They say a trailer is only half a story. But the half that is presented to us in the form of a trailer for the upcoming Imtiaz Ali production Laila Majnu is less than reassuring. The classic Laila Majnu love story that finds many imprints in Middle Eastern, Hindu and Islamic texts, talks about a different, darker kind of destructive love—between the eponymous Laila and Majnu—of Shakespearean proportions. When kismat has it that they were never meant to be together, just two asymptotes never destined to meet, madness takes over the mind of Qays (Majnu) as he slips deeper and deeper into a state of obsession from which there is no return.
The latest trailer of the film takes off from where the teaser left off, which had long shots of the protagonists in the picturesque Kashmir valley, struggling with their intoxicating, prophetically doomed love. Directed by Sajid Ali, and featuring Tripti Dimri and Avinash Tiwary, the first trailer has scenes where the protagonists—a selfie-loving Laila and a binocular-wielding stalker Qays—meet. The story seems pretty formulaic, until scenes of turmoil and political disturbance take hold. In the final scenes, (Qays?) seems to be roaming around the valley Majnu-esque, torn robes and with an air of madness and hysteria surrounding him.
“Laila Majnu is an eternal story of everlasting love. It’s perhaps the most popular love story of all times. For the film we wanted a fresh approach in all aspects—a fresh cast, a fresh script and a fresh setting. We had a great experience making Laila Majnu and can’t wait to showcase it to the world.” Imtiaz Ali, the man who effectively directed a trailer of another film of doomed love, Rockstar, had earlier said.
In a bid to promote the film, Ali had appeared on Instagram, to speak about why the story needed to be told. "We always hear—so and so went crazy in love, she is madly in love with him, vo pyaar mein pagal ho gaya. I have often wondered—what is the connection between love and madness? Real, crazy love—How does it feel? Laila and Majnu personify this feeling. This film is my attempt to feel it too and to bring that feeling to all of you who have a heart that feels."