Producer Remo Dsouza’s Laila Manju Stalls After Netflix Offers Less Money 

 

Filmmaker Prem Soni marked his directorial debut with Main Aurr Mrs Khanna in 2009 that starred Salman Khan, Sohail Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan in the lead roles. He later helmed Priety Zinta in Ishkq In Paris in 2013. However, both the films bombed at the ticket windows. 

The director took a sabbatical of eight long years and announced his third directorial Laila Manju in 2020. The film marks the big screen debut of television actor Shashank Vyas of Balika Vadhu fame. Miss Diva Universe 2018 Nehal Chudasma plays the female lead in the film.

The film is primarily shot in London and highlights lives of queer community and how racism exists in the world. The film also stars Rajit Kapoor, Seema Biswas, Jimmy Shergill, Jessie Lever and Iulia Vantur in the pivotal roles.

A close source to the film reveals, “The film is ready on the edit table but Prem is facing a lot of trouble in releasing the film. The film is solely produced by Prem under his banner Prem Raj Pictures but to attract attention, he got Remo D’souza as a co-producer and presenter but seems like all in vain.”

“After Covid hits in March 2020, Prem decided to release the film digitally. Later, Prem and Remo held a meeting and collectively went to meet Netflix. The film’s cost of production is approximately 20 crores while the platform has just offered 9 crores. Remo and Prem have turned down the offer and the film is now on a back burner,” the source further adds.

In 2018, Prem Soni announced Radha Kyun Gori Main Kyun Kaala with Iulia Vantur as a protagonist. The film was produced by Prerna Arora. The makers even launched the first look poster at a media event but it was stalled just after its announcement.

It is unfortunate that both the projects helmed by Prem Soni couldn’t take off.