Love in Vietnam: Shantanu–Avneet’s Indo-Vietnamese Romance Falls Flat

Love in Vietnam, finally released on 12th September 2025 with much buzz. Marketed as the first-ever India–Vietnam cinematic collaboration, the film promised to be a soulful love story connecting two rich cultures. Directed by Rahat Shah Kazmi and starring Shantanu Maheshwari, Avneet Kaur, and Vietnamese actress Khả Ngân, it looked like a dream project on paper.

But once on screen, that dream quickly crumbled. Despite its exotic Vietnamese landscapes and a noble idea of Indo-Vietnamese friendship, the movie ended up as a major disappointment for both critics and audiences.

The Story: A Triangle Lost in Translation

The film is based loosely on the Turkish novel Madonna in a Fur Coat.

• Manav (Shantanu Maheshwari), a young Punjabi boy, is sent to Vietnam to learn farming techniques after losing his parents.

• He travels with Simmi (Avneet Kaur), his childhood friend who secretly loves him.

• In Vietnam, Manav falls for the mysterious Linh (Khả Ngân), a painter-dancer. But Linh disappears, and he spends eight long years searching for her.

The plot sets up a dramatic love triangle across cultures, but the storytelling is so predictable and flat that it never stirs emotions.

Cast & Performances

The makers roped in a mix of Indian and Vietnamese stars:

• Shantanu Maheshwari – earnest but underwhelming as Manav.

• Avneet Kaur – sincere but wasted in a weakly written role.

• Khả Ngân – looks elegant but remains one-dimensional.

• Veterans like Farida Jalal, Raj Babbar, and Gulshan Grover hardly leave any impact.

Critics pointed out the same issue: the cast looks good, but the emotions never land.

Visuals & Music: Beauty Without Soul

If there’s one department where the movie shines, it’s cinematography. Shot in Da Lat, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, and Punjab, the film feels like a travel brochure with postcard-perfect shots of Vietnam’s hills, beaches, and even the famous Golden Bridge.

The music, by Meet Bros, Amaal Mallik, Rashid Khan, and Aamir Ali, is a mixed bag. Songs like “Burrah Burrah” and “Chahe Jo Ho” are catchy, but they fail to lift the story the way a good Bollywood romance demands.

Box Office: A Washout

Made on a ₹33 crore budget, the film’s opening was a disaster:

• Day 1 India Net: around ₹6–7 lakhs only

• Occupancy: barely 6–8%

• Verdict: Disaster

It’s unlikely the film will recover even a fraction of its cost.

Why Love in Vietnam Still Matters

Despite its failure, the movie is historic.

• First India–Vietnam film collaboration

• Announced at Cannes 2024

• Premiered at the Da Nang Asian Film Festival 2025

• Netflix release and distribution in 10,000 screens across China planned

This attempt might have failed, but it could open doors for stronger India–Vietnam film partnerships in the future.

Final Verdict

⭐ Love in Vietnam is proof that no matter how beautiful the locations, without strong storytelling, a film cannot survive.

For the audience, it’s not a love story worth investing two hours in—unless you want to watch Vietnam’s breathtaking landscapes on the big screen.

For the industry, it’s a reminder: cultural collaborations need powerful scripts, not just pretty backdrops.

Aapke Sawal, Hamare Jawab! (FAQs)

1. Is Love in Vietnam worth watching in theatres? Only if you want to enjoy Vietnam’s natural beauty. As a love story, it feels hollow and predictable.

2. Why is Love in Vietnam called historic despite failing? Because it’s the first Indo-Vietnamese film collaboration, premiered internationally, and got a Netflix release plan.

3. How did the film perform at the box office? Very poorly. Day 1 collection in India was just ₹6–7 lakhs against a ₹33 crore budget.

4. What is the main problem with Love in Vietnam? Weak script, poor chemistry between actors, and lack of emotional depth—despite good cinematography.

5. Will Indo-Vietnam collaborations continue after this flop? Yes. This film might flop commercially, but it has laid the groundwork for future cultural and cinematic projects.