This is the second vertical AI BL drama I've sat through, and honestly I went in knowing better. I had it on while I was doing cardio at the gym, and what struck me was just how much the plot echoed the last one I watched. Same step brother romance angle, same mystery girlfriend showing up near the end, same extra guy pining after one of the leads. Genuinely the only thing going for it was the runtime, the whole thing wrapped up in forty five minutes flat. The setup kicks off with Finn moving schools because his mom just married into money. He finds out his new step brother Aiden goes to the same place, and he's warned to keep his distance from him. Their first run in at school is rocky, just like you'd expect, but there's this odd pull between them neither can shake off. Finn keeps telling himself not to read into it because Aiden's straight and openly homophobic. Things shift when some kids start bullying Finn and the student council president, Ryan, steps in to ...
Sahil, is a young budding musician, who has a huge fight with his roommate(?) Alex before heading to the airport to meet his childhood friend Jai. Jai is now a successful banker and is in India for a meeting and Sahil plans a weekend getaway to Western Ghats with his friend. The two are from very different worlds which we see n first few minutes of the film but despite their differences they are very close. Neither of them are entirely certain of their place in each other’s lives, but they are ready for the trip. I couldn’t figure out of they are friends/lovers/boyfriends or what!! They are close yet they argue like babies on quite a few issues mostly because of the fact that Jai doesn’t stop working even on weekends. Jai’s way to apologize to Sahil is by embracing him and kissing him but Sahil stops him. Day 2 is planned with a hike and the two share a kiss together which we see later. This is when it is clear that Jai probably has a girlfriend in NYC and Sahil’s roommate Alex is actually his boyfriend. When they are back in Mumbai for Jai’s meeting, Sahil embarrasses Jai by kissing him in front of his clients and confronting that he is not ready. On the contrary, Jai blames him for not reciprocating his affection from the beginning. The two kiss, but when Sahil tries to withdraw from him, Jai rapes him, only to immediately regret it. After an awkward silence, the do meet Alex and his friend for dinner and after party. Late at night its time to leave but now Jai is overwhelmed with guilt. Sahil is ready to forget but Jai can’t. He knows that they can never be together because they have vastly different lives. They part ways as a heartbroken Sahil watches him leave. Alex is lovingly waiting here for his love.
I may have given too much detailed summary bit I think its important to feel that the way the subject was handled was simply amazing. Jai and Sahil had amazing chemistry. Like I said before that it takes time to figure out if they are lovers or friends but either way there is a very genuine connection, affection and love for each other which is very evident in all their actions. There is a mystery around what is one person to the other and that is not just for the audience but even the duo are going through the struggle. Alex, initially may seem clumsy, but I felt tat he was more perceptive that it seemed. He gives Sahil his space with Jai but is also the balancing factor in Sahil’s life. Sone one who loves him and is not afraid to show it, even though Sahil may be conflicted. Is that because Sahil loves Jai romantically or values as a friend; we don’t know and honestly, I don’t care! Its brilliant brilliant direction, where the focus is on love. No time is wasted on creating back stories because eventually it doesn’t matter. It would be a sin not to mention the amazing acting by the three main actors especially Jai and Sahil. Their chemistry is infectious showing similar forms of pain and confusion trying to figure out things between them in their own way. They are friends and possibly lovers, full-blooded and restless but they are present for each other. I can’t imagine every one of you not being able to connect with their character. I later read that guy playing Sahil passed away soon after he shot for the film and this makes this film even more haunting and a tale of incomplete passion.
Charming, different, disturbing and sometimes haunting, "Loev" is a love story that I had been waiting for to come from India. Sadly, it will never get the audience and appreciation that this film truly deserves. Finally someone had the courage to redefine relationship, love & passion in Indian context. (8.5/10)
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