Entertainment

Aap Jaisa Koi review: R Madhavan and Fatima Sana Shaikh shine in a bold yet talkative rom-com

Netflix’s Aap Jaisa Koi is a well-intentioned feminist rom-com that stars R Madhavan and Fatima Sana Shaikh. Though conceptually strong, the film falters due to its didactic execution.

Published

1 year ago

July 12, 2025

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Aap Jaisa Koi, streaming on Netflix and produced under Dharmatic Entertainment, attempts to dive deep into the nuanced themes of female sexual desire, autonomy, and modern relationships. Directed by Vivek Soni, the film brings together R Madhavan and Fatima Sana Shaikh in a romantic comedy that defies conventional Bollywood norms—but not without its share of narrative excess.

A modern mismatch wrapped in old dilemmas

Set between Jamshedpur and Kolkata, the story introduces us to Shrirenu Tripathi (R Madhavan), a 42-year-old introverted Sanskrit teacher, and Madhu Bose (Fatima Sana Shaikh), a confident 32-year-old French teacher. Despite their contrasting personalities—he’s a reserved virgin, she’s an assertive, sexually liberated woman—their worlds collide in a tea-flavored twist of destiny and shared longing.

While on paper the pairing feels like an unconventional rom-com setup, the film smartly explores themes like mutual respect, emotional equality, and the cultural baggage women carry even in modern India. Madhu’s character is refreshingly bold, representing the voice of today’s independent woman unafraid to assert her identity, ambitions, or desires. Her response to Shrirenu’s patronizing comment—”And why will you decide my limits?”—hits the core of the film’s feminist messaging.

A heavy hand in delivering the right message

The heart of Aap Jaisa Koi is in the right place. Its plea for equal love, freedom of choice for women, and breaking away from gendered expectations is both relevant and necessary. However, much like certain previous titles from the same production house, the film stumbles due to its overly verbose and didactic tone.

The narrative feels cluttered at times, as it tries to tick off multiple themes—patriarchy, consent, political awareness, sexuality—all while keeping up the tempo of a romantic comedy. This occasionally leads to dialogues that sound more like lectures than conversations, which might test the patience of viewers looking for a light-hearted watch.

Performances and cultural throwbacks add charm

What helps Aap Jaisa Koi stay engaging are its performances and cleverly placed cultural references. R Madhavan delivers a sincere portrayal of a man coming to terms with his outdated beliefs, while Fatima Sana Shaikh impresses with her grounded and fearless depiction of a modern woman.

There are plenty of hat-tips—from the film’s title being inspired by Nazia Hassan’s iconic track, to shout-outs to Stree, Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s avocados, and even R Madhavan’s real-life Jamshedpur roots. The music by Justin Prabhakaran, especially tracks like Mila Tujhe and Saare Jag Mein, composed with Raj Shekhar’s lyrics, add emotional depth to the screenplay.

Aap Jaisa Koi tries to reinvent the romantic comedy for the contemporary Indian audience with a feminist lens. It asks important questions and offers a genuine attempt to reshape the narrative around love and gender. But in doing so, it sometimes forgets that showing is stronger than telling.

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Entertainment

CID creator BP Singh dies of heart attack, film industry pays tribute

B.P. Singh, the creator and producer-director of CID, has died after suffering a heart attack. His contribution to Indian television has prompted tributes from colleagues and members of the entertainment industry.

Published

7 days ago

October 27, 2026

APNLive Desk

Veteran television producer-director B.P. Singh, best known for creating the popular crime investigation series CID, has died after suffering a heart attack. His death on Tuesday, October 27, prompted tributes from colleagues and members of the entertainment industry, who remembered his contribution to Indian television.

Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit shared the news of Singh’s death in a social media post, remembering him as an accomplished filmmaker whose work had captivated audiences through shows such as CID and Aahat.

Pandit also recalled his association with Singh during the latter’s tenure as president of the Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association. Expressing grief over the loss, he described Singh as a close friend and a person whose work would continue to inspire future generations.

The last rites are scheduled to take place on Wednesday, October 28, according to Pandit’s post.

BP Singh’s contribution to Indian television

Born Brijendra Pal Singh, B.P. Singh established himself as a prominent figure in Indian television through his work as a producer and director. He created CID, one of the country’s longest-running crime investigation shows, which premiered in 1998 and followed a team of Mumbai crime branch officers investigating cases.

The series became widely recognised among television audiences and ran for around two decades. Singh also occasionally appeared on the show as DCP Shamsher Singh Chitrole.

One of the show’s notable milestones came in October 2004, when a special episode was filmed in a single continuous take lasting 111 minutes. The achievement received recognition in the Limca Book of Records and the Guinness World Records.

Singh’s work was not limited to crime dramas. He was also associated with Aahat, a popular horror television series that aired from 1995 to 2015. His other projects included Khaaki, Abhay and SuperCops Vs Super Villains.

Ashoke Pandit remembers the veteran filmmaker

In his tribute, Pandit recalled Singh’s professional achievements and their personal association. He praised the filmmaker’s work on CID and Aahat and expressed condolences to his family and loved ones.

Singh’s death marks the loss of a veteran television professional whose productions helped shape crime and horror programming in India.

His work on CID and Aahat remains a significant part of his legacy in Indian television.

Entertainment

Veteran actor Mushtaq Khan, known for Welcome and Hera Pheri, dies at 56

Veteran actor Mushtaq Khan, known for his memorable supporting role in Welcome, has died at 56.

Published

1 month ago

September 24, 2026

APNLive Desk

Veteran actor Mushtaq Khan, who appeared in several Hindi films and was particularly remembered for his role in the 2007 comedy Welcome, has died at the age of 56.

Khan was known for playing supporting characters across Hindi cinema and had worked in films spanning several decades. His role as Balu in Welcome remains among his best-known performances.

Mushtaq Khan’s film career

Mushtaq Khan appeared in a wide range of films during his career. His filmography included Aashiqui, Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, Gopi Kishan, Krantiveer, Raja, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Jodi No. 1 and Hera Pheri.

He also featured in more recent films including Stree 2, Gadar 2, Baby John, Dhoom Dhaam and Jaat. His filmography lists acting work continuing into 2026.

In Welcome, Khan played Balu, a supporting character in the comedy starring Akshay Kumar, Nana Patekar, Anil Kapoor and other prominent actors.

Khan’s career also included television work, with his credits spanning a wide range of acting roles over the years.

Mushtaq Khan dies at 56

The actor’s death was reported on September 24, 2026. Reports said Khan had been undergoing treatment after being diagnosed with liver cancer and had been hospitalised for around 15 days. Further details surrounding his death were awaited in the initial reports.

Mushtaq Khan was 56. IMDb lists his date of birth as December 31, 1969.

Entertainment

Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh welcome baby girl, their second child

Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh have welcomed their second child, a baby girl. The couple announced the birth on Instagram.

Published

1 month ago

September 20, 2026

APNLive Desk

Bollywood stars Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh have welcomed their second child, a baby girl. The couple announced the arrival of their daughter on Instagram on Saturday through a post featuring a baby’s footprint.

The newborn is the couple’s second daughter. Deepika and Ranveer became parents for the first time in September 2024, when they welcomed their daughter Dua.

The couple has not announced the name of their newborn daughter in the post.

Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh’s last spotting

Just a day before the announcement, Deepika Padukone visited Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Temple with Ranveer Singh and his parents.

Deepika was seen wearing an orange and purple kurta set, while Ranveer wore a purple kurta with white trousers. The visit came as the couple awaited the arrival of their second child.

Interestingly, the couple had also visited Siddhivinayak Temple in September 2024, shortly before the birth of their first daughter Dua.

Deepika and Ranveer’s family

Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh married on November 14, 2018, in Lake Como, Italy. Their wedding featured ceremonies reflecting their Konkani and Sindhi backgrounds.

The couple’s relationship began while working together on Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela in 2013. They later got engaged in 2015 and welcomed their first child, Dua, on September 8, 2024.