Arjun Das and Aditi Shankar shine in a tender tale of love and healing
“Once More”
– Review
There are some wounds that time doesn’t necessarily heal. Sometimes, it takes another person, another experience or simply a second chance to make life feel worth living again. Vignesh Srikanth’s ‘Once More’ explores this idea through a romantic drama about grief, emotional recovery and the possibility of finding happiness after years of feeling lost.
Raghuvaran (Arjun Das) has spent nearly eight years carrying the weight of a painful experience that has changed his relationship with love and life. He exists in a state of emotional withdrawal, going through the motions without much enthusiasm. His world takes an unexpected turn when Anjali (Aditi Shankar), his college junior, re-enters his life.
Anjali is everything Raghuvaran isn’t. She is lively, optimistic and determined to bring some colour back into his otherwise monotonous existence. Even when Raghuvaran makes it clear that he would rather be left alone, she refuses to completely walk away. What begins as an unwanted intrusion gradually becomes a relationship that forces him to confront feelings he has buried for years.
The film takes its time revealing what happened to Raghuvaran and why he has remained trapped in the past. These revelations form the emotional backbone of the narrative, while the screenplay moves between romance, humour and more serious conversations about mental health and relationships.
One of the more appreciable aspects of ‘Once More’ is its treatment of sensitive subjects. Suicide, same-sex relationships, intimacy and the importance of seeking help are incorporated into the characters’ lives without being turned into sensational plot devices. The film doesn’t constantly underline these subjects or tell the audience how to judge its characters. Instead, it allows them to experience confusion, make questionable decisions and acknowledge their vulnerabilities.
At the heart of the film is Raghuvaran’s experience of two relationships that leave very different impressions on him. While Anjali’s entry initially feels overbearing, the dynamic gradually becomes more engaging as Raghuvaran begins to respond to her affection.
Aditi Shankar is particularly effective in these portions. Her performance brings a natural liveliness to Anjali, and the character’s infectious personality gives the romantic portions much of their charm. There are moments when Anjali’s persistence feels excessive, but Aditi’s energy makes it easier to understand why Raghuvaran eventually begins lowering his guard.
Arjun Das gets an opportunity to explore a softer side of his acting. The familiar intensity in his voice and screen presence remains, but the actor effectively portrays a man who has shut himself off emotionally. His transition from someone simply surviving each day to a person willing to embrace love again is handled with restraint.
The film is less convincing when it turns its attention to Raghuvaran’s earlier relationship with Indra (Sona Olickal). Their initial romance is established quickly, but the emotional foundation isn’t strong enough for the eventual separation to have the desired impact. The portions surrounding their breakup and Indra’s later attempt at closure feel stretched, and some of the motivations aren’t entirely convincing.
Thankfully, the film regains its footing towards the end. Raghuvaran’s final interaction with Indra works better because it reflects how far he has travelled emotionally. Rather than simply being caught between two relationships, he finally appears to understand what he wants from his life and relationships.
Sona Olickal makes a positive impression as Indra, handling both the romantic and dramatic requirements of her role with ease. Devadarshini, Dravid Selvam, Anusha Prabhu and the rest of the supporting cast contribute to the film’s lighter moments and give the narrative a sense of warmth.
The technical departments complement the mood of the film well. Hesham Abdul Wahab’s music is among the highlights, with songs such as ‘Vaa Kannamma’ and ‘Idhayam’ adding considerably to the emotional texture. His background score also works effectively during the more intimate moments. Aravind Viswanathan’s cinematography gives the film an inviting visual quality that suits its romantic tone.
As a debut, ‘Once More’ shows that Vignesh Srikanth has a clear understanding of the emotional space he wants to explore. The film is at its best when it treats its characters as imperfect people rather than simply romantic archetypes. Its conversations around difficult subjects are also handled with more maturity than one might expect from a conventional romantic drama.
The problem is that the screenplay occasionally settles for predictable beats just when it appears ready to take a more interesting route. The film has several ingredients for a memorable romantic drama, but familiar tropes prevent it from fully realising its potential.
‘Once More’ may not completely transcend the conventions of its genre, but its warmth, performances and sensitive moments make it an engaging watch. There is a genuinely moving film buried within its familiar framework, and Vignesh Srikanth comes close to finding it.