A New Chapter for Gujarati Cinema : A Landmark Film Powered by a Powerful Cast
The success of Laalo reflects the coming of age of Gujarati cinema, with growing ambitions that include expanded screens, new creative infrastructure, and a stronger global footprint
- Bilkul Online
- Ahmedabad | 30 Dec 2025
Citara, a prominent name in the entertainment and media space, felicitated the makers of the Gujarati blockbuster Laalo at a special ceremony, celebrating the film’s landmark achievement of crossing ₹100 crore at the box office.
Speaking at the event, Citara founders Tutu Sharma and Rahul Nehra said that Laalo has shattered all performance records across Citara’s cinema network, including centres such as Jamkhambalia. Expressing confidence in the growth of regional cinema, they added that Citara plans to expand aggressively, with 25 screens to be established across Gujarat over the next 12 to 18 months.
Producer Ajay Balwant Padariya and director Ankit Sakhiya, along with the Citara team, described the milestone as more than a commercial triumph. They noted that the success of Laalo signals exciting opportunities ahead, as the film continues to resonate with audiences nationwide and elevate the stature of Gujarati cinema.
The felicitation ceremony was also attended by actors Maulik Chauhan, Shruhad Goswami and Karan Joshi, as well as cinematographer Shubham Gajjar.
Laalo has delivered unprecedented box office numbers across Citara’s cinema circuit. Citara, a cinema-themed entertainment destination tailored primarily for India’s Tier 2, 3 and 4 cities, is known for its small-capacity, technology-enabled theatres that are redefining the movie-going experience in emerging markets.
Industry observers see this achievement as a defining moment for Gujarati cinema, underscoring its coming of age and positioning it as the next major growth story within Indian cinema.
At the event, the producer and director thanked the national and international Gujarati diaspora for their unwavering support, crediting audiences for helping take Gujarati cinema to the ₹100 crore mark and beyond. They emphasized that the film’s consistent focus on quality and its strong emotional connection with viewers were key drivers behind its extraordinary success.
In a significant announcement, Citara and the makers of Laalo also revealed their interest in developing a state-of-the-art Film City in Gujarat, along with a world-class media school. A detailed proposal for the project is expected to be presented to the government in the near future.
The proposed Film City and media school aim to nurture homegrown talent and position Gujarat as an international creative hub, aligning with the global vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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