Loveyapa Movie Review: Junaid Khan and Khushi Kapoor Shine, But the Film Misses the Heart.Filmygod

Making a remake of a film in a different cultural setting is always a tricky endeavor. What worked in one context may not translate well in another, and elements that didn’t work before might need a fresh perspective. While stories may carry universal themes, they still need to be rooted in the language, music, and storytelling style of the new culture to create an emotional connection.

Director Advait Chandan previously attempted this challenge in 2022 with Laal Singh Chaddha, an adaptation of Forrest Gump (1994). Despite some flaws (including Aamir Khan’s divisive performance), Laal Singh Chaddha successfully localized the American classic for an Indian audience. With Loveyapa, a direct remake of Pradeep Ranganathan’s Tamil film Love Today, Chandan seems to focus more on the bigger picture while losing sight of the details that make the story truly impactful.

A Shallow Love Story from the Start
From the opening scene, it is evident that Loveyapa struggles to establish emotional depth. We are introduced to Gaurav Sachdeva (Junaid Khan) and Bani (Khushi Kapoor), a young couple seemingly in love. Gaurav gifts Bani a new phone as they sit beside a pond in Delhi. However, the moment lacks intimacy or chemistry. The setting feels uninspired, making the scene appear generic rather than personal.

In contrast, the original Love Today set this pivotal moment by the sea, where the couple shared an intimate and meaningful connection. This small but crucial difference highlights the film’s fundamental issue—Loveyapa replicates the what of the original but not the how. The result is a lack of emotional investment in their love story, making it difficult for the audience to feel heartbroken when their world later starts to crumble.

Missed Opportunities in Storytelling
A crucial turning point in the film is when Gaurav meets Bani’s strict and domineering father (Ashutosh Rana). In an attempt to test their relationship, he asks them to exchange phones for a day. This moment, which should have been filled with tension and anticipation, loses its impact due to bland execution. The Tamil original used creative editing and sharp shot composition to heighten the suspense, whereas Loveyapa treats it like just another scene.

However, credit must be given to Sneha Desai’s dialogues, which add wit and fun to the proceedings. She also tweaks the adapted screenplay to eliminate some problematic aspects of the original. A good example of this is a scene where Gaurav tells Bani to cover up after noticing a man staring at her. In Love Today, the female lead simply obeys. In Loveyapa, Bani challenges Gaurav by suggesting he button up his own shirt instead. This small but significant change gives Bani more agency, making her a stronger and more relatable character.

Despite these improvements, the film struggles to bring out the essence of each moment. When Gaurav and Bani finally unlock each other’s phones, the sequence is rushed through quick flashes rather than allowing the tension to build. The lack of well-paced storytelling diminishes the emotional weight of their revelations.

Performances: A Mixed Bag
Junaid Khan shows more control in his performance compared to his debut in Maharaj. While his dance moves still feel slightly awkward, they have improved. He needs to work on shedding the stiffness in his expressions, but he does shine in moments where he gets the comic timing right.

Khushi Kapoor delivers a steady performance, particularly in emotionally vulnerable scenes where she maintains a natural tone. However, both leads lack the chemistry needed to carry a romance-driven film. Their performances feel restrained, preventing the audience from fully engaging with their journey.

Among the supporting cast, Ashutosh Rana is a delight to watch. He retains his signature Shudh-Hindi dialogue delivery while adding a charming touch to his otherwise stern character. Kiku Sharda, known for his comedic roles, takes on a more serious part here and surprises with a moving performance. His scene in the second half stands out as one of the film’s emotional highlights.

A Lighthearted Take on a Serious Theme
One of Loveyapa’s strengths is its ability to maintain a lighthearted tone without overindulging in melodrama. The film simplifies the perils of social media, making them accessible to a mainstream audience. While some complexities are lost, the narrative remains engaging without feeling exaggerated.

However, this approach also makes the film feel detached. It comes across like a secondhand story—one that contains all the essential details but lacks the heart and emotional depth of the original. The film wants to be entertaining and fun, and in some moments, it succeeds. But without a deeper emotional core, it never fully connects with the audience.

Final Verdict
Loveyapa is a stylish and enjoyable remake that gets the tone right but misses the heart. While the film makes some smart changes to modernize the story, it struggles to recreate the emotional engagement of Love Today. Junaid Khan and Khushi Kapoor deliver decent performances, but their lack of chemistry makes the romance feel underwhelming.

Advait Chandan’s direction focuses too much on the bigger picture while neglecting the small, intimate moments that make a love story resonate. Loveyapa is watchable, fun in parts, and visually appealing, but ultimately, it feels like a story being retold rather than truly lived.