Couple Friendly (2026) – Movie Review
Released: February 14, 2026 (Valentine’s Day)
Director: Ashwin Chandrasekhar
Cast: Santosh Sobhan, Manasa Varanasi, Yogi Babu, Rajeev Kanakala
Genre: Romantic Drama/Musical Romance
Rating: ⭐ 2.75-3/5 (Most reviews)
IMDb: 7.9/10
The Story
Shiva, an interior designer from Nellore, lands in Chennai to make it big and falls for Mithra while entering into a live-in relationship. Both struggle with their careers – he works as a bike taxi rider while pursuing his design dreams, and she faces delays getting her IT job offer letter. Ego issues creep into their relationship due to career struggles, and a crazy twist brings even more complications.
What Works
Strong Performances: Manasa Varanasi is the show-stealer, delivering a fabulous performance as Mithra, one of the finest female lead portrayals in recent times in Tollywood. Santosh Sobhan also does well portraying a young man dealing with constant setbacks.
Realistic Portrayal: The director comes up with relatable characterizations, and the struggles faced by youngsters before landing a job are something many can identify with. The film treats both protagonists as equals and values their daily lives alongside their big dreams.
Technical Excellence: The camerawork by Dinesh Purushothaman deserves special mention, with every location in Chennai looking authentic through unique patterns and realistic visuals. The production design captures Tamil culture effectively.
First Half: The initial portions are engaging, filled with tender romantic moments and natural chemistry between the leads.
What Doesn’t Work
Tonal Shift: The second half turns heavy unexpectedly, and the emotional transition could have been handled better. The film takes an unexpected dramatic turn that some viewers may find jarring.
Pacing Issues: While the first half flows smoothly, some feel the twist should have been brought in a bit earlier to make things intense, and there’s forced family drama in parts.
Heavy Ending: The film ends on a heavy note, and there will be a few who will be disappointed with the ending chosen.
Final Verdict
Couple Friendly is a sincere, mature romantic drama that distinguishes itself through realistic characterizations and strong performances, particularly from Manasa Varanasi. While it starts as a breezy romance, it transitions into heavier emotional territory in the second half. The film works best for those who appreciate grounded love stories that explore practical relationship challenges rather than fairy-tale romance. Despite some pacing issues and an abrupt tonal shift, it’s a decent Valentine’s Day watch for audiences seeking something beyond typical commercial romance.
Best For: Couples who enjoy realistic, emotionally mature romantic dramas
Skip If: You prefer lighthearted, feel-good romance throughout
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