Mumbai, July 14 — Actor R Madhavan has opened up about his return to the romance genre with Netflix’s latest release Aap Jaisa Koi, describing it as one of the few remaining chances to portray a love story that feels “honest and age-appropriate.” The film marks his comeback to romantic roles after nearly a decade, following iconic performances in Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein, Alaipayuthey, and Tanu Weds Manu.
In Aap Jaisa Koi, Madhavan plays Shrirenu Tripathi, a 42-year-old Sanskrit teacher from Jamshedpur who unexpectedly finds companionship with Madhu Bose, a confident French teacher in her 30s, portrayed by Fatima Sana Shaikh. The narrative explores mature love, emotional equality, and the quiet intensity of middle-aged relationships, steering away from youthful fantasy and grand gestures.
“I didn’t choose this to go back to romance,” Madhavan said in an interview. “I chose it because it was an interesting story, age-appropriate, and topical. There are only a few chances left to star in a love story — and fewer that feel this honest”.
He praised Shaikh as a “dynamic, younger actor” and emphasized the importance of making their on-screen pairing feel authentic. Shaikh, in turn, described Madhavan as “emotionally intelligent and sharp,” noting that she learned from him every day on set.
Directed by Vivek Soni, the film also stars Ayesha Raza, Manish Chaudhary, Namit Das, Karan Wahi, and Saheb Chatterjee. Madhavan noted that the story’s central theme of “barabari wala pyaar” — equal love — resonated deeply with him, adding that such narratives help redefine modern relationships and accelerate meaningful conversations around emotional maturity.
Aap Jaisa Koi is currently streaming on Netflix and has been well received for its heartfelt storytelling and nuanced performances.
