| File:Couple Friendly.jpg
| |
| Directed by | Ashwin Chandrasekar |
|---|---|
| Written by | Ashwin Chandrasekar |
| Produced by | Ajay Kumar Raju P |
| Starring | Template:Plainlist |
| Cinematography | Dinesh Purushothaman |
| Edited by | Ganesh Siva |
| Music by | Aditya Ravindran
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu
|
Couple Friendly is a 2026 Indian Telugu-language romantic drama film written and directed by Ashwin Chandrasekar. It is produced by Ajay Kumar Raju P under the banners of UV Concepts and VR Global Media.[1] The film stars Santosh Sobhan and Manasa Varanasi.[2]
Couple Friendly was released theatrically on 14 February 2026, coinciding with Valentine's Day.
Plot
Siva Sai Prathap (Santosh Shobhan) is an easy-going man who moves to Chennai from Nellore under family pressure to find a job as an interior designer. To support himself, he works as a bike taxi rider.
Mithra (Manasa Varanasi) from Chittoor is searching for a job as a software engineer in Chennai. After several unsuccessful attempts, she meets Siva. Having to vacate her accommodation, Mithra struggles to find a new place. Siva accompanies her as they search across Chennai, but with no success. He eventually offers her a place to stay at his home so they can share the rent, and she reluctantly agrees.
Mithra helps Siva build a professional profile for his interior design work. He soon lands a small project, completes it successfully, and gradually secures more contracts. While continuing her job search, Mithra assists Siva with his work, and their relationship gradually blossoms into love. They move into a larger apartment, and Mithra asks Siva to speak to her father about their marriage. However, a misunderstanding leads to an argument, and Mithra moves out to stay with her friend Preethi.
Meanwhile, Siva's family arrives in Chennai for his sister-in-law's medical treatment. Around the same time, Mithra's parents visit the city to arrange a marriage alliance for her. Realising Mithra's importance in his life, Siva meets her, and they reconcile at Preethi's apartment. However, they are discovered by Mithra's parents.
Both families meet at a restaurant, where Siva's parents express their approval of the relationship. Mithra's father, however, refuses to accept it and takes her back to their hometown. Mithra falls into severe emotional distress and is later hospitalised. She is diagnosed with a frontotemporal memory disorder and remains under treatment for six months, during which Siva cares for her devotedly.
At Mithra's request, Siva takes her to Kerala to help her recover outside the hospital environment. Their bond deepens, but her condition gradually worsens. Their families visit them in Kerala during this time.
Eventually, Mithra's father recognises Siva's genuine love for her. However, Mithra's condition deteriorates further, and she loses her memory completely before passing away.
After her death, Siva reads a diary written by Mithra on the terrace of their former home. In it, she encourages him to move forward in life.
The film concludes with the message: "Life is all about sudden goodbyes, handle with care."
Cast
Production
Ashwin Chandrasekar wrote the script in Tamil, which was later translated into Telugu, with the crew improvising the dialogues during filming.[3]
In May 2025, Santosh Sobhan stated in an interview that filming for Couple Friendly was in its final stage.[4]
Principal photography took place in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.[5]
The film's distributor, Dheeraj Mogilineni,[6] stated that the film received an 'A' certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification due to its title.[7]
Music
The music was composed by Aditya Ravindran.[8]
Release
Couple Friendly was released theatrically on 14 February 2026.[9][10]
Reception
Sandeep Athreya of Sakshi Post rated the film 3.25 out of 5 stars and wrote, "While the second half may not fully match the emotional depth of the first, the film’s honesty, grounded storytelling, and the lovely chemistry between the leads make it a worthwhile watch."[11]
Yashaswini Sri of The Indian Express rated the film 3 out of 5 stars and wrote, "Ashwin Chandrasekar's latest offers genuine moments and strong performances but suffers from a familiar plot and jarring tonal shifts."[12]
Srivathsan Nadadhur of The Hindu wrote, "Couple Friendly may not boast a novel plot, but its narrative rhythm is refreshingly mature and modern. It treats both its protagonists as equals and values the minutiae of their lives as well as the big dreams."[13]
Jalapathi Gudelli of Telugucinema.com rated the film 2.75 out of 5 stars and wrote, "Couple Friendly works because of its engaging first half and emotionally effective climax. The twist feels familiar due to a recent Bollywood blockbuster, yet the treatment and sincere performances make it a decent watch."[14]
A critic from Eenadu also reviewed the film.[15]
References
- ↑ Celebrities confident Santosh Sobhan will score big. Telugucinema.com(13 February 2026).
- ↑ Couple Friendly teaser: A chance encounter paves way for a passionate relationship between two strangers. Cinema Express(8 August 2025).
- ↑ Manasa Varanasi finding her frame. The New Indian Express(6 February 2026). Retrieved 14 February 2026.
- ↑ Santosh Sobhan: The art of storytelling has always spoken to me. The New Indian Express(6 May 2025).
- ↑ Santosh Sobhan’s ‘Couple Friendly’ gears up for bilingual release. The Hans India(12 July 2025). Retrieved 14 February 2026.
- ↑ Dheeraj Mogilineni acquires Telugu distribution rights of Couple Friendly. Cinema Express(6 January 2026).
- ↑ Dheeraj Mogilineni: Couple Friendly got A certificate because of the title. The New Indian Express(4 February 2026).
- ↑ Couple Friendly – All Songs. JioSaavn(14 February 2026).
- ↑ Couple Friendly set for Valentine’s Day theatrical release. The New Indian Express(11 January 2026).
- ↑ Santosh Sobhan and Manasa Varanasi's Couple Friendly trailer is out. Cinema Express(3 February 2026).
- ↑ Couple Friendly Review: Honest Relationship Drama That Works Well. Sakshi Post(14 February 2026).
- ↑ Couple Friendly movie review: Santosh Sobhan-Manasa Varanasi’s romance works despite familiar territory. The Indian Express(14 February 2026).
- ↑ ‘Couple Friendly’ movie review: Santosh Sobhan, Manasa Varanasi’s romance drama is mature and heartfelt. The Hindu(14 February 2026). Retrieved 14 February 2026.
- ↑ Couple Friendly Review: A decent romantic drama. Telugucinema.com(14 February 2026). Retrieved 14 February 2026.
- ↑ Couple Friendly Review: ‘కపుల్ ఫ్రెండ్లీ’ రివ్యూ.. ప్రేమకథ మెప్పించిందా. Eenadu(14 February 2026).