Lesa Lesa

{{short description|2003 film by Priyadarshan}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}

{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}

{{Infobox film

| image = Lesa Lesa.jpg

| caption = DVD cover

| director = Priyadarshan

| writer = N. Prasanna Kumar (dialogues)

| story = Original Story:
Ranjith
Additional Story:
Priyadarshan

| based_on = Summer in Bethlehem (1998)

| producer = Vikram Singh

| starring = {{ubl|Shaam|Trisha}}

| cinematography = Tirru

| editing = N. Gopalakrishnan

| music = Harris Jayaraj

| studio = Film Works

| released = {{Film date|2003|05|16|df=y|ref1=}}

| runtime = 154 minutes

| country = India

| language = Tamil

}}

Lesa Lesa ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|l|eɪ|s|ɑː}} {{translation|Gently, gently}}), also referred to as Laysa Laysa,{{Cite news |last=Srinivasa Ramanujam |last2=Vishal Menon |date=14 February 2017 |title=Love, life and audiotapes |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/Love-life-and-audiotapes/article17300885.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030052847/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/Love-life-and-audiotapes/article17300885.ece |archive-date=30 October 2023 |access-date=19 October 2019 |work=The Hindu}} is a 2003 Indian Tamil-language film directed by Priyadarshan. The film stars Shaam and Trisha, while Vivek, Radharavi and Sreenivasan play supporting roles. Madhavan features in a guest appearance. The music was composed by Harris Jayaraj. The film is a remake of the 1998 Malayalam film Summer in Bethlehem, which was written by Ranjith.{{Cite web |date=17 August 2015 |title=Trisha's Lesa Lesa is a remake of a Malayalam film |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/did-you-know/Trishas-Lesa-Lesa-is-a-remake-of-a-Malayalam-film/articleshow/48510728.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030052847/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/did-you-know/Trishas-Lesa-Lesa-is-a-remake-of-a-Malayalam-film/articleshow/48510728.cms |archive-date=30 October 2023 |access-date=5 August 2019 |website=The Times of India}}

Plot

Chandru, who has spent all his money lavishly, stays with Rakesh, his friend, who has tasted success in his business. Rakesh owns a vast estate and hundreds of cattle in a valley. Chandru is a fun-loving, jovial chap who has fabricated stories of his success to his parents, grandparents, and relatives.

During a vacation, Colonel Rajasekar, his grandfather and grandmother arrive with their extended family to spend a couple of days at Chandru's farmhouse. Chandru successfully makes them believe that he is the real owner of the estate and that Rakesh is just his working partner. Rakesh, who is an orphan, is happy to meet a huge family and generously welcomes them. Colonel Rajasekar plans to get Chandru married to one of his granddaughters. Chandru is a bit confused about whom he should choose. To make matters complicated, he has been receiving gifts and messages from one of the granddaughters expressing her love for him. Meanwhile, a few days after they arrive at the estate, Bala, another granddaughter of Rajasekar arrives alone. She seems to be too upset and worried. But within a short period, she calms down and starts enjoying the vacation. During their stay, Chandru and Rakesh decide to discover the girl who had been teasing them with cryptic messages. Eventually, Rakesh falls in love with Bala.

In a conflict between Pandi and Colonel, Pandi exposes that Chandru is a fraud while Rakesh, his owner is the real landlord of the estate. Colonel enraged on hearing this news plans to arrange a marriage between Chandru and Bala. Bala snubs the proposal by declaring that she is in love with Rakesh. Her decision is strongly opposed by the family but eventually agrees as the Colonel approves. Rakesh, at the same time, is happy at heart knowing about Bala's love for him. But she shocks him by saying that she was just using his name to escape the marriage. She tells Rakesh that she is in love with Deva, a college lecturer who is about to be hanged soon over a public issue. Bala has taken a vow not to marry anyone other than Deva.

The night before the wedding, Bala requests Rakesh to take her to jail to meet Deva for one last time. Deva lies that he hates Bala and asks her to never see him again. Enraged, Bala tells Colonel that she doesn't want to marry anyone as she has lost faith in marriage which further disappoints her family.

In the end scene, we can see the family in the railway station showing that their vacation has ended. Bala runs back to Rakesh conveying that Bala loves Rakesh. The train departs slowly and a girl's hand reaches out of the coach window, holding the puppy which was sent as a gift to Chandru before. Chandru takes off running to find out who it is, but he catches only a cryptic message that teases him to follow and discover her identity.

Cast

{{cast listing|

}}

Production

12B film producer Vikram Singh hired Shaam and composer Harris Jayaraj again for his next venture directed by veteran Priyadarshan.{{Cite web |last=Poornima |date=19 April 2003 |title=Dhool, the only real Tamil hit |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/apr/19south.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180506043330/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/apr/19south.htm |archive-date=6 May 2018 |access-date=9 March 2020 |website=Rediff.com}} The story of the film was partially adapted from the 1998 Malayalam film Summer in Bethlehem, which was written by Ranjith, and Priyadarshan developed a new screenplay.{{Cite news |date=12 February 2015 |title=Lesa Lesa was inspired from a Malayalam movie |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/did-you-know/Lesa-Lesa-was-inspired-from-a-Malayalam-movie/articleshow/46209972.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021151059/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/did-you-know/Lesa-Lesa-was-inspired-from-a-Malayalam-movie/articleshow/46209972.cms |archive-date=21 October 2020 |access-date=15 October 2020 |work=The Times of India}}{{Cite web |date=19 March 2020 |title='Muthu' to '36 Vayathinile': Five blockbuster Tamil films that were remade from Malayalam movies |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/muthu-to-36-vayathinile-five-blockbuster-tamil-films-that-were-remade-from-malayalam-movies/photostory/74713218.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325134156/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/muthu-to-36-vayathinile-five-blockbuster-tamil-films-that-were-remade-from-malayalam-movies/photostory/74713218.cms |archive-date=25 March 2020 |access-date=20 October 2020 |website=The Times of India}} The project initially developed under the title Kanmani Nee Vara Kaathirunthen, before the makers changed it to Lesa Lesa after hearing the song composed by Jayaraj for the film.{{Cite web |title=Kanmani Nee Vara Kaathirunthen |url=http://cinematoday3.itgo.com/KanmaniNeeVaraKaathirunthen.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080531134157/http://cinematoday3.itgo.com/KanmaniNeeVaraKaathirunthen.html |archive-date=31 May 2008 |access-date=13 November 2020 |website=cinematoday3.itgo.com}}{{Cite web |date=20 April 2002 |title=Gossip |url=http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/gossip/2002/april/30-04-02.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050306220708/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/gossip/2002/april/30-04-02.html |archive-date=6 March 2005 |access-date=29 October 2021 |website=Dinakaran}}{{Cite web |title=Lesa Lesa! |url=http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/25062002/news01.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031213044807/http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/25062002/news01.shtml |archive-date=13 December 2003 |access-date=16 December 2020 |website=Cinesouth}}

Lesa Lesa became the first film Trisha had signed,{{Cite news |date=2 November 2015 |title=Trisha's first project was Lesa Lesa |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/did-you-know/Trishas-first-project-was-Lesa-Lesa/articleshow/49627070.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127195117/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/did-you-know/Trishas-first-project-was-Lesa-Lesa/articleshow/49627070.cms |archive-date=27 November 2018 |access-date=15 October 2020 |work=The Times of India}} and she recalled that she had been trying to avoid films until she finished college but Priyadarshan's offer was "irresistible".{{Cite web |date=17 June 2002 |title=Trisha Krishnan makes all the right moves – beauty queen crown, commercials to movies |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/eyecatchers/story/20020617-trisha-krishnan-makes-all-the-right-moves-beauty-queen-crown-commercials-to-movies-795088-2002-06-17 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019200856/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/eyecatchers/story/20020617-trisha-krishnan-makes-all-the-right-moves-beauty-queen-crown-commercials-to-movies-795088-2002-06-17 |archive-date=19 October 2019 |access-date=19 October 2019 |website=India Today}} She revealed she had no idea about the script of Lesa Lesa when she agreed to do the film and only later did Shaam and her have a one-hour narration of the script. During the making of the film, Trisha was dubbed as the "most happening debutante in Tamil film industry", and signed on to three other projects before the release of Lesa Lesa – Ennaku 20 Unnaku 18, Mounam Pesiyadhe and Jana, which she later opted out from.{{Cite news |date=3 June 2002 |title=An offer she couldn't refuse |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/lf/2002/06/03/stories/2002060301030200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110025622/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/lf/2002/06/03/stories/2002060301030200.htm |archive-date=10 November 2012 |access-date=25 March 2012 |work=The Hindu}} The story of the film also required a guest appearance and Priyadarshan chose Madhavan for the role, despite initially considering Arjun.{{Cite web |title=Yet another list of new films |url=http://www.chennaionline.com/entertainment/filmplus/nfilm.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040603203940/http://www.chennaionline.com/entertainment/filmplus/nfilm.asp |archive-date=3 June 2004 |access-date=12 January 2022 |website=Chennai Online}}{{Cite news |date=30 September 2002 |title=Slick flicks his forte |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/09/30/stories/2002093000120200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031114180544/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/09/30/stories/2002093000120200.htm |archive-date=14 November 2003 |access-date=25 March 2012 |work=The Hindu}} The team also hired Radharavi and Sathyapriya along with four comedians – Vivek, Sreenivasan, Cochin Haneefa and Innocent to play pivotal roles in the film.{{Cite news |date=30 May 2002 |title=Working to a professional script |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/lf/2002/05/30/stories/2002053002720200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125065138/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/lf/2002/05/30/stories/2002053002720200.htm |archive-date=25 January 2013 |access-date=25 March 2012 |work=The Hindu}}{{Cite web |last=Nair |first=Unni R. |date=September 24, 2010 |title=Malayalam actor Innocent in Tamil film |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/brothers-prithviraj-indrajith-in-city-of-god/686096/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030052847/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/brothers-prithviraj-indrajith-in-city-of-god/686096/ |archive-date=30 October 2023 |access-date=20 October 2020 |website=The Indian Express}} Art director Sabu Cyril constructed a house in Ooty for the film.{{Cite news |date=10 July 2002 |title=Artistic touch |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-life/artistic-touch/article28603066.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017093511/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-life/artistic-touch/article28603066.ece |archive-date=17 October 2020 |access-date=15 October 2020 |work=The Hindu}} Venket Ram took the film's principal photographs, while Siddharth Chandrasekhar of Mittra Media made his debut as a publicity designer with the project.{{Cite news |date=26 February 2004 |title=SHOT at success |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/02/26/stories/2004022600500100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040928004035/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/02/26/stories/2004022600500100.htm |archive-date=28 September 2004 |access-date=25 March 2012 |work=The Hindu}}

In order to concentrate on the project, Vikram Singh briefly shelved his other venture, Sivakumar's Acham Thavir starring Madhavan and Jyothika. The team had a forty-day schedule at Ooty, beginning at 6 and winding up at 6.{{Cite news |date=6 October 2003 |title=Screen vs. studies |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2003/10/06/stories/2003100600020100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031117103704/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2003/10/06/stories/2003100600020100.htm |archive-date=17 November 2003 |access-date=25 March 2012 |work=The Hindu}} The film was initially set to release in the Diwali season of 2002 but was delayed. The film was to release on Pongal of 2003, but was delayed again.{{Cite news |date=17 January 2003 |title=Delayed again |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-life/delayed-again/article28633220.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017175811/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-life/delayed-again/article28633220.ece |archive-date=17 October 2020 |access-date=14 October 2020 |work=The Hindu}} The delay meant that Lesa Lesa did not become Trisha's first film release, with pundits describing the film as "jinxed".

Soundtrack

The film's songs were composed by Harris Jayaraj and lyrics by Vaali. For the first time in Tamil cinema,{{Cite news |date=11 September 2002 |title=Ivan's remix is all the rage |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/bangalore-times/Ivans-remix-is-all-the-rage/articleshow/21891617.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522102351/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/bangalore-times/Ivans-remix-is-all-the-rage/articleshow/21891617.cms? |archive-date=22 May 2018 |access-date=23 May 2018 |work=The Times of India}} the team released a single, the title song, priced at nine rupees.{{Cite news |date=29 June 2002 |title=A sound single |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-life/a-sound-single/article28602411.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030052849/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-life/a-sound-single/article28602411.ece |archive-date=30 October 2023 |access-date=15 October 2020 |work=The Hindu}}{{Cite news |date=21 June 2002 |title=A costly tape |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-life/a-costly-tape/article28601843.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018060255/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-life/a-costly-tape/article28601843.ece |archive-date=18 October 2020 |access-date=15 October 2020 |work=The Hindu}}{{Cite news |date=14 July 2002 |title=Selling music on the beach |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-life/selling-music-on-the-beach/article28603368.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019191116/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-life/selling-music-on-the-beach/article28603368.ece |archive-date=19 October 2020 |access-date=15 October 2020 |work=The Hindu}}{{Cite news |date=25 October 2002 |title=Fame on a platter |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/10/25/stories/2002102501150300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031014020945/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/10/25/stories/2002102501150300.htm |archive-date=14 October 2003 |access-date=25 March 2012 |work=The Hindu}}{{Cite web |last=Radhakrishnan |first=Sankar |date=5 June 2002 |title=A gentle promo for Lesa Lesa |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2002/06/05/stories/2002060501970600.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091128022835/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2002/06/05/stories/2002060501970600.htm |archive-date=28 November 2009 |access-date=22 May 2018 |website=Business Line}} Vikram Singh chose to release the audio of the film at a cheap rate, to avoid piracy. The intro of the song "Yedho Ondru" before the hook is based on the Christmas carol "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen".{{Cite web |last=S. |first=Karthik |author-link=Karthik Srinivasan |title=Tamil [Other Composers] |url=https://www.itwofs.com/tamil-others.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190522113005/https://www.itwofs.com/tamil-others.html |archive-date=22 May 2019 |access-date=25 June 2024 |website=ItwoFS}} Cinesouth appreciated the soundtrack, writing "Harris Jeyaraj's patience and his adherence to perfection has led him to the next level as far as music composition is concerned. This gives us a draft of fresh air of clean good music just when the likes of 'gaana' songs and cheap lyrics were saturating us. 'Leysa Leysa' did exactly that".{{Cite web |title='Leysa Leysa' - songs are its strength! |url=http://cinesouth.com/masala/07112002/news01.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030303144709/http://cinesouth.com/masala/07112002/news01.shtml |archive-date=3 March 2003 |access-date=22 January 2025 |website=Cinesouth}} Vignesh Ram of Nilacharal wrote "On the whole the album is worthy buying with simple but catchy tunes and techno kind of music. But you cannot resist a feeling that you have heard the songs already".{{cite web |last=Ram |first=Vignesh |title=Laysa Laysa-Music Review |url=http://www.nilacharal.com/enter/review/laysa.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021219234414/http://www.nilacharal.com/enter/review/laysa.html |archive-date=19 December 2002 |access-date=3 February 2025 |website=Nilacharal}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Track listing

| extra_column = Singer(s)

| total_length = 30:44

| title1 = Aval Ulaghazhagi

| extra1 = Karthik

| length1 = 5:09

| title2 = Lesa Lesa

| extra2 = Anuradha Sriram

| length2 = 4:41

| title3 = Lesa Lesa

| note3 = Remix

| extra3 = Anuradha Sriram, DJ Ivan

| length3 = 4:29

| title4 = Mudhal Mudhalai

| extra4 = Yugendran, Srimathumitha, Tippu

| length4 = 5:29

| title5 = Yedho Ondru

| extra5 = Srilekha Parthasarathy, Harish Raghavendra, Franko

| length5 = 5:37

| title6 = Ennai Polave

| extra6 = K. S. Chithra, Suchitra

| length6 = 5:19

}}

Release and reception

Lesa Lesa was released on 16 May 2003.{{Cite web |title=Lesa Lesa |url=https://www.directorpriyadarshan.com/movie/lesa-lesa |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812130936/https://www.directorpriyadarshan.com/movie/lesa-lesa |archive-date=12 August 2022 |access-date=12 August 2022 |website=directorpriyadarshan.com}} Initial collections were not so impressive, so distributors in Coimbatore and Madurai allegedly re-printed posters of the film which marketed Madhavan, who appeared in the film in a guest appearance, as the lead star of the film over Shaam to bank in on his star image.{{Cite news |last=Pillai |first=Sreedhar |date=22 May 2003 |title=Cameo comes into focus |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/05/22/stories/2003052200440203.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040829173835/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/05/22/stories/2003052200440203.htm |archive-date=29 August 2004 |access-date=25 March 2012 |work=The Hindu}}

Controversy

Siyad Koker, the producer of Summer in Bethlehem, accused Priyadarshan of remaking that film in Tamil without taking permission or purchasing the right. The Kerala Film Producers Association had banned the screening of all the films of Priyadarsan in the state at the time.{{Cite web |last=Josekutty |first=Jim |date=7 June 2003 |title=Priyadarshan's films banned |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/jun/07south.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120417163754/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/jun/07south.htm |archive-date=17 April 2012 |access-date=15 September 2010 |website=Rediff.com}} Priyadarsan refuted by alleging that Summer in Bethlehem itself is an uncredited remake of American films Fiddler on the Roof and Come September.{{Cite web |title=Why blame me for everything? Asks Priyadarshan |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/malayalam/interview.php?id=13249522&cid=2406 |url-status=dead |website=Sify |access-date=30 November 2024 |archive-date=11 April 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411193802/http://www.sify.com/movies/malayalam/interview.php?id=13249522&cid=2406 }} The matter was later settled, with Priyadarshan paying ₹ 8 lakhs to Siyad and ₹ 3 lakhs each to Ranjith and Sibi Malayil.{{Cite web |date=6 July 2004 |title=Priyan settles copyright issue! |url=http://sify.com/movies/malayalam/fullstory.php?id=13514652 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040815235629/http://sify.com/movies/malayalam/fullstory.php?id=13514652 |archive-date=15 August 2004 |access-date=30 November 2024 |website=Sify}}

Critical response

Malathi Rangarajan of The Hindu gave the film a positive review mentioning that "Shaam once again shows that he is a natural performer" and that the "surprise packet is the entry of Madhavan and as a fiery, forthright and straightforward professor, he makes a mark". The critic added that "every frame of "Lesa Lesa" spells aesthetics, thanks to award winning efforts by art director Sabu Cyril and cinematographer Tirru", concluding that "if one can forget the avoidable protractions in the second half, Vikram Singh's "Lesa Lesa" is a visual treat".{{Cite news |date=23 May 2003 |title=Lesa Lesa |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2003/05/23/stories/2003052301320201.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030730120131/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2003/05/23/stories/2003052301320201.htm |archive-date=30 July 2003 |access-date=25 March 2012 |work=The Hindu}} Sify praised the performances of the cast, the music, the cinematography, and the art.{{Cite web |date=18 May 2003 |title=The director works and re-works all his tried and tested formula |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/lesa-lesa-review-tamil-pcluIPjdcgfbd.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016051423/https://www.sify.com/movies/lesa-lesa-review-tamil-pcluIPjdcgfbd.html |archive-date=16 October 2020 |access-date=14 October 2020 |website=Sify}} Malini Mannath of Chennai Online opined that "A clean family entertainer from producer Vikram Singh, the film bogged down by some problems took a long time to hit the theaters. But fortunately, it does not look dated, and seems worth the wait".{{Cite web |last=Mannath |first=Malini |date=23 May 2003 |title=Lesa Lesa |url=http://www.chennaionline.com/Moviereviews/tammov274.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050324063107/http://www.chennaionline.com/Moviereviews/tammov274.asp |archive-date=24 March 2005 |access-date=21 February 2022 |website=Chennai Online}} Visual Dasan of Kalki wrote apart from the music and cinematography, Sabu Cyril's art direction is amazing. Priyadarshan, who has been appreciated for his way of storytelling, as for this film he will be packed up.{{Cite magazine |last=தாசன் |first=விஷுவல் |date=15 June 2003 |title=லேசா லேசா |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki2003-06-15/page/32/mode/2up |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240209145447/https://archive.org/details/kalki2003-06-15/page/32/mode/2up |archive-date=9 February 2024 |access-date=9 February 2024 |magazine=Kalki |page=32 |language=ta |via=Internet Archive}} Cinesouth wrote "The film begins to fumble when you start looking for the story. The chain of events promises a terrific climax, but, the film falls flat when it gets there. Visuals that are meant to be feasts for your eyes, music that is bliss to your ears, comedy that makes your belly ache and nothing more. These are what 'Lesa Lesa' have for you".{{cite web|url=http://www.cinesouth.com/scopes/reviews/lesalesa.shtml|title=Lesa Lesa|website=Cinesouth|access-date=25 January 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030803071418/http://www.cinesouth.com/scopes/reviews/lesalesa.shtml|archive-date=3 August 2003}} Indiainfo wrote "A re-make of Malayalam blockbuster SUMMER IN BETHLEHEM is youthful love story. Excellent musical score by Harris Jeyaraj and fine screenplay by Priyadarshan are major assets to the film. In the first half of the film, Vivek steals the show, while in the second half of the film, Madhavan manages to sit through out the film. The film has interesting storyline too".{{cite web |title=LESA LESA, interesting love story |url=http://movies.indiainfo.com/tamil/reviews/lesalesa.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031003035921/http://movies.indiainfo.com/tamil/reviews/lesalesa.html |archive-date=3 October 2003 |access-date=25 January 2025 |website=Indiainfo}}

References

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