Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar Review: Kunal Vaid, Sparsh Walia And Sargun Kaur Are New Age Bunny-Avi-Aditi | Bollywood News

Last Updated:October 23, 2026, 14:48 IST

Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar Review: Kunal Vaid, Sparsh Walia and Sargun Kaur shine in this gen-z rom-com.

Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar is produced by Luv Ranjan and directed by Anuj Saini.

Produced by Luv Ranjan and directed by Anuj Saini, Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar is now in theatres. The film brings the familiar flavour of the Pyaar Ka Punchnama template to a Gen Z audience. With friendship, first love, awkward confessions and the complicated business of matters of the heart at its centre, it attempts to revisit a tried-and-tested romantic comedy formula. While the storyline occasionally feels predictable, the young cast brings enough energy, charm and humour to make this romantic entertainer an enjoyable watch.

Plot

Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar revolves around three best friends – Gautam (Sparsh Walia), Vedant (Kunal Vaid) and Shivi (Sargun Kaur Luthra) – who travel to their school in Mussoorie for a reunion. However, nostalgia isn’t the only thing bringing them back to their school. Each of them has another motive too: to finally confess their feelings to their childhood crushes.

Gautam wants to express his love for Gehna (Alisha Chopra), Vedant hopes to win over Simran (Sakshi Vaidya), while Shivi has her eyes set on Vikesh (Gobind Singh Mehta). What follows is a series of romantic pursuits, misunderstandings, awkward encounters and moments that test the boundaries of friendship.

As the three friends attempt to navigate their feelings, the film explores how love changes with time and how the person you once knew in school may not necessarily be the same person you meet years after. Between old memories and new beginnings, the characters find themselves confronting their insecurities, expectations and the fear of rejection.

The premise is straightforward, and the film largely follows the familiar beats of a romantic comedy. However, it is the camaraderie between the leads and their individual romantic journeys that keep the narrative moving and entertaining.

What Works For The Film

The biggest strength of Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar is its cast. The film is fun to watch and there is a palpable energy among the actors that translates effortlessly to the audience. Every actor brings something to the table, making the characters engaging even when the screenplay treads familiar territory.

Sparsh Walia, as Gautam, is particularly entertaining. His performance might remind you of Kartik Aaryan’s characters in Pyaar Ka Punchnama or Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, especially when he finds himself caught in the complications of love. However, Walia makes the character his own with his comic timing, expressive reactions and effortless screen presence. His chemistry with Alisha Chopra, who plays Gehna, is cute and adds a dose of laughter to the narrative. Their interactions are among the film’s more enjoyable moments.

Kunal Vaid as Vedant and Sakshi Vaidya as Simran bring a different flavour to the story. Their romantic track has a certain maturity that balances the film’s otherwise playful approach to love. You find yourself rooting for the two as their relationship unfolds. Vaid’s character also seems to draw inspiration from Ranbir Kapoor’s Bunny in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, particularly in his way of flirting with Simran. However, this resemblance never completely overshadows his performance and Vaid manages to leave his own impression.

Sargun Kaur Luthra is another standout as Shivi. She feels like a Gen Z version of Aditi from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, only more outspoken and unapologetically savage. Luthra brings a refreshing confidence to the screen, whether through her dialogue delivery or her fearless interactions with Gobind Singh Mehta’s Vikesh. Their scenes are lively.

The direction also deserves a pat on the back. Romantic comedies often fall into the trap of inserting songs simply to add commercial appeal. In most of the film, we have seen how multiple tracks often disrupt the flow of the narrative and get ittirating. Thankfully, the music in Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar generally feels organic to the story. The songs blend well with the sequences instead of appearing as forced interruptions.

Jubin Nautiyal’s soothing rendition of Pyaar Maanga Hai Tum Hi Se brings a sense of romance and nostalgia, while Darshan Raval and Shreya Jain’s Jaane Kis Mod Pe adds a slice-of-life warmth to the film.

What Does Not Work For The Film

Despite its entertaining moments, Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar isn’t without its shortcomings. The first half feels stretched and could have benefited from tighter editing. The film takes its time establishing the characters and their romantic interests, but the initial proceedings occasionally become sluggish. Maybe a sharper screenplay could have helped the story find its rhythm much earlier.

SPOILER ALERT! Rajkummar Rao’s cameo is another instance where less could have been more. While his appearance adds a familiar face to the proceedings, the sequence feels unnecessarily prolonged.

The larger problem, however, is the film’s predictability. At its heart, Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar tells a story audiences have encountered several times before. The childhood crushes, romantic confessions, misunderstandings and eventual realisations follow a well-worn template. While the Gen Z setting gives the film a contemporary flavour, it doesn’t always bring enough originality to distinguish the narrative from other romantic comedies. The writing could also have taken a few more risks to give the story a distinct identity.

VERDICT: Yay or Nay?

Ultimately, Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar benefits from a lively young cast that understands the assignment. It may not reinvent the romantic comedy, but it delivers enough humour, chemistry and musical warmth to make for a pleasant watch. If you’re looking for a lighthearted film with youthful romance and entertaining performances, the film is surely a yay.

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What is the plot of the romantic comedy Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar?

Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar follows three best friends—Gautam, Vedant, and Shivi—who travel to their school in Mussoorie for a reunion to finally confess their feelings to their childhood crushes. The film explores how love changes over time, bringing up misunderstandings, awkward encounters, and challenges that test their friendship.

Who are the director and producers behind Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar?

The film is directed by Anuj Saini in his directorial debut and is produced by Luv Ranjan and Ankur Garg under the Luv Films banner.

What did critics say about the cast performances in Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar?

The film benefits from a lively young cast that brings good energy, charm, and humour to an otherwise predictable storyline. Sparsh Walia, Kunal Vaid, and Sargun Kaur Luthra stand out with strong performances and distinct character styles reminiscent of classic youth-centric romantic comedies.

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Chirag Sehgal

Chirag Sehgal works as a Chief Sub-Editor in the Entertainment team at News18.com. He has a strong expertise in content creation, digital storytelling and social media strategy. Skilled in covering ce…Read More