This Valentine’s Week, get ready for an emotional rollercoaster with Love Storiyaan, brought to you by Dharmatic Entertainment and inspired by the India Love Project. Founded by journalists Priya Ramani, Samar Halarnkar, and Niloufer Venkatraman, Love Storiyaan has been conceptualised by Somen Mishra and Karan Johar. The six-episode series, that released on the OTT platform Prime Video on February 14, takes the viewers through the love stories of 6 real-life couples, directed by different directors. Shazia Iqbal directed Homecoming, Akshay Indikar helmed Raah Sangharsh Ki, Archana Phadke led Faasley, Collin D’Cunha directed Love Beyond Labels, Hardik Mehta helmed An Unsuitable Girl and Vivek Soni led Love On Air. Love Storiyaan offers a captivating exploration of love’s complexities, marred only by occasional melodrama, yet redeemed by its rawness and thought-provoking narratives.
An Unsuitable Girl
Directed by Hardik Mehta, the first episode introduces us to the unexpected love story between Aekta Kapoor, an editor, and writer, and her now-husband Ullekh, an author and a journalist. This story is a rejuvenated tale of love that talks about the impact of love on one’s familial relationships. Being from different backgrounds, and having different pasts, this couple’s journey of love isn’t the most common and well-accepted in society.
The story moves with the two falling in love over constant banter of opposing opinions as writers. As their romance blossoms amidst playful banter, Aekta’s status as a divorced mother of two adds complexity to their relationship. The biggest obstacle they face is the disapproval of Aekta’s children. Yet, when two new members join the family, the story takes a delightful turn, adding a touch of fun to their unconventional love story.
What I liked about this story is how it concentrates on the concerns of the family more than the society around them. The story was a beautiful slow start of a romantic journey that Love Storiyaan had coming for the viewers. It’s a story that celebrates love in all its forms, reminding us that true connection knows no boundaries.
The first episode of Love Storiyaan weaves a rejuvenated tale of love, skillfully balancing storytelling, direction, and cinematography to celebrate the unconventional yet heartwarming journey of Aekta Kapoor and Ullekh.
Love On Air
Directed by Vivek Soni, the co-writer and director of the movie Meenakshi Sundareshwar, this episode was a treat for me and many other filmy love puppies like me. Love On Air is the story of two radio jockeys, Nicholas J. Kharnami and Rajani K. Chhetri, based in Shillong. They had their first conversation during an on-air prank. With a dramatic meet-cute to a romantic heartfelt proposal, this love story explores the themes of commitment phobia, disapproving parents, different religions, and even addiction. Mandira, a visually impaired woman, plays an unexpected role in Nick and Rajani’s story, bringing them together in a dramatic way. The story ends with Nick and Rajani meeting their cupid Mandira along with their son Mahyaan. They share a heartwarming moment.
As complex as the story gets, the interviews of Nick and Rajani talking about each other and their love provide a constant peek into their lives. However, the story strikes a good balance between the interactions of the real-life characters – Nick, Rajani, and Mandira – and the snippets of storytelling and direction that move the plot forward. While some parts of the story felt a bit too dramatic, as is often the case in many movies, they were balanced with more subtle, flowing moments. Overall, Love On Air provides a charming and enjoyable viewing experience for those who appreciate romantic tales with a touch of realism.
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Homecoming
Homecoming, directed by Shazia Iqbal and Rahul Badwelkar, is a heartfelt tale of love that knows no boundaries. It follows Farida and Sunit, a couple from Kolkata who fell in love during the Bangladesh Liberation Movement in 1971. Their story delves into the challenges of interfaith marriage and societal acceptance. Despite having to leave their families behind, Farida and Sunit chose to be together, crossing borders for love. Now, in their 70s, they embark on a journey back to Bangladesh to reconnect with their families. Their visit sparks heartfelt conversations and brings tears to everyone’s eyes as bonds are rekindled.
Farida and Sunit’s story portrays the complexities of religion and family conflicts, beautifully showing their lasting love. From their initial encounter during the Bangladesh Liberation Movement to their eventual reunion with family, their journey is portrayed authentically. Homecoming serves as a humble reminder of the everlasting power of love amidst life’s challenges.
Skillfully intertwining storytelling and cinematography to portray Farida and Sunit’s enduring journey through interfaith marriage, this episode has been directed beautifully making it feel raw and authentic throughout.
Raah Sangharsh Ki
Directed by Akshay Indikar, Raah Sangharsh Ki is a story of Rahul Banerjee and Subhadra Khaperde. In 1991, Rahul Banerjee, an IIT (Kharagpur) graduate committed to advocating for the rights of the Adivasi community, fell in love with Subhadra Khaperde at a Narmada Bachao Andolan rally. Despite facing disapproval from their families due to religious and caste differences—Rahul being a Hindu Brahmin and Subhadra a Dalit Neo-Buddhist activist—the couple persisted in their love.
The story is powerful as it showcases the couple’s strength in overcoming societal prejudices, highlighting their deep commitment to each other and their shared cause. It echoes the core themes found in the Marathi movie Dr Prakash Baba Amte, directed by Samruddhi Porey, which also portrays the hurdles created by caste-based structures. The narrative not only captivates but also draws parallels with real-life struggles, making it a compelling and relatable tale. What I liked about this story is that it’s not just Rahul and Subhadra’s journey of falling in love but also portrays their passion for the same cause throughout.
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Faasley
Faasley, directed by Archana Phadke is the love story of Dhanya Ravindran and Homayon Khoram. Dhanya, originally from Kerala, and Homayon from Afghanistan, found love while studying in Moscow. They got married in Kerala, but little did they know their journey was just beginning. They faced challenges living in Afghanistan during Taliban rule and travelled a lot for work. Despite being apart often, their love held them together for more than twenty years. Although their families were hesitant about their marriage at first they grew close over time.
This story stands out in the series for its intense drama. With a wartime backdrop and constant upheaval, Dhanya and Homayon’s love story goes beyond just facing family disapproval and societal judgments. As you watch the episode, you’ll feel the tension rising, portrayed vividly through the events documented. If you’re anticipating a peaceful love story with subtle disagreements and bickering, be prepared for something more intense.
Archana Phadke’s direction in Faasley masterfully blends storytelling and cinematography, capturing Dhanya Ravindran and Homayon Khoram’s intense love amidst wartime chaos and societal pressures.
Love Beyond Labels
Directed by Collin D’Cunha Love Beyond Labels is the last story of the series. It’s the love story of two trans people Tista Das and Dipan, sharing their beautiful story and their struggles with identity. Tista and Dipan crossed paths while working together. Their shared experiences and connection blossomed into a quiet but deep love. Dipan’s heartfelt proposal during a joyous celebration prompted Tista to accept, though she took her time considering it. For them, love knows no bounds, and their commitment to each other stands as a testament to this enduring truth.
I enjoyed this episode because of the smooth storytelling and how it tackled the topic of gender identity. Tista and Dipan’s journey from struggling with gender dysphoria to embracing their true selves was beautifully depicted. What stood out to me was how the story balanced both of their perspectives, making it feel genuine and relatable. It’s refreshing to see a love story that explores themes of acceptance and finding love amidst challenges like gender identity, and societal acceptance. Overall, it was a satisfying conclusion to the series, offering a slow-paced yet hopeful narrative that kept me engaged till the end.
The storytelling effectively managed to navigate between the experiences of both protagonists. I particularly enjoyed the portrayal of their upbringing, showcasing their struggles with gender identity through beautifully directed childhood scenes. While there were occasional melodramatic moments, the overall presentation was a pleasure to watch.
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Verdict: A Heartfelt Exploration Of Love’s Complexities
Love Storiyaan takes viewers on a captivating journey exploring love and relationships. Directed by a team of talented directors, each episode has its own unique style. While some, like Love On Air and Unsuitable Girl, are quite dramatic, others such as Homecoming and Love Beyond Labels strike a perfect balance between real-life stories and heartfelt moments. Despite some dramatic moments, the series delves into important themes like family and societal pressures.
Karan Johar’s Love Storiyaan is currently streaming on Prime Video.