Bollywood’s Diwali 2025 release Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat arrives as a bold, unapologetic exploration of romantic obsession that attempts to resurrect the passionate, melodramatic love stories of yesteryear while packaging them in contemporary visual language.
Directed by Milap Zaveri and starring Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa in lead roles, this romantic drama walks the precarious tightrope between devotion and madness, asking uncomfortable questions about where love ends and toxicity begins. Released on October 21, 2025, the film has emerged as an unexpected box office performer, earning over Rs 22 crore in its first three days despite facing stiff competition from Ayushmann Khurrana’s horror-comedy Thamma.
Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat: Story and plot
At the heart of Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat lies the story of Vikramaditya Bhonsle, a powerful and ambitious politician portrayed by Harshvardhan Rane. Vikramaditya is a man accustomed to getting everything he desires—power, influence, and control. Raised by his domineering and arrogant father Ganpatrao Bhonsle (Sachin Khedekar) after his mother’s death during childbirth, Vikramaditya has always carried the burden of being held responsible for that loss. This traumatic upbringing has shaped him into someone who cannot accept rejection or failure in any form.
His world transforms when he encounters Adaa Randhawa (Sonam Bajwa), a celebrated Bollywood actress who embodies freedom, independence, and strength. During an army visit, sparks fly between them, and Vikramaditya experiences something he’s never felt before—an all-consuming passion that quickly spirals into dangerous obsession. For Vikramaditya, love is not just an emotion but a conquest, something to be possessed and controlled. Adaa, however, sees love as liberation, not possession, and this fundamental difference in their worldviews sets the stage for a tragic collision.
When Adaa rejects his proposal, refusing to reciprocate his feelings, Vikramaditya’s world crumbles. Accustomed to power and privilege, he cannot comprehend or accept the word “no.” What begins as romantic pursuit gradually transforms into something far more sinister—an obsessive fixation that threatens to destroy both their lives. Vikramaditya begins exerting pressure on Adaa, using his political influence to threaten her flourishing career and refusing to let her move on with her life.
The narrative takes a shocking turn at the interval point when a desperate and harassed Adaa makes a public announcement that stuns everyone: she declares that she will spend one night with anyone who kills Vikramaditya, thereby freeing her from his relentless pursuit. This audacious move sets the second half in motion, transforming the film from a straightforward romantic drama into something far more complex and morally ambiguous. The screenplay, penned by Mushtaq Shiekh and Milap Zaveri, explores the aftermath of this declaration as Vikramaditya’s obsession reaches its peak and tragedy looms large.
The climax is set against the backdrop of Dussehra’s Ravan Dahan ceremony, with the burning effigy serving as a powerful metaphor for ego, destruction, and the ultimate price of unchecked desire. The ending provides both emotional catharsis and a sobering meditation on the consequences of confusing possession with love.
Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat: Acting
Harshvardhan Rane delivers what many critics are calling a career-best performance as Vikramaditya Bhonsle. Nearly nine years after his breakout role in Sanam Teri Kasam (2016), Rane returns to the romantic genre with a vengeance, fully committing to the complex portrayal of a man consumed by his own emotions. His performance expertly navigates the transformation from a confident, charismatic politician to an obsessive lover spiraling out of control. Rane’s intensity is palpable in every frame—his eyes convey desperation, his body language speaks of internal turmoil, and his dialogue delivery carries the weight of a man teetering on the edge of self-destruction.
What makes Rane’s performance particularly noteworthy is his ability to humanize a character whose actions could easily be deemed irredeemable. He brings vulnerability to Vikramaditya, allowing audiences to glimpse the wounded child beneath the powerful exterior—someone who equates love with control because he never experienced unconditional love himself. Critics have praised Rane for being “commanding in public, frightened in private, and ultimately human in the only moment that matters”. The actor’s commitment to the role is evident in his physical transformation and the emotional depth he brings to even the most melodramatic scenes.
Sonam Bajwa, making significant strides in her Bollywood career after establishing herself as a superstar in Punjabi cinema, matches Rane’s intensity with a performance characterized by grace, strength, and quiet ferocity. As Adaa Randhawa, Bajwa portrays a woman who refuses to be diminished by the obsession directed at her. Much of Adaa’s character arc is conveyed through subtle expressions—glances, withheld words, and body language that speaks volumes about her internal struggle. Bajwa brings both elegance and steeliness to the role, creating a character who is simultaneously glamorous and grounded.
Critics have noted that Bajwa’s portrayal goes beyond the typical “strong female character” archetype. She imbues Adaa with layers of complexity—a successful actress navigating the pressures of fame, a woman asserting her autonomy against overwhelming odds, and ultimately someone making impossible choices to reclaim her freedom. Her chemistry with Rane is electric, particularly in the first half when their romance blossoms before darkness descends. With this performance, Bajwa has proven that she possesses the depth and range necessary for a long and successful Bollywood career.
In supporting roles, Sachin Khedekar as Ganpatrao Bhonsle brings gravitas to the role of Vikramaditya’s domineering father, providing context for the protagonist’s inability to process rejection. Shaad Randhawa as Sanjay, Vikramaditya’s friend, delivers a dependable performance, while Ananth Narayan Mahadevan as Adaa’s father and Rajesh Khera as Raheja contribute effectively to the narrative, though their characters are somewhat underutilized in the second half.
Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat: Direction & technical aspects
Director Milap Zaveri, known for his work on films like Satyameva Jayate and Marjaavaan, approaches Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat with his signature massy, commercial sensibility. Zaveri excels at balancing entertainment value with emotional intensity, ensuring that the love story remains the film’s beating heart throughout its 140-minute runtime. His direction is unapologetically theatrical, embracing the grand emotions and dramatic confrontations that defined Bollywood romances of the 1980s and 1990s while incorporating contemporary visual flourishes.
One of Zaveri’s strengths lies in his ability to create memorable sequences that resonate with mass audiences. The interval point is particularly effective—a genuine shocker that recontextualizes everything that came before and sets up an unpredictable second half. The director also demonstrates skill in using visual metaphors, most notably the parallel editing between the burning Ravan effigy during Dussehra and the film’s climactic confrontation, creating a powerful commentary on ego and destruction.
The screenplay by Mushtaq Shiekh and Milap Zaveri maintains brisk pacing, especially in the first half, with heated confrontations and emotional highs ensuring the momentum never significantly dips. The writers deserve credit for not revealing the film’s major plot twists in the trailer, allowing audiences to experience genuine surprises. However, the script is not without its flaws. The second half, while emotionally charged, tends to drag in places, with some sequences feeling repetitive. Additionally, the protagonist’s change of heart in the pre-climax feels rushed and unconvincing given everything that preceded it.
Zaveri’s dialogues are a double-edged sword. Written to be fiery, dramatic, and packed with the kind of punchlines that mass audiences love to applaud, they work brilliantly in creating whistle-worthy moments. Lines like “Aapki na ke baad zyada se zyada haan hi hogi” (After your no, there will only be yes) and “Aurat ki marzi hi uski marzi hai” (A woman’s consent is her consent) elicit strong reactions from front-bencher audiences. However, the dialogues can also feel overly poetic and melodramatic, especially in emotional confrontations where the shayari-style delivery might seem excessive to viewers seeking more naturalistic dialogue.
The tone of the film is consistently loud and passionate, which works in its favor with mass audiences but might alienate multiplex viewers expecting more subtle storytelling. Zaveri makes no apologies for the film’s massy approach, instead leaning into it completely—a decision that has proven commercially astute given the film’s strong performance in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat: Music and theme
Music emerges as one of the film’s most significant strengths, with multiple composers contributing songs that enhance the emotional landscape. The Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat soundtrack features compositions by Kaushik-Guddu, Rajat Nagpal, Annkur R Pathakk, Rahul Mishra, and DJ Chetas, with lyrics by Kunaal Vermaa, Prince Dubey, and Sachin Urmtosh.
“Deewaniyat”, sung by Vishal Mishra and composed by Kaushik-Guddu with lyrics by Kunaal Vermaa, serves as the film’s title track and stands out as a highlight. The song captures the essence of the protagonist’s all-consuming passion and has become popular with audiences. “Khoobsurat”, performed by Jubin Nautiyal, is particularly memorable due to its picturization and placement within the narrative. “Bol Kaffara Kya Hoga”, featuring Neha Kakkar and Farhan Sabri with DJ Chetas at the helm, adds an intense, qawwali-inspired dimension to the soundtrack.
Other notable tracks include “Dil Mere Naam” sung by Sonu Nigam with composition by Rahul Mishra and lyrics by Prince Dubey, “Mera Hua” by Annkur R Pathakk (also featuring a female version by Shreya Ghoshal), and “Hum Bas Tere Hain” by B Praak. These songs strike emotional chords and add soul to the film’s intense drama, seamlessly integrating into the narrative rather than feeling like obligatory interruptions.
John Stewart Eduri’s background score amplifies the tension with pounding beats and emotional undertones. The background music knows when to retreat and allow dialogue and performances to breathe, and when to surge forward to heighten dramatic moments. The sound design by Kunal Mehta and Parikshit Lalvani creates an immersive auditory experience that complements the visual grandeur.
Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat grapples with complex and often uncomfortable themes about the nature of love, possession, consent, and the male ego. At its core, the film explores how love can transform into something dangerous when filtered through the lens of ego, insecurity, and the inability to accept rejection. The narrative asks provocative questions: Where does devotion end and obsession begin? Can love that demands possession ever truly be love? What happens when someone raised in privilege and power encounters a situation they cannot control?
The film’s treatment of these themes has proven divisive. Some critics and viewers appreciate the film’s willingness to examine the dark side of romantic obsession, seeing it as a cautionary tale about toxic masculinity and the dangers of conflating love with ownership. The character of Vikramaditya, with his inability to process rejection and his use of power to control the object of his affection, serves as a critique of patriarchal attitudes toward women and relationships.
Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat: Final verdict
Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat is decidedly not a film for everyone. Its unabashed embrace of melodrama, its morally complex protagonist, and its treatment of obsessive love will polarize audiences just as dramatically as they’ve divided critics. However, within its chosen genre and aesthetic framework, the film largely succeeds in what it sets out to achieve: creating a passionate, visually striking romantic tragedy that evokes strong emotional responses.
For viewers who appreciate old-school Bollywood romance with its larger-than-life emotions, dramatic confrontations, and tragic undertones, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat offers a nostalgic throwback experience enhanced by contemporary production values. Harshvardhan Rane’s committed performance alone makes the film worth watching for fans of intense romantic cinema, and Sonam Bajwa proves she possesses the talent to become a significant Bollywood presence.
The film works best when viewed as a cautionary fable about the destructive potential of ego and obsession rather than a straightforward romantic ideal to be emulated. Its climactic message—that ego burns while love remains, arriving at understanding too late to matter—resonates as genuinely tragic rather than triumphant.
However, the film’s problematic elements cannot be entirely dismissed. Its treatment of consent, its portrayal of obsessive behavior, and the question of whether it adequately condemns or inadvertently glorifies its protagonist’s actions remain legitimate concerns that each viewer must grapple with individually.
From a pure entertainment perspective, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat delivers on its promise of intensity, visual grandeur, memorable music, and emotionally charged performances. It has successfully found its audience—primarily in smaller cities and among viewers seeking the kind of passionate romance that mainstream Bollywood has largely abandoned—and has translated that connection into impressive box office numbers.
The film represents a reminder that India’s film audience is diverse, with different segments seeking different types of emotional fulfillment from cinema. While urban multiplexes may favor more grounded, nuanced storytelling, there remains significant appetite for the heightened emotional world that Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat inhabits.
Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat movie rating – 5/10 stars