No nepotism there! Ekta Kapoor and Imtiaz Ali’s Laila Majnu features newcomers who don’t hail from filmi families

In an era where launching star kids is akin to taking the safer route, Ekta Kapoor and Imtiaz Ali have moved away from the tried-and-tested path. For Laila Majnu, which releases this Friday, they have collaborated to back newcomers Avinash Tiwary and Tripti Dimri. Unlike a bunch of B-Town debuts seen this year, of which most boast of filmi connections, the epic romance walks the path far removed from nepotism. 

A lot has been said about how established producers and directors need to give opportunities to aspiring actors with no film industry backing to make it big in showbiz. Says a source, “From the time of Ek Duje Ke Liye (1981) till date, it’s a rarity to see filmmakers and studios scouting real talent and giving them a platform to showcase their skills. For their modern-day Laila Majnu, both, Ekta and Imtiaz, decided to back fresh faces — Avinash and Tripti — after conducting auditions across the country.”

While Ekta has launched several newcomers in the television industry, her projects have also given Bollywood talents like Sushant Singh Rajput, Rajkummar Rao and Mouni Roy. This gutsy move comes from her knowing that certain stories need actors who are both unassuming and come with no baggage and without any expectations. Ekta and Imtiaz believe that the story and the mood must reign supreme. At the end of the day, it’s talent that triumphs against all odds.