercial success, Laila Majnu has developed a cult following, which Avinash says he is aware of. “It didn’t reach heights, but it slowly kept getting deeper,” he added.

The failure of the film was followed by people commenting on his lack of a stable career. “Laila Majnu was pulled out of theatres in three days and then ten days later I had an accident and I was on bed for a month. I though this is just not ending for me! I remember my dad telling me, ‘I don’t know what the future will hold, but what I have seen in the film, I know my son is worth something.’ It took me 15 years (to get a breakthrough) and it is the parents who had to answer to people a lot.”

“‘What is your son doing? We can’t see him anywhere in the movies.’ But my father saying that was a huge validation for me. I was really low at that point but his words helped me be back up and ready.”

The actor had a packed 2023, with shows like Bambai Meri Jaan and Kaala. He will be next seen in Kunal Kemmu-directed comedy Madgaon Express.

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