Vishwak Sen is set to take on an unconventional role in Laila, directed by Ram Narayan. The film, scheduled for release on February 14, features Vishwak in a role with a female makeover, a transformation that few actors take up in Indian cinema. As the release date approaches, Vishwak spoke about the film, his character of Laila in it, and the challenges of playing it.
For Vishwak, taking on a female role was always on his mind. “Like every artist, I have always wanted to try different roles. Watching films like Bhamane Satyabhamane, Madam, Chitram Bhalare Vichitram, and Remo, I thought it would be fun. It has been nearly two decades since a mainstream hero played a female role. When this story came to me, I saw it as the perfect opportunity,” he said.
When asked about his reaction to the film’s initial narration, he pointed out, “I laughed throughout! Most of my past films have been serious, but this story felt refreshing. I immediately wanted to bring that joy to audiences. Laila is not an adult movie but an out-and-out youthful entertainer and a significant film in my career."
In Laila, Vishwak plays Sonu, a character who is forced to take on the identity of Laila under unusual circumstances. When asked which character he personally liked, he said, “Definitely Laila. But Sonu’s character will also win hearts. While Laila is the highlight, Sonu’s lifestyle in the first half will be very enjoyable.”
The transformation from Sonu to Laila is driven by the character’s struggles. “He faces three major problems, and turning into Laila is his way of escaping them. We showed two but there’s another one hidden. You’ll have to watch the film to know more,” he said.
Elaborating on the physical transformation into Laila and the time-consuming makeup process. “It took nearly two and a half hours. Makeup artist Nikki made sure there were no compromises, making it look completely natural,” he revealed.
Apart from Vishwak, the film has Akanksha Sharma in the lead role, which marks her debut in Telugu cinema. “Her character is surprising, and she has performed brilliantly,” he said. He also added, “Abhimanyu Singh’s role will be fun. There is also a special surprise actor in the film,” he said, hinting at an interesting cameo.
Despite the unique nature of his role, Vishwak has chosen not to promote Laila in the female avatar. “Laila, the character, should be experienced on the big screen,” he explained. However, he did not rule out the possibility of revisiting the character. “I do feel like doing the get-up again. There’s even a great cliffhanger scene that could set up a sequel. If the response is strong, we might add it in the second week.”
Looking ahead, Vishwak is set to start work on his next film, Funky, directed by Anudeep. He also added that the cast and crew for the film will be announced by the end of this month.