I Love You

Santhosh is a top businessman, who is married to a dutiful wife Gowri as per his father's last wishes. He has a daughter too, but has zero interest in his domestic life. Instead, he is still in love with his college sweetheart Dharmika. What happens when he gets a chance to meet her once again after years?

R Chandru is known for his love stories. Upendra's films have their own pop philosophy on everything, including love. What happens when the twain meet? Well, this film sets the tone that it is a love story at heart when the opening credits roll out with scenes from some of the evergreen romantic films in Sandalwood. From then unfurls a marriage of the two schools of cinema. It is a one-time watch, but doesn't have that edge that would make it stand out.

The story is about Santhosh, who has grown up believing that love is nothing but lust in his college days. He meets Dharmika, who is doing a thesis on love and has a completely different take on relationships. Years later, when Santhosh is married to another woman and leading the successful life, he gets a chance to reconnect with Dharmika. Do old flames get reignited?

This story is reminiscent of the 80s film Brahma Gantu and also has shades of the recently released 96. The romance does have the Chandru touch, but there is also a copious amount of pop philosophy on love thrown in Upendra style. What one gets from this is a safe recipe that has been tried and tested. It doesn't disappoint those who expect the same, but it doesn't have an a-ha factor either.

Upendra looks young and fit in the film. And he delivers just what one expects of him. Rachita Ram has a powerful role and impresses. Sonu Gowda's emotions are a highlight too, as she speaks through her gestures in a role that doesn't give her much dialogues. The film is short and entertains when needed. Though, the romantic drama doesn't have that standout love song that one can take back home.

This film will work for fans of Upendra, R Chandru and Rachita Ram. Go without expectations and you can come out pleasantly surprised.