Love is often a game without rules. In Love OTP, Aniish, who headlines and directs the film, explores the delicate space where care turns into possession, affection clashes with expectation, and where young hearts struggle under quiet pressure. The film's small, focused cast highlights every gesture, hesitation, and smile, making each action feel significant.
Director: Aniissh
Cast: Aniissh, Rajeev Kanakala, Swaroopinii, Jahnvika Kalakeri, Tulasi Shivamani, Chethan Gandharva, and Natya Ranga
Akshay, or Akki (Aniissh), is a young cricketer aiming for national recognition. On the field, he chases his dreams; off it, he faces a love that tests his patience, timing, and trust. His strict father (Rajeev Kanakala) focuses more on behaviour than feelings, while his mother (Pramodini) provides warmth tempered by caution. Phones are monitored, friendships questioned, but Akki’s inner turmoil stays concealed. Love becomes a bat-and-ball game, where every decision matters, every mistake has repercussions, and misunderstanding a moment can cost more than runs. This tension, mixed with humour, awkwardness, and quiet rebellion, forms the heart of his character.
Sana (Swaroopinii) enters his life with a gentle smile that hides her cleverness. She alters Akki’s rhythm with walks, jokes, and hesitant calls, becoming an unseen force guiding his choices. Their relationship is non-physical but powerful, with possessiveness colouring each interaction and turning affection into a test of patience and trust. Aniissh captures how care can tip into control, presenting love as more about balance than warmth.
Nakshatra (Jahnavika Kalakeri), whom Akki meets while recuperating from a minor injury during practice, serves as a calming presence. Composed and steady, the physiotherapist becomes a silent anchor, allowing Akki to experience affection without chaos. When she realises Sana’s influence, her measured response shifts the narrative, blending reflection with emotional awakening.
But while Akki has everyone caring for him in their own way, will he find the love he truly seeks?
Aniish weaves together themes of romance, ambition, youth, and family tension with care, allowing his characters to stumble here and there, much like the unpredictable turns of a match. The blend of comedy and discomfort is never incidental, and it heightens the stakes. Love spirals into chaos when boundaries blur, emotions clash, and communication breaks down, much like a cricketer misjudging a bowler’s spin.
As an actor, Aniissh excels in vulnerability. Hesitant looks, awkward silences, and restrained frustration come across as authentic. When Akki stumbles around, Varun (Natya Ranga), his loyal friend, grounds him naturally. Swroopinii balances gentleness with a quiet edge, making moments of unpredictability feel real. Jahnvika exudes poise and subtle strength, conveying more through her stillness than words can express. Humorous scenes, like Akki's awkward visit to the medical store, highlight his struggle to juggle intimacy with ambition.
Rajeev Kanakala and Pramodini frame Akki’s life. Their sternness and warmth combine, deepening the pressures that shape him. The music, cinematography, and pacing flow effortlessly, reflecting the youth caught between desire and duty. Tulsi, as Nakshatra's mother Satyavati, adds an important layer, illustrating the subtle shaping of choices and care. Even Sana's brother, Harsha (Chethan Gandarva), though quiet, is there to support his sister.
Love OTP reflects the young love felt by anyone navigating desire, ambition, and responsibility. It is tender and uneasy. Falling in love may be straightforward, but living with its consequences while maintaining honesty, balance, and ambition is the real challenge. Love OTP reminds us that youth, ambition, and affection intertwine endlessly, much like a game where every heartbeat, every decision, every emotion pushes it forward to a place where things might be unpredictable, but they are undeniably alive.