A Fresh, Feel-Good Romance About Second Chances
Once More is a heartfelt romantic drama that explores love, loss, healing, and the courage to embrace a second chance. Directed by debutant Vignesh Srikanth, the film follows Raghu (Arjun Das), a man haunted by a painful past romance, whose life changes when Anjali (Aditi Shankar), a cheerful and determined woman, enters his world. Their evolving relationship forms the emotional core of a story that balances romance, comedy, and family emotions with warmth and sincerity.
Arjun Das delivers one of his most appealing performances, stepping away from intense roles to portray a vulnerable, emotionally layered character. He handles both the brooding, grief-stricken portions and the lighter, romantic moments with equal conviction. His natural acting style makes Raghu’s pain and gradual healing feel genuine, and he anchors the film with a quiet, understated charm.
Aditi Shankar is a major highlight of the film, bringing energy, warmth, and emotional depth to the role of Anjali. Her cheerful presence contrasts beautifully with Arjun Das’s restrained performance, creating a dynamic that feels fresh and engaging. She handles her character’s emotional arc with maturity, making Anjali both endearing and believable. This is widely regarded as her best performance so far.
Sona Olickal plays Raghu’s past love interest, adding emotional complexity to the narrative. Her character represents the memories and pain that Raghu struggles to move beyond. While some reviews note that her portions feel less compelling than the present-day romance, her presence is important to the story’s theme of closure and second chances.
The film’s strength lies in its focus on small, honest moments rather than heavy drama or exaggerated conflicts. It explores how love can help someone heal and how second chances require courage and trust. The writing is gentle and sincere, making the audience invest in the characters’ emotional journeys. The film feels like a “love letter” to classic romantic storytelling, with a modern touch.
Hesham Abdul Wahab’s music and background score are among the film’s biggest assets. The songs are soulful and memorable, enhancing the romantic and emotional portions. The BGM supports the mood without overpowering the scenes, making key moments more impactful. The music adds a feel-good quality that stays with the audience long after the film ends.
Once More is a fresh, feel-good romantic drama that benefits from Arjun Das’s soft, sincere performance, Aditi Shankar’s lively presence, strong music by Hesham Abdul Wahab, and Vignesh Srikanth’s warm direction. While the second half loses some momentum, the film’s emotional core, charming lead pair, and soulful music make it a rewarding watch. For audiences looking for a heartfelt, music-driven love story about healing and second chances, Once More is a delightful theatrical experience.
CAST :
Arjun Das as Raghuvaran
Aditi Shankar as Anjali
Sona Olickal as Indra Vasudevan
Dravid Selvam as Ibrahim
Anusha Prabhu as Sara
Jagabar as Kiki
Monish Elamaran as Srinath
Varnika Varadh as Varnika
Phillipson Thomas as Phillipy
Arunkumar Mani as Muthu
Sowndarya Manoharan as Sowndarya
Kannan D as Divakar
Richie Richardson as Kevin
Raksha Cherin as Anu
Srikanth as Moj
Niyas Muhammed as Niyas
Chitra Lakshmanan as Paadaga Lingam
Devadarshini Chetan as Therapist Lavanya
Jenson Dhivakar as Father Edwin
Dhayalan as Raghu’s Father
Maheshwar as Anjali’s Father
Rama Rajendra as Raghu’s Mother
Lakshmi Saravanan as Anjali’s Mother
Sudarsan Gandhi as Gurubaran
Aareesh as Kiki’s Boyfriend
Goodnight R Nagarajan as Kumaran
Rithik Krishna as Kerala Volunteer
Pooja Surendar as Indra’s Mother
Nirmal Kumar as Indra’s Father
Abira Praveen as Young Indra
Harikumar as Mechanic
Somasurya as Assistant Mechanic
CREW :
Written & Directed by Vignesh Srikanth
Produced by Yuvaraj Ganesan
Banner: Million Dollar Studios
Music : Hesham Abdul Wahab
DOP : Aravind Viswanathan
Editor: Nash
Art : Raj Kamal
Lyrics : Vignesh Srikanth
Sound Design : Renjith Venugopal, M.Saravana Kumar
Costume Designer : Navadevi Rajkumar
Choreographer : Apsar
Production Controller : A Balamurugan
Production Executive : R Nagarajan
Production Manager: D Prasanth, D Parthiban
Publicity Designs : Gautham J
Stills : Maniyan
Executive Producer : Harish Durairaj
Creative Producer : Vijay M P
PRO : Yuvraaj
