Movie Name: Laila
Rating: ⭐1.5/5
Cast: Vishwak Sen, Akanksha Sharma, Abhimanyu Singh, Babloo Prithviraj, and others
Director: Ram Narayan
Producer: Sahu Garapati
Release Date: 14th February 2025
Story:
Laila revolves around Sonu (Vishwak Sen), a man running a women’s beauty parlor that holds sentimental value due to his connection with his late mother. However, circumstances land him in deep trouble, threatening both his business and reputation. To clear his name, he disguises himself as a woman named Laila, embarking on a mission to prove his innocence. The rest of the film follows Sonu’s struggle to navigate this dual identity and achieve justice.
Performances:
Vishwak Sen takes on a dual-shaded role—one as his usual energetic self, Sonu, and the other as the disguised Laila. While his effort is evident, the weak screenplay limits his impact. The transformation into Laila had the potential to create hilarious and emotional moments, but the film barely explores these opportunities.
Akanksha Sharma provides the film’s glamour quotient, though her character lacks depth and purpose. Abhimanyu Singh, in his role as a comedic antagonist, delivers a few entertaining moments, making him one of the film’s redeeming factors. Babloo Prithviraj is adequate, while supporting actors like Vineet Kumar, Kamakshi Bhaskarla, and Prithvi make minimal impact.
Analysis:
Ram Narayan directs Laila with a premise that initially seems promising. However, the execution falters due to outdated storytelling, weak humor, and an underwhelming lead character arc. A film that revolves around a man disguising himself as a woman should either bring strong entertainment or emotional depth—Laila does neither.
The screenplay lacks innovation, relying on predictable twists and overused masala elements. While some comedy sequences featuring Abhimanyu Singh work, they aren’t enough to salvage the film. Moreover, the dialogues—at times crude and unnecessary—distract rather than enhance the narrative. The film’s handling of its mature themes also feels unconvincing, making it struggle between being a bold experiment and an incoherent drama.
Positives:
✔️ A few entertaining comedy scenes
✔️ Vishwak Sen’s sincere attempt at a dual role
Negatives:
❌ Poorly developed Laila character
❌ Absurd and vulgar dialogues
❌ Predictable and outdated plot twists
❌ Weak soundtrack and background score
Verdict:
Laila turns out to be an unbalanced blend of comedy, drama, and masala elements that fail to come together. Despite Vishwak Sen’s effort, the film lacks the freshness and gripping moments needed to keep audiences engaged. Barring a handful of comedy scenes, Laila struggles to leave a lasting impact.
🚫 Skip it unless you’re a die-hard Vishwak Sen fan.
