Operation Romeo Story :-
Aditya Sharma and Neha Kasliwal, portrayed by Sidhant Gupta and Vedika Pinto respectively, share a loving relationship that faces a sudden challenge one fateful night. While out on a date celebrating Neha’s birthday, they encounter harassment from two men posing as policemen. Will this harrowing experience alter the course of their relationship?
Movie Ratings
| Release Date | 22 April 2022 |
| Language | Hindi |
| Genre | Drama, Thriller |
| Cast | Sidhant Gupta, Vedika Pinto, Sharad Kelkar, Kishore Kadam, Bhoomika Chawla |
| Director | Shashant Shah |
| Writer | Arshad Syed |
| Cinematography | Hari Nair |
| Music | Advait Nemlekar |
| Producer | Shital Bhatia, Neeraj Pandey |
| Production | E4 Entertainment, Friday Filmworks, Plan C Studios |
| Certificate | 16+ |
The film unfolds with Aditya, a resident of Mumbai’s suburbs, and Neha, a student engaged in a professional course, enjoying a romantic evening together. However, their idyllic date takes a dark turn when they are confronted by two impostors, Mangesh and Kiran, who falsely claim to be police officers. The ensuing harassment tests the strength of Aditya and Neha’s bond, leading to a series of difficult choices that shape their relationship.
Drawing inspiration from the 2019 Malayalam movie ‘Ishq Not A Love Story,’ the film tackles themes of chauvinism, moral policing, and the complexities of modern relationships. Despite a slow narrative pace, the standout performances of Sharad Kelkar and Kishor Kadam elevate the film, effectively portraying the antagonists and eliciting genuine emotions from the audience.
While Sidhant Gupta delivers a decent performance as Aditya, Vedika Pinto shines in her role, exuding confidence and comfort on screen despite limited screen time. However, the transition of the narrative to a metropolitan setting like Mumbai fails to account for the nuances of urban romance and the dynamics of law enforcement, resulting in inconsistencies in character development and plot progression.
Aditya’s portrayal of possessiveness and inability to confront harassment lacks depth and justification, leaving the audience disconnected from his character’s journey. Additionally, the film’s extended runtime, intended to build tension, ultimately feels drawn out and tedious.
Despite its shortcomings, the film offers glimpses of potential and serves as a promising debut for the lead pair. With tighter pacing and a more nuanced exploration of its themes, ‘Ishq Not A Love Story’ could have delivered a more impactful cinematic experience. Nonetheless, it remains a commendable effort in addressing relevant social issues within the framework of a romantic thriller.
