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A lot has been said about how established producers and directors need to give opportunities to aspiring actors with no film industry backing to make it big in showbiz (From L-R) Tripti

Dimri and Avinash Tiwary in Laila Majnu; Sushant Singh Rajput; Rajkummar Rao; Mouni Roy In an era where launching star kids is akin to taking the safer route, Ekta Kapoor and Imtiaz Ali have

moved away from the tried-and-tested path. For _Laila Majnu_, which releases this Friday, they have collaborated to back newcomers Avinash Tiwary and Tripti Dimri. Unlike a bunch of B-Town

debuts seen this year, of which most boast of _filmi_ connections, the epic romance walks the path far removed from nepotism.  A lot has been said about how established producers and

directors need to give opportunities to aspiring actors with no film industry backing to make it big in showbiz. Says a source, “From the time of _Ek Duje Ke Liye_ (1981) till date, it’s a

rarity to see filmmakers and studios scouting real talent and giving them a platform to showcase their skills. For their modern-day _Laila Majnu_, both, Ekta and Imtiaz, decided to back

fresh faces — Avinash and Tripti — after conducting auditions across the country.” While Ekta has launched several newcomers in the television industry, her projects have also given

Bollywood talents like Sushant Singh Rajput, Rajkummar Rao and Mouni Roy. This gutsy move comes from her knowing that certain stories need actors who are both unassuming and come with no

baggage and without any expectations. Ekta and Imtiaz believe that the story and the mood must reign supreme. At the end of the day, it’s talent that triumphs against all odds.