Rio Raj's 'Ram in Leela' trailer out: Lokesh Kanakaraj launches rom-com
Synopsis
Lokesh Kanakaraj's stamp on the 'Ram in Leela' trailer launch gives this breezy Tamil rom-com a visibility boost it might not have earned on its own. Starring Rio Raj opposite debutante Varthika, the film leans into sharp matrimonial satire — and a mystery surrounding the heroine after 6 pm — to carve out a distinct identity in an increasingly crowded August release slate.
Key Takeaways
Director Lokesh Kanakaraj launched the trailer of 'Ram in Leela' on 12 August 2025 via his social media platforms.
The Tamil romantic comedy stars Rio Raj and Varthika , with Varthika making her Tamil cinema debut through this film.
The film is directed by Ramachandrran Kannan and is set for a worldwide release on 21 August 2025 .
Music is composed by Ankit Menon ; the film is produced under Trident Arts and EYWA Entertainments .
The trailer centres on matrimonial comedy and a mysterious secret surrounding the female lead after 6 pm daily.
Director Lokesh Kanakaraj on Wednesday, 12 August launched the trailer of the upcoming Tamil romantic comedy 'Ram in Leela', directed by Ramachandrran Kannan and starring Rio Raj and Varthika in the lead roles. The film is set for a worldwide theatrical release on 21 August 2025.
How the Trailer Launch Unfolded
Lokesh Kanakaraj shared the trailer across his social media timelines, writing: 'Very happy to launch the trailer of #RaminLeela. My hearty wishes to @rio_raj bro, @tridentartsoffl and the entire cast and crew of the team for this film to be a huge success.' The endorsement from one of Tamil cinema's most bankable names is expected to amplify the film's visibility ahead of its release.
What the Trailer Reveals
The trailer opens with Rio Raj addressing the audience directly, riffing on the increasingly demanding expectations placed on prospective grooms in modern matrimonial culture. 'You thought that getting married was easy? You have to earn a lakh, come from a good family, have property, own your home, own a car, have hair on your head, not have a paunch and a great bank balance. And if you thought that these were enough for you to get married, you are wrong,' he quips.
The comedy escalates as members of a bride's family demand that the groom shoot a video of himself at his office and demonstrate his ability to speak in English — a sharp, relatable satire on urban matrimonial rituals. Ram (played by Rio Raj) meets Leela (played by Varthika) during a train journey and falls for her; she reciprocates. However, Leela comes with a mysterious condition — she is reportedly never seen after 6 pm each day. When Ram eventually discovers something startling about her, his plans take an unexpected turn, setting off a chain of comic developments.
A Debut and a Fresh Creative Team
Notably, Varthika makes her Tamil cinema debut through 'Ram in Leela'. The screenplay has been co-written by director Ramachandrran Kannan and Aakash Poojith. Cinematography is handled by Mallik Arjun, with music composed by Ankit Menon. G. Durairaj has managed art direction, YNC Shiva serves as editor, and choreography is credited to Abu & Chals. Stunt choreography is by Abishek Srinivas, costumes by A Keerthivasan, sound design by Arun S Mani of Oli Sound Labs, sound mixing by Vishnu Sujathan, and VFX supervised by Arunraj V.
Production and Release Details
The film has been produced by R. Ravindran and Sudharsan under the banners of Trident Arts and EYWA Entertainments, with Sanjay Vijayraghavan serving as creative producer. With a crowded August release window, the Lokesh Kanakaraj association gives the film a meaningful promotional boost as it heads to screens worldwide on 21 August.
Point of View
But in Tamil cinema's attention economy, that association carries real weight — his social media reach can meaningfully shift first-weekend footfall for a mid-budget rom-com. The trailer's matrimonial satire taps a vein that has worked well for Tamil and Telugu comedies in recent years, though the 'mysterious heroine after 6 pm' hook feels borrowed from familiar fantasy-romance territory. The real test for 'Ram in Leela' is whether it can sustain the comic energy of its trailer across a full runtime — a challenge many genre entries have stumbled on. Varthika's debut adds novelty, but the film's commercial fate likely rests on Rio Raj's rapport with the audience.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who launched the trailer of 'Ram in Leela'?
Director and actor Lokesh Kanakaraj launched the trailer of 'Ram in Leela' on 12 August 2025 through his social media platforms. He expressed his best wishes to the cast and crew for the film's success.
When is 'Ram in Leela' releasing in theatres?
'Ram in Leela' is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on 21 August 2025. The Tamil romantic comedy is produced under Trident Arts and EYWA Entertainments.
Who are the lead actors in 'Ram in Leela'?
Rio Raj and Varthika play the lead roles in 'Ram in Leela'. Notably, Varthika makes her Tamil cinema debut with this film.
Who directed 'Ram in Leela' and who wrote the story?
'Ram in Leela' is directed by Ramachandrran Kannan, who co-wrote the screenplay with Aakash Poojith. Music is by Ankit Menon and cinematography by Mallik Arjun.
What is 'Ram in Leela' about?
'Ram in Leela' is a Tamil romantic comedy that follows Ram (Rio Raj), who meets Leela (Varthika) on a train and falls in love with her. The film blends matrimonial satire with a mystery surrounding the heroine, who is reportedly never seen after 6 pm each day.
