'Loveyapa' struggles at box office, writer hopes for OTT success
What's the story
The latest Bollywood release, Loveyapa, featuring Junaid Khan and Khushi Kapoor, has failed to leave a mark at the box office since its release on February 7.
The film, a fresh perspective on love and modern relationships, opened to mixed reviews from critics.
Now, following the underwhelming box office performance, Sneha Desai—the writer of Loveyapa—has opened up about it in an interview with India Today.
Writer's perspective
Desai defended 'Loveyapa' as a unique rom-com
Defending Loveyapa, Desai said, "Box office numbers don't always tell the full story of a film's impact."
She called the film an innovative and non-traditional romantic comedy that mostly appeals to Gen-Z and millennials.
"However, because it is a unique style of rom-com, a remake at that, one that doesn't necessarily follow the traditional Bollywood formula, it may take time for a wider audience to fully connect with it," she added.
Digital hopes
Desai expressed optimism for 'Loveyapa's digital release
Desai stressed that while a good story is important for a film to work, how it's received by audiences also depends on relatability, marketing, and perception.
She hinted that Loveyapa could do well on OTT, saying, "People prefer to watch larger-than-life portrayals on-screen and lesser-mounted films on OTT."
She added everyone who has seen the film till now has been pleasantly surprised by it. Despite its poor start, Desai is optimistic about Loveyapa finding its audience with its digital release.
Film details
'Loveyapa' is a remake of the Tamil film 'Love Today'
Loveyapa is a Bollywood adaptation of Pradeep Ranganathan's Tamil hit Love Today, directed by Advait Chandan.
The story follows Gaurav (Junaid) and Baani (Khushi), whose love story takes a turn when Baani's father (played by Ashutosh Rana) challenges them to swap their phones to prove their love.
Even with the support of a major superstar Aamir Khan, the film has only raked in ₹6.85 crore so far.