‘Laila’ is a Memorable Movie in My Career- Vishwak Sen
‘Laila’ is an Out-and-Out Youthful Entertainer, a Memorable Movie in My Career: Mass Ka Das Vishwak Sen
Mass Ka Das Vishwak Sen’s unique romantic action entertainer Laila is creating a strong buzz with its exciting promotional content. Directed by Ram Narayan and produced by Sahu Garapati under the Shine Screens banner, the film stars Akanksha Sharma as the female lead. The songs have become chartbusters, and Laila is set to release on the big screen on February 14. On this occasion, hero Vishwak Sen shared insights about the movie in a press meet.
We heard that you never had a desire to play a female character. Is that true?
Every actor has a wish to play certain roles. Watching movies like Bhamane Satyabhamane, Madam, Chitram Bhalare Vichitram, and Remo made me want to try such a getup as an artist. Audiences are now looking for fresh stories and themes. It has been nearly two decades since such films were made. In this generation, we haven’t seen a hero portray a female character in the past 20 years. Since a good story came my way, I decided to do this film.
Between Sonu (the model) and Laila, which character do you like the most?
Definitely Laila. But fans will also love Sonu’s character. While Laila dominates in the trailers and publicity, once you watch the movie, you will enjoy Sonu’s character as well. In the first half, Sonu’s modeling lifestyle is very entertaining.
Why does Sonu transform into Laila?
There isn’t just one reason—there are three major problems. To escape from them, he transforms into Laila. You’ll have to watch the big screen to find out what they are.
How long did it take you to get into the female getup?
It took around two and a half hours. Makeup artist Nikki didn’t compromise anywhere. The female getup was done very naturally.
The trailer seems to have a lot of adult content.
It’s not adult content—it’s youthful content. It’s an out-and-out entertainer.
What was your initial impression when you first heard the story?
I thoroughly enjoyed it. I felt that audiences deserve to experience this kind of fun. Most of the movies I’ve done so far have been serious, but this one made me laugh a lot.
Chiranjeevi mentioned your “compound comment” at the pre-release event. How did that feel?
I felt very happy. I thought the matter had ended there, but when Chiranjeevi Garu himself mentioned it, I was thrilled. We should all support each other and ultimately deliver good films to the audience. We are all on this journey out of love for cinema.
How was the experience of writing lyrics for this movie?
I had no hesitation. I simply told the director, “I’ll write it. If you like it, keep it.” He liked it, so it was included. I enjoy writing.
We heard that your family was surprised to see you in the Laila getup.
They had a blast. There was a lot of teasing and fun at home. (Laughs) My mother and mother-in-law even wore matching sarees.
Tell us about Meenakshi’s character.
Her role is a surprising one, and she acted brilliantly. Abhimanyu Singh’s character is also quite different from his previous roles. In addition, there’s another surprise actor in the film, and the Gullu Dada character will be very entertaining.
How challenging was it to perform action scenes in the Laila getup?
Imagine fighting in a saree and high heels! It was tough, but we pulled it off in a stylish way. The audience will enjoy it a lot.
How was your visit to Mopidevi Subramanyeswara Swamy temple?
It was an amazing experience. The landing permission wasn’t granted until midnight, but by God’s grace, we received clearance at the last moment. I feel like the deity himself called me there. The response in Krishna district was wild—people were cheering so loudly that the speakers couldn’t handle it.
What do you say about producer Sahu Garapati?
He’s a producer who understands the craft of filmmaking. He believed I could pull off this character. Our journey together will continue in the future.
Technically, how is the movie shaping up?
It’s brilliant. Richard Prasad’s visuals are amazing, and Leon James’ songs have received a wonderful response. The theater experience will be even better. Our team didn’t compromise on anything.
What’s the best compliment you received for Laila?
Chiranjeevi Garu saying on stage, “I feel like doing a role like this,” was the best compliment. I did this film with the belief that it would be a memorable one in my career.
Wouldn’t it have been great to promote the movie in the Laila getup?
Laila should be seen on the big screen. But I do feel like donning the getup again. There’s a cliffhanger scene in the movie that could work well for a sequel. If the response is great, we might add it in the second week.
Do you want to do a horror movie?
I’ve tried watching horror movies to get scared, but none of them have scared me so far. So, I might not do a horror film.
What are your upcoming projects?
By the end of this month, we will introduce some new actors. Immediately after that, we will start a funky movie