Cast: Vishwak Sen, Akanksha Sharma, Abhimanyu Singh, Prudhviraj, Prudhvi, Vineeth Kumar, Kamakshi Bhaskarla, Sunisith, and others
Music Director: Leon James
Cinematographer: Richard Prasad
Producer: Sahu Garapati
Director: Ram Narayan
Rating: 0.5/5
Suresh Kavirayani
Vishwak Sen’s latest film, Laila, released on Valentine’s Day, marking his first film of the year. Known for his back-to-back releases, Vishwak has been taking on diverse roles, and in Laila, he attempts something unconventional by playing a female character. While legendary actors like Kamal Haasan, Rajendra Prasad, and VK Naresh have successfully portrayed female roles in Telugu cinema before, Laila struggles to make an impact. Directed by Ram Narayan and featuring Akanksha Sharma as the female lead, the film has also been in the news for the controversy surrounding actor Prudhvi’s political comments.
Story:
Sonu (Vishwak Sen) runs Sita Beauty Parlour in Hyderabad’s Old City, treating it as more than just a business—he sees it as a sentimental venture. One day, he helps a customer financially and allows her to use his name as a brand for her homemade oil, hoping to boost her business. Meanwhile, Rustum (Abhimanyu Singh), a butcher searching for a bride, sees a woman (Kamakshi) at Sonu’s parlour and decides to marry her. However, after the wedding, he realizes her appearance was entirely due to makeup and blames Sonu for the deception.
During Rustum’s wedding, several guests—including a local MLA—fall sick due to food poisoning. Investigations reveal that they had used Sonu’s branded oil, leading the police to take action against him. Adding to Sonu’s troubles, a police inspector (Prudhvi) with a personal grudge sees this as the perfect opportunity to target him. To escape the situation, Sonu disguises himself as a woman named Laila. How he navigates the chaos and what ultimately unfolds forms the rest of the story.
Analysis:
The concept of a male protagonist donning a female avatar is not new in Telugu cinema. However, success in such roles depends on how well the transformation is woven into the story. Unfortunately, Laila falls flat in this regard. Director Ram Narayan fails to present an engaging narrative, resulting in a weak screenplay that struggles to justify the protagonist’s female disguise.
One of the biggest questions is how an actor like Vishwak Sen agreed to be part of this film. In today’s industry, producers are often criticized for blindly investing in projects based solely on an actor-director combination, without evaluating the story’s potential. Laila serves as a prime example of this flawed approach. The film lacks a compelling story, engaging moments, or even decent humor. What was intended to be an entertaining comedy instead turns into an outdated, adult-themed film with mediocre execution. From start to finish, it feels more like an endurance test than an engaging cinematic experience.
While cinema allows for creative liberties, there still needs to be some logic, especially when entertainment value is lacking. The film also suffers from poor scene transitions, making it difficult for the audience to stay invested. Rather than feeling like a well-crafted feature film, Laila resembles a low-budget YouTube web series.
Performances:
None of the actors manage to make a lasting impression. Vishwak Sen, portraying both Sonu and his female alter ego Laila, fails to bring depth to either role. His performance lacks conviction, and his portrayal of Laila neither amuses nor engages the audience. What could have been an exciting transformation ends up feeling forced and unconvincing.
Akanksha Sharma, the female lead, serves little purpose beyond adding glamour to the film. Abhimanyu Singh, Prudhvi (Pelli fame), Prudhvi (30 Years), and Kamakshi Bhaskarla contribute little to the story. The film also features YouTube personality Sunisith, but his presence does not enhance the narrative. Additionally, the decision to cast Hindi actors for Telugu character roles, along with their poorly dubbed dialogues, further diminishes the film’s impact.
When a male actor takes on a female role, there needs to be a strong and justifiable reason behind it, coupled with an engaging script. Unfortunately, Laila fails on both fronts.
Technical Aspects:
Musically, Laila fails to impress, and even the cinematography remains ordinary. The dialogues, particularly the double-meaning ones, add to the film’s overall mediocrity rather than enhancing the humor.
For any actor, there are films that elevate their career and others that become forgettable missteps. Laila is undoubtedly one of the weakest films in Vishwak Sen’s career. From its outdated story and unimpressive dialogues to the lackluster screenplay, weak music, and unremarkable cinematography—everything falls short. The writing department also deserves criticism for failing to deliver a strong narrative.
While the director shoulders much of the blame, the producer and actor also bear responsibility for backing such an uninspired project. A film should either evoke emotions or provide entertainment—Laila does neither. Hopefully, Vishwak Sen makes better choices in his upcoming films.
Verdict:
Laila is a disappointing attempt at comedy, weighed down by an outdated story, weak screenplay, and subpar execution. With no memorable moments or engaging performances, the film stands out as one of Vishwak Sen’s least impressive projects. Those looking for entertainment would be better off skipping this one, as it offers little beyond a frustrating cinematic experience.
