Loveyapa writer Sneha Desai defends Khushi Kapoor-Junaid Khan starrer amid underwhelming box office performance: “Maybe a lot of people were shy of sampling the film in cinemas”

February 19, 2025 - 8:17 PM IST

Khushi Kapoor and Junaid Khan’s much-anticipated romantic drama, Loveyapa, was released on February 7, just ahead of Valentine's week. Despite a full-fledged promotional campaign by the cast, the film has failed to perform at the box office. Now, Loveyapa writer Sneha Desai has addressed its underwhelming theatrical response, expressing hope that the film may find a wider audience on streaming platforms.

Loveyapa writer Sneha Desai defends Khushi Kapoor-Junaid Khan starrer amid underwhelming box office performance: “Maybe a lot of people were shy of sampling the film in cinemas”

Writer Sneha Desai Defends Loveyapa

In an interview with India Today, Sneha Desai explained that box office numbers do not always reflect a film’s impact. She remarked, “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 humour, sarcasm, and modern take on love, nanoships, and infidelity.”

She further elaborated that Loveyapa deviates from the traditional Bollywood romantic-comedy formula, which may have contributed to its slow reception. However, she believes that once the film is available on an OTT platform, it could garner a new audience.

Changing Audience Preferences & the Role of OTT

Sneha Desai also discussed the shifting preferences of moviegoers, explaining how streaming platforms have altered viewing habits. “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,” she stated.

While the theatrical run may not have met expectations, Desai highlighted that those who did watch Loveyapa in cinemas were pleasantly surprised by its unique storytelling and performances. She noted that audience perception is shaped by various factors, including marketing and expectations, which may have influenced the film’s initial reception.

A Unique Approach to Romance

According to Desai, Loveyapa offers a modern take on relationships that may not immediately connect with all viewers. “The humour, sarcasm, and tone are tailored to a younger audience, which means it might not immediately click with everyone, especially those expecting a more conventional rom-com structure,” she concluded.

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