Aap Jaisa Koi Movie Review: Unconventional Romance, Familiar Execution

Aap Jaisa Koi is a film that dares to explore spaces Bollywood rarely treads. Starring R Madhavan and Fatima Sana Shaikh, the film offers a fresh romantic dynamic between a socially awkward, middle-aged Sanskrit teacher and a confident, younger French instructor. While the foundation is bold and unique, the storytelling often returns to predictable zones, pulling back just when it could push the envelope.

Directed by Vivek Soni, the film attempts to blend an unconventional love story with layers of family conservatism, gender politics, and emotional vulnerability. Unfortunately, the final product feels like a mixture of genuine intent and old-school packaging.

A Middle-Aged Man in the Spotlight: Shrirenu’s Quiet World

At the heart of Aap Jaisa Koi is Shrirenu Tripathi, a 42-year-old Sanskrit teacher from Jamshedpur, played with dignified restraint by R Madhavan. A man untouched by romance, his evenings are spent in solitude, his phone only ringing with family calls. His loneliness is not exaggerated, just gently shown through everyday routines—sitting under a mosquito net, correcting homework, and hesitating at dating apps.

His world is small, neat, and untouched by desire—until Madhu Bose enters.

Enter Madhu: The Catalyst of Change

Fatima Sana Shaikh plays Madhu, a French teacher from Kolkata who breezes into Shrirenu’s life through a dating app. Stylish, spontaneous, and emotionally forward, she flips Shrirenu’s sheltered world upside down. Their early connection is sweet, filled with awkward phone calls and glances. Soon, things escalate—proposals happen, families are informed, and the “perfect match” story seems set.

But it’s not just about love. Madhu, who seems to break stereotypes, is also judged harshly—her past relationships, her fashion choices, and even her sexual autonomy become points of discussion, not celebration.

The Plot’s Turning Point: When Society Joins the Conversation

The film shifts tone when Shrirenu’s conservative family takes center stage. His elder brother (played by Manish Chaudhary) represents the voice of authority—rigid, judgmental, and patriarchal. His wife (Ayesha Raza) and daughter add layers of suppressed female desires and aspirations. But instead of these side stories enriching the plot, they often turn the narrative into a social lecture.

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We’re reminded of every Indian family drama where the woman must justify her choices, and the man, no matter how flawed, still decides the terms.

What Works: Performances and Premise

There’s no denying the power of R Madhavan’s performance. His portrayal of a lonely, aging man struggling to understand modern relationships is authentic and heartfelt. He never overplays his emotions, making Shrirenu both relatable and tragic.

Fatima brings a soft rebellion to her role. Madhu isn’t just a pretty woman challenging tradition—she’s layered, intelligent, and broken in places the film doesn’t fully explore.

The idea of exploring romance between two adults beyond the usual tropes is refreshing. For once, Bollywood puts a middle-aged man with romantic vulnerability in the lead, and that’s rare.

What Doesn’t Work: Tropes, Tones, and Missed Depth

While the film wants to challenge societal norms, it also wants to remain in familiar territory. It builds moments that could spark bold conversations, only to retreat into safe family drama. There’s a hesitance to push forward.

The best friend character, played by Namit Das, is a missed opportunity. Reduced to comic relief and cheerleading duties, he’s given little substance. Similarly, we rarely see Madhu’s world—her career, her struggles, her past remain hints, not stories.

The narrative juggles too many ideas—romance, family expectations, female desire, and social judgment—but drops them just as they start to gain weight.

Table: A Quick Breakdown of Aap Jaisa Koi’s Strengths and Weaknesses

A Missed Chance at a Bolder Conversation

One of the film’s more promising aspects is its quiet commentary on female desire and autonomy. Married women seeking intimacy, single women exploring relationships unapologetically—these are rare themes in mainstream Hindi cinema. But just when the film touches these, it takes a step back.

The narrative begins to feel “too careful”, as if it fears offending sensibilities. This results in an emotional disconnect, where characters feel half-formed and situations appear conveniently resolved.

Bollywood’s Dilemma: Between Change and Convention

Aap Jaisa Koi reflects a challenge Bollywood faces repeatedly—how to tell modern stories without letting go of old habits. It wants to speak about feminism, freedom, loneliness, and gender roles but also wants to end things on a sweet, family-friendly note.

The film could have been a sharp romantic satire or a tender social drama, but it tries to be both—and that dilutes its impact.

Final Word: Worth Watching for the Performances, Not the Plot

At its best, Aap Jaisa Koi is a thoughtful love story about two people defying norms and expectations. At its weakest, it’s a film that plays it safe and loses its voice halfway.

For fans of R Madhavan, this is a return to form, showing his growth as an actor beyond romantic hero roles. Fatima Sana Shaikh continues to show she’s willing to experiment, though the script doesn’t support her enough.

Watch this movie if you’re looking for something different, but don’t expect the difference to be deep. There are some genuine moments, some refreshing dynamics, but overall, the film leans too often into comfort instead of courage.

Aap Jaisa Koi (2025)
Directed by: Vivek Soni
Starring: R Madhavan, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Ayesha Raza, Manish Chaudhary, Namit Das
Runtime: 132 minutes
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2 out of 5 stars)