IN SHORTVignesh Srikanth’s debut, ‘Once More,’ starring Arjun Das and Aditi Shankar, explores second chances and destiny with warmth and sensitivity. While praised for its natural handling of complex themes and strong performances, the romantic drama occasionally retreats into familiar tropes, leaving audiences with a film that’s lovely in parts but doesn’t quite reach its full potential.

A Second Chance at Love, Almost Perfect

Vignesh Srikanth’s directorial debut, ‘Once More,’ delves into the profound idea of destiny and second chances, crafting a romantic drama around Raghuvaran (Arjun Das), a man adrift in a depressive state for eight years after a devastating incident. His world is re-energized by Anjali (Aditi Shankar), a vibrant college junior who refuses to let him remain in his shell, determined to bring happiness back into his life.

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Navigating Love’s Complexities with Grace

The film’s strength lies in its sensitive and non-judgmental approach to challenging subjects like suicide, same-sex relationships, and intimacy. These themes are woven naturally into the characters’ lives, allowing for acknowledgment of emotions, discussions about seeking help, and the freedom to make mistakes without turning them into moral lessons. Raghuvaran’s journey involves experiencing love in two distinct ways with two different people, each relationship profoundly altering him.

Anjali’s effervescent presence, brought to life effortlessly by Aditi Shankar, is a significant reason the audience eventually warms to her, despite her initially forceful attempts to break through Raghuvaran’s walls. Arjun Das, moving beyond his typical brooding persona, convincingly portrays both a withdrawn man and one rediscovering the joys of youth and love. Sona Olickal, as Indra, also brings charm to her role, particularly in the film’s dramatic moments.

There is a lovely film somewhere within Once More— this one just doesn’t quite get there.

A Promising Debut with Familiar Echoes

While ‘Once More’ shines in its performances and technical aspects—Hesham Abdul Wahab’s music, especially ‘Vaa Kannamma’ and ‘Idhayam,’ and Aravind Viswanathan’s cinematography leave a lasting impression—it falters in certain narrative choices. The abrupt conclusion of Raghuvaran’s relationship with Indra makes emotional investment difficult, and her reasons for seeking closure feel unconvincing. However, the film recovers as Raghuvaran gains clarity on his desires, culminating in a well-written final conversation with Indra that showcases his emotional maturity.

Ultimately, ‘Once More’ is a promising debut from Vignesh Srikanth, offering warmth, sensitivity, and strong performances. Yet, it frequently retreats into familiar romantic-drama clichés, preventing it from fully realizing the truly lovely film it hints at being.

TL;DR

’Once More’ is a romantic drama exploring second chances and destiny, starring Arjun Das as Raghuvaran and Aditi Shankar as Anjali.
The film is praised for its sensitive and non-judgmental handling of themes like suicide, same-sex relationships, and intimacy.
Arjun Das and Aditi Shankar deliver strong performances, with Shankar’s effervescent energy and Das’s portrayal of a man rediscovering love.
The movie’s music by Hesham Abdul Wahab and cinematography by Aravind Viswanathan are highlighted as significant strengths.
Critiques point to the film’s reliance on familiar romantic-drama tropes and an unconvincing resolution to Raghuvaran’s past relationship with Indra.
Despite its flaws, ‘Once More’ is considered a promising debut for director Vignesh Srikanth, possessing moments of warmth and sensitivity.

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