Actor Laila is marking 30 years in the film industry, a journey that began with the Hindi film Dushman Duniya Ka in 1996. Over the years, she has worked across several languages including Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada.
Recently, one of her early Tamil hits, Mounam Pesiyadhe, which co-starred Suriya, found a new audience after its re-release.
Reflecting on her career, Laila says her primary focus has always been on meaningful roles rather than milestones.
‘Actresses Don’t Get As Many Opportunities’
Speaking about the industry today, Laila acknowledged that female actors still receive fewer opportunities compared to their male counterparts.
She said that while the situation is slowly improving, the number of strong roles available for women remains limited.
According to her, she now hopes to explore women-centric stories, particularly through web series on streaming platforms.
Younger Audiences Embraced ‘Mounam Pesiyadhe’
The re-release of Mounam Pesiyadhe, directed by Ameer Sultan, brought renewed attention to the film.
Laila said watching the film again didn’t feel like revisiting an old project because the storytelling and themes still felt relevant.
She credited the director’s forward-thinking approach for making the film resonate even with younger viewers today.
Films That Shaped Her Career
Among the projects that defined her career, Laila highlighted Parthen Rasithen as the film that first brought her significant recognition.
She also recalled Nandha, another film with Suriya, as one of the most memorable experiences in her career.
Despite challenges during production, she said the cast remained focused because they believed the film would ultimately stand out.
Working With Vijay in ‘GOAT’
Laila recently appeared in The Greatest of All Time (GOAT), starring Vijay.
She described the project as a special opportunity since many fans had often noted that she had not previously acted with Vijay in a full-fledged film.
Although the two had earlier worked together briefly on a song sequence in Unnai Ninaithu, GOAT allowed them to share screen space more prominently.
Experiences Across Multiple Film Industries
Laila’s Telugu career began with Egire Paavurama in 1997, after which she moved into Tamil cinema where she gained wider popularity.
She also fondly recalled her time working in Kannada films with actors like Shivarajkumar and Upendra, noting the warm reception she continues to receive from audiences in Karnataka.
Being Selective With Roles
Laila says she remains selective about the projects she takes up.
She evaluates several factors before signing a film, including the script, the production team, co-stars, and the importance of her character.
The actor admitted that it can be disappointing when filmmakers approach her with vague roles, such as simply offering “a mother’s character” without a proper script or character arc.
Films She Wants Re-Released
Asked about films she would like to see re-released in theatres, Laila named two of her favourites.
One is Ullam Ketkumae, which she described as a progressive and youthful college drama.
The other is Pithamagan, a critically acclaimed film where she played the character Manju. Laila said the role stayed with her long after filming ended because of its intense emotional depth.
