Sep 30, 2026 10:15pm IST
‘Shayad Yahi Hai Pyaar’ First Impression: Aditi Dev Sharma, Daksh Puri Shine in Indian Adaptation of ‘Something in the Rain’
“Shayad Yahi Hai Pyaar,” the Indian adaptation of Son Ye-jin and Jung Hae-in’s “Something in the Rain,” has finally gone on air. Aditi Dev Sharma, Daksh Puri, Kunal Karan Kapoor and Aishwarya Sakhuja play pivotal roles in the Indianized version of the drama, which has been loved by audiences around the world.
The Premise
Staying true to the premise of “Something in the Rain,” Aditi Dev Sharma plays Preeti Arora, a woman in her mid-30s who works as a manager at a coffee chain. She has been in a relationship with Gaurav Gulati (Kunal Karan Kapoor), a government officer, for five years. While Preeti’s parents are keen to see her get married, her long-time boyfriend feels their relationship has lost its spark. Devastated, Preeti decides to give the relationship one last chance by changing herself to fit his tastes.
Amid all this, Aarav (Daksh Puri), the younger brother of her childhood friend Sandy (Aishwarya Sakhuja), returns to Delhi from the US. Their brief interaction brings Preeti a sense of comfort as her life seems to be falling apart. Slowly, the two revive their childhood friendship even as her equation with Gaurav goes from bad to worse.
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The Local Vibe
The writers have adapted the story to Indian sensibilities, capturing the emotions, drama, chaos and social pressures that feel like an everyday part of a single woman’s life in India. Aditi’s Preeti struggles with a feeling of inadequacy in a milieu where people have different ideas of what success should look like for a woman in her mid-30s. The dialogues are relatable and, at times, thought-provoking.
Current Cultural Context
“Shayad Yahi Hai Pyaar” caters to an urban and semi-urban audience, focusing on personal and interpersonal dynamics. While there is banter around Gen Z sensibilities, the writers also explore how modern relationships can place immense pressure on individuals. In one particularly brutal conversation, Gaurav tells Preeti that she has become boring, negligent about self-care and that he is no longer attracted to her.
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Acing the Act
“Something in the Rain” drew much of its appeal from the earnest performances of its leads. In the first two episodes, Aditi Dev Sharma, Daksh Puri, Kunal Karan Kapoor and Aishwarya Sakhuja showcase their acting skills.
Sharma makes Preeti relatable, vulnerable and confused, much like Son Ye-jin’s Yoon Jin-ah in the original. Kunal Karan Kapoor is terrific as the selfish Gaurav, for whom Preeti has become an embarrassment. Daksh Puri is making his mainstream Indian television debut with the show. He has the screen presence to hold his own opposite a performer like Aditi and comes across as effortless.
The K-Drama Touch
The original drama is known for its heart-fluttering moments. The desi adaptation keeps in mind the tastes of Indian viewers who binge-watch Korean shows. From a magical moment on the terrace to girls bonding over late-night drinks and a quirky office environment, the show incorporates several familiar tropes associated with K-dramas.
After its first two episodes, “Shayad Yahi Hai Pyaar” makes a promising case for itself as an adaptation. For viewers who have been looking for more urban and semi-urban stories on Indian television, the show is certainly worth a dekko.
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