‘Laalo – Krishna Sada Sahaayate’ Director Ankit Sakhiya On Creating Gujarati Cinema’s ₹100-Crore Hit (EXCLUSIVE)

“Laalo - Krishna Sada Sahaayate,” was one of the Indian regional films that took the box office by storm in 2025. It is coming on SonyLIV from March 6 and viewers will finally be able to see the film from all parts of the world. The movie made on a budget of ₹50 lakh grossed over ₹ 100 crores in the domestic and overseas markets. This was a profit of 14,000% for the makers. Variety India did a chat with the director of the movie, Ankit Sakhiya. It seems the desperation to make a film was the driving force behind “Laalo - Krishna Sada Sahaayate.” 

He tells us, “I was working on a film but its budget was high. It did not take off but I was keen to somehow get a movie on the floors. I thought of a small film, which could be made with a few actors, cameras and minimum resources. The idea came to me randomly about a rickshaw driver being trapped in a farmhouse. We decided to keep the budget to a minimum and get the shoot started.” 

Working on a film that deals with divinity can be a double-edged sword. If something goes wrong, it can be disastrous for the maker and everyone involved. “Laalo - Krishna Sada Sahaayate,” was based on the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and Lord Krishna. Sakhiya opines, “We aimed to make a clean film. We were very clear we would not show blind faith or superstitions. Our film is more like a spiritual journey. We have shown God as a normal person. We did not get too worried as there is devotion in the movie but not blind faith.” 
 

Does he feel “Laalo - Krishna Sada Sahaayate” has a story that can be remade in other Indian languages? “I feel it has a universal message. The film was dubbed in Hindi so I do not feel a remake will happen. Also, Bollywood films need stars. “Laalo” is more of a content and character driven movie. I am unsure whom to cast from Bollywood in a movie like this,” he says with amusement. When we suggest the name of Pratik Gandhi, he adds, “Yes, he might get the essence.”