Award-Winning Queer Film “Lailaa Manju” Set to Release on Open Theatre, check trailer

“The title Lailaa Manju is a twist on the classic tale of ‘Lailaa Majnun’ chosen to evoke a sense of familiarity”, says director Kamiya N

The acclaimed queer film “Lailaa Manju,” written and directed by Kamiya N and executive produced by Samarth Khanna, is set to release on Open Theatre on October 11th. The film features a talented cast, including Tanvi Lehr Sonigra, Mansi S. Puggal, Shilpa Tulaskar, Sagar Deshmukh, and Suhas Joshi.

Set against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, the film is a cross-road between the ordinary and the extraordinary. Lailaa Manju is the coming out story we need right now– an alloy of hope, nostalgia and human drama.

Director and Writer Kamiya N shared the inspiration behind the film: “I made ‘Lailaa Manju’ because I was hungry to create something meaningful. It was the middle of the pandemic, and all our plans had been disrupted. I realized that if I could make a film during such a challenging time, it was a testament to my passion for storytelling.”

The title “Lailaa Manju” is a twist on the classic tale of “Lailaa Majnun,” chosen to evoke a sense of familiarity and historical resonance. Kamiya explained, “I wanted the chemistry between the characters to feel legendary, something we recognize and accept. By subverting this lore, we can connect deeper with our stories, which give us meaning.”

Executive Producer Samarth Khanna adds, “In 2021, I felt a constant sense of falling without ever hitting the ground. I had a prestigious creative job in Bombay, but I questioned whether I could sustain myself through art and considered giving up. Eventually, I decided to walk away. During this time, Indian cinema was finally embracing queer stories, but they often felt like mere ‘content’ lacking authenticity.

Then I read the screenplay for Lailaa Manju, and it changed everything. It brought back memories of coming out to my parents and falling in love for the first time, resonating deeply with me. I felt that if this story came to life, it could heal a part of me. The production process was serendipitous, with a crew coming together like family during the pandemic, as if Lailaa and Manju were guiding us all along.”