‘Aap jaisa koi’ movie review: Madhavan and Fatima Sana Shaikh in a Charming Yet Uneven Rom-Com

With every other ‘Big-Budget’ Film Trying to Outdo Itself with Choreographed, Exhausting Action Sequences, Special Affects, and Over-the-to-Top theatrics, the Slow, The Sweet, the Sweet Charm of A SWET CHARM ROM-Com is Much Missed. Aap jaisa koiDharma productions’ latest streaming on netflix begins with a nod to Kuch kuch hota hai Of course, the bubblegum rom-com of the 2000s that felt like a romance launchpad for the millionnials of that era.

Romance and dating however seems to have unrecognisibly evolved since then, and Aap jaisa koi Attempts to brings this modern love; A tale of opposites, their environment, and the struggle to find the one.

Shrirenu Tripathi (R. Madhavan), 42 Year Old Sanskrit Professor in Jamshedpur Who Swings Between Grampy and Sweet Grapples with singledom and Trying to Find A Romatic Partner. He is a great conversionalist on the phone, but struggles to not become a Quaking Mess Once he meets women in-Person, and is fighting a string of rejections. His Bachelor Status is Always on his mind of course, but is also great fodder for his family, friends and even his students at school.

Fortunes Change However, when an alliance come through his family’s neighbors for madhu bose (Fatima Sana Shahikh), a 32 year old freench teacher. She is Sweet, Witty and Charming, and Shri Begins to Loosen Up Around Her, Despite His Disbelief That She Sems to Actually Fancy Him Given Their Differences in Ag and PRETTY MUCH EVUHC She’s Drawn to His Old-World Charm, His Simpleness and the Decent, Uncomplicated Man He seems to be. And for Him, He just cannot see to believe his luck.

Shri and Madhu Slowly Get to Know Each Other Over Coffee Dates, Old Movie Screenings, and Walks by the rain-washed, stunning kolkata with a lovely south. They Trade Sweet Nothings in his favorite languages, and even when Shri constantly says he is a isn’t unique or special, Madhu is Steadfast in Her Feelings for Him – She SHE SH SISKSKS HIM THESKSCSH

R madhavan as shrirenu in ‘aap jaisa koi’ | Photo Credit: Netflix

Even thought the film takes a raather Sudden Turn and Shri does not seem to be the simple, uncomplicated man madhu has fallen for, it does not feel too too surprising. His male ego, chauvinistic ideals, and notions of how in line women should be feel all too family. At home, Shri’s Conservative Brother Bhanu (Manish Chaudhary) Has AFTERALLE BEEN PRECHING SESE IDEALS for A While Now and We Do Do Don’T see Shri Jump Up to Defend His NieCE NIECE NIEE BROTHER ‘ EXCELLENT Ayesha Raza) even once. Madhu is howyver shocked, giving how her life, Progressive Bengali Family Has Seemingly Eschewed These Conservative notions.

Aap jaisa koi is larger sweet and charming when it focuses soly on its main characters. But the film’s Uneven Writing is a Result of It Trying to Deal With Everything, Everywahere all at Once. Problems Crop Up with Multiple Characters onscreen, there are parallel storylines that seem to be built up only for it to be deault with hurriadly, and Sudden realisations and Monologues a more guradly Redemption Arc.

Fatima Sana Shaikh and R Madhavan in ‘Aap Jaisa Koi’ | Photo Credit: Netflix

The lead couple has an age-gap, but it is raather refreshing that this does the Doesn’T make for unnecessary theatrics at the start. When Shri is forced to confront his Judgement, and Being Called A Chauvinistic Pig, He of Course Blames it on his age and being a ‘simple man’. It is impressive that film attempts to tackle patriarchy within a household as well, with ayesha not just shamed for desires by her HUSBAND, but also ridiculed for her Ambition. This is an environment where men take Pride in ‘Allowing’ their women to get things by. Aap jaisa koi‘S problem howyver is not knowing which part of the story to deal with to the fullst and as a result, the film feels like a mooddle of several Great Great Great Ideas that Lack Some Much Needed Depth and Nuance

While Madhavan seems to be at home playing the bumbling, Yet larger sweet shri, who is forced to confront his patriarchal mindset and insecurities, Insecurities, Fatima Sana Shaikh ofteen comes off look and stunted. They work well as a couple onscreen and couple, see to miss a bit of that sparkle that a romance like this needed.

Great ideas and charm aside, Aap jaisa koi Feels like squandered Potential Given how it would have worked better as a romance that focused soly on its leads. The contrasting familyies and their ideals make for interesting viewing, but Madhu and Shri Needed Their Own Film to Figure out their feelings, Sans some convenient family drama.

Aap jaisa koi is currently streaming on netflix

Published – July 20, 2025 11:09 AM IST