Siddhant Chaturvedi talks about being rejected from 'Laila Majnu' audition for looking too young: 'I grew my beard'

Siddhant Chaturvedi first gained recognition through the streaming series 'Inside Edge' before making a noteworthy film debut in 2019 with Zoya Akhtar’s 'Gully Boy'. Although now a prominent lead actor, he revealed in a recent interview that his film journey might have started sooner had he not been shortlisted but ultimately rejected for the 2018 movie 'Laila Majnu'.

Appreciation for Triptii Dimri’s Work in 'Laila Majnu'


Chaturvedi, who is busy promoting his upcoming movie 'Dhadak 2' alongside Triptii Dimri, recently shared his appreciation for one of Triptii’s films. When asked about a film of hers that he respects, he mentioned 'Laila Majnu', the 2018 movie directed by Sajid Ali that marked Triptii’s debut in the film industry.

Almost Cast Opposite Triptii in 'Laila Majnu'

In an interview with Just Too Filmy, Siddhant revealed that he was almost cast opposite Triptii in 'Laila Majnu' when he was 22 years old. He came very close to getting the role, but the filmmakers required the male lead to be older than the female lead. At the time of his audition, Siddhant did not know who would play the female lead. He revealed, "I auditioned, but they felt I was a little too young. I grew my beard. My brother shot me in his new camera, and I made a profile that I sent them. Obviously, it didn't work out".

Casting and Commercial Performance of 'Laila Majnu'

Avinash Tiwary was ultimately chosen to play Qais in 'Laila Majnu', which came out in 2018 but did not succeed commercially. Reflecting on the film, Siddhant mentioned, "I went to the screening of Laila Majnu, just to know what I was missing out on," while also praising Triptii Dimri’s performance in the movie.

Cult Following and Re-release Success

Over time, 'Laila Majnu' gained a devoted fan base, especially following its release on digital platforms. The film saw a resurgence in popularity, leading to a theatrical re-release in August 2024. The comeback resulted in earnings that were four times higher than its initial box office performance, allowing the movie to finally achieve profitability.

Upcoming Film 'Dhadak 2'

The upcoming film, 'Dhadak 2', starring Siddhant and Triptii, is a spiritual successor to 'Dhadak' and an adaptation of the Tamil movie 'Pariyerum Perumal'. Directed by Shazia Iqbal, it is scheduled for theatrical release on August 1st.
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