“What if your phone was exchanged with your significant other for a day?” Some wouldn’t worry, others have a lot to worry about. In either case, for most, it would not be a comfortable place to be. The larger question is, how does the relationship change after the day is over, if it still exists, that is? The premise for a story certainly rouses curiosity. And even if Loveyapa falters in terms of execution, it isn’t a complete washout.

Unfortunately, it takes on a preachy uncle tone.

Other than the premise itself, the film works because of its performances. Junaid Khan and Khushi Kapoor both breeze through playing Gucci and Baaniboo respectively. Here’s, a couple smitten by each other and then hell begins to break loose. From end to end though, there isn’t a scene in which you don’t believe what they are saying or going through. Sure, they are a little too loud, but they have been asked to be so.

And this is where Loveyapa loses grip—taking things a little too far. It starts off with little-too-blatant product placements, which are forgivable considering they are being upfront about it. And thankfully, they are out of the way after the first few minutes. But, then starts a list of other execution tools, that are ok and first and then become distracting.

For instance, the emojis and screen-scrolls of mobile phones are funny and cute. I quite enjoyed the statement made during the one about dating apps. But, when repeated too often, they give a cartoon-life film to the situation making it unserious. It’s not like a grave issue is treated with a light hand, it’s that you can’t take the situation seriously. or the film, even. As in you can be pretty sure about how the film will end. How that will happen isn’t all that shocking, either, so it’s not like you can hang on to a great reveal or climax.

What Loveyapa ends up doing though is covering the entire spectrum around the issue of phone usage and an increasingly digital world—from dating apps to porn to bullying to sextortion. Unfortunately, it takes on a preachy uncle tone. The tone starts off on the vices of using a smartphone and two hours later we are being lectured on relationships. The know-it-all elderly is a cumbersome projection. However, one thing that worked for me is best left for the viewer to experience themselves.

The film has an appeal and the potential for millennials and Gen Z to relate to its characters and their situations—including the nagging parents. But, a lasting impact, it’s unlikely to have. Because, story-wise, it is more of a list of complaints that the makers had that they sewed together patchily.

- meeta, a part of the audience