Laysa Laysa

A remake of the Malayalam movie Summer In Bethlehem (which was a blockbuster) comes in a package of comedy, sentiment and family entertainment. Music by Harris Jayaraj is a reason enough to watch the movie. "Laysa Laysa" song is a great melody which sticks to your heart. Shaam and Trisha did a good job on the screen helped by a special appearance of Madavan.

Even though the story is run-of-the-mill, screenplay is spun with a fun package which makes the film worth watching. The location (Ooty) is a nice selection and it helps the film. Final Verdict, must see once! (3.5/5)

Rakesh, a wealthy business owner, takes on the manager role for his best friend Chandru to hide Chandru's fraudulent and irresponsible behavior from Chandru's visiting family. Soon, Rakesh falls for one of Chandru's cousins, Balamani, and proposes to her. However, Balamani reveals a troubling past to Rakesh, complicating their future.

Director Priyadarshan woos the audience with beautiful cinematography but loses them when it comes to a sense of humor. The jokes are all terrible, especially in the first hour of the film, which is very difficult to sit through. If you manage to get to the second half, where there is an actual story, then you might be entertained. There is a really good flashback portion, and the twist is also well-written. The whole 'will-they-won't-they' keeps the audience engaged throughout the film, but to get there, they have to endure the bland and tasteless first half, which is nothing but a cruel mess. Shaam and Trisha (The lead), are both terrible actors in this film, but are saved by their looks.

Priyadarshan also objectifies women throughout his film, especially in the title song 'Laysa Laysa.' It might have been acceptable for that generation, but it is awkward to sit through the first ten minutes of a film that only shows cleavage and thigh shots of a woman in close-ups and slow motion, writing a letter that has little significance in the film. Harris Jayaraj deserves huge praise for all the songs in this film, as they are classic hits and the reasons why this film is still remembered.

Vetrrich Chelvan, PRIME21042024.