A mindlessly funny Commercial film ‘Laila’ directed by Ram Narayan and starring Vishwak Sen, Akansha Sharma, Abhimanyu Singh, Babloo Prithveeraj grinds dull and flat after a while. While the protagonist sports a dual role as Sonu and Laila, the story sticks to his performance as a lifeline to survive.
‘Laila’ Movie Plot
Sonu, a talented Makeup artist runs a popular beauty parlour in his neighbourhood where women flock together day in and out to seek the expertise of him. The husbands of the ladies are worried that they are spending so much time and plans a revenge and seeks help of a local goon Khalil Bhai who after facing failure asks help from a bigger don Rustum.
Rustum is adamant on getting married to the girl his father decides for him with nonsensical conditions and outdated ideas of beauty and skin tone which makes him grow a soft spot for Sonu. While Rustum gets married to a girl he desires, he feels cheated and yet again plans a revenge on the protagonist who in order to escape death disguises as Laila. Does Sonu or Laila achieve freedom from the hands of the goons and the local SI is the mundane story of the film.
The Positive Aspects
The humour and fun elements of the film, although seemingly cringe or offensive at points, crack open some audience especially those who love the comedy dramas with no complicated plotlines. The undeniable aspect of crass and dark comedy with fast paced jokes set the pace for the film to travel on.
Vishwak Sen gives what the story demands- as Sonu he peels of the emotional layers of the characters by helping a regular customer in need of finance or having prioritising his chosen family and as Laila he goes out and sharp in portraying an essentially ‘attractive’ female who uses the ‘male gaze’ to his/her advantage.
The repetitive and probably the only committed aspect of the film is the one character who undergoes multiple disguises as a doctor, waiter, patient and whatnot for gathering ‘evidence’ which cackles much needed humor breaks that is not sensual or objectifying women.
The fun and humor will go to the next level with Laila and Sonu Model 💥💥💥
— VishwakSen (@VishwakSenActor) February 6, 2025
The entertaining #LailaTrailer out now ❤🔥
▶️ https://t.co/ytb4SlU2qV#Laila GRAND RELEASE WORLDWIDE ON FEBRUARY 14th 🌹 @RAMNroars #AkankshaSharma @sahugarapati7 @Shine_Screens @leon_james… pic.twitter.com/Pf9QSZOfnn
Valentine’s Day 2025 Telugu Movie Releases: Full List & DetailsThe Negative Aspects
Loud and Exaggerated characterisation that includes the typical and outdated introduction of the heroine or the camera angles once Vishwak Sen’s character changes into a woman. The plunging neckline shots or the outright offensive dark humor that lands dull only manages to put a frown on the faces rather than the expected chuckle.
The unabashed portrayal of a whole family rejecting numerous women stating they are ‘ugly’ and not ‘fair enough’ when the climax puts a sudden shift where the said family accepts her, even then addressing her as ‘Though not beautiful, she has a good heart’. In the times of inclusivity and normalisation of such discourse regarding color and race, the taboo sadly continues.
The emotional gold goes unused as the plotline of Sonu’s mother leaving him the parlour as a last gift before passing away and the protagonist stepping up and disguising himself as Laila to secure his parlour could have been navigated better. Such scenes add depth and the essential emotions for the film apart from the boorish objectification throughout.
The Verdict
‘Laila’ crawls through the spaces leaving some seriously well written jokes and characters and survives from the underused emotional elements. A full on Vishwak Sen film that puts forth the actor and his potential but consciously ignores the outdated and senseless screenplay of men chasing skirts and the cringeful comparison of food items to objectify women. A below average watch except for the audience who want to mindlessly enjoy a brain rot humor drama.
