What happens when love doesn鈥檛 come with grand gestures or dramatic declarations but instead arrives quietly, almost awkwardly, when you least expect it? That鈥檚 the charm of Aap Jaisa Koi, Netflix鈥檚 upcoming film starring R. Madhavan and Fatima Sana Shaikh. The makers just dropped the trailer, and it gives us a peek into a soft, slow-burn love story that鈥檚 more about understanding and equality than fireworks.
Madhavan plays Shrirenu Tripathi, a 42-year-old man who seems like someone you might pass by in real life 鈥 quiet, routine-bound, and unsure of how to ask for the love he craves. His life starts to shift when he meets Madhu Bose, played by Fatima, a bold, self-assured woman who lives life on her own terms. Their story unfolds between Jamshedpur and Kolkata, but at its heart, it鈥檚 about something we rarely see on screen: barabari wala pyaar 鈥 love built on equality.
Watch the trailer here:
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Speaking about his role, Madhavan says, 鈥淎ap Jaisa Koi is unlike any love story I鈥檝e done before 鈥 it鈥檚 quiet, awkward, and deeply human. Shrirenu is one of the most complex characters I鈥檝e played鈥 It鈥檚 patient, gentle, and deeply affecting. I was drawn to how it speaks to all the people who鈥檝e felt overlooked in life or love.鈥
Fatima, too, found the experience meaningful, saying, 鈥淧laying Madhu was incredibly special鈥 We often associate strength and confidence with masculinity, but Madhu embodies these qualities with such softness and femininity鈥 Through this film, I got to dive into different shades of love, and oddly enough, it felt quite therapeutic.鈥
Director Vivek Soni shared , 鈥淎ap Jaisa Koi is a film about breaking free from the walls we build around ourselves. It鈥檚 about embracing the awkwardness and vulnerability of love. Working with Netflix again after Meenakshi Sundareshwar has been a fulfilling experience, and I鈥檓 excited to present a love story that鈥檚 tender, messy, and intimate, one that embraces vulnerability without losing its charm and breeziness. It quietly questions the roles we fall into in relationships and reflects the quiet courage it takes to truly let someone in. With R. Madhavan and Fatima Sana Shaikh bringing so much heart to their roles, the film reflects the authenticity that Netflix viewers truly connect with. It鈥檚 a modern romance that speaks to the need for real connections in today鈥檚 world.鈥
Directed by Vivek Soni (Meenakshi Sundareshwar) and backed by Dharmatic Entertainment, Aap Jaisa Koi also stars Ayesha Raza, Manish Chaudhari, and Namit Das.
Aap Jaisa Koi premieres July 11 on Netflix. This film marks Madhavan鈥檚 return to the beloved romance genre, presenting a mature perspective on relationships that combines humour, vulnerability, and warmth, all set against a backdrop of family bonds and self-discovery.