Rumours of a Hindi remake of Premalu spark debate online, with fans worried about losing its youthful charm

Reports suggesting a Hindi remake of ‘Premalu’ are doing the rounds online, and the conversation it has sparked is anything but calm. What might have been routine remake news has quickly turned into a debate among fans, largely due to the rumoured casting choices for the project.

According to a report from Sacnilk, Veer Pahariya is being considered for the male lead in the Hindi version, while newcomer Aafia Syed is reportedly set to make her Bollywood debut as the female lead. Even before any official confirmation, the speculation alone has drawn strong reactions on social media, with many netizens questioning both the need for a remake and the suitability of the reported casting.

On X, reactions ranged from disbelief to outright disappointment. One user wrote that Veer Pahariya being cast as the lead was “more disappointing than the fact that ‘Premalu’ is getting a Hindi remake.” Another user expressed shock at the very idea, asking if the news was merely a rumour. A third comment summed up the protective sentiment many fans feel towards the film, calling ‘Premalu’ a “masterpiece” and urging makers not to remake it at all.

The scepticism is not only about remaking a beloved film but also about whether the reported casting can convincingly recreate the youthful energy that defined the original. Some users pointed out that if Veer Pahariya, who is in his thirties, does end up playing a college-going character, it may be difficult for audiences to fully buy into the premise. That concern reflects how closely fans associate the original film’s charm with the specific age, awkwardness and earnestness of its characters.

Released in 2023, ‘Premalu’ continues to enjoy a warm afterlife in popular memory. Starring Naslen and Mamitha Baiju, the film struck a chord far beyond Kerala, turning both actors into widely recognised faces among younger audiences. The story followed Sachin, an aimless, somewhat directionless youth played by Naslen, and Reenu, an ambitious engineer portrayed by Mamitha Baiju, whom he meets in Hyderabad. What unfolded was a light, funny and emotionally grounded journey of one-sided love, growing up and figuring out life, with humour rooted in everyday situations rather than exaggerated drama.

Part of what made ‘Premalu’ resonate so strongly was its refusal to chase grandeur. It did not try to be larger than life or overtly dramatic. Instead, it stayed rooted in the familiar anxieties of youth: career confusion, unspoken crushes, friendships that feel like family and the quiet hope that things will eventually fall into place. In many ways, the film felt less like a constructed narrative and more like a slice of life many viewers had either experienced or were currently living.