A Refreshing Rom-Com That Swaps Complexity for Comedy
Sometimes, all you need from a movie is pure, unfiltered entertainment—a breezy escape that doesn’t demand deep introspection or leave you wrestling with layered metaphors. Enter Loveyapa, Bollywood’s Valentine’s Day surprise, which revives the almost-forgotten charm of a lighthearted rom-com in an era dominated by dark themes, intense action, and CGI spectacles.
A Classic Love Test with a Digital Twist
Directed by Advait Chandan (Secret Superstar, Laal Singh Chaddha), Loveyapa is a Hindi adaptation of the Tamil hit Love Today. The original’s fantastic premise was overshadowed by uneven execution, but this version polishes the rough edges, trims the excess, and refines the narrative into an engaging, entertaining watch.
The premise is simple yet deliciously intriguing: young lovers Gaurav (Junaid Khan) and Baani (Khushi Kapoor) are put through an unconventional test by Baani’s strict father (Ashutosh Rana). If they want his blessing to marry, they must swap phones for an entire day. What unfolds is a chaotic, comical, and often cringeworthy ride through modern relationships, where secrets spill out via texts, downloads, and past flings.
Love in the Time of Screens
Much of Gaurav and Baani’s romance exists in the digital realm—they affectionately call each other “Babbuu” and “Baani Boo” over texts, but their relationship is tested when real-life revelations emerge. Meanwhile, a parallel storyline unfolds as Gaurav’s sister Kiran (Tanvika Parlikar) navigates her own arranged marriage to a kind-hearted but overweight doctor (Kiku Sharda). Their story, too, takes a dramatic turn—again, thanks to the ever-intrusive mobile phone.
Set against a quintessentially middle-class Delhi backdrop, Loveyapa feels refreshingly relatable. Technology has blurred cultural boundaries, making its themes universal. In a generation where relationships flicker on and off as easily as switching phone covers, the film poses some sharp questions: Do our phones reveal our truest selves? Are our online personas different from our real identities? And have smartphones become the ultimate truth serum, exposing betrayals, denials, and vulnerabilities?
A Lighthearted Take on a Serious Theme
Despite these thought-provoking questions, Loveyapa doesn’t dwell too deeply. Instead, it keeps the tone fun and frothy, opting for a direct, sometimes even oversimplified approach. The script touches upon a host of phone-related issues—e-mocking, body shaming, deepfakes, and sex pranks—but often rushes through them like a checklist. The climax, drenched in melodrama, leans more towards early 2000s soap opera than contemporary storytelling.
There’s also a slight disconnect in how the film presents Gen-Z relationships. While the dialogue and setting feel authentic, the overarching message—on trust and patience in love—is delivered in an almost old-school, preachy manner. At times, it feels like a boomer’s interpretation of how young love works today.
Performances: Sparkling Chemistry or Missed Connection?
A rom-com thrives on its lead pair’s chemistry, and here, Loveyapa stumbles. Junaid Khan starts off stiff and self-conscious, though he gradually finds his rhythm. However, his attempt at Delhi street slang feels forced—his Bandra-boy charm peeking through. Khushi Kapoor, while visually stunning in her vibrant kurtas and skirts, appears too polished for her middle-class Delhi-girl role. She, too, takes time to settle into her character. By the film’s end, their performances become more convincing, though the initial awkwardness lingers.
The real scene-stealers are the senior actors. Grusha Kapoor as Gaurav’s exasperated mother delivers some of the film’s best comedic moments, while Ashutosh Rana, as Baani’s cunning yet wise father, is a delight to watch.
Verdict: Worth the Popcorn?
Despite its predictable twists and formulaic execution, Loveyapa remains an enjoyable watch. Its humor lands well, with some genuinely laugh-out-loud moments—including a hilarious jab at the Indian habit of hoarding unnecessary chargers and wires.
For those craving a rom-com that’s light on the brain but high on fun, Loveyapa fits the bill. Grab your date, your friends, or even your parents, and settle in for a film that, while not groundbreaking, delivers exactly what it promises—entertainment, entertainment, and entertainment.
