Once More Movie Review: Arjun Das and Aditi Shankar Shine in an Uneven Romantic Drama
Once More is a romantic drama directed by debutant Vignesh Srikanth, starring Arjun Das, Aditi Shankar and Sona Olickal. The film explores heartbreak, healing, second chances and the possibility of finding love again. While the movie has several warm and emotionally engaging moments, its familiar storyline and weaker second half prevent it from becoming a truly memorable romance.
Once More Story
The story follows Raghuvaran (Arjun Das), a man who has spent eight years struggling to move on from a painful relationship. Emotionally withdrawn and stuck in the past, Raghu's life takes an unexpected turn when Anjali (Aditi Shankar) enters his world.
Anjali is almost the complete opposite of Raghu. She is energetic, cheerful and determined to bring happiness back into his life. Slowly, her presence begins to break down the emotional walls he has built around himself.
However, Raghu's past relationship continues to haunt him. The return of Indra (Sona Olickal) forces him to confront the emotions he has spent years trying to suppress. The film then becomes a story about love, closure and understanding whether moving forward requires forgetting the past.
Arjun Das Is the Biggest Strength
Arjun Das gets an opportunity to move away from the intense and rugged characters that audiences commonly associate him with. As Raghu, he plays a vulnerable, emotionally damaged man and later a softer lover-boy with considerable ease.
His expressions and body language work particularly well in quieter scenes. The transformation from a withdrawn man to someone rediscovering happiness gives Arjun enough scope to demonstrate his versatility.
Aditi Shankar brings energy and freshness to the film. Her chemistry with Arjun is one of the movie's strongest elements, particularly during the lighter romantic portions. Sona Olickal also makes a promising impression, although her character's emotional arc is not as strongly written.
What Works in Once More
The film's music by Hesham Abdul Wahab is a major highlight. The songs and background score complement the romantic atmosphere and enhance several emotional sequences. The cinematography by Aravind Vishwanathan also contributes to the film's warm visual tone.
The movie also deserves credit for treating emotional vulnerability, relationships and mental-health-related themes without excessive melodrama or judgement.
Where Once More Falters
The biggest problem is that the story feels familiar. Critics have compared its basic emotional framework to earlier romantic dramas, and the second half loses some of the charm established in the first half.
The flashback involving Raghu's past relationship is also less convincing than it needs to be, making the central emotional conflict feel weaker in places. The film eventually arrives at a feel-good conclusion, but some of the writing feels convenient.
Once More Verdict
Once More is a pleasant but uneven romantic drama. Arjun Das delivers a refreshing performance, Aditi Shankar adds considerable charm, and Hesham Abdul Wahab's music elevates the emotional experience. The film doesn't reinvent the romance genre, but its warmth, performances and focus on healing make it worth considering for audiences who enjoy heartfelt love stories.
Rating: 2.5/5
