Entertainment / Wed, 03 Jun 2026 News18

This Actor Waited 15 Years for Lead Role, Film Flopped Upon Release, Later Gained Cult Status

The actor once revealed that after a 15-year struggle, he finally landed his first lead role in Laila Majnu opposite Triptii Dimri. However, the film was pulled from theatres within just three days of its release—only to later achieve cult status and enjoy a remarkable box-office revival years later. Avinash was cast as the lead in Sajid Ali’s romantic saga Laila Majnu. I was exhausted because I didn’t know what to do after this. 8 / 9 Over the years, Laila Majnu found its audience on streaming, growing into an absolute cult classic.

Last Updated: June 03, 2026, 18:04 IST

1 / 9 Avinash Tiwary may have an impressive filmography today, but his journey in cinema was anything but easy. The actor once revealed that after a 15-year struggle, he finally landed his first lead role in Laila Majnu opposite Triptii Dimri. However, the film was pulled from theatres within just three days of its release—only to later achieve cult status and enjoy a remarkable box-office revival years later.

2 / 9 Avinash Tiwary grew up in a family that deeply valued traditional education. He chose to pursue acting professionally as a proper discipline. He packed his bags and went all the way to New York to train himself at a prestigious institute, believing that formal education would guarantee a smooth entry into show business.

3 / 9 In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, he said, “I came back, and I thought I was ready for it. After a degree, kaam milta hai. And this was in 2007—I thought there would be a red carpet for me, but nobody turned up. I didn’t even know where to go.”

4 / 9 Avinash shared that he avoided leaving his photos or portfolios at studios, convinced they would be discarded. “People would have portfolios in New York, and they would be thrown in trash cans for some reason. So, I used to make DVDs and go to Famous Studios to show them how I look on screen. Films were what I wanted to do, but they seemed so far away,” he said.

5 / 9 The elusive breakthrough finally knocked on his door after 15 long years of relentless rejection, auditions, and waiting. Avinash was cast as the lead in Sajid Ali’s romantic saga Laila Majnu.

6 / 9 Securing the film was only half the battle. Avinash dedicated three years of his life to perfecting the intense, madness-driven role of Majnu. However, when Laila Majnu finally hit theatres in 2018, it failed to attract audiences initially and was completely pulled down from theatres within just three days of its release.

7 / 9 Avinash was left utterly shattered, questioning if he should even try to look for another film or give up entirely. “It took me 15 years to get that one film. I was exhausted because I didn’t know what to do after this. I worked for three years on the film, and it got removed from theatres within three days. I didn’t know what to do. ‘Should I try for one more film?’ This is when you realize this is a game,” he said.

8 / 9 Over the years, Laila Majnu found its audience on streaming, growing into an absolute cult classic. The craze became so massive that the film was officially re-released in theatres years later, earning the actor the packed houses, standing ovations, and widespread commercial validation he deserved all along.