Gujarati Devotional Film Beats Dhurandhar’s Figures

First-time director Ankit Sakhiya’s Gujarati film Laalo – Shree Krishna Sada Sahaayate, which had no takers when it opened in January, has gone on to become not only the biggest hit of all time in the State, but also a bigger earner than Dhurandhar.

Made at a meagre budget of Rs 50 lakh, it had earned Rs 110 crore at the last count, and is still going strong. A Hindi version has now been released.

Says the dazed director, “Our film first took Gujarat by storm. And now it’s out in Hindi. I can’t begin to explain the success. When it opened, it got a lukewarm response. Then by word of mouth, audiences started pouring in… It was the first time in Gujarati cinema that so many people were coming to theatres to see a film. Some theatres, especially single screens, which were closed in Gujarat came to life with Laalo: Shree Krishna Sada Sahayate. It’s all due to Lord Krishna.”