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.