Hyderabad, India – The Telugu cinema landscape is no stranger to experimental narratives, but few films spark as much pre-release discussion and post-release dissection as Vishwak Sen's "Laila." Released on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2025, the action-comedy, directed by Ram Narayan, aimed to deliver a laugh riot with a unique premise. However, looking back almost a year after its theatrical debut, "Laila" stands as a stark example of a bold concept failing to resonate with both critics and audiences, ultimately becoming a significant commercial and critical disaster for all involved.
The film introduced us to Sonu Model, a renowned beautician from Hyderabad's Old City, portrayed by Vishwak Sen. The plot thickened as Sonu was compelled to disguise himself as 'Laila,' leading to a chaotic blend of comedic, romantic, and action-packed sequences. This gender-bending premise, promising fresh entertainment, initially garnered considerable buzz, especially with the release of the "Sonu Model" song, which saw Sen himself penning the lyrics. The makers, including producer Sahu Garapati under the Shine Screens banner and director Ram Narayan, were confident in their unique offering. Akanksha Sharma made her Telugu debut as the female lead, Jenny, alongside a supporting cast featuring seasoned actors like Babloo Prithiveeraj, Abhimanyu Singh, Vennela Kishore, and Vineet Kumar. Cinematography by Richard Prasad and music by Leon James further added to the technical prowess.
Despite the promising setup, the film's journey post-release was fraught with challenges. "Laila" opened to largely negative reviews from critics, who lambasted its "lewd dialogue and overall dull and unfunny content." The film received an 'A' certificate due to its adult dialogues and double-meaning content, which further alienated a segment of the audience. Many reviewers pointed out that while the concept had potential, the execution fell flat, resulting in a film that struggled to find its comedic rhythm.
Financially, "Laila" proved to be a major setback. Produced on a budget of ₹18 crore (approximately US$2.1 million), the film managed to scrape together a dismal worldwide gross of just ₹4.97 crore. Its India net collection stood at a mere ₹3.79 crore. This abysmal performance solidified its status as a "critical and commercial failure," and was widely termed a "career-high disaster" for Vishwak Sen, making it his biggest flop to date. The box office struggles were evident from day one, with initial collections failing to pick up even during the crucial opening weekend, a rarity even for films with mixed reviews in Telugu cinema.
The film's underwhelming reception extended beyond the box office, with "Laila" becoming one of the most memed Telugu movies of the year across social media platforms, often for the wrong reasons. While pre-release discussions included political controversies and calls for boycotts, ultimately, it was the film's content that failed to draw audiences to theaters.
Following its brief and unsuccessful theatrical run, "Laila" made its way to Amazon Prime Video on March 9, 2025, having initially been slated for a dual OTT release. However, the digital premiere did little to change its fate.
In the dynamic world of Telugu cinema, where bold experiments are often celebrated, "Laila" serves as a poignant reminder that a compelling concept must be matched by equally strong execution. While Vishwak Sen's dedication to his dual role was evident, the film's inability to connect with the audience resulted in a missed opportunity and a costly lesson for all involved in this ambitious project.
