Director Sajid Ali's casting choices for the lead roles in the 2018 romantic drama "Laila Majnu" continue to be a topic of discussion, particularly his decision to cast Avinash Tiwary and Triptii Dimri. In a recent interview, Ali explained his rationale, emphasizing the need for "rawness" and "honesty" over established stardom.

Ali revealed that the search for the perfect Laila and Majnu was an extensive and demanding process. He and his team auditioned nearly a thousand performers over several years, driven by the vision of finding actors who could fully embody the characters without the baggage of pre-existing fame. "We knew right from the start that we needed fresh faces – people who could completely disappear into the characters without the baggage of stardom," Ali stated. He was looking for a specific quality, telling Mid-Day, “We sought a specific rawness, a genuine honesty”.

Speaking about Avinash Tiwary, who portrayed Qais/Majnu, Ali noted the actor's "quiet intensity". He explained that Tiwary possessed an underlying emotional depth and a physical presence that was essential for portraying the character's transformation into Majnu. "When he performed, you could feel something bubbling just beneath the surface – he had the emotional range and physicality we needed for someone who would eventually become 'Majnu'," Ali said. He further added that Tiwary's evolution throughout the film felt authentic and not artificial.

Regarding Triptii Dimri, who played Laila, Ali emphasized her spontaneity, freshness, and keen emotional intelligence. He admired her ability to grasp the complexities of Laila's character, including her impulsiveness, rebellion, and vulnerability. Ali also noted that Dimri's natural approach to acting, where she didn't over-rehearse, resulted in a vibrant and captivating performance. "Often her first take would be the one we kept," he revealed.

Ali also commented on the chemistry between Tiwary and Dimri, describing it as something "beautiful and tragic". He attributed their connection not to forced romanticism, but to their willingness to surrender to the inner turmoil of their respective characters. "Their chemistry was born not from trying to be romantic, but from surrendering to the characters' inner chaos,” Ali said.

"Laila Majnu" is a contemporary retelling of the classic love story of Layla and Majnun. The film follows Laila (Triptii Dimri) and Qais Bhatt (Avinash Tiwary), two lovers in Kashmir who face opposition from their families. The film portrays their journey through self-destruction, pain, and bleeding hearts as they struggle to unite.

While "Laila Majnu" didn't achieve major commercial success upon its initial release, it has garnered a dedicated following and critical acclaim in recent years. The film has been praised for its performances, music, and its unique take on the timeless love story. The movie even saw a re-release in 2024 due to popular demand.