Movies
Laloo Laughs to the Bank as Gujarati Cinema Hits Rs 100 Crore
MUMBAI: If cinema had a victory lap, Gujarati film Laloo just took it at full throttle. At a special felicitation ceremony hosted by Citara, the makers of Laloo were honoured for crossing the ₹100 crore box office mark, a milestone that not only rewrites records, but also redraws the map of regional cinema in India.
The film has delivered unprecedented numbers across Citara’s cinema network, including strong performances in smaller centres such as Jamkhambalia. Designed for Tier 2, 3 and 4 markets, Citara’s compact, tech-enabled theatres have emerged as unlikely but powerful launchpads for this historic run.
For Gujarati cinema, the moment feels less like a peak and more like a coming-of-age. Producers and director of Laloo credited the unwavering support of the Gujarati diaspora, both in India and overseas, for pushing the film beyond expectations and into the ₹100 crore club.
Citara founders Tutu Sharma and Rahul Nehra said the film had broken all previous records at their centres and confirmed that the company is on track to roll out 25 screens across Gujarat over the next 12 to 18 months. They attributed Laloo’s success to its emotional resonance and consistent focus on quality storytelling.
Producer Ajay Balwant Padariya and director Ankit Sakhiya described the milestone as both a celebration and a signal of what lies ahead. According to the team, Laloo’s journey reflects a growing appetite for strong regional stories that travel far beyond state borders.
The evening also sparked conversations about the future. Citara and the Laloo team revealed plans to explore a state-of-the-art Film City in Gujarat, alongside a world-class media school, with a detailed proposal expected to be shared with the government soon. The initiative aims to nurture local talent and position Gujarat as a serious global creative hub.
Actors Maulik Chauhan, Shruhad Goswami, Karan Joshi, Reeva Rachh, and cinematographer Shubham Gajjar were present at the ceremony, marking the occasion as both a celebration of one film and a statement about an industry finding its voice.
For Gujarati cinema, Laloo isn’t just a hit. It’s a headline.
Hindi
MIFF 2026 to return to Mumbai; film entries open till April 12
19th edition to host WAVES Doc Bazaar, spotlighting global documentary talent
MUMBAI: The 19th edition of the Mumbai International Film Festival 2026 is set to take place from June 15 to 21 at the NFDC Complex, with film submissions currently open and the deadline fast approaching on April 12.
Organised by the National Film Development Corporation under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the biennial festival remains one of South Asia’s most prominent platforms for documentary, short fiction and animation films.
Filmmakers, producers and content creators from across the globe have been invited to submit entries via the Film Freeway platform for the Competition Section. Offline submissions will not be accepted, reinforcing a fully digital entry process.
MIFF 2026 continues to sweeten the deal with a robust awards pool of Rs 55 lakh. The coveted Golden Conch for Best Documentary carries a top prize of Rs 10 lakh, alongside multiple awards across categories, making it one of the most lucrative non-feature film festivals in the region.
A key highlight this year will be the second edition of the WAVES Doc Bazaar, scheduled from June 16 to 18 alongside the festival. Designed as a hub for collaboration, the Doc Bazaar will feature a co-production market, viewing rooms and a work-in-progress lab, bringing together global buyers, sellers and creators under one roof.
Since its inception in 1990, MIFF has built a reputation as a serious showcase for non-feature cinema, drawing participation from filmmakers worldwide. The previous edition saw over 350 films from more than 30 countries, underlining its growing international footprint.
With submissions closing soon and preparations underway, MIFF 2026 is shaping up to be a vibrant meeting point for storytelling, collaboration and cinematic craft, offering filmmakers both a stage and a springboard.
