Aap Jaisa Koi writer on R Madhavan–Fatima Sana Shaikh starrer: 'Rom-coms aren’t about meet-cutes anymore'

Watching the upcoming romantic comedy Aap Jaisa Koi on Netflix isn't enough for the makers. They want the film to challenge viewers to consider the precarious nature of modern relationships and Bollywood's role in normalising this feeling.

Unconventional pairing at the heart of the film

A 40-year-old Sanskrit teacher from Jamshedpur, played by R. Madhavan and a confident girl from Kolkata, played by Fatima Sana Shaikh, star in the film directed by Haseen Dillruba co-writer Vivek Soni. Jehan Handa and Radhika Anand, who collaborated on the writing, set out with a singular goal: to modernise the romantic comedy while preserving its essence.

In an interview with Mid Day, Handa stated, "Rom-coms are not about meet-cutes anymore. There is a certain maturity that’s expected. We asked ourselves, 'What does love mean in a world of therapy‑speak, career anxiety, and gender politics?'"

ALSO READ: Aap Jaisa Koi Trailer OUT: R. Madhavan and Fatima Sana Shaikh's unconventional love story is relevant to younger generation 

Gender politics

Finally, the word "gender politics" became the driving force for the film. In contrast to Shaikh's unwavering determination to support an insecure partner, Madhavan portrays "a soft guy who has been conditioned", as described by Handa. 

The writer also shared, "In the past few decades, women grew up not wanting to be their mothers, and the men grew up expecting to find their mothers in their partners. Modern relationships require a fair bit of unlearning. We knew we had to address that in our storytelling. In a dialogue in the trailer, Madhavan’s character almost apologetically asks her to dial down her personality. He is a soft guy who has been conditioned."

Bollywood's rom-com dilemma

According to Handa, the current slate of romantic films in Hindi cinema frequently prioritises flash over emotional impact. These days, many films conflate style with emotion.

The young writer said, "We wanted something that doesn’t just look pretty but also captures the real heartbreak. We talked a lot about how Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge was radical for its time; Shah Rukh Khan’s character saying ‘I’ll win your parents over’ was rebellion then. 'What’s rebellion now?' You have to fight your own instincts and be better personally. For example, a large part of the audience loved Raanjhanaa, where the hero is running behind the woman. Maybe they thought that was okay. But we need to say newer things about love. We’re not doing that enough right now. This month alone, we have three romantic releases—Metro… In Dino, Saiyaara, and Aap Jaisa Koi. Romance can make you feel good, but we want it to make you think too. What do we expect from the person we fall in love with? What do we owe ourselves?"

Releasing on July 11, 2025, Aap Jaisa Koi will soon reveal whether viewers are prepared for a love story that prioritises honest introspection over traditional spectacular gestures.