Review of ‘Satyaprem Ki Katha’: Kartik Aaryan and Kiara Advani’s Movie Shows Good Intentions but Lacks Consistency

Early in his career, Kartik Aaryan starred in the movie ‘Akaash Vaani,’ directed by Luv Ranjan, who played a significant role in shaping Kartik’s success. The film presented a unique story and handled a sensitive topic with finesse. Unlike their current projects, ‘Akaash Vaani’ delved into the issue of marital rape, a subject rarely explored in mainstream Bollywood until about a decade ago. Similarly, Kartik Aaryan’s recent film, ‘Satyaprem Ki Katha,’ follows a similar theme. Marketed as a classic Bollywood romance, the movie, directed by Sameer Vidvans, addresses issues of consent and date rape, showcasing Aaryan’s character development from a loser to a hero throughout the story.

Satyaprem Ki Katha, written by Karan Shrikant Sharma, unfolds in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, where characters seamlessly switch to Gujarati dialogues and songs, reflecting a forward-thinking setting where women hold the reins, especially in Satyaprem’s household. Sattu, portrayed by Kartik Aaryan, lacks direction and aspirations, except for marrying Katha, played by Kiara Advani. He finds himself entangled in household chores and familial disagreements regarding his marriage plans. In this narrative, Sattu’s mother (Supriya Pathak Kapur) and sister (Shikha Talsania) are the primary breadwinners, while his father (Gajraj Rao) and he manage domestic responsibilities. Sattu’s infatuation with Katha blossoms when he witnesses her performance at a dandiya event. Katha hails from a well-to-do family, with a boyfriend driving a luxury car, making Sattu feel insignificant in her world. However, circumstances take a sharp turn a year later when Katha reluctantly agrees to marry Sattu under duress and emotional manipulation by her father.

hey come from different worlds. She’s affluent, educated, and has a career, while he’s never worked a day in his life, making their match seem unconventional from the start. Things take a complicated turn when Katha discloses her troubled past to Sattu, potentially endangering their marriage and future together. Aaryan portrays Sattu, a clumsy yet kind-hearted man who struggles with deceit. Despite his lack of worldliness, he admires his wife from a distance but knows when to stand up for what’s right. Over the years, Aaryan has often played the slightly oblivious, dominant romantic lead in his movies, which have faced criticism for being misogynistic. Despite his superstar status, he grapples with shedding this image, being typecast as a sexist character in most of his films. Satyaprem Ki Katha attempts to break free from this stereotype, portraying him as a victim surrounded by strong, opinionated women in his life. However, he evolves into a voice for the oppressed, delivering messages on consent, suicide, and date rape. While the film addresses the sensitive topics of date rape and consent effectively in the latter half, the initial part falls short. The writers’ attempt to inject humor with illogical lines doesn’t quite land, leaving me impatient for the story’s direction until the interval. The narrative truly unfolds in the second half, allowing Kiara Advani ample room to shine in her role, delivering a compelling performance.

The movie struggles with consistency in its writing and the storyline feels a bit all over the place. It’s unclear why Sattu’s mother and sister treat him so poorly. The first half drags on to set up the plot, and Aaryan’s performance lacks depth. However, the film improves significantly in the second half when it addresses and handles the issue of rape. The abundance of songs hampers the narrative, making the 2-hour 20-minute film feel a bit slow. The excessive use of Gujarati dialogues in a Hindi film seems unnecessary, even though it establishes the characters’ state background. Some characters come off as offensive. Siddharth Randeria’s character gaslights Advani’s character, while Supriya Pathak Kapur’s character as a mother is overly harsh. Gajraj Rao’s character also appears narrow-minded. The character development is lacking, leaving many questions unanswered. It’s rare to find a film with a weak first half and a strong second half, and Satyaprem Ki Katha falls into this category. Marketed as a love story, the movie’s depth and handling of a serious topic shine through in the second half, so it’s worth being patient while watching.