‘Couple Friendly’ Review: Ashwin Chandrasekar Delivers A Youthful Love Story In Chennai Streets

Ashwin Chandrasekar’s directorial debut, Couple Friendly, arrives as a Valentine’s Day release that attempts to step away from formulated romance and instead presents a portrait of modern relationships. Set against the bustling backdrop of Chennai, the film follows two young adults who leave their hometowns in search of independence, careers, and emotional clarity.

Rather than relying on grand romantic gestures, Couple Friendly leans into authenticity, capturing the messy rhythms of love, ambition, and self-discovery. Chandrasekar frames the story with a breezy, youthful energy, allowing everyday moments to carry emotional weight. While the narrative occasionally slips into familiar territory and the shift in tone in the latter half feels uneven, the film remains engaging because of its relatable characters and honest emotional core. Let’s review the film based on the audience’s reaction. 

Plot and theme of Couple Friendly

Until the 90s, Telugu films were based on the common backdrop of Chennai, but with the gradual shift in filmmaking and the need for new geographical views for stories, filmmakers are now expanding their geographical horizons. Couple Friendly takes us back to the original callback to Chennai, following two youngsters who move from their Andhra hometowns to Chennai to make their careers.

Santosh Soban’s character ‘Siva’ belongs to a conservative family in Nellore, struggling to make a career for himself in interior design. Upon reaching the city, he takes up the job as a bike taxi driver to make ends meet until the chance to work in his desired field comes in. ‘Mithra’, a young woman who has successfully cleared her IT interviews, finds herself in an uncertain waiting period as her offer letter is delayed, leaving her career plans temporarily stalled. Meanwhile, both she and ‘Siva’ are navigating personal setbacks and professional pressures, and in the midst of these struggles, they begin to lean on each other for support.

As their bond deepens, the film focuses on how they share a living space, confront their emotions, and slowly become each other’s source of strength. Santosh Shoban brings warmth, charm, and emotional vulnerability to his character, while Manasa Varanasi delivers a natural, grounded performance that enhances the film’s realistic tone. Together, they capture the anxieties, ambitions, and small moments of happiness that define life in one’s twenties, making their journey feel both relatable and sincere.

‘Siva’ and ‘Mithra’s’ character arc in Couple Friendly

‘Siva’ is not a confident, larger-than-life hero who has everything sorted. He worries about money, feels uncertain about his career, and is simply trying his best to move forward. ‘Mithra’, on the other hand, is not someone waiting to be saved. She takes charge of her own problems while dealing with a work situation that is beyond her control.

Santosh Sobhan plays ‘Siva’, who has a quiet sense of struggle that feels very real. He reminds you of people you may know, talented and hardworking, yet stuck in that frustrating phase where nothing seems to work out. His performance makes you root for him, even when he is just trying to secure one good client. Manasa Varanasi, however, truly stands out. Her character as ‘Mithra’ is talkative, spontaneous, practical, and full of energy. She isn’t just supporting the hero; she has her own journey, challenges, and strong personality that shine in every scene. Her performance feels natural and effortless, bringing genuine warmth to the film.

What worked for the film’s successful run, and what did not?

One of the film’s biggest strengths is how easy it is to understand what the characters are going through. The director focuses on two young people facing workplace struggles that many viewers can relate to today. The early portions honestly show the difficulties of finding a job, dealing with financial pressure, and struggling with self-doubt.

The first half feels warm and comforting, with small everyday moments revealing the growing closeness between ‘Siva’ and ‘Mithra’. Their chemistry plays a big role in making the romance feel natural rather than forced. While the first half remains light and breezy, the second half shifts into a more serious space. The change in mood arrives suddenly and feels unexpected. Though the shift is sincere, it can feel slightly uneven. Viewers who enjoy the soft, romantic tone early on may find the later portions more emotional, and while the tonal change isn’t unpleasant, it doesn’t transition smoothly, which slightly weakens the overall impact.

Let us know what you think about Couple Friendly!

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