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Ek Paheli Leela backdrop

Ek Paheli Leela

10 April 2015Hindi2h 25m
out of 10
Unfavorablemost critics didn't like it
Monk Score · 21 scored reviews · 5 not rated

A thin reincarnation tale dressed up in Rajasthan's colours but little else.

Verdict tier Unfavorable, most critics didn't like it, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.

  • Praised: Rajasthan visuals and production
  • Criticised: Illogical screenplay and story

Audience

User score 3.3 out of 10 from 4 ratings, not enough ratings for a verdict yet
Read 2 audience reviews ↓

Not streaming in India

Critic consensus

What 26 critics are saying

Critical reception for Ek Paheli Leela was largely negative, with most reviewers finding the film illogical, narratively thin, and little more than a showcase for its lead star. The most consistent praise across reviews was directed at the film's visual presentation — its colorful Rajasthan locations, lavish production scale, and cinematography. Critics were most commonly dismissive of the screenplay and story execution, with the reincarnation plot widely described as unconvincing or incoherent. Several reviewers acknowledged that Sunny Leone's screen presence and the film's music may satisfy her fanbase, but few found the film defensible as a whole cinematic work.

How the 21 scores spread

5 not-rated reviews aren't plotted

Positive / mixed / negative reviews

Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10

AI-generated summary of 26 critic reviews · may contain errors

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From the papers

Critic reviews (26)

Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated

  1. Top critic

    NDTV

    Film review ·

    What you choose to focus on - the sexy siren who apes everybody from Zeenat Aman to Aishwarya Rai or the visual compositions that caress the natural beauty of the locales - will determine what impact Ek Paheli Leela will have on you. Feel free to have your pick. But to be honest, spare yourself the trouble. Ek Paheli Leela is simply not worth it.
  2. Top critic

    Indian Express

    Film review ·

    The film's title is a misnomer. It should have been Many Pahelis Leela, because all through this terrible drag, I kept trying to solve several puzzles with no success, coming up with a big zero in the end.
  3. Top critic

    Firstpost

    Film review ·

    This Sunny Leone starrer is soft porn without any actual porn...From outrageous and caricaturist gay characters to outright gay bashing, Ek Paheli Leela offers the whole platter.
  4. SKJBollywoodNews

    Film review ·

    It may not be revolutionary in concept or path-breaking in execution. But make no mistake. Ek Paheli Leela is the surprise of the year.
  5. Bollywood Life

    Film review ·

    If you have some free time on you this weekend and you are a fan of Sunny's Desi Look, go watch the film. Its entertaining and a fun watch!
  6. Times Of India

    Film review ·

    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.
  7. BookMyShow

    Film review ·

    ...provides enough of Sunny Leone for her fans to fancy. Apart from that, it also features a fresh and engaging storyline, which makes the film worth a shot.
  8. Deccan Chronicle

    Film review ·

    My only humble request is that the next director who gets to sign Ms Leone in a title role and the film is certified A, no time must be wasted in telling a story. All efforts must be devoted to making sure that her orgasmic shenanigans are of the quality and quantity that merit the A certification.
  9. DNA India

    Film review ·

    If Sunny Leone gets your temperature rising then Leela won't disappoint. Don't have big expectations and you might be pleasantly surprised.
  10. FridayMoviez

    Film review ·

    Watching the film only for Leone and its imagery sure makes sense, but if you are also expecting a logical story and an engaging screenplay, you are definitely in the wrong screen. We would go for two stars for this one, more so for its visual appeal.
  11. Glamsham

    Film review ·

    The film is shot on a grand scale but the connecting links to the past 300 years are not that convincing. The story could have been better entwined leaving the viewer in a state of suspense. Unfortunately, Bobby Khan treats the two issues differently and hence loses out on capitalizing on the tantalizing twist in the end.
  12. Rediff

    Film review ·

    Though there are more flaws in the film's execution, at the heart of it Leela is a genuinely intriguing, if slightly predictable story and the twist at the end could have been a game changer had it been played out better. Nevertheless, critical analysis is not going to make much of a difference for this film is clearly a one woman show and as far as the film is concerned, it is always Sunny in Rajasthan.
  13. Sify

    Film review ·

    ...a half-entertaining story that unfolds between songs, some past life mumbo-jumbo, sprinkles of Rajasthan exotica, and a good-looking cast that makes it somewhat bearable. And why half-entertaining? Because it's so ludicrous, it's almost fun!
  14. The Free Press Journal

    Film review ·

    The film is lavishly mounted and Basha Lal's camerawork captures the sensuality of the earthy Rajasthan canvas just as well as he does Sunny's curvaceous body. And Leone does the rest. This is not much of a movie but an experience ..of the Sunny Leone kind!
  15. India Today

    Film review ·

    The real 'paheli' of the film's title is not Leela's story. It is why this film was even made. If you're planning to watch the film, and there's only one reason to do so - Sunny Leone - keep an aspirin nearby. You'll need one.
  16. KoiMoi

    Film review ·

    ...genuinely an unnecessary film. It offers nothing but Sunny Leone's sexy shots and I don't think you need to watch a film for that. Men may enjoy this film for their sensory pleasures since there is much more that meets the eye in this one.
  17. NowRunning

    Film review ·

    ...is not for the one who would ask for logic. Watch it if you like random songs pushed into the story every 10 minutes so that the heroine dance in scanty clothes.
  18. The W14

    Film review ·

    I'm actually stunned by the reincarnation of Ms Leone, or Karenjit Vohra, ex-pornstar of Punjabi descent, herself. She's come a long way, baby. If you needed any further proof that she is really a bona fide, solo Bollywood star, it doesn't get any bigger than this. Does one need to sit through a whole mumbo-jumbo picture to appreciate that? No.
  19. Hindustan Times

    Film review ·

    ...regressive, illogical and completely dependent on Sunny Leone. She looks stunning and dances pretty well, but that much was also available on YouTube. Where is the film?
  20. Mumbai Mirror

    Film review ·

    Ek Paheli Leela is just an insincere, lavish and titillating compilation of every item song ever made.

From our readers

Audience reviews (2)

4 ratings · user score 3.3

  1. ReemaApr 2015
    1/10

    It really is a PAHELI as to how a film such as this got made and how I sat through it for the sake of writing a review.

  2. Tejas NairApr 2015
    1/10

    The only other film I rated a zero this year was Arjun Rampal starrer Roy and I still haven't recovered from the trauma. With Ek Paheli Leela, I am back in the hospital bed. Let me not start with the story, because if I do that, I may end up dead in the process. Honestly, I wanted to walk out of the movie hall in less than 30 minutes (that is the time I stipulate for a particular movie to decide whether it is watchable or not). Let me tell you what I could gather in those 30 minutes: two item songs, six flesh flashes, and three highly absurd conversations. I did not want to know where the story was going because the development is so dreary. And the trailer had made no sense. Then you will ask me what was I expecting? Yes, I was expecting all the above factors that would surround a mystery as the title clearly suggests. While there seems to be a foolish paheli hidden in the plot, I really didn't care to know what that is, because of the limpy introduction. And once you understand the paheli, you pull out your dictionary and search for the definition of paheli (mystery). If you can pass the obnoxious 30 minutes, you may enjoy the rest of the film. At the end, you will be content to have watched the same cleavage in different, colourful blouses and the humanity will liberate. So while there may be a paheli in the story, for me, the real paheli is the existence of people who are raving about the film. BOTTOM LINE: Be wise and skip it! 0/10 - fail. Can be watched with a typical Indian family? NO Vulgarity: Medium

Credits

Cast & crew

Cast

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