Movie Review: Thank You For Coming - 3.5/5

# From Village Ghughra Player to Rs 100 Crore Blockbuster Director: Ankit Sakhiya's Unbelievable Rise with *Laalo – Krishna Sada Sahaayate* Imagine ditching a civil engineering degree, playing the humble **ghughra** in a gaushala band during school vacations, and turning that raw grit into India's first Gujarati film to smash **Rs 100 crore** at the box office—all on a shoestring budget under Rs 50 lakh with just **one borrowed camera**.[1][3] That's the real-life fairy tale of **Ankit Sakhiya**, the 29-year-old visionary behind *Laalo – Krishna Sada Sahaayate*. Hailing from the modest village of Meta Khambhaliya near Gondal, Ankit's childhood was worlds away from glamour. Movies meant a bumpy 30-35 km trek to the nearest theater, and his big dreams drew mockery from locals.[1] Yet, undeterred, he honed his skills early—learning editing by 8th grade at a Gurukul, starring in stage plays, and shooting short films on mobile phones with friends in Vidyanagar.[1] Even as he earned a civil engineering diploma and degree, Ankit stayed laser-focused. "I told my professor firmly: I won't build buildings; I was born to make films," he once declared.[1] Producers laughed off his ambitious scripts, deeming a 25-year-old too green for big budgets. So, Ankit flipped the script—crafting *Laalo* from pure **jugaad** (resourceful improvisation). No waiting for funds; his team built the story around what they had: a house, friends in every department, and an organic spiritual core featuring visions of Lord Krishna.[2][3]

*A passionate director channeling creativity on a minimal set—much like Ankit Sakhiya's blockbuster origins. (Unsplash free image)*

The payoff? Explosive. Released in Gujarati on October 10, 2025, *Laalo* follows rickshaw driver Laalo (Karan Joshi), trapped in a farmhouse, confronting his demons with Krishna's guidance toward self-discovery.[4][5] It stumbled initially but word-of-mouth turned it into a sleeper hit—the **highest-grossing Gujarati film ever**.[1][3][4] Actor Karan Joshi celebrated the milestone on Instagram, hailing it a team triumph.[1] Now with a Hindi release on January 9, 2026, and plans for Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam, it's redefining regional cinema.[2][3] Ankit humbly credits "Krishna's blessings" over formulas, insisting passion—not money—drives true success. "We didn't compromise on creative truth," he says, distinguishing *Laalo* from legends like *OMG* or *Trapped* by leaning into genuine spirituality without copying.[2][3] Starring theatre-rooted talents like Reeva Rachh (Tulsi), Shruhad Goswami, and Mishty Kadecha, the 2h10m drama proves **heartfelt stories connect deepest**.[3][4][5] This isn't just a film win—it's proof that rural roots, relentless hustle, and faith can rewrite history. Gujarati cinema's golden era is here, powered by underdogs like Ankit. **What's your take? Have you watched *Laalo* yet? Drop a comment below with your favorite moment, share this post to spread the inspiration, or tag a friend chasing big dreams! Let's celebrate stories that prove anything's possible.**
Citations
1.https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/gujarati/movies/news/laalo-krishna-sada-sahaayate-director-ankit-sakhiyas-inspiring-journey-from-playing-ghughra-in-gaushala-band-and-being-a-civil-engineer-to-minting-rs-100-crore-at-box-office/articleshow/125686596.cms
2.https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/gujarati-film-laalo-director-ankit-sakhiya-on-comparisons-with-omg-trapped-those-are-legendary-works-2849370-2026-01-09
3.https://thebetterindia.com/culture/laalo-krishna-sada-sahaayate-ankit-sakhiya-first-rs-100-crore-gujarati-film-success-10991442
4.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laalo_%E2%80%93_Krishna_Sada_Sahaayate
5.https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/laalo_krishna_sada_sahaayate
6.https://www.youtube.com/shorts/t3Ra4B6b85M
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