imported>Alangar Manickam at 22:15, 13 August 2021

2021-08-13T22:15:48Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Leelai
| image = Leelai - Poster.jpg
| director = Andrew Louis
| producer = Ramesh Babu
| writer = Andrew Louis
| starring = {{ubl|[[Shiv Panditt]]|[[Manasi Parekh]]}}
| music = [[Satish Chakravarthy]]
| editing = Saravanan
| cinematography = [[Velraj]]
| studio = R Films
| distributor = [[Viswanathan Ravichandran|Aascar Film Pvt. Ltd]]
| released = 27 April 2012
| runtime =
| country = India
| language = Tamil
| budget =
}}
'''''Leelai''''' (English: ''Play'') is a 2012 Indian [[Tamil cinema|Tamil]]-language [[romantic comedy]] film directed by Andrew Louis and produced by Ramesh Babu. It stars débutantes [[Shiv Panditt]] and [[Manasi Parekh]] in lead roles along with [[N. Santhanam|Santhanam]] and Suhasini Raju in pivotal roles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/cp/2009/09/11/stories/2009091150120400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090914144342/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2009/09/11/stories/2009091150120400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2009-09-14 |title=Cinema Plus / Columns : Scouting around |date=2009-09-11 |work=[[The Hindu]] |accessdate=2012-04-27}}</ref> The film which began in May 2008, opened after production delays on 27 April 2012 to positive reviews.<ref name="indianexpress1">{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Shiv-Pandit-makes-Tamil-debut/816977/ |title=Shiv Panditt makes Tamil debut |publisher=Indian Express |date=2011-07-15 |accessdate=2012-04-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/review/10551.html |title=Leelai Tamil Movie Review - cinema preview stills gallery trailer video clips showtimes |publisher=IndiaGlitz |date=2012-04-27 |accessdate=2012-08-18}}</ref>

==Plot==
The film begins with a trio of friends in college (Malar, Mona, Gayathri). Mona falls in love with Karthik ([[Shiv Panditt]]) despite the advice of Malar ([[Manasi Parekh]]) who suspects Karthik to be a complete flirt. One day, while on a date, Mona mentions to Karthik, Malar's views about him and this gets Karthik to start disliking Malar for interfering in his love life. When Karthik calls Mona, Malar picks the call up accidentally and they get into an argument with Karthik venting out his anger towards her interfering in his love life. Shortly later, he breaks up with Mona. Gayathri believing Mona was a wrong choice in Karthik's life begins to date Karthik, while Malar is firmly against it. The relationship ends the same way as his relationship with Mona. A year or two later both Karthik and Malar work at the same software company on different floors in the same building. One day, while trying to call his friend on Malar's floor, he accidentally calls Malar and the two realize their identities and presence in the building and the age-old feud resumes. Over lunch, both Malar's friend (Vicky) and his own friend (Suja) advise him to sort it with Malar. Vicky questions why Karthik would fight with such a beautiful woman as Malar. Karthik not knowing what Malar looks like decides to take a look at her. When he sees Malar he falls in love at first sight, he then tries to reconcile with Malar, but Malar is not willing to forgive a flirt like Karthik. Karthik becomes desperate and begins to follow Malar and in a chance meeting orchestrated by Karthik he introduces himself as a sweet and kind person by the name of 'Sundar'. Malar who has never met Karthik face to face, believes his false identity and begins to open up to Sundar. They start to get to know each other and meet often, when one day Suja who works with Malar finds out about his game. Suja gives Karthik the ultimatum to reveal his true identity, once Malar declares her love for Sundar. Karthik tries to salvage his relationship with hilarious consequences. But, all said and done, how Karthik reveals to Malar about his true identity and her acceptance or rejection forms the crux of the story. Vicky ([[N. Santhanam|Santhanam]]) provides comic relief to the story.

==Cast==
*[[Shiv Panditt]] as Karthik/Sundar
*[[Manasi Parekh]] as Karunai Malar
*[[N. Santhanam|Santhanam]] as Vicky
*Suhasini Raju as Suja
*Maya as Mona
*Vibha Natarajan as Gayathri
*[[Lakshmi Ramakrishnan]] as Karthik's mother
*Boys Rajan as Malar's father

==Production==
Andrew Louis met [[Venu Ravichandran|Ravichandran]] and narrated the script of ''Leelai'' and two months later he agreed to produce the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/cp/2008/11/07/stories/2008110750150400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081110121634/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2008/11/07/stories/2008110750150400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2008-11-10 |title=Cinema Plus / Columns : Leelai with newcomers |date=2008-11-07 |work=[[The Hindu]] |accessdate=2012-04-27}}</ref> The producer subsequently moved the film on to the hands of his brother, Ramesh Babu, under the subsidiary company 'R Films', which was also making [[Ravi Varman]]'s ''[[Moscowin Kavery]]'' at the time. The director selected Bollywood actor [[Shiv Panditt]] in the lead role after seeing him an advertisement for a mobile phone company, Airtel.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.top10cinema.com/feature/1032/leelai-is-my-first-tamil-film-shiv-pandit |title=Leelai Is My First Tamil Film- Shiv Panditt | Articles - Features |publisher=Top 10 Cinema |date=2009-09-17 |accessdate=2012-04-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227135127/http://www.top10cinema.com/feature/1032/leelai-is-my-first-tamil-film-shiv-pandit |archive-date=27 February 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> After Panditt was signed on, he practised his Tamil dialogues by reading them repeatedly and understanding the emotions and punches. He also watched a lot of Tamil films to get attuned to the culture.<ref name="indianexpress1"/> The female lead in the film is played by [[Manasi Parekh]] who has been part of popular shows on Television such as [[STAR One|Star One]]’s [[India Calling]] and [[Star Plus]]'s Gulaal. A major portion of the film was shot in the popular software company 'HCL' (Chennai Office). The song "Oru Killi" was shot at the [[Maheshwar]] Fort in [[Madhya Pradesh]], while the other songs were shot in [[Goa]] and [[Pondicherry|Puducherry]] respectively.

The film ran into a legal battle over its title ''Leelai'' with another film claiming it as their own. [[Venu Ravichandran|Ravichandran]] eventually won the case, forcing the other film to change its title from ''Leelai'' to ''[[Naan Aval Adhu]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/may-08-02/leelai-16-05-08.html |title=Oscar Film's owns the title |publisher=Behindwoods.com |date= |accessdate=2012-04-27}}</ref> The film had been ready for release since 2010, with [[Shiv Panditt]] in between making his début in Hindi films with ''[[Shaitan (film)|Shaitan]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-model-the-host-&-the-actor/795928/2 |title=The Model, the Host & the Actor |publisher=Indian Express |date=2011-05-27 |accessdate=2012-04-27}}</ref> The failure of Ramesh Babu's other production ''[[Moscowin Kavery]]'' starring [[Rahul Ravindran]] and [[Samantha Ruth Prabhu|Samantha]], also became a factor behind the delay.

After two years of remaining complete but unreleased, the film was given a fresh lease of life after producer [[Venu Ravichandran|Ravichandran]] signed a deal to distribute ''[[Billa II]]'', dubbed in trade circles as the "hottest film of the year", and thus theatres have shown their support for his brother by giving ''Leelai'' a big release. Furthermore, after the success of ''[[Oru Kal Oru Kannadi]]'', actor [[N. Santhanam|Santhanam]]'s popularity heightened with several of his films being released around the same period such as ''[[Vinayakudu (film)|Vinayaga]]'' to capitalize on his market reach.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/apr-12-04/ajith-santhanam-26-04-12.html |title=Ajith And Santhanam For Leelai - Ajith - Santhanam - Tamil Movie News |publisher=Behindwoods.com |date= |accessdate=2012-04-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/leelai-piggybacks-on-billa-2-news-tamil-meznl0gfhfc.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426003103/http://www.sify.com/movies/Leelai-piggybacks-on-Billa-2-news-tamil-meznl0gfhfc.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-04-26 |title=Leelai piggybacks on Billa-2 |publisher=Sify.com |date= |accessdate=2012-04-27}}</ref>

==Critical reception==
''Leelai'' opened on 27 April 2012 alongside another Tamil film ''[[Aathi Narayana]]'', and won predominantly positive reviews. Critics from [[Sify]].com gave the film a positive review citing that "''Leelai'' is an enjoyable romantic ride, laced with peppy music and good fun" adding that "the director has worked out the romantic situations and spun it around to make it entertaining".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/leelai-review-tamil-14997400.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131126125440/http://www.sify.com/movies/leelai-review-tamil-14997400.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-11-26 |title=Movie Review:Leelai |publisher=Sify.com |date= |accessdate=2012-04-27}}</ref> Behindwoods.com mentioned that ''Leelai'' is "a light hearted simple romantic tale...a decent family flick for the holiday season".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-reviews/reviews-2/apr-12-04/leelai-review.html |title=Leelai Review - Leelai Movie Review |publisher=Behindwoods.com |date= |accessdate=2012-08-18}}</ref> Pavithra Srinivasan of [[Rediff]].com noted that "it's a feel-good, simple, urban romance that has its funny moments and is worth a watch", and added that "[[Shiv Panditt]] and [[Manasi Parekh]] bring the urban Chennaiite alive - they are expressive, emote well, and nowhere do their lines sound jarring".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/south-review-leelai-is-worth-a-watch/20120427.htm |title=Review: Leelai is worth a watch - Rediff.com Movies |work=Rediff.com |date=2012-04-27 |accessdate=2012-08-18}}</ref> Vivek Ramz of [[in.com]] rated the film 3/5 and noted that "''Leelai'' is a watchable rom-com" and added "If you are game for urban romance, then ''Leelai'' is worth a watch for its simple yet realistic treatment with fun".<ref>{{cite web|title=Leelai Review by In.com|url=http://www.in.com/news/entertainment/leelai-is-a-watchable-romcom-22928121-in-1.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120909062851/http://www.in.com/news/entertainment/leelai-is-a-watchable-romcom-22928121-in-1.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-09-09}}{{Rating|3|5}}</ref> Another critic gave the film three stars out of five, concluding "''Leelai'' may have its drawbacks, yet it is feel-good, fun and engaging. Job well done Andrew Louis".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.supergoodmovies.com/43789/kollywood/leelai-movie-review-movie-review-details |title=Leelai Movie Review |publisher=Supergoodmovies.com |date=2012-04-27 |accessdate=2012-08-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120705055923/http://www.supergoodmovies.com/43789/kollywood/leelai-movie-review-movie-review-details |archive-date=5 July 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Rohit Ramachandran of Nowrunning.com rated it 2.5/5 stating that "For the most part, Andrew Louis's ''Leelai'' is earnest in its narration and interested in its characters".<ref>{{cite web|title=Leelai Review by Nowrunning.com|url=http://www.nowrunning.com/movie/5842/tamil/leelai/3682/review.htm}}{{Rating|2.5|5}}</ref>

==Release==

Despite positive reviews from the critics, the film managed to do average business at the box office mainly due to a complete lack of publicity and predominantly having new faces in the cast.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.moviecrow.com/movie/569/leelai-tamil-movie-review |title='Leelai' Tamil Movie, Music Reviews and News |publisher=Moviecrow.com |date= |accessdate=2012-08-18}}</ref> The film also saw a delayed release due to production issues.

== Soundtrack ==
{{Infobox album
| name = Leelai
| type = [[Soundtrack]]
| artist = [[Satish Chakravarthy]]

| caption ={{deletable image-caption|Wednesday, 13 February 2019|PROD}}
| alt =
| released = 24 August 2009
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = [[Film soundtrack|Feature film soundtrack]]
| length = 28:50
| label = [[Sony Music Entertainment|Sony Music]]
| producer =
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title = [[Kanimozhi (film)|Kanimozhi]]
| next_year = 2010
}}
The music is composed by debutant [[Satish Chakravarthy]], a classmate of the director, Andrew Vasanth Louis.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/cp/2009/09/25/stories/2009092550200800.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110101955/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2009/09/25/stories/2009092550200800.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-11-10 |title=Cinema Plus / Music : Music in the making |date=2009-09-25 |work=[[The Hindu]] |accessdate=2012-04-27}}</ref> Satish also wrote the lyrics for two of the songs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/cp/2009/06/26/stories/2009062650220800.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629094949/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2009/06/26/stories/2009062650220800.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2009-06-29 |title=Cinema Plus / Columns : Fresh notes |date=2009-06-26 |work=[[The Hindu]] |accessdate=2012-04-27}}</ref> The soundtrack released on 24 August 2009, whilst the music composer later stated that he has also worked on a song for the theatrical trailer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-20/news-and-interviews/28370585_1_trailer-song-album |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918111552/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-20/news-and-interviews/28370585_1_trailer-song-album |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-09-18 |title=Satish: On the right note |date=2011-01-20 |work=[[The Times of India]] |accessdate=2012-04-27}}</ref>

{{tracklist
| headline = Track-list
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Ponmalai
| extra1 = [[Benny Dayal]]
| title2 = Oru Killi Oru Killi Reprise
| extra2 = [[Satish Chakravarthy]]
| title3 = Jilendru Oru Kalavaram
| extra3 = [[Satish Chakravarthy]]
| title4 = Bubble Gum
| extra4 = [[Sunitha Sarathy]], [[Benny Dayal]], [[SuVi]]
| title5 = Unnai Partha Pinbhu
| extra5 = [[Haricharan]], Marianne
| title6 = Oru Killi Oru Killi Siru Killi
| extra6 = [[Shreya Ghoshal]], [[Satish Chakravarthy]]
}}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb title|1296162}}
* [https://www.facebook.com/leelaifilm Leelai On Facebook]
* [https://twitter.com/leelaifilm Leelai On Twitter]

[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:Films shot in Puducherry]]
[[Category:Films shot in Goa]]
[[Category:Films shot in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Films shot in Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:2012 films]]
[[Category:2010s Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:2012 romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:Indian romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:2012 directorial debut films]]

Leelai - Revision history

imported>Alangar Manickam at 22:15, 13 August 2021