The audience will definitely enjoy it a lot,” says producer Sahu Garapati.
“Laila” is like a fun ride. It’s a film made with the intent of making the audience laugh for two hours. The audience will definitely enjoy it a lot,” says producer Sahu Garapati.
Mass Ka Das Vishwak Sen‘s unique romantic action entertainer Laila is creating a strong buzz with exciting promotional content. Directed by Ram Narayan and produced by Sahu Garapati under the Shine Screens banner, the film features Akanksha Sharma as the female lead. The songs have become chartbusters, and the recently released trailer has received a tremendous response. Laila is set to hit the big screens on February 14. On this occasion, producer Sahu Garapati shared insights about the film in a press conference.
What elements attracted you to produce Laila?
- Mainly, the comedy. Additionally, I liked that a hero was willing to accept such a storyline. We approached a few actors before, but dressing up as a woman isn’t easy. When Vishwak agreed to do it, I found it interesting and moved forward with the project.
- It has been a long time since a film like this came out. We believed it would definitely work and proceeded with confidence. Vishwak is a very passionate actor. The moment he heard the story, he said, “This is a character I must do.” The film has both a love story and fun entertainment.
How are the characters of Laila and Sonu balanced in the film?
The first half is all about Sonu. His love story unfolds in the first half. Due to unforeseen circumstances, he transforms into Laila and tries to prove his innocence. The reason behind it is very emotional.
Vishwak’s look as Laila has received a tremendous response. Everyone is saying it suits him perfectly. In my opinion, Laila’s character stands out the most.
The trailer gives off an adult comedy vibe. Such films usually work well in Bollywood, right?
Adult comedy exists everywhere. Just open Twitter, and that’s what you see. Compared to that, this film has very little of it. The hero plays a female character and speaks a Deccan dialect that some might not understand, which is why we got an “A” certificate. But there’s no actual adult comedy in the film. It feels like regular conversations we have in daily life.
It seems like the film targets youth.
Yes, it is targeted at the youth, but families will also enjoy it. It is a movie made purely to entertain, and we believe we have succeeded in that.
Megastar Chiranjeevi is attending the film’s event tomorrow. Has he watched the trailer?
Yes, he has. He appreciated Vishwak for trying something new. He liked the trailer a lot. His presence to encourage us is a blessing.
When are you starting your film with Chiranjeevi?
It will start in May or June and will be released for the next Sankranti. It will be a perfect commercial entertainer in Anil Ravipudi’s style. Chiranjeevi’s role will bring back his vintage mass appeal.
Tell us about director Ram Narayan.
He has done a fantastic job of presenting Vishwak according to the story’s needs. He had Laila as the title in mind from the moment he wrote the script, and he executed his vision perfectly.
What about the supporting cast?
Abhimanyu Singh has a role throughout the film. We’ve seen him as a villain before, but here, his character is purely entertaining. It will be a new experience for the audience.
What is the emotional core of Laila?
Laila is a complete entertainer set against a Hyderabad backdrop. It also has a touching mother-son emotion. Overall, the film is a fun ride meant to make people laugh for two hours.
What advice would you give to aspiring producers?
To be frank, the market is a bit challenging. If you stick to the budget, it’s fine, but if it exceeds, it becomes difficult for anyone.
How involved are you in the storytelling process?
We move forward only if we like the story. Changes happen throughout the process. If I feel something needs adjustment, I suggest it. We stay involved until the final edit is locked.
Tell us about your upcoming film with Bellamkonda.
About 70% of the shoot is completed. It’s a horror thriller, set for a June release. Apart from this, we have a few more projects lined up, and the script work is in progress.
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