STORY: London-based model Mira (Sunny Leone) comes to India on an assignment. She falls in love with a prince in Jaisalmer and gets married to him. Meanwhile, a budding musician Karan (Jay Bhanushali) is getting persistent nightmares after hearing an old Rajasthani folk tune and keeps muttering the name Leela in sleep. How is Mira related to Leela? This one is more than just a reincarnation tale.
REVIEW: The tendency of not taking a Sunny Leone film seriously is going to change. Ek Paheli Leela might not be a cinematic treat but its tricky climax Emakes it watchable. With a solid story in place, this vivaciously shot reincarnation drama is plotted carefully with its loose-ends knotting up into a thrilling end.
Unlike the usual fare that compliment the actress’ bold persona, the forte of this film sprawls beyond its scintillating bits. It starts on a droopy note and meanders initially but once the parallel stories merge, it advances smoothly towards the jolt of its unexpected climax.
What dampens the strength of the plot are its sexual innuendos and the needless songs that keep popping in frequently without adding much. There are nine songs forced into the package which water down the film’s punch. The story shifts briskly between the present and the past without seeming too disparate. With its runtime of over two hours, the film gets tedious, something that could have been easily rectified by sharper editing.
Director Bobby Khan amps up the oomph quotient, helping Sunny pull a character than demands a steady performance. And to be fair, she has delivered her most earnest act so far. She has worked on her linguistic skills seriously and can emote a lot better than before. The men are good but Rajneesh Duggal has the most palpable chemistry with Sunny. Mohit Ahlawat and Jay Bhanushali are good and Jas Arora’s vamp act was wicked.
You might guffaw at a few scenes because the film isn’t exactly an epitome of logical thinking. But as an entertainer, it’s colourful, crisp and convivial.