Once More review: Arjun Das and Aditi Shankar charm in an uneven romance

If you are a believer in destiny, life is all about second chances. Once More takes that idea and builds a romantic drama around a man who has almost forgotten what happiness feels like. Raghuvaran is stuck in a depressive state, barely pushing through each day, when Anjali, a woman who is quite literally walking sunshine, enters his life. She refuses to let him remain in his shell and slowly gives him another shot at happiness.Raghuvaran (Arjun Das) has been struggling for eight years after a devastating incident changed the way he looks at love and life. Anjali, his college junior, suddenly walks back into his world with an infectious energy that clashes with his withdrawn personality. He repeatedly pushes her away, but her affection eventually begins to break through his walls.But what happened to Raghuvaran? Why has he been unable to move on for eight years? And can Anjali really help him find his way back to happiness? Director Vignesh Srikanth attempts to answer these questions through a warm romantic drama that is sensitive in places but also leans on familiar tropes.One of Once More's biggest strengths is the way it handles subjects like suicide, same-sex relationships and intimacy. These themes don't dominate the narrative, nor are they treated as dramatic talking points. They exist naturally within the lives of the characters. There is a certain casualness to the way the film approaches them, and most importantly, there is no judgement. Its characters are allowed to acknowledge their emotions, talk about seeking help and make mistakes without the film turning them into moral lessons. As the trailer suggests, Raghuvaran experiences love in two very different ways with two very different people. Both relationships end up changing him, albeit in completely opposite directions.His relationship with Anjali, however, takes some getting used to. She almost forces her way into his life, often disregarding his repeated attempts to push her away. Her reasoning is simple: she wants to be the woman who puts a smile back on his face. The intention is sweet, but the approach can feel like a bit much. The interesting part is that Once More seems aware of this too. Raghuvaran reacts to Anjali in much the same way an audience member might. But as Raghuvaran slowly warms up to her, we do too. Aditi Shankar's effervescent presence is a big reason why. Her energy translates effortlessly on screen, making Anjali difficult to resist even when the character pushes a little too hard. Arjun Das, meanwhile, gets to move beyond his usual brooding persona and convincingly play both a withdrawn man and someone rediscovering the joys of being young and in love.Where Once More falters is in the way it handles Raghuvaran's relationship with Indra (Sona Olickal). It is love at first sight for both, but the abrupt end to their relationship makes it difficult for the audience to invest emotionally in them. When Indra eventually seeks closure, the sequence becomes tiring because her reasons don't entirely hold up. The stakes built around this moment fall like a failed domino.The film, thankfully, recovers when it shows Raghuvaran as someone who has finally become clear about what he wants. His final conversation with Indra is one of the better-written portions of the film and gives his character the emotional maturity that the story has been building towards.As Indra, Sona Olickal brings charm to both the romantic and dramatic portions. The supporting cast, including Devadarshini, Dravid Selvam, Anusha Prabhu and others, provide enough warmth and humour to keep the story moving.Apart from the performances, Once More's biggest strengths are its music by Hesham Abdul Wahab and cinematography by Aravind Viswanathan. Hesham's songs, particularly Vaa Kannamma and Idhayam, along with the background score, stay with you even after you leave the theatre.Once More is a promising debut from Vignesh Srikanth, with enough sensitivity, warmth and good performances to make it work in parts. But whenever the film gets a chance to push beyond familiar romantic-drama territory, it retreats into cliches. There is a lovely film somewhere within Once More — this one just doesn't quite get there.- EndsPublished On: Aug 28, 2026 14:50 IST