Sep 22, 2026 11:54am IST
‘Prem Keetanu’ Trailer Review: Veer Pahariya Faces Heartbreak And Clichés In This Formulaic College Drama
The trailer for “Prem Keetanu” hits every standard checkmark you would naturally expect from a classic campus comedy centered around youth culture. From bunking lectures, ragging and campus brawls to loyal wingmen and late night cramming sessions, the trailer immediately recalls familiar titles like “Chhichhore” and “Hostel Daze”. After stepping onto the big screen with an intense, high-stakes military role in “Sky Force”, all eyes are on Veer Pahariya to see what he has in store post his debut. Here, he completely shifts gears to portray a student living out his colorful university days.
Pahariya steps directly into the spotlight as a misguided hero who walks around convinced he is an absolute master at understanding women who thinks his girl is different from the ones he’s dated before. However, his wildly inflated ego gets a hilarious reality check from his sidekick friend, played by Nikhil Vijay. Delivering razor sharp humor throughout the entire preview, Nikhil Vijay has the best lines by far as he brings his flawless comedic timing and effortless banter with Pahariya.
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The story, adapted from the 2024 Malayalam film "Premalu," centers around him chasing his lady love, played by Aafiya Sayed, who is making her official Bollywood debut in this film. Just as the romance brews, things quickly take a dramatic turn when a heated love triangle unfolds right in front of his eyes. Aparshakti Khurana swoops in to steal his girl, leading to a wave of painful misunderstandings and bruised male pride. As the group navigates mounting parental expectations, career uncertainty, heartbreak and the general chaos of growing up, the emotional stakes begin to build.
While the core narrative retreads a very familiar formula, the trailer saves its absolute best moment for the very end. A clever homage to the iconic Majnu Bhai from “Welcome” gives the trailer its one truly memorable highlight that stays with you long after the screen fades to black. Ultimately, Prem Keetanu seems content relying on established tropes, leaving audiences waiting to see if Veer Pahariya can deliver a genuinely captivating performance to carry the film.
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