I Love You Review: JioCinema’s latest film is directed by Nikhil Mahajan. It is Mahajan’s Hindi film debut after his massive success in the Marathi film industry. The film is co-produced by Athena and The Vermillion World Production and, presented by Jio Studios.
The film’s cast includes Rakul Preet Singh as Satya and Pavail Gulati as Rakesh Oberoi aka ‘RO’ in the leading roles. The other cast members are Akshay Oberoi and Kiran Kumar. The runtime of the film is 1 hour and 33 minutes.
– JioCinema’s I Love You Review Does Not Contain Spoilers –
I Love You Review: As Predictable As It Is Enjoyable
I Love You beings with an intro shot where you see Rakul Preet’s Satya underwater in a swimming pool. Ideally, the shot says nothing but, conveys beauty on an aesthetic level until you reach the end of the film to know why it was important because it has its moment during one of the final climaxes of the film. It is also in this shot that the film clarifies itself as being something predictable, yes but, also something that values what has come before to integrate it into the finale.
We move into the basic storyline soon enough. We have a corporate woman- independent, strong and kind- Satya. At the beginning of the film, we are privy to the fact that she has just been proposed to by her boyfriend and colleague Akash and both of them are scheduled to leave the city later in the night for their Diwali break. Satya’s close friend, working in the same company but, in the tech department is RO. The two are incredibly close and make good friends.
On the night of Satya’s leaving, she is unable to get in touch with Akash which leaves her worried. On top of that, she cannot find her driver to take her to the airport either. After a series of events, the night closes in and, Satya finds herself completely alone in her office building and is unable to get out. With no one left to contact, Satya takes her chance by calling RO to help her, who is more than eager too as he is catching the same flight as her.
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However, after RO arrives at the office to rescue our damsel in distress, things take a different turn. With the discovery of a dead body (and, a few more later) things in Satya’s life change completely as she fights to survive this one night that might make all the difference in her life.
I Love You feels like a modern take on the narratives of Darr and Ek Haseena Thi and, we are not complaining. Imagine these old classics but, disposed to the malice and havoc technology can reap- no, thanks! However, it is not the story that leaves an impact in this film, the performances do.
Pavail Gulati is one villain to look out for. He has so many contrasting shades to show us during the course of this film that it becomes exciting as it is scary at one point. You just do not know what is going to do next- will he dance? play music? kill someone? proclaim his love in another monologue? You can only guess. He is a calm and cruel force to deal with and, really takes this generic movie to a higher level.
Rakul Preet Singh leaves no stone unturned as she pushes her survival instinct to do what is needed in I Love You. She is panicky as she is dubious in moments that require her to be. She delivers according to Gulati’s villain’s ever-changing mood with courage in her core and it really reflects well in the movie.
I Love You: Final Verdict
There is nothing wrong with a film being predictable and, I Love You tries to be the evidential proof of that statement. You do not second guess the twists and turns but, enjoy it instead. There is a feeling from the beginning where you know how this story will end but, with the correct pacing and incredible performances, you can really sit through it, biting your nails.
This film is definitely a one-time watch and is decent with a story that has been recycled over the years. What’s interesting in this one is how it feels inspired by the ones before and, makes sure that this thought process is communicated to us well (here, the opening shoot being an omen to that along with the use of good ‘ol music), making I Love You worth your time.
You can watch I Love You now streaming on JioCinema for free.
Ending was sudden what happened to Akshay oberoi instead 4 to 5 minutes of details of production people