Imtiaz Ali presents first teaser of brother Sajid’s Laila Majnu

The love story of Laila and Majnu is once again coming to the big screen. It was first adapted by JJ Madan in 1922 as a silent film. Since then a handful of versions in Hindi alone have been produced, the most famous of these being Harnam Singh Rawail’s 1976 version, starring Rishi Kapoor and Ranjeeta Kaur.

Co-written and directed by Sajid Ali, this version of Laila Majnu is being presented by his brother Imtiaz who also wrote its screenplay. The first teaser was released today (1 June) and is expected to be seen in theatres before the screenings of Veere Di Wedding. The two films have a common producer, Ekta Kapoor.

Although the film is touted as a modern retelling, its setting of gorgeous locales in Kashmir, shot by Sayak Bhattacharya, give it a bit of a period feel. A male voice, likely Majnu, tells us that their story is already written and nothing and no one can change the outcome.

In between shots of the couple meeting up in Instagram-worthy locations, there are shots of the two and later Majnu being pursued by men. It does not look good. A bloody Majnu screaming at something (or someone) ends the teaser.

The most perplexing thing about the teaser is that it does not introduce the film’s leads at all.

Produced by Shobha Kapoor, Ekta Kapoor and Preety Ali, Laila Majnu is due to be released on 24 August 2018. The film was originally scheduled to hit the screens on 4 May 2018.

Watch the teaser below: