| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Rambo In Love |
| Platform | JioHotstar |
| Release Date | September 12, 2025 |
| Episodes | 7 (first 4 released initially) |
| Runtime per Episode | 20–25 minutes |
| Genre | Romantic Comedy / Workplace Drama |
| Lead Cast | Abhinav Manikanta, Payal Chengappa |
| Director | Ajith Reddy |
| Music | Saran Raghavan |
The Telugu OTT space has been experimenting with light romantic comedies and workplace dramas in recent years, and Rambo In Love is one of the latest entrants in that space. The show tries to blend the charm of office romance with the complications of entrepreneurship, adding the twist of an ex-lover stepping back into the protagonist’s life in a surprising way.
Released on JioHotstar in September 2025, Rambo In Love is directed by Ajith Reddy and features Abhinav Manikanta and Payal Chengappa in lead roles. With short, crisp episodes of around twenty minutes, the series hopes to capture a young audience that prefers fast-paced entertainment rather than heavy, drawn-out drama. But does it manage to balance humor, romance, and emotional depth? Let’s find out.
Storyline
The central character is Rambabu, known as Rambo, an aspiring entrepreneur who has poured his energy into a fledgling startup. He is enthusiastic, sometimes overly so, and struggles to keep his business afloat. The usual challenges of running a small company—unsteady finances, investor pressure, and employee morale—are already weighing on him.
Things take a sharp turn when a potential investor shows up, only for Rambo to realize it is none other than his former girlfriend, Sukanya. What follows is a mix of awkward encounters, rekindled emotions, and clashes between the personal history they share and the professional relationship they now need to navigate.
Alongside this central thread, the series also explores workplace dynamics, quirky office colleagues, and the lighter side of startup culture. The idea is to create situational comedy while keeping the romance alive, though the execution is uneven.
Performances
Abhinav Manikanta as Rambo tries to bring energy to the role, but his performance is inconsistent. At times, he comes across as over-the-top, leaning too much on slapstick comedy. This undermines the moments when the character is supposed to display vulnerability or emotional depth. His enthusiasm is genuine, but the lack of tonal control weakens his portrayal.
Payal Chengappa, on the other hand, is a breath of fresh air. She plays Sukanya with poise, confidence, and maturity. Her ability to ground her character makes her scenes feel more authentic, and she consistently lifts the quality of the series whenever she is on screen. Many of the emotional moments in Rambo In Love work largely because of her performance.
The supporting cast fills their roles adequately but without much impact. Most of them are written as caricatures rather than fully fleshed-out characters, serving as devices for situational humor rather than contributing significantly to the story.
Technical Aspects
Direction: Ajith Reddy keeps the tone light and casual, clearly aiming for breezy entertainment. The intent is to create a fun show that does not take itself too seriously. While this works in some parts, it also means that the series lacks dramatic weight when it needs it the most.
Writing: The premise is interesting—a romantic comedy set against the backdrop of a startup, with an ex-lover dynamic—but the execution leaves much to be desired. The script is uneven, with strong moments scattered among stretches of predictable, repetitive humor.
Cinematography: The visuals are bright and colorful, in keeping with the show’s lighthearted tone. The office setting is designed with a modern, youthful vibe, though the camerawork itself is fairly standard.
Music: Saran Raghavan’s score and songs are functional, supporting the narrative without being particularly memorable. The title theme has some charm but the background score is mostly generic.
Editing: With short episodes of 20–25 minutes, the editing keeps the series moving at a brisk pace. However, this sometimes comes at the cost of character development, as deeper emotional beats are rushed past in favor of quick humor.
Strengths
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Relatable Premise: The ex-lovers-turned-business-partners angle gives the story an interesting hook.
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Light Tone: Easy to watch, especially for viewers who prefer short episodes that don’t require heavy investment.
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Payal Chengappa’s Performance: She is easily the highlight of the series and brings credibility to otherwise uneven material.
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Startup Setting: Offers freshness compared to typical family-based or college-based rom-coms.
Weaknesses
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Inconsistent Writing: The humor often feels forced, and the narrative drags despite short episodes.
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Predictability: Most plot turns are easy to guess, making the show feel formulaic.
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Characterization: Rambabu’s character is not well balanced; his exaggerated behavior undercuts the emotional stakes.
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Shallow Emotions: The romantic and dramatic conflicts lack depth, limiting audience connection.
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Supporting Cast: Many characters are flat and exist only for comic relief.
Final Verdict
Rambo In Love sets out to be a fun, youthful rom-com with a startup twist, but it lands somewhere in the middle. It has its moments, especially when Payal Chengappa is on screen, and its quick episodes make it easy to binge without much effort. However, the lack of strong writing, inconsistent performances, and shallow exploration of its themes prevent it from rising above mediocrity.
For viewers looking for light entertainment that does not demand much, this series can work as a casual watch. But for those seeking a rom-com with heart, depth, and originality, Rambo In Love may leave them unsatisfied.
Rating: 2.5/5