Loveyapa fumbles: Weak leads sink this south remake’s potential

After Deva last week, we have yet another South remake this weekend in form of Loveyapa; an official adaptation of the Tamil hit Love Today (2022). While the basic premise of phone swap holds promise, the nepo-kids playing the lead pair spoil the show...

Junaid Khan, who made an uninspiring OTT debut with Maharaj last year, plays the 'Delhi ka launda' Gucci much in love with Baani (Khushi Kapoor). He is forced by Baani's shudh Hindi speaking dad (Ashutosh Rana) to swap their mobiles for a day. As expected, secrets and skeletons tumble out from their social media accounts and chat messages... love shove wala emojis included!!

Both the newcomers' performances appear laboriously theatrical, which shouldn't have been as Gucci and Baani are highly relatable Gen-Z characters. Particularly, Junaid appears older and out of sync in a role suited for Kartik Aaryan. Khushi Kapoor shows improvement over her debut act in The Archies (2023) but sorry, that ain't enough to uplift the movie in any manner. Ashutosh Rana and Grusha Kapoor stand out in their supporting roles. Kiku Sharda's phone obsession is fittered away for a needless body shaming gyaan!!

Technically slick, Loveyapa had the potential to be a funny zany modern day rom-com exploring the present generation's over-dependence on mobile phone and online apps. It ain't too bad for a one time watch but undoubtedly, could have done far better with a competent lead pair.

Director Advait Chandan, whose last movie Laal Singh Chaddha (2022) bit the dust due to its hero Aamir Khan's overindulgence. Ironic to say but it is Aamir's son Junaid, who spoils it for him this time!!

Ratings on some key aspects* :
1. Acting : 2.5/5
2. Direction : 2/5
3. Music : 2/5
4. Story, Screenplay and Dialogue : 3.5/5
5. Cinematography : 3/5
6. Editing : 3/5
7. Costume Design : 3/5
8. Special Effects and VFX : 3.5/5
9. Action : NA
10. Production Quality : 3/5

#SNRating for #Loveyapa : 2 & 1/2 stars out of 5.

- Sumeet Nadkarni

* - The overall film rating is not a simple average of all ratings on key aspects but a weighted average of the ratings where some crucial aspects (like direction, acting, story and screenplay etc) are assigned more weightage than others.

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#SNRatings barometer:
1 star = Poor
1 & 1/2 star = Below average/ Avoidable
2 stars = Average
2 & 1/2 stars = Above average/ Risk it
3 stars = Good enough/ Endurable
3 & 1/2 stars = Definitely worth a watch
4 stars = Very good
5 stars = Masterpiece/ Outstanding.

2025 SNRatings. 

Also Read: Advance Bookings open for Junaid Khan & Khushi Kapoor’s Loveyapa!