Gaurav Verma, Phars Film, Avanika Films and Bhavana Studios’ Prem Keetanu (UA) is a love triangle.
Suhani (Aafiya Sayed) works in a company with Ranjeet (Aparshakti Khurana). Ranjeet is quite mad about Suhani and is trying very hard to woo her. The easy-going Suhani is fond of Ranjeet, but is not in love with him. Vishal (Veer Pahariya) is a jobless young man who also loves Suhani. However, Suhani treats Vishal as a true friend. Complications arise when both, Vishal and Ranjeet, propose to Suhani. Whom does Suhani select? Or does she reject both the marriage proposals?
The story is adapted from Malayalam film Premalu. The story is both, interesting and engaging, because it is simple and appealing. But showing Suhani to be so dumb that she doesn’t realise that both the boys are in love with her is not easily digestible. Deepak Kingrani’s screenplay is nice. The screenplay has romance, light moments, drama, melodrama and a dash of emotions too. Having said that, it must be added that the drama sometimes appears to be too convenient. One scene deserves special mention — the one in which Vishal informs his father over telephone that he would be going to the USA. It moves the audience emotionally. One drawback of the screenplay is that one has seen umpteen love triangles in the past too, and the only thing that differentiates this from most of the others is that this one is about the love story of a girl and a jobless guy. But that may not be enough for the viewers today because they crave more novelty than just this. Deepak Kingrani’s dialogues are very nice.
Veer Paharıya does a fine job as Vishal. His sincerity and integrity make him a likeable young man. Aafiya Sayed makes a confident debut as Suhani. She is very natural in the role. But she lacks glamour and oomph. Aparshakti Khurana is lovely as Ranjeet. Nikhil Vijay makes a mark as Vishal’s roommate, Magan. Rakesh Bedi makes a fine impression as Suhani’s father. Preeti Aggarwal is quite nice as Suhani’s mother. Pankaj Mathur has his moments as Arindam, colleague of Aafiya and Ranjeet. Sachin Kathuria acts with aplomb in the role of Vishal’s father. He is supremely natural. Neeta Jhanji is lovely as Vishal’s mother. Piyusha Roy (as Meera), Shubhangi (as Sakshi), and the others lend the desired support.
Apoorv Singh Karki’s direction is mature. He has handled the love story with the sensitivity that was required. Music (Sachet Parampara, Ankur R. Pathak, Rahul Mishra, The Rish and Shashi Suman) is very appealing. Kaho toh (music by Ankur R. Pathak; lyrics by Sachin Urmtosh), Tu mera raiyyo (music by Sachet-Parampara; lyrics by Kunaal Verma), Ishq ka ghulam (music by The Rish; lyrics by Kunaal Verma) and Undi bundi (music by Shashi Suman; lyrics by Sandeep Singh Sardaraa) are the best numbers. Lyrics (also by Prince Dubey and Meer, besides the lyricists mentioned above) are lovely. Tejaswi Shetty does an average job of the choreography. The song picturisations ought to have been better. Ketan Sodha’s background music is nice. Arjun Kukreti’s cinematography is eye-filling. Amin Khatib’s action and stunt scenes are functional. Ambika Acharya’s production designing is so-so. Ritesh Soni’s editing is reasonably sharp.
On the whole, Prem Keetanu is a well-made entertainer with appealing songs and good acting, but it will flop at the box-office on account of lack of face value and the very big opposition of Drishyam: The Conclusion (released simultaneously) and the other films already running in cinemas. It is very possible that this one may not get a chance to even breathe at the turnstiles because exhibitors will reduce its shows and increase the shows of Drishyam: The Conclusion which has opened to earth-shattering houses today.
Released on 2-10-’26 at Inox (daily 4 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay thru PVR Inox Pictures. Publicity: fair. Opening: very dull. …….Also released all over. Opening was poor in spite of the October 2 national holiday.
