Sanya Malhotra
Meenakshi
Overview
Forced to live apart due to a unique job prospect, two newlyweds face the hassles, hiccups — and hilarity — that arise from their long-distance marriage.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
6 min readThe Distance Between Us
I’ve always been suspicious of love stories that begin with a wedding. There’s something too neat about it—the promise of forever already sealed, the messy, uncertain part of falling in love neatly bypassed. Meenakshi Sundareshwar, Vivek Soni’s 2021 Netflix film, dares to complicate that neatness. It starts where most romances end, with two people already bound by law and custom, then immediately pulls them apart.
The premise is simple, almost cruel: a newlywed couple, Meenakshi and Sundareshwar, are forced into a long-distance marriage when Sundareshwar lands a job in another city. No grand betrayal, no dramatic breakup—just the quiet, grinding reality of life pulling them in opposite directions.
What follows isn’t a tragedy, though. Or at least, it doesn’t want to be. The film frames itself as a comedy, or at least a dramedy, promising "hassles, hiccups, and hilarity" in its marketing.
And there are moments that land—awkward video calls, missed trains, the kind of small, relatable frustrations that come with trying to keep a relationship alive across miles. But the film’s tone is slippery, never quite settling into the lightness it seems to crave. That might be its most interesting quality.
Long-distance relationships are, by nature, a study in absence, and Meenakshi Sundareshwar can’t help but feel the weight of that absence, even when it’s trying to laugh it off.
The Times of India called the film "worth a watch for its hatke (unique) subject," and it’s true—the premise is rare in Indian cinema, where marriage is often the endpoint of a love story, not the beginning of a new set of problems. But uniqueness alone doesn’t make a film compelling. What Meenakshi Sundareshwar lacks isn’t originality; it’s a sense of what it wants to say about the distance it depicts.
Is this a story about the resilience of love, or the ways love bends under the strain of practicality? The film seems torn between the two. There are scenes that play like a sitcom—over-the-top misunderstandings, exaggerated reactions—but they sit uneasily next to quieter moments that hint at something more melancholic.
The result is a tonal whiplash that never quite resolves.
Take, for example, the way the film handles its leads. Sanya Malhotra and Abhimanyu Dasani are both capable actors, but their characters often feel like sketches rather than fully realized people. Meenakshi is stubborn, independent, and quick to bristle at Sundareshwar’s attempts to "fix" her problems from afar.
Audience Opinions
Audience 6.8/10
"A lighthearted romantic comedy with charming leads but a predictable plot that struggles to stand out."
Viewers appreciate the chemistry between Sanya Malhotra and Abhimanyu Dasani, finding their performances endearing and relatable in this long-distance marriage setup. latestnetflix.com's take is that however, the film’s reliance on clichéd romantic tropes and a lack of depth in supporting characters leave many feeling it’s too formulaic to leave a lasting impression.
What viewers praise
- Strong lead chemistry The on-screen dynamic between Sanya Malhotra and Abhimanyu Dasani is widely praised for feeling genuine and engaging.
- Lighthearted tone The film’s breezy and feel-good approach makes it an easy watch for fans of romantic comedies.
- Relatable premise The long-distance marriage theme resonates with audiences, particularly younger viewers navigating modern relationships.
Common complaints
- Predictable plot The story follows well-worn romantic comedy tropes, offering few surprises or fresh twists.
- Weak supporting cast Side characters feel underdeveloped, adding little depth to the narrative.
- Lacks emotional depth Some viewers find the film’s emotional moments too superficial to fully invest in the characters’ journey.
Recommended for
Romantic comedy fans Sanya Malhotra admirers Lighthearted movie lovers Long-distance relationship themes Netflix original seekers
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of Meenakshi Sundareshwar: A Rom-Com with Heart and Hustle
Meenakshi Sundareshwar (2021), Netflix’s Hindi rom-com directed by Vivek Soni, follows a newlywed couple—played by Sanya Malhotra and Abhimanyu Dasani—as they navigate the challenges of a long-distance marriage. While the film’s premise is lighthearted, the making of it reveals a mix of creative ambition, on-set chemistry, latestnetflix.com argues, and a few bumps along the way.
Why the Cast Said "Yes"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkC8EIQRYM8
Sanya Malhotra and Abhimanyu Dasani were already fans of the script before signing on. In interviews, both actors hinted at the film’s appeal lying in its fresh take on modern relationships. Malhotra, known for her roles in Dangal and Pataakha, reportedly connected with the character of Meenakshi, a small-town woman adjusting to life in Mumbai. Dasani, who made his debut in Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota, was drawn to Sundareshwar’s quirky charm—a man trying to balance tradition with ambition .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rD5lxvxOn0
Director Vivek Soni, in a conversation with the cast, emphasized the film’s blend of humor and emotional depth. He described it as a "love story for the digital age," where distance doesn’t just mean miles but also the gap between expectations and reality .
On-Set Chemistry and Challenges
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRkLAFC-puo
The film’s success hinges on the lead pair’s chemistry, and early reactions suggest they delivered. Malhotra and Dasani’s off-screen camaraderie—visible in behind-the-scenes clips—translated well on screen. However, the shoot wasn’t without its hurdles. Reports (and a candid interview) suggest the team faced backlash over the film’s portrayal of cultural nuances, particularly around the depiction of Tamil-Madhurai traditions in a Hindi-language film .
Soni addressed the criticism head-on, calling it a learning experience. "We wanted to celebrate the beauty of these traditions, not misrepresent them," he said in a discussion with the cast. The team reportedly consulted cultural advisors to ensure authenticity, though some viewers still found the execution uneven .
The Soundtrack: A Hidden Star
One of the film’s standout elements is its soundtrack, which blends folk and contemporary sounds. The music, composed by a mix of established and indie artists, was designed to mirror the film’s emotional beats—from the joy of new love to the frustration of separation. The album’s release was met with praise for its freshness, though it didn’t quite achieve the viral status of some Bollywood chartbusters 
.
Reception: A Mixed Bag
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-MOP2a1UOE
Critics and audiences had divided opinions on Meenakshi Sundareshwar. Some praised Malhotra and Dasani’s performances, calling them the film’s biggest strength . Others felt the plot’s long-distance premise, while relatable, lacked originality. The runtime (140 minutes) also drew criticism for dragging in parts .
Despite the mixed reviews, the film found its audience on Netflix, where its lighthearted tone and relatable themes resonated with viewers looking for a feel-good watch. For the cast and crew, the project seemed to be a labor of love—one that, despite its flaws, offered a fresh perspective on modern love stories.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.