This is the directorial debut of Somnath Sen.[4] "It's a universal story that many women will be able to relate to," remarked Dimple Kapadia, on the sets.
[6] Kevin Thomas of The Los Angeles Times called Leela "a worthy departure from the culture clash comedies that have marked an emerging Indian American cinema".
He added that the film was about the taboo that sex still is to the Indian Community and their "inability to accept them as the basis for family relationships".
He though was dissatisfied with the way Leela is portrayed as a faithful wife to a straying husband, which he wrote is quite outdated for a Mumbai woman who dwells on sexual equality.
[1] Deccan Herald wrote, "good performances, deft handling of a complex theme, unconventional method of storytelling, a crisp script, and of course, a taut storyline sure make Leela a movie that’s more than just a tale well told.