There is something instantly familiar about Prem Keetanu. It is young, messy, romantic and unapologetically rooted in the kind of friendships, crushes and heartbreaks that define college life.
Swati Bhat
Prem Keetanu is Directed by Apoorv Singh Karki, the upcoming romantic comedy stars Veer Pahariya alongside debutant Aafiya Sayed, with Aparshakti Khurana, Rakesh Bedi and Nikhil Vijay adding to the ensemble. The film is scheduled for theatrical release on October 2, 2026.
From what the makers have revealed so far, Prem Keetanu appears to be aiming for a light-hearted coming-of-age experience rather than a conventional glossy romance. Veer Pahariya plays a college youngster caught between friendship, attraction, rivalry and the emotional confusion that comes with first love.
The film's strongest early impression comes from its youthful atmosphere. ‘Undi Bundi’ throws the audience straight into hostel madness, friendship and carefree college energy, while ‘Kaho Toh’ shifts the mood towards romance. The latter, sung by Armaan Malik with a Qawwali portion by Altamash Faridi, brings a more melodic and old-school romantic flavour to the soundtrack. The recently released ‘Tu Mera Raiyyo’ adds another romantic layer, while ‘Ishq Ka Ghulaam’, featuring B Praak and Sukriti Kakar, moves towards the heartbreak side of the story. Together, the songs suggest that music will be an important part of the film's emotional world. Veer Pahariya gets the central responsibility of carrying this youthful world. His character seems designed around the familiar Bollywood college-boy template restless, romantic, occasionally foolish and constantly caught between what he wants and what life throws at him. The real test will be whether the performance can turn that familiar archetype into a character audiences genuinely connect with.
Aafiya Sayed, making her debut opposite Veer, becomes another point of curiosity. The promotional material positions their relationship as one that gradually develops from friendship towards romance, giving the film an opportunity to build chemistry rather than rush into a conventional love story.
Aparshakti Khurana is another interesting presence in the cast. Known for bringing comic timing and character-driven energy to ensemble films, his presence could give Prem Keetanu the additional humour and unpredictability that a campus romantic comedy needs. The film is written by Deepak Kingrani and produced by Gaurav Verma under Avanika Films, in association with Bhavana Studios. Arjun Kukreti serves as cinematographer and Ritesh Soni as editor. Interestingly, Prem Keetanu is officially adapted from the 2024 Malayalam romantic comedy Premalu. That gives the Hindi version an established narrative foundation, while the challenge lies in giving its characters, humour and cultural setting a distinct identity for Hindi-speaking audiences.
The Early Verdict
Based on the material released so far, Prem Keetanu looks less interested in reinventing the campus-romance genre and more interested in making it feel energetic, musical and contemporary. Its biggest attraction could be its combination of friendship, first love, comic chaos and nostalgia. But the real verdict will have to wait for October 2, when the complete film arrives in cinemas. Until then, Prem Keetanu has successfully established its world within the youth, complicated feelings, loud friends, unexpected romance and the inevitable heartbreak that comes with growing up.