Miss You Review: Siddharth and Ashika Ranganath\u2019s Self-Aware Love Story Partly Delivers

Actor Siddharth, known for his bold and often controversial remarks, returns to the romantic genre with his latest film, Miss You. After his last outing in director Shankar’s Indian 2 underwhelmed audiences and faced significant trolling, Siddharth is back to doing what initially earned him widespread fame. But can Miss You rekindle that magic with the audience? Let’s delve in.

The story follows Vasudevan (Siddharth), an aspiring filmmaker who finds solace in a unique coffee at a quaint cafe. His life takes a dramatic turn when he meets with a serious accident, leading to memory loss that erases the past two years of his life. As he recovers, he encounters Bobby (Karunakaran) at a railway station and quickly forms a friendship. Bobby, a cafe owner in Bengaluru, invites Vasu on a trip, where he crosses paths with the assertive and independent Subbalakshmi (Ashika Ranganath).

Vasudevan’s heart is instantly drawn to Subbalakshmi, and he confesses his love, only to face rejection. Heartbroken, he returns to Chennai, where a startling revelation awaits him—he and Subbalakshmi share a past connection. The film’s narrative then explores the mystery behind their strained relationship and the role of a potential third party in their love story.

Director N Rajasekar’s attempt to present a classic love story with a twist is apparent. While Miss You has moments of brilliance that evoke laughter and introspection, it’s also weighed down by conventional tropes. One of the most engaging aspects of the film is its self-referential humor, with clever nods to Siddharth’s earlier film roles. For instance, Vasudevan’s quip about not falling for ‘cute and bubbly’ girls—a direct reference to characters from Siddharth’s past films—adds an enjoyable meta touch.

Vasudevan’s character is one that many can relate to. He’s portrayed as someone who fights for justice and makes compromises for those he loves. A powerful line from the film highlights this sentiment: “A failed marriage isn’t just about violent behavior; it’s about two people unable to find comfort in each other.” This grounded philosophy gives Vasudevan depth and relatability.

However, Miss You isn’t free from flaws. Subbalakshmi’s character, while introduced as a strong and capable woman juggling her personal and professional life, is reduced to a “damsel in distress” in certain sequences. The sight of Vasudevan swooping in to rescue her from thugs reinforces an outdated trope, making parts of the screenplay feel sluggish.

On the brighter side, Siddharth and Ashika Ranganath deliver compelling performances. Their chemistry and emotional depth breathe life into the story’s emotional beats. Meanwhile, comedian Maaran (of Lollu Sabha fame) provides comic relief with his witty one-liners, adding levity to the otherwise predictable storyline. A standout moment in the film is the clever callback to the “special coffee” from Vasudevan’s introductory scene, which is seamlessly tied into the climax.

Despite its relatively short runtime of just over two hours, Miss You could have benefited from tighter editing. Several songs feel unnecessary, failing to drive the plot forward, and their uninspired choreography slows down the pace. Ghibran’s music, though pleasant, draws too heavily from familiar Tamil chart-toppers, diminishing its freshness.

In summary, Miss You succeeds in parts. It’s a nostalgic return to Siddharth’s romantic roots, blending humor, emotion, and self-awareness. However, its reliance on clichés and filler songs prevents it from achieving greatness. For die-hard romantics and fans of Siddharth’s earlier films, Miss You offers enough charm to warrant a watch.