Kushi (2023) Romance Movie Review

The story revolves around Viplav (played by Vijay Deverakonda), who works at a government telephone exchange. He comes from a unique family background where his dad is an atheist, and his mom is a theist. On the other side, we have Aradhya (played by Samantha Ruth Prabhu), a corporate professional from a traditional Brahmin family. Their paths cross in Kashmir, and Viplav falls head over heels for Aradhya.

However, things take a twist when Viplav learns about Aradhya's religious background and her family's beliefs. Despite their parents' disapproval, they decide to tie the knot and live separately. Initially, everything seems blissful, but as time passes, relationship issues start to creep in. The film delves into the challenges faced by newlyweds with different religious preferences, exploring themes of sacrifice and understanding.

Director Shiva Nirvana, known for his romantic films, brings 'Kushi' to the screen, tackling a delicate topic – religion. The movie portrays the hurdles that arise when couples with diverse beliefs navigate their married life. It touches on the notion of sacrifice in relationships and prompts us to ponder who has given up more. 'Kushi' unfolds the story of Viplav and Aradhya as they grapple with the same challenges faced by many couples in similar situations.

The movie seems a bit all over the place in its message. It appears like the director, Shiva Nirvana, is unsure whether he wants to present a modern or traditional love story. At times, the main character, Viplav, claims to be a feminist but behaves in a way that contradicts that by persistently pursuing the female lead without her consent. Similarly, Aradhya projects herself as an independent woman but seems to rely on her partner to be her savior.

On the flip side, 'Kushi' does convey a strong message about people with different religious beliefs coexisting harmoniously. Some parts of the movie shine as it addresses societal pressures on newlyweds to have children and explores how modern couples often take shortcuts when faced with challenges.

Vijay Deverakonda and Samantha deliver solid performances in their roles, reminiscent of their previous successful film 'Geetha Govindam.' However, the characters of Zoya and Thomas (played by Rohini and Jayaram) steal the show as the neighbors, with their love story having the potential for a more in-depth exploration. Unfortunately, they end up being underutilized in the director's vision. There's also a humorous callback to 'Arjun Reddy' that adds a fun element.

Despite these positive aspects, 'Kushi' only scratches the surface, and its watchability is mainly attributed to the engaging music by Hesham Abdul Wahab. The cinematography by Director Murali G beautifully captures the scenic locations in Kashmir and Hyderabad (Chennai in the Tamil version). However, the experience is somewhat diluted in the Tamil dubbed version. Overall, 'Kushi' has its moments of brilliance but falls short of fully delving into its potential. If it feels light-hearted and enjoyable, credit goes to the soul-stirring music.