Aap Jaisa Koi by Vivek Soni has been much anticipated since the trailer release. With R Madhavan playing a romantic character again, the audience was excited for him to bring back his Maddy magic on screen. Paired with Fatima Sana Shaikh, the two showcase a couple from different backgrounds, castes, religions, and age groups. Does this seemingly simplistic story live up to its hype? Read this Aap Jaisa Koi movie review before streaming it this weekend.

The movie starts on a fun note, but soon loses its plot

After watching Metro… In Dino, a wholesome Bollywood movie after ages, I had high expectations from R Madhavan and Fatima Sana Shaikh’s Aap Jaisa Koi. The teaser, trailer and promotions made the film look promising. A simple rom-com featuring a couple with issues that are real and rooted in society. Aap Jaisa Koi starts on a sweet note, introducing a 42-year-old virgin, Shrirenu Tripathi, who is a Sanskrit teacher in Jamshedpur. Under the influence of his friend and a little out of desperation, Shri joins a sex chatting app called Aap Jaisa Koi aka AJK. He soon realises how lonely he is and how nice it is to have a companion. In a great turn of events, his bhabhi gets a rishta for him. Cue Madhu Bose, a 32-year-old single woman who is a French teacher. This leads to chatt mangni patt vyaah, as both families agree that they are the perfect match for each other.

But on the day of the engagement, Shri realises that this is not the first time he has met Madhu. He actually spoke to her on AJK, and this brings his world shattering down. Cue lots of drama, questioning Madhu’s sanskaars, and a rift between the families big enough to call off the wedding.

Related: Metro… In Dino Review: This Musical Love Saga Hurts You And Heals You At The Same Time

The subplots are unmissable

Sooner or later, you will start seeing similarities between Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani and Aap Jaisa Koi. A progressive Bengali family and conservative North Indian family trying to pull each other down. A bhabhi who is always working in the kitchen, and in her absence, she teaches her devrani how to make chutney on a silbatta, not in a blender. Remember Mrs. featuring Sanya Malhotra? See, I’m not mad that Aap Jaisa Koi picks references from multiple movies. I’m just upset that what could have been a simple, sweet rom-com with a hint of drama lost its plot somewhere in the middle and gave us an average tale.

The script fails to utilise R Madhavan’s character and limits him to playing a regressive man who grew up in a patriarchal family. Fatima Sana Shaikh brightens up the screen, but there’s only so much her character can do. The supporting cast, including Ayesha Raza, Manish Chaudhary, Namit Das, and Divyam Dubey, does a fair job of bringing the story together.

Aap Jaisa Koi is now streaming on Netflix.

Can you watch it with your family?: The movie doesn’t have any explicit scenes but talks about adult themes. You can watch it with your family if they don’t mind such topics.

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