Title: Aap Jaisa Koi
Director: Faraz Arif Ansari
Cast: Ayush Mehra, Aditya Rawal
Genre: Romantic Drama / LGBTQ+
Language: Hindi
Runtime: 127 minutes
Release Date: July 5, 2025
Platform: Theatrical Release (Expected on OTT later)
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
🧭 Introduction
In a cinematic landscape dominated by formulaic romances and safe storytelling, Aap Jaisa Koi dares to be different. Directed by Faraz Arif Ansari, known for their silent queer short Sisak, this film is a poignant exploration of identity, love, loss, and liberation. At a time when queer representation in Bollywood is still limited and often caricatured, Aap Jaisa Koi arrives like a breath of fresh air—authentic, emotional, and quietly revolutionary.
Featuring Ayush Mehra and Aditya Rawal in lead roles, the film challenges societal norms and invites us into the tender and turbulent world of two men trying to love freely in a world that insists on boundaries.
🎭 Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
Aap Jaisa Koi centers around Ishaan (Ayush Mehra), a young advertising executive in Mumbai, living a life that looks perfect on paper. But beneath his social success lies a longing for genuine connection. Enter Ravi (Aditya Rawal), a struggling theatre actor with a rebellious streak and a haunted past. Their worlds collide at a pride art exhibition and from that moment, a bond starts forming—slow, complex, and unshakably real.
As the relationship deepens, the two men confront personal demons, family expectations, and the harsh gaze of society. The film beautifully weaves scenes of quiet romance with the tension of unspoken fears. What begins as a chance meeting turns into a journey of self-discovery, healing, and defiance.
🎬 Direction & Vision
Faraz Arif Ansari deserves high praise for crafting a film that avoids clichés and instead opts for a deeply intimate narrative. The storytelling is nuanced, relying more on emotions than dramatic twists. Each frame feels purposeful, and every pause holds weight.
Ansari masterfully captures the contrast between the bustling city outside and the quiet emotional turmoil inside the protagonists. There’s no forced agenda, no exaggerated drama—just truth, told with sensitivity and poetry.
🧑🤝🧑 Performances
🔹 Ayush Mehra as Ishaan
Ayush Mehra delivers what could be his career-defining performance. Known for his light-hearted roles in digital content, Mehra sheds all expectations and dives deep into Ishaan’s vulnerability. His expressions, especially during moments of silence, convey more than words ever could. From heartbreak to happiness, Mehra carries the film on his shoulders with remarkable grace.
🔹 Aditya Rawal as Ravi
Aditya Rawal, son of actor Paresh Rawal, is intense, restrained, and completely believable as Ravi. He brings depth to a character who is equal parts passionate and broken. His chemistry with Mehra feels organic, never forced. Together, the duo shares a bond that is emotional, raw, and undeniably powerful.
🖼️ Cinematography & Visual Language
The cinematography by Swapnil Sonawane is another highlight. From rain-washed streets of Mumbai to warm, dimly lit bedrooms, every scene has a mood and soul. The use of natural lighting, reflections, and wide-angle shots helps the viewer feel part of the characters’ journey.
Certain moments—like a lingering glance across a crowded room, or two hands brushing unintentionally—are filmed with such intimacy that they leave a lasting impression.
🎵 Music & Sound Design
The background score by Sneha Khanwalkar is subtle yet impactful. The music doesn’t dictate emotion—it flows with it. The film features a minimalistic soundtrack, with a few original songs that elevate key moments without being intrusive.
The title track “Aap Jaisa Koi”, a reinterpretation of the classic Nazia Hassan number, plays during a montage that is arguably the most emotional point in the film.
Sound design is equally careful. Silence is used beautifully to express everything the characters cannot say aloud.
✍️ Writing & Screenplay
The screenplay is deliberately paced, favoring emotional depth over dramatic hooks. The dialogues are sparse but impactful, avoiding preachiness. The writing treats its LGBTQ+ themes with respect and authenticity, never falling into the trap of stereotyping.
Conversations around mental health, family expectations, queer identity, and trauma are addressed delicately—reflecting the real-life struggles many LGBTQ+ individuals in India continue to face.
💡 Themes Explored
- Love Beyond Labels
The film explores a romance that isn’t boxed into societal definitions. It’s tender, real, and beautifully flawed. - Queer Identity in Urban India
Unlike many movies that exoticize or simplify queer experiences, Aap Jaisa Koi paints a layered picture of being gay in modern India. - Family and Acceptance
Ishaan’s strained relationship with his family adds emotional weight. It raises important questions: What does it take to be accepted for who you are? What is the cost of hiding? - Healing Through Art
Both protagonists use art (theatre and advertising) as a way to make sense of the world. Creativity becomes their escape—and their truth.
⚖️ What Works
✅ Sensitive direction that respects its subject
✅ Stunning performances, especially from Mehra and Rawal
✅ Realistic portrayal of urban queer relationships
✅ Beautiful visuals and subtle music
✅ Honest storytelling that doesn’t seek validation
❌ What Could Be Better
❌ The film’s pacing may feel slow to some viewers
❌ Lack of supporting character depth (especially family members)
❌ Not for those expecting mainstream romance or action
While Aap Jaisa Koi doesn’t try to please everyone, its slow narrative might test the patience of audiences looking for drama or resolution in every scene.
🏆 Verdict: A Must-Watch for Indian Queer Cinema
Aap Jaisa Koi isn’t just a movie—it’s a movement in storytelling. It doesn’t shout, but it makes you feel. It doesn’t aim for box office numbers, but for hearts and minds. It’s a rare film that puts two queer men in love at the center of its story without turning it into a tragedy or a joke.
For audiences open to thoughtful, emotionally rich cinema, Aap Jaisa Koi is an experience worth having.
⭐ Final Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Aap Jaisa Koi is bold without being loud, sensitive without being overly sentimental, and romantic without being cliché. It represents the kind of storytelling that Indian cinema needs more of—inclusive, heartfelt, and unafraid.
🎯 Should You Watch It?
If you love:
- Emotionally driven narratives
- Realistic romance
- LGBTQ+ stories told with dignity
- Intimate, character-focused drama
Then yes—this film is a must-watch.
🔖 FAQs
Q1: Is Aap Jaisa Koi suitable for family viewing?
A: The film is sensitive and mature in content. While there’s no graphic content, it’s better suited for viewers aged 16+ due to emotional themes and romantic intimacy.
Q2: Is it available on OTT?
A: As of now, it had a theatrical release on July 5, 2025. It is expected to release on a major OTT platform (likely Netflix or Amazon Prime) in a few months.
Q3: Is this a remake of Nazia Hassan’s song?
A: No, but the film does feature a beautifully reimagined version of the iconic song, used metaphorically in one of its emotional climaxes.