Loveyapa Writer Breaks Silence on Film’s Dismal Box Office Performance: ‘It May Take Time for Audience to Fully Connect’: Junaid Khan and Khushi Kapoor-starrer Loveyapa hit the big screens on February 7, 2025, but unfortunately, it failed to make a strong impact at the box office. Despite being a fresh take on modern relationships and romance, the film opened to mixed reviews and struggled to attract audiences to theatres. However, the film’s writer, Sneha Desai, remains optimistic about its future, especially with its impending release on OTT platforms.
Writer’s Perspective on the Box Office Struggles
In a recent interview with India Today, Sneha Desai shared her thoughts on the film’s underwhelming box office numbers. She pointed out that commercial success does not always reflect the true impact of a film. According to her, Loveyapa caters primarily to Gen-Z and millennials with its contemporary take on love, humor, sarcasm, and the complexities of modern relationships, including the concept of ‘nanoships’ and infidelity.
“Box office numbers don’t always tell the full story of a film’s impact. Loveyapa is a fresh, unconventional take on romance that caters primarily to Gen-Z and millennials, who relate deeply to its humor, sarcasm, and modern take on love. However, because it is a unique style of rom-com, one that doesn’t necessarily follow the traditional Bollywood formula, it may take time for a wider audience to fully connect with it,” she explained.
Audience Reception and Future on OTT
Sneha also suggested that many viewers might have been hesitant to watch the film in theatres because of its unique narrative and unconventional approach to romance. She believes that Loveyapa might find a second life when it arrives on streaming platforms, as audiences tend to prefer watching such content in a more private setting rather than on the big screen.
“People prefer to watch larger-than-life portrayals on screen and lesser-mounted films on OTT. Maybe a lot of people were shy of sampling the film in cinemas for this reason. It might just open to great numbers when we arrive on digital platforms. But the gratifying thing is that everyone who has seen it has come out pleasantly surprised with the film and performances,” she added.
About the Film
Loveyapa is the official Hindi remake of the Tamil hit Love Today, originally directed by Pradeep Ranganathan. The Bollywood adaptation is helmed by Advait Chandan and stars Junaid Khan as Gaurav and Khushi Kapoor as Baani. The plot follows their seemingly perfect relationship, which takes an unexpected turn when Baani’s father, played by Ashutosh Rana, challenges them to exchange their phones to prove their love. This modern twist on relationships explores trust, privacy, and the digital age’s influence on love.
Despite the film’s lukewarm box office response, it has received praise from those who have watched it, particularly for its engaging storyline and strong performances by the lead actors.
Box Office Performance
As of now, Loveyapa has collected only ₹6.85 crore, which is significantly lower than expected for a star-studded romantic drama. Analysts suggest that competition from other films, changing audience preferences, and the lack of a traditional Bollywood romantic formula could have contributed to its poor performance.
Will OTT Revive Loveyapa’s Popularity?
With streaming platforms becoming the go-to destination for niche and experimental films, there is still hope for Loveyapa to gain a loyal audience. Similar films in the past have struggled in theatres but found immense popularity on digital platforms. Given the film’s theme, relatable humor, and contemporary take on relationships, it could perform much better when it reaches a wider audience online.
For now, fans and critics alike will be watching to see if Loveyapa manages to find a second wind on OTT and gain the recognition its creators hoped for.