IN A FAST-SWIPING WORLD, THIS ROM-COM ARGUES FOR MEETING HALFWAY

Kartik Aaryan, Ananya Panday spill secrets on love and heartbreak as they peddle their new romance in Dubai

- By Manjusha Radhakrishnan

(Photos: IMDb)

It was a soggy, chaotic Friday in Dubai when Bollywood's IT couple, Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday, touched down to promote their new rom-com, hitting UAE cinemas on December 26.

Rain poured relentlessly, the streets gleamed like Korean glass-skin, and I low-key wondered if my car would survive the trek to the club lounge in Jumeirah.

But all my wet-weather worries melted the moment they walked in. Their electric, infectious energy immediately set the vibe for a cheeky, fun chat about their film - a rom-com with a title that's basically a tongue twister: Tu Meri Main Tera, Main Tera Tu Meri.

"Honestly, what is this movie about?" I asked, fully aware I would spectacularly fail saying it on-camera live.

Kartik laughed. "It's really simple - the title and the story. Love itself is easy. Sometimes, it's not complicated at all."

I pointed out that in an era when collective attention spans are shorter than a sparrow's, a title this long might be... ambitious. Kartik grinned mischievously. "Then why not?"

From my South Indian perspective, the title alone was a challenge. That's when Kartik leaned in and said, "Can you say it in Malayalam? I want to hear you try!"

I stumbled, but managed after a couple of attempts, and he burst out laughing, mimicking my attempt. I laughed too, defeated. By the end of it, I was convinced he'd already won over every Malayali viewer in the Gulf - just with that smile and that infectious charm.