With Love:
By ANR Writing | Senior Film Critic
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
After delivering a blockbuster debut with Tourist Family, young filmmaker Abhishan Jeevinth now steps in front of the camera as a lead actor with With Love. Directed by Madan and produced by Soundarya Rajinikanth, this youthful romantic drama has been dubbed into Telugu with the same title. Let’s see how well it connects with audiences.
Story:
Sathya (Abhishan Jeevinth) and Monisha (Anaswara Rajan) meet at a coffee shop as part of a modern, arranged marriage setup. During their conversation, they discover that they once studied in the same school as senior and junior. What starts as a casual interaction soon turns introspective, as both begin sharing their unfinished love stories.
They realise that neither of them had the courage to express their feelings to the people they loved in the past. Determined to not repeat the same mistake, they decide to revisit their past and finally confess their love hoping to fill the emotional void in their lives. This decision sets them on a journey filled with unexpected turns. Where does this journey finally lead them? That forms the crux of With Love.
Performances:
Anaswara Rajan, known mostly for understated roles, surprises with a more assertive and dominant character this time. Her screen presence is strong, and the role suits her age perfectly. She looks especially charming in the school portions, which add a nostalgic warmth to the narrative.
Abhishan Jeevinth impresses as a debutant hero. He effortlessly portrays a relatable, everyday youngster. His comic timing works particularly well, with the drunk climax sequence where he calls his friends turning out to be a laugh riot. The supporting cast delivers competent performances within the scope of their roles.
Technical Aspects:
Special mention must be made of the care taken in the Telugu dubbed version. The makers have ensured that Tamil signboards or visuals rarely appear on screen. Using Devi Sri Prasad’s photograph for the Telugu version is a smart touch. Though the team tries hard to mask the film’s Tamil roots, the lack of complete authenticity is noticeable at times but the strong comedy ensures it doesn’t become a distraction.
The Telugu dubbing dialogues are well-written, and the inclusion of popular Telugu meme references adds to the entertainment value.
Director Madan, who previously worked on films like Na Autograph and 96, revisits familiar emotional territory but presents it with freshness. Casting young actors who convincingly fit both present-day and school portions works strongly in the film’s favour, evoking a pleasant nostalgic feel. Instead of focusing purely on plot, the film prioritises situations and that turns out to be a major plus. Almost every sequence feels relatable, making audiences see fragments of their own lives in the characters.
Madan balances humour with emotion effectively and subtly communicates a life philosophy about perspective and acceptance. For a filmmaker, this outing feels like hitting a six off the very first ball.
Music & Visuals:
Sean Roldan’s music complements the narrative well, though the Telugu lyrics could have been handled with more sensitivity. At times, the Telugu words feel force-fitted into Tamil tunes, affecting emotional depth.
The art direction and production design are major highlights. Despite using just around five primary locations, the team avoids visual repetition through smart angles and staging. Cinematographer Shreyas Krishna deserves appreciation for elevating the visual appeal. Instead of spending lavishly on locations, the budget is wisely utilised to enhance content quality.
Analysis&Verdict:
Since the decision to release the Telugu dubbed version was taken at the last minute, many viewers are unaware of the film’s release in Telugu states. The English title also works slightly against the film. However, with proper promotion, With Love has the potential to reach the success levels of films like Premalu.
With healthy humour, hilarious episodes, and engaging emotional moments, With Love is a thoroughly entertaining romantic drama. Calling it a must-watch would not be an exaggeration especially for those who enjoy relatable, feel-good cinema.
