Director – Apoorv Singh Karki
Cast – Veer Pahariya, Aafiya Sayed, Aparshakti Khurana, Rakesh Bedi, Nikhil Vijay
Duration – 2h 18m
Rating – 4
There is a point in life when having a crush feels like the biggest problem in the world. Then reality arrives with its own list — career, parents, money, friendships and decisions that cannot be postponed forever. Prem Keetanu finds its story somewhere in that messy transition. It starts off looking like a familiar campus romance, complete with a carefree boy, a girl he can’t stop thinking about and another man standing in the way. But the further it goes, the more it becomes a story about what happens when life refuses to stay as simple as a love story.
Vishal, played by Veer Pahariya, is not exactly the poster boy for ambition. He is a relaxed backbencher who enjoys his life, his friendship with his roommate and the freedom of not having too many responsibilities. Suhani changes that equation. Played by debutant Aafiya Sayed, she is practical, focused and far more certain about herself. Vishal is immediately drawn to her, but before he can figure out where the relationship is going, Ranjeet enters the picture.
The triangle is familiar, but the film gets a few important things right. Ranjeet isn’t written as a jealous villain who exists only to make Vishal look good. He has his own appeal, while Suhani isn’t treated like a prize that either man can simply claim. Vishal’s insecurity, the uncertainty around Suhani’s feelings and the awkwardness of competing for someone’s attention give the romantic track enough realism.
Pahariya is comfortable in the role. Vishal is supposed to be easy-going, slightly immature and occasionally foolish, and the actor doesn’t try to make him more sophisticated than he is. His comic moments work because they feel like things the character would genuinely do. More importantly, he handles Vishal’s gradual shift from carefree youngster to someone forced to think about his future with enough restraint.
Aafiya Sayed has a confident screen presence for a debut. She shares good chemistry with Pahariya, particularly in the quieter moments where their relationship feels less like a film romance and more like two young people trying to understand what is happening between them. Aparshakti Khurana brings plenty of spark as Ranjeet, keeping the triangle lively and ensuring the film doesn’t get bogged down in romantic angst.
The friendship track is another reason the film remains enjoyable. Vishal’s roommate isn’t simply the guy who appears whenever a joke is needed. He is the person Vishal talks to, argues with and depends on. Their conversations give the film some of its funniest moments, including the roommate’s wonderfully pessimistic take on relationships — give someone time, they want money; give them money, they want time; give them both, they want space. It is exaggerated, but the joke lands because the insecurity behind it is familiar.
Rakesh Bedi gets to have fun as Suhani’s father. Ranjeet’s attempts to impress him provide some easy laughs, but Bedi also brings a nice warmth to the character. These portions could have easily become loud and predictable, but the performances keep them grounded.
The film’s biggest surprise, however, is how much space it gives to Vishal’s family. His relationship with his parents isn’t built around a major confrontation. It is about everyday distance. They care about him, but they don’t always know how to talk to him, and Vishal isn’t exactly helping either. A simple phone conversation captures the equation perfectly when his father answers his call with, “What do you want?”
It is a funny line on the surface, but there is something slightly sad underneath it. The film understands that in many Indian families, particularly between fathers and sons, affection often comes disguised as practical conversation. Nobody says too much, yet everyone expects the other person to understand. Prem Keetanu gets mileage out of that reality without turning it into an emotional sermon.
Then comes the US visa. Vishal finally gets an opportunity that could change his life, only to realise that moving forward may also mean leaving something behind. Suhani suddenly becomes part of a much larger decision. Should he choose the relationship? Should he choose the opportunity? And can he live with whichever choice he makes? The subplot gives the film its strongest coming-of-age element because Vishal has to stop behaving like someone who can simply see where things go.
The humour helps maintain the film’s balance. Even when the story moves into more emotional territory, it doesn’t completely abandon its lighter personality. The friendship, romantic confusion and family interactions continue to give the film enough breathing space.
The music follows the same youthful mood. “Kaho Toh,” “Tu Mera Raiyyo” and “Ishq Ka Ghulaam” add colour and energy, while the choreography fits the film’s easy-going presentation. The songs generally feel connected to the characters and their emotional journey rather than being inserted simply for the sake of having songs.
Director Apoorv Singh Karki keeps things moving without making the film feel rushed. Deepak Kingrani’s screenplay juggles romance, comedy, friendship and family without losing sight of Vishal’s central journey. The North Indian setting adds another layer of familiarity and keeps the film rooted in its world.
What Prem Keetanu ultimately gets right is the idea that growing up doesn’t arrive with a notification. It creeps in through choices. You realise your parents aren’t as simple as you thought. You understand that your best friend may know you better than you know yourself. You discover that falling in love doesn’t automatically tell you what to do next.
The film isn’t offering a revolutionary take on romance, nor does it need to. Its strength lies in its familiar situations, likeable characters and ability to shift between humour and emotion without making either feel forced. Pahariya carries Vishal with natural charm, Sayed makes a promising debut and the supporting cast adds plenty of life. By the end, Prem Keetanu feels less like a film about getting the perfect relationship and more like one about surviving the imperfect stage before adulthood finally settles in. A breezy, relatable watch that knows the real complication isn’t love — it’s everything that comes with it.
