Aap Jaisa Koi: Love Challenged by Hidden Misogyny and Personal Growth
The new Netflix film, Aap Jaisa Koi, helmed by director Vivek Soni, offers more than a cursory glance at Indian society’s entrenched patriarchal norms. The film stars the versatile R Madhavan as Shrirenu, whose journey through male insecurity and self-discovery tears through cultural stigmas and double standards.
An Unexpected Twist on the Day of Engagement
As Shrirenu and Madhu (played by Fatima Sana Shaikh) become engaged, Shrirenu stumbles upon an unexpected revelation. Their romance, casually initiated on the dating app Aap Jaisa Koi, cuts deeper revealing Shrirenu’s internalised misogyny. Instead of wonder, he reacts with skepticism upon discovering that his beloved fiancée was simultaneously the woman he’d admired anonymously online.
Reflection of Entrenched Misogynistic Norms
Shrirenu’s morally superior rebuke towards Madhu unfolds the very irony he once condemned in his own brother Bhanu (Manish Chaudhari). His inability to believe Madhu’s dating app escapades were similar to his own misadventures underscores a societal hypocrisy and latent bias.
Madhu’s Stand Against Conventional Forgiveness
Madhu’s rejection of Shrirenu’s informal “forgiveness” is the movie’s poignant and emotional crux. It resonates with a parallel story - Shrirenu’s sister-in-law, Kusum, challenging her own domestic-centric treatment by her husband Bhanu. Both narratives portray strong women reclaiming autonomy and redefining their self-worth.
A Realization That Sparks Change
A transformative family dispute in Kolkata pushes Shrirenu towards an awakening. His self-awareness emerges as he openly acknowledges his biases and resolves to battle these ingrained patriarchal inclinations. Importantly, he avoids any half-hearted promises of immediate metamorphosis but focuses on continuous personal growth.
A Realistic Reconciliation
Madhu and Shrirenu’s reconciliation avoids romanticism. The film advises that truly lasting love is built on accountability, respect, and equality. The lesson extends beyond a simple “happy ever after,” emphasizing that self-growth is an endless journey. The narrative illustrates that merely being “a different kind of man” is insufficient; active self-challenge and reflection must pioneer change.
According to OTTPlay, Aap Jaisa Koi encourages viewers to introspect along with Shrirenu and Madhu, pushing audiences to question and break free from societal confinements, just as the protagonists begin to do.
