Unpacking ‘Love is in the Heir’: A Captivating Movie Review You Can’t Miss!

Cast: Junaid Khan, Khushi Kapoor, Ashutosh Rana, Devishi Madaan

Director: Advait Chandan

This Friday marks the debut of Junaid Khan and Khushi Kapoor, but the buzz isn’t quite there. The trailers lack the impact of classic launches like ‘Bobby’ or ‘Kaho Na Pyar Hai.’ Compared to her sister Janhvi’s launch in ‘Dhadak,’ this feels muted. Junaid is keeping a low profile, but with low expectations come hopes for a pleasant surprise. Sadly, that surprise doesn’t arrive. Director Advait Chandan doesn’t quite capture the magic usually associated with launching star kids.

The movie is a remake of the Tamil film ‘Love Today,’ and it critiques how much we rely on social media. Yet, it takes a rather judgmental view on relationships and dishonesty, veering into preachiness. Despite its lengthy runtime of over 120 minutes, it lacks the charm that directors like Basu Chaterjee or Hrishikesh Mukherjee would have brought to similar themes. Advait Chandan just doesn’t have the same touch.

The story follows Baani Sharma (Khushi Kapoor), who is in love with Gaurav Sachdeva (Junaid Khan). Baani’s sister Pinti (Devishi Madaan) and their strict father Atul Kumar Sharma (Ashutosh Rana) add layers to the plot. Gaurav’s family includes his stylish mother, Lalit (Grusha Kapoor), and a sister, Kiran (Tanvika Parlikar), along with her fiancé, Dr. Anupam (Kiku Sardar). Baani also has other suitors: Puneet (Kunj Anand) and Coochiepoo (Bhawya Chawla). When Baani’s father discovers the romance, he forces the couple to swap phones, leading to chaos as secrets unfold. Unfortunately, while this could have been a chance to explore deeper issues, the story wraps up without real introspection.

The lead actors don’t quite deliver the energy the film needs. Junaid and Khushi aren’t the flawless performers fans might hope for, and they have room to grow. Both made their first appearances on OTT platforms and still have some learning to do. Even accomplished actor Ashutosh Rana feels a bit out of sync here. There’s a scene involving a sitar that feels misplaced and distracts from the narrative. On a positive note, Grusha Kapoor stands out with her solid performance.

In conclusion, the film tries to offer a few lessons but ends up falling short. It aims for meaning but misses the mark, leaving the audience longing for more depth. Nisha Mangalam – a phrase that means good night. This time, it feels like the audience is left wishing for a better ending.