Leelai

The movie begins with a trio of friends in college - Malar (Manasi Parekh), Mona (Maya), and Gayathri (Vibha Natarajan). Mona falls in love with Karthik (Shiv Panditt), despite the advice of Malar who suspects Karthik to be a complete flirt. One day, while on a date, Mona mentions Malar's views about Karthik to him, and this gets Karthik to start disliking Malar for interfering in his love life. When Karthik calls Mona, Malar accidentally picks up the call, 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 that 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 realise their identities and presence in the building, and the age-old feud resumes. Over lunch, both Malar's friend Vicky (Santhanam) and his own friend Suja (Suhasini Raju) advise Karthik 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 she 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 Karthik's 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.

{{Cast listing|

• Shiv Panditt as Karthik / Sundar
• Manasi Parekh as Karunai Malar
• 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
• Lollu Sabha Easter as Vicky's friend

}}

Andrew Louis met producer V. Ravichandran and narrated the script of Leelai, and two months later, he agreed to produce the film.{{cite web |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=7 November 2008 |title=Leelai with newcomers |url=http://www.hindu.com/cp/2008/11/07/stories/2008110750150400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081110121634/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2008/11/07/stories/2008110750150400.htm |archive-date=10 November 2008 |access-date=27 April 2012 |work=The Hindu}} 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 Hindi actor Shiv Panditt in the lead role after seeing him an advertisement for a mobile phone company, Airtel.{{cite web |date=17 September 2009 |title=Leelai Is My First Tamil Film- Shiv Panditt |url=http://www.top10cinema.com/feature/1032/leelai-is-my-first-tamil-film-shiv-pandit |url-status=usurped |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 |access-date=27 April 2012 |website=Top 10 Cinema}} 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. The female lead was played by another Hindi actress Manasi Parekh who also followed the same techniques as Panditt.{{cite web |date=24 May 2008 |title=Hindi actors learn Tamil for good performance in 'Leelai' |url=http://www.bombaynews.net/story/362997 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723032642/http://www.bombaynews.net/story/362997 |archive-date=23 July 2011 |access-date=29 July 2015 |website=Bombay News.Net |agency=IANS}} The film ran into a legal battle over its title Leelai with another film claiming it as their own. Ravichandran eventually won the case, forcing the other film to change its title from Leelai to Naan Aval Adhu.{{cite web |date=16 May 2008 |title=Oscar Film's owns the title |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/may-08-02/leelai-16-05-08.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210230416/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/may-08-02/leelai-16-05-08.html |archive-date=10 February 2012 |access-date=27 April 2012 |website=Behindwoods.com}}

The music is composed by debutant Satish Chakravarthy, a classmate of the director, Andrew Vasanth Louis.{{cite web |last=Sreelalitha |first=W. |date=25 September 2009 |title=Music in the making |url=http://www.hindu.com/cp/2009/09/25/stories/2009092550200800.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110101955/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2009/09/25/stories/2009092550200800.htm |archive-date=10 November 2012 |access-date=27 April 2012 |work=The Hindu}} Satish also wrote the lyrics for two of the songs.{{cite web |last=Raghavan |first=Nikhil |date=26 June 2009 |title=Fresh notes |url=http://www.hindu.com/cp/2009/06/26/stories/2009062650220800.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629094949/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2009/06/26/stories/2009062650220800.htm |archive-date=29 June 2009 |access-date=27 April 2012 |work=The Hindu}} The soundtrack released on 24 August 2009, whilst the composer later stated that he has also worked on a song for the theatrical trailer.{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/music/news-and-interviews/Satish-On-the-right-note/articleshow/7319172.cms |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=live |archive-date=18 September 2012 |title=Satish: On the right note |date=20 January 2011 |work=The Times of India |access-date=27 April 2012}}

{{track listing

| headline = Track listing

| extra_column = Singer(s)

| title1 = Ponmaalai pozhudhu

| lyrics1 = Satish Chakravarthy

| extra1 = Benny Dayal

| title2 = Oru Kili Oru Kili (Reprise)

| lyrics2 = Vaali

| extra2 = Satish Chakravarthy

| title3 = Jillendru Oru Kalavaram

| lyrics3 = Satish Chakravarthy

| extra3 = Satish Chakravarthy

| title4 = Bubble Gum

| lyrics4 = Pa Vijay

| extra4 = Sunitha Sarathy, Benny Dayal, SuVi, Leon James

| title5 = Unnai Paartha Pinbhu

| lyrics5 = Vaali

| extra5 = Haricharan, Marrianne

| title6 = Oru Kili Oru Kili Siru Kili

| lyrics6 = Vaali

| extra6 = Shreya Ghoshal, Satish Chakravarthy

}}

The film had been ready for release since 2010, with Panditt in between making his début in Hindi films with Shaitan.{{cite web |date=27 May 2011 |title=The Model, the Host & the Actor |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-model-the-host-&-the-actor/795928/2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126121658/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-model-the-host-&-the-actor/795928/2 |archive-date=26 January 2013 |access-date=27 April 2012 |website=The Indian Express}} The failure of Ramesh Babu's other production Moscowin Kavery also became a factor behind the delay.{{Cite web |date=14 November 2009 |title=Aascar's back-to-back releases |url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/nov-09-02/leelai-moscowin-kaveri-14-11-09.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607041244/https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/nov-09-02/leelai-moscowin-kaveri-14-11-09.html |archive-date=7 June 2023 |access-date=7 June 2023 |work=Behindwoods}} After two years of remaining complete but unreleased, the film was given a fresh lease of life after 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.{{cite web |date=26 April 2012 |title=Ajith And Santhanam For Leelai |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/apr-12-04/ajith-santhanam-26-04-12.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120428165255/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/apr-12-04/ajith-santhanam-26-04-12.html |archive-date=28 April 2012 |access-date=27 April 2012 |website=Behindwoods.com}}{{cite web |date=25 April 2012 |title=Leelai piggybacks on Billa-2 |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/leelai-piggybacks-on-billa-2-news-tamil-meznl0gfhfc.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426003103/http://www.sify.com/movies/Leelai-piggybacks-on-Billa-2-news-tamil-meznl0gfhfc.html |archive-date=26 April 2012 |access-date=27 April 2012 |website=Sify}}

Leelai opened on 27 April 2012 alongside another delayed Tamil film Aathi Narayana. Critics from Sify 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".{{cite web |date= |title=Leelai |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/leelai-review-tamil-14997400.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131126125440/http://www.sify.com/movies/leelai-review-tamil-14997400.html |archive-date=26 November 2013 |access-date=27 April 2012 |website=Sify}} Behindwoods.com mentioned that Leelai is "a light hearted simple romantic tale...a decent family flick for the holiday season".{{cite web |date= |title=Leelai Movie Review |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-reviews/reviews-2/apr-12-04/leelai-review.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806064235/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-reviews/reviews-2/apr-12-04/leelai-review.html |archive-date=6 August 2012 |access-date=18 August 2012 |website=Behindwoods.com}} 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".{{cite web |last=Srinivasan |first=Pavithra |date=27 April 2012 |title=Review: Leelai is worth a watch |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/south-review-leelai-is-worth-a-watch/20120427.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430031010/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/south-review-leelai-is-worth-a-watch/20120427.htm |archive-date=30 April 2012 |access-date=18 August 2012 |work=Rediff.com}} 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".{{cite web |title=LEELAI IS A WATCHABLE ROM-COM! |url=http://www.in.com/news/entertainment/leelai-is-a-watchable-romcom-22928121-in-1.html |url-status=dead |website=In.com |access-date=2 May 2012 |archive-date=9 September 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120909062851/http://www.in.com/news/entertainment/leelai-is-a-watchable-romcom-22928121-in-1.html }} A critic from Supergoodmovies.com 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".{{cite web |date=27 April 2012 |title=Leelai Movie Review |url=http://www.supergoodmovies.com/43789/kollywood/leelai-movie-review-movie-review-details |url-status=dead |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 |access-date=18 August 2012 |website=Supergoodmovies.com |publisher=}} 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".{{cite web |last=Ramachandran |first=Rohit |date=28 April 2012 |title=Leelai Tamil Movie |url=http://www.nowrunning.com/movie/5842/tamil/leelai/3682/review.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430191024/http://www.nowrunning.com/movie/5842/tamil/leelai/3682/review.htm |archive-date=30 April 2012 |access-date=28 April 2012 |website=Nowrunning.com}}

{{reflist|2}}

• {{IMDb title}}

Category:2010s Indian films

Category:2010s Tamil-language films

Category:2012 directorial debut films

Category:2012 films

Category:2012 romantic comedy films

Category:Films shot in Goa

Category:Films shot in Madhya Pradesh

Category:Films shot in Puducherry

Category:Films shot in Tamil Nadu

Category:Indian romantic comedy films

Category:Tamil-language Indian films