In the world of modern romantic films, “Bobby Aur Rishi Ki Love Story” attempts to rekindle the magic of serendipitous encounters and deep emotional connections. Directed by Kunal Kohli, this movie brings together Kaveri Kapur and Vardhaan Puri in a story that revolves around love, heartbreak, and self-discovery. However, while the film has its heart in the right place, does it succeed in delivering a memorable love story? Let’s explore the movie in detail.
Plot Overview: Love Born Out of Chance
The story introduces Kaushalya Prajapati aka Bobby (Kaveri Kapur), a young woman traveling from Glasgow to Cardiff, whose journey takes an unexpected turn due to a volcanic ash cloud. As she finds herself stranded at Heathrow Airport, she crosses paths with Rishi (Vardhaan Puri), a charming but persistent young man who is immediately captivated by her.
Rishi, intrigued by Bobby, follows her to the railway station and boards the same train to Cambridge. Initially, Bobby is irritated by his seemingly stalker-like behavior, but as their journey progresses, the ice between them melts. The duo spends time exploring Cambridge, exchanging thoughts on love, life, and relationships.
However, Bobby’s recent heartbreak leaves her hesitant to commit, leading to their separation. The rest of the film follows their journey as they navigate their emotions, confront their fears, and seek therapy to understand their own feelings.
Direction & Screenplay: A Familiar Tale with Weak Conflict
Kunal Kohli, known for directing “Hum Tum” (2004), seems to have taken inspiration from his own work and Richard Linklater’s “Before Sunrise” series. The first half of the movie is filled with picturesque locations, engaging conversations, and chemistry between the leads. The way Bobby and Rishi connect through dialogues is natural and engaging, creating a heartfelt beginning.
However, as the film progresses, it struggles to maintain its momentum. The conflict—a commitment-phobic Bobby and a deeply infatuated Rishi—isn’t explored deeply enough to evoke strong emotions. While their emotional struggles feel real, the lack of a compelling dramatic arc weakens the impact.
The subplot featuring therapy sessions is an interesting angle, adding depth to the characters. The audience remains curious about what leads them to therapy, but the revelation towards the end feels abrupt and underwhelming.
Performances: A Confident Debut & Natural Charm
- Vardhaan Puri delivers a confident and charming performance. His portrayal of Rishi is sincere, making him a likable character despite his overenthusiastic pursuit of Bobby. He shines in emotional sequences, adding layers to his character.
- Kaveri Kapur, in her debut role, does a commendable job as Bobby. While she has moments of rawness, her expressive eyes and relatable portrayal of a heartbroken woman struggling with emotions make her performance believable. Her voice adds an extra layer of charm to her character.
- Lillete Dubey (Dr. Shanaya Kharody), playing the therapist, is dependable as always, adding gravitas to the therapy scenes.
- Seema Bowri (Bobby’s mother) tries too hard to come across as a “cool mom,” and her performance feels a bit forced.
- Sameer Suri (Bobby’s father) and Nisha Aaliya (Bobby’s sister) have limited screen time but serve their purpose.
- Raj Zutshi (Rishi’s father) and Sonam Nanwani (Anjali, Rishi’s friend) make their presence felt but don’t leave a lasting impact.
Music: A Mixed Bag of Emotions
The music of “Bobby Aur Rishi Ki Love Story” complements the film’s theme but doesn’t leave a lasting impression. Some standout tracks include:
- “Tappe” – A peppy, youth-oriented song reminiscent of “Ladki Kyun Na Jaane Kyun” from Hum Tum.
- “Koi Koi” – A romantic number that sounds too similar to other tracks.
- “Tumse Kyun” – A heartfelt song but fails to stand out.
- “Reminisce” – A soulful melody, beautifully sung by Kaveri Kapur.
- “Hoor” – A catchy tune that brings a refreshing vibe.
Overall, while the songs fit well within the narrative, they don’t have a long shelf life beyond the film.
Cinematography & Technical Aspects
- Andrew Hall’s cinematography is clean and effective, focusing more on the characters than the breathtaking locales of Cambridge, Heathrow, and Glasgow. While the visual aesthetic is pleasing, it doesn’t take full advantage of the scenic beauty.
- Amar Mohile’s background score is modern and urban, enhancing the mood of the film.
- Production design and costume styling give the film a fresh, contemporary look, aligning with the urban love story theme.
- Editing by Sanjay Sankla and Pratul Gaikwad is crisp, ensuring the film doesn’t feel too stretched, but the narrative could have been more engaging.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths:
✅ Charming performances by Vardhaan Puri & Kaveri Kapur
✅ Relatable conversations and modern-day romance elements
✅ Engaging therapy subplot that keeps viewers intrigued
✅ Breezy runtime (97 minutes), making it a light watch
Weaknesses:
❌ Lack of strong conflict, making the story feel flat
❌ Abrupt climax and underdeveloped emotional depth
❌ Songs are forgettable despite being well-integrated
❌ Some characters feel underutilized or forced
Final Verdict: A Half-Baked Love Story
“Bobby Aur Rishi Ki Love Story” is a sweet but forgettable romantic drama that attempts to capture the magic of chance encounters and self-discovery. While it pays homage to films like Hum Tum and Before Sunrise, it lacks the strong emotional depth required to make a lasting impact.
If you enjoy light-hearted romantic films with breezy narratives, this film might work for you. However, if you’re looking for a soul-stirring love story with a deep, compelling conflict, this one falls short.
⭐ Rating: 2.5/5 🌟
Would you watch this film, or are you looking for something more gripping in the romance genre? Let us know in the comments!
