| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Rambo In Love |
| Platform | JioHotstar |
| Release Date | 12 September 2025 |
| Episodes | 7 (weekly releases; 4 available at launch) |
| Runtime per Episode | 20–25 minutes |
| Genre | Romantic Comedy / Workplace Drama |
| Director | Ajith Reddy |
| Music | Saran Raghavan |
| Cast | Abhinav Manikanta, Payal Chengappa |
Storyline
The series introduces us to Rambabu (aka Rambo), an ambitious yet clumsy entrepreneur whose startup is teetering on the edge of collapse. He’s stubborn, somewhat childish, but has flashes of brilliance when it comes to ideas. Unfortunately, one of those ideas wasn’t entirely his own — years ago, he took inspiration from his girlfriend Sukanya’s concept without crediting her, leading to a painful breakup.
Fate has other plans. As his company struggles for funding, Rambo finds out that the investor willing to rescue him is none other than Sukanya. What follows is a mix of awkward boardroom encounters, resurfacing romantic tension, and professional rivalry. Sukanya is portrayed as sharp, independent, and unwilling to let old wounds heal easily. She wants to teach Rambo a lesson, but their interactions inevitably spark old feelings.
The narrative alternates between workplace comedy and emotional drama. Rambo must also deal with his family — a father who doubts his abilities, friends who add chaos instead of help, and colleagues who oscillate between loyalty and slapstick buffoonery. Sukanya, meanwhile, faces her own pressures: balancing career goals with societal expectations.
Across the episodes, misunderstandings, comic mishaps, and ego clashes create a rhythm where romance and rivalry go hand-in-hand. The question becomes: will Rambo prove himself worthy of both his company and Sukanya’s trust, or will he lose both forever?
Performances
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Abhinav Manikanta (Rambo): His performance is uneven. At times he nails the clumsy-yet-determined entrepreneur persona, particularly in comic scenes. But in more emotional moments, his delivery lacks the depth required, making Rambo feel exaggerated or caricatured. Still, his energy keeps the character watchable.
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Payal Chengappa (Sukanya): The standout of the show. She brings poise, maturity, and subtle emotional weight to her role. Sukanya feels layered — a mix of professional confidence and private vulnerability. Payal’s performance elevates scenes that would otherwise feel flat.
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Supporting Cast: Friends, family members, and quirky colleagues provide comic relief. While some of the humor works, many secondary characters remain underdeveloped, more props for jokes than actual personalities.
Technical Aspects
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Direction: Ajith Reddy tries to balance rom-com beats with workplace satire. While his vision keeps the tone light, the lack of sharpness in execution prevents the series from being truly engaging.
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Cinematography: Bright, colourful visuals dominate. The urban office settings and family interiors are shot with a polished OTT sheen. However, creativity in framing or mood-building is limited.
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Editing: Episodes are breezy at 20–25 minutes but pacing feels sluggish in parts. Repetitive gags and stretched scenes slow down momentum.
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Music/Score: Saran Raghavan’s background score is peppy and functional, supporting the rom-com vibe. But it rarely adds extra charm or memorability.
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Production Value: The series looks professional. Costumes, sets, and design feel fresh and appealing, fitting the upbeat tone.
Strengths
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Fresh Premise for Telugu OTT – A romantic comedy set in the startup world offers relatability and novelty.
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Payal Chengappa’s Performance – She adds gravitas and makes her character feel authentic.
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Light Entertainment – Easy to watch, not demanding, perfect for viewers who prefer breezy content.
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Visual Appeal – Colourful, glossy production gives it a polished OTT aesthetic.
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Short Episodes – Quick runtime makes it bingeable despite flaws.
Weaknesses
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Weak Writing – Predictable plot turns, overused tropes, and flat conflicts reduce impact.
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Rambo’s Characterization – Flips too often between silly and serious, making it hard to connect with him.
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Forced Humor – Slapstick jokes often fall flat, undercutting dramatic tension.
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Underwritten Supporting Cast – Colleagues and family members feel like fillers, not contributors to the core story.
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Pacing Issues – Despite short episodes, certain story beats feel dragged or repetitive.
Overall Impressions
Rambo In Love has flashes of potential but doesn’t quite live up to it. The concept of combining a startup struggle with a romantic past is fresh, and Sukanya’s character gives the show emotional depth. Payal Chengappa emerges as the real strength, carrying many of the emotional beats with grace.
However, the series struggles with uneven tone. It tries to juggle romance, comedy, and workplace drama, but none are fully realized. The humor feels repetitive, Rambo’s character inconsistent, and the writing rarely surprises. What could have been a smart, charming rom-com ends up as a light, passable distraction.
Still, for audiences who enjoy easygoing Telugu OTT content, Rambo In Love offers just enough colour, charm, and entertainment value to justify a casual watch.
Final Verdict
Rambo In Love is a middle-of-the-road rom-com — not terrible, but not memorable. It thrives on Payal Chengappa’s performance and its breezy runtime, but suffers from weak writing and inconsistent execution.
Rating: 2.5 / 5
Watch it if you want lighthearted romance with a workplace twist.
Skip it if you expect depth, originality, or strong character arcs
