"Casting Couch", the blasphemous curse, has evoked acrimonious responses nationwide. "Sting Operation", "Shakti Kapoor", "Aman Verma", "Ruchi" and private T.V. Channel "India TV" have been topics of discussion. 'Laila - A Mystery' is a story of deceitful woman who entices bigwigs and blackmails them. The film encapsulates and enlightens "casting couch" as the hot seductress entraps an actor and a producer by seducing them. Sunrise Productions has claimed that it has episodes similar to that of Shakti Kapoor. Nirmal Pandey has played lecherous actor who seeks "sexual favors" from budding starlet (Chess Shetty). In bargain he gets deceived and blackmailed by the girl. The film focuses on "casting couch" as it shows the producer and the actor seeking "sexual favors" for successful career in the film industry. These "sexual favors" are termed as "casting couch" as sex is used as a currency in show business.
The director has shown the sex wave with Payal Rohtagi, leading the show. Oodles of oomph and incalculable kissing and smooching scenes have been the main attraction. Payal Rohtagi has been frontrunner among the dare bare babes as all her performances have heaps of her body show. Payal's latest releases 'Tauba Tauba' and 'Fun - Can Be Dangerous Sometimes' were termed as sex entertainers, and this movie too falls in this category. After the super success of oomph queens like Bipasha Basu and Mallika Sherawat, filmmakers are out to glamorize Payal Rohtagi in sex flicks. Payal has a silent start to her career with flops like 'Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai' and 'Plan'.
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The story of the film revolves around Laila (Payal Rohtagi) and Naina (Chess Shetty). The seductress entices and entraps wealthy business tycoons, doctors and bigwigs for financial gains. The game of deceit runs successfully for them as a private detective closely monitors their activities. Laila entraps Mike (Faridi Amiri) and marries him for money. Mike gets deceived and pays the price of divorce by paying huge amount of alimony. The game of deceit continues with renowned doctor and tantriks.
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The film spotlights the seductive move and body gyrations of the leading ladies. The hot scenes have been eye-feasting affair for frontbenchers. It is presumed that Payal has outscored Mallika's record of 17 smooches. Chess Shetty has been equally bold and brazen in her approach. Newcomers like Faridi Amir and Rohit Chopra have nothing significant to offer in the female oriented film. Nirmal Pandey is the only identified face among male stars as the film has been conceived as a bold and sensuous film.
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Music by Nikhil Vinay and Bappi Lahiri is below average. No soundtrack generates interest for listeners as music takes back seat in this sleaze feast. "Laila - O- Laila" from 1980's hit 'Qurbani' gets remixed in the climax. Successful skin flick like 'Murder' has outstanding musical score. This was one of the main reasons for its success. Choreography by Habiba Rehman is sensuous and seductive.
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The story highlights the physical anatomy of the characters. So hip gyration and pelvic movements dominate. Action sequences have not been conceived properly at many places. Action director's inexperience has been exposed at the action sequences picturized at the climax. Due to its bold scenes the film has gone through many cuts at the censor's table.
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Director Vicky G has streamlined the "bold" concept of filmmaking; as for small budgets this seems to be the only resort. The film has a grip in the first half, but slackens in the second half. The story centers on the sex wave that has been a winning factor for many upcoming directors. Success of films like 'Raaz', 'Jism', 'Murder' and 'Julie' must have encouraged them for this skin flick. This year sex flicks have taken a beating at the box office as many of them have sunk without trace. The failure of films like 'Chahat - Ek Nasha' and 'Sheesha' must have discouraged, as the sex does not necessarily promise success. 'Laila - A Mystery' banks heavily on Payal Rohtagi's physical assets and body exposure.
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'Laila - A Mystery' promises no big results at the box office. The film is expected to do average business at small centers. But at city centers it would be a cold affair. Low budgets do not mean sex entertainment. Bollywood's sad story continues with this week's releases. The film industry looks forward to the much-awaited Salman Khan starrer 'Lucky' next week.