The current romantic‑drama landscape is witnessing a subtle but noticeable shift by granting female characters agency and delivering balanced, modern perspectives on love. Director Madhan joins this evolving conversation with his latest offering, With Love, starring newcomers Abishan Jeevinth (Director turned Actor) and Anaswara Rajan. The film promises a breezy, nostalgia‑laden love story, yet its execution is hampered by a screenplay that often feels flat. In this review we break down the narrative, performances, behind‑the‑scenes choices, and ultimately decide whether the movie earns a place in your watchlist.
Story
With Love follows Sathya Seelan (Abishan Jeevinth), a bright yet insecure young man who is still nursing the wounds of a strained relationship with his father. His elder sister Anandhi (a supporting cameo) nudges him toward moving on and arranges a casual coffee meeting with her former school junior, Monisha (Anaswara Rajan).
The first half of the film functions as a modern take on the classic “school‑yard crush” trope. Through witty banter and shared memories, Sathya and Monisha discover that both are harboring unspoken feelings for past classmates. Deciding to chase those old school‑yard flames, they embark on a parallel quest: each tries to locate their former crush, using the journey as a litmus test for their own compatibility.
Performances
Abishan Jeevinth as Sathya
Jeevinth captures Sathya’s shy, “boy‑next‑door” aura with genuine vulnerability, especially in scenes where he hesitates to approach Monisha. His portrayal of insecurity feels authentic, although the early school‑flashback sequences expose his relative inexperience, resulting in a few stiff deliveries. Once the story settles into the present timeline, his performance gains confidence, grounding the film’s emotional core.
Anaswara Rajan as Monisha
Rajan steals the spotlight with a blend of innocence and subtle sarcasm. Her expressive eyes, nuanced facial quirks, and impeccable comic timing make Monisha instantly likable. She effortlessly transitions from a shy schoolgirl to a self‑assured adult, embodying the modern woman who knows what she wants. Even when the script glosses over the darker aspects of Monisha’s past (e.g., her coping with bullying), Rajan’s layered performance hints at deeper resilience.
Supporting Cast
Kavya Anil’s turn as Esther, Monisha’s college friend, injects fresh energy and serves as a nostalgic conduit back to the school days. Although limited screen time, her chemistry with the leads adds texture to the ensemble. The brief cameo by Anandhi provides a necessary, albeit superficial, familial anchor for Sathya.
Behind the Scenes
Visually, cinematographer Shreyaas Krishna gifts the film with a warm, pastel‑tinted palette that feels both contemporary and reminiscent of teenage photo albums. The colour grading accentuates the nostalgic mood, while the framing of campus corridors and coffee‑shop interiors feels deliberately intimate.
Music director Sean Roldan curates a soundtrack that blends breezy acoustic numbers with subtle background scores, reinforcing the film’s youthful vibe. The original songs sit comfortably alongside a nostalgic nod to the classic “Aval Varuvala” from Nerrukku Ner. Unfortunately, the nostalgic track feels shoe‑horned in, serving more as a crowd‑pleaser than an organic narrative element.
From a production standpoint, Madhan’s dual role as writer‑director creates both synergy and friction. While his vision for a modern romance is clear, the screenplay’s uneven pacing—lingering too long on exposition while rushing pivotal emotional reveals—suggests that a tighter edit could have elevated the overall impact.
Final Verdict
With Love is a mixed bag. It shines when it leans into its core strengths: charming leads, vivid nostalgia, and a visually appealing aesthetic. The film succeeds in presenting a relatable modern romance where a woman actively pursues her desires—a refreshing departure from more traditional love stories.
However, the screenplay’s lack of cohesion prevents the film from achieving a fully satisfying arc. Key relational dynamics—particularly the brother‑sister bond and Sathya’s red‑flag behaviours (e.g., phone‑checking, avoidance of confrontation)—are hinted at but never fully unpacked. Consequently, emotional moments feel fleeting rather than resonant.
At a runtime of 2 hours 21 minutes, while the premise is endearing, the script often stalls, especially when attempting to juggle the protagonists’ individual backstories with their budding romance. The emotional beats—Sathya’s outburst about his father, Monisha’s recollection of school bullying—are introduced but rarely fully explored, leaving certain arcs feeling under‑cooked.
For viewers seeking a light‑hearted, feel‑good rom‑com with a dash of teenage reminiscence, With Love delivers enough charm to merit a watch. For those looking for a tightly woven, emotionally resonant drama, the film may fall short.
With Love offers a sweet, albeit uneven, romantic experience—worth a single viewing for its performances and nostalgic flair, but not a repeatable classic.
