Sivaji plays Lailam Babu in Sudigaali Sudheer's rural drama 'Hai Lesso'
Synopsis
Sivaji's character name — Lailam Babu — in the upcoming Telugu rural drama 'Hai Lesso' has been unveiled on his birthday by Vajra Varahi Cinemas. With Sivaji reportedly reprising an antagonist role and the film marking multiple industry debuts, 'Hai Lesso' is shaping up as one of the more intriguing pan-South releases on the horizon.
Key Takeaways
Sivaji will play a character named Lailam Babu in the Telugu rural drama 'Hai Lesso' , revealed via a first-look poster on his birthday.
The film stars Sudigaali Sudheer (Sudheer Anand) in the lead — his fifth outing as a headline actor. 'Hai Lesso' marks the directorial debut of Prasanna Kumar Kota and the production debut of Siva Cherry and Ravikiran under Vajra Varahi Cinemas .
The film features Natasha Singh , Naksha Saran , and Akshara Gowda in key roles.
A pan-South release is planned across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam languages.
Actor Sivaji's character in the upcoming Telugu rural drama 'Hai Lesso' has been officially unveiled by the film's production house, Vajra Varahi Cinemas, on the occasion of the actor's birthday. Sivaji will be seen portraying a character named Lailam Babu in the film, which stars popular comedian-turned-hero Sudheer Anand, widely known as Sudigaali Sudheer, in the lead role.
The Birthday Reveal
Vajra Varahi Cinemas released the first-look poster of Sivaji's character on his birthday, accompanied by a message: 'Team #HaiLesso wishes phenomenal actor @actorsivaji garu a very Happy Birthday. Witness him stun audiences as Lailam Babu in his most powerful avatar on the big screen soon.' The reveal follows a similar pattern — the makers had earlier disclosed that actress Naksha Saran plays a character called Jessy in the film, also announced on her birthday.
Sivaji's Role and Track Record
Sivaji, who earned widespread acclaim for his intense performance in the superhit courtroom drama 'Court: State Vs A Nobody', is reportedly set to reprise his antagonist persona in 'Hai Lesso'. The rural drama's tone — hinted at through its title poster featuring rustic imagery, ritual offerings, and a blood-soaked sword — appears well-suited to Sivaji's established screen presence as a powerful villain.
About 'Hai Lesso'
'Hai Lesso' marks the directorial debut of Prasanna Kumar Kota and the production debut of Siva Cherry and Ravikiran under the Vajra Varahi Cinemas banner. The film went on floors in Hyderabad with a traditional pooja in September last year, making it the banner's maiden production, tentatively referred to as Production No. 1. The title, according to sources close to the unit, is derived from a colloquial expression commonly used in farming communities.
Cast and Crew
The film features Natasha Singh and Naksha Saran as the female leads, with popular Kannada actress Akshara Gowda in a pivotal role. Motta Rajendran, Getup Srinu, and Bevara Duhitha Saranya round out the supporting cast. On the technical front, music is composed by Anudeep Dev, cinematography is handled by Sujatha Siddarth, editing by Chota K Prasad, production design by Brahma Kadali, and the screenplay is written by Chintha Srinivas. This is the fifth film in which Sudigaali Sudheer will headline as the lead actor.
Release Plans
'Hai Lesso' is set for a pan-South theatrical release across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam languages. The film's launch event was attended by notable industry figures — hero Nikhil unveiled the title, Bunny Vasu handed over the script, directors Vassishta, Chandoo Mondeti, and Meher Ramesh switched on the camera, and VV Vinayak sounded the clapboard for the muhurtham shot. A release date is yet to be announced.
Point of View
High-engagement, and keeps 'Hai Lesso' in conversation without a trailer. Sivaji's casting as an antagonist is the film's biggest credibility anchor: his work in 'Court: State Vs A Nobody' demonstrated a range that most Telugu character actors haven't matched recently. For a debut director and debut production house, attaching a performer of that calibre to the villain's arc is smart risk mitigation. The pan-South release ambition is bold for a first production, and execution — particularly on the Tamil and Kannada circuits — will be the real test.
NationPress
1 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sivaji playing in 'Hai Lesso'?
Sivaji plays a character named Lailam Babu in 'Hai Lesso'. The first-look poster for the role was released by Vajra Varahi Cinemas on his birthday, with the production house describing it as his 'most powerful avatar.'
What is 'Hai Lesso' about?
'Hai Lesso' is an upcoming Telugu rural drama directed by Prasanna Kumar Kota. The title is reportedly derived from a colloquial expression used in farming communities, and early promotional material suggests an intense story involving ritual, conflict, and rural power dynamics.
Who are the lead actors in 'Hai Lesso'?
Sudigaali Sudheer (Sudheer Anand) plays the lead, with Natasha Singh and Naksha Saran as the female leads. Sivaji plays a key antagonist role, and Akshara Gowda appears in a pivotal part.
Is 'Hai Lesso' a debut film for anyone?
Yes — it is the directorial debut of Prasanna Kumar Kota and the production debut of Siva Cherry and Ravikiran under the Vajra Varahi Cinemas banner. It is also the banner's first production, referred to during production as Production No. 1.
In how many languages will 'Hai Lesso' release?
'Hai Lesso' is planned for a pan-South theatrical release across four languages: Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam. A specific release date has not yet been announced.
