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Jalebi (2018) Movie Review – A Heartbreak Story Worth Watching | HGBYHG

Harsh Goyal March 24, 2026 Close-to-Heart

So recently I was thinking about some underrated Bollywood romantic films, and one movie instantly came to my mind — Jalebi (2018). This movie is remembered by me for its songs — Pal sung by Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal, and Tum Se by Jubin Nautiyal. I watched this film first in 2019 and rewatched in 2025, but its songs are so addictive even now.

And one special shayari at the end of the film — said by an old man traveller in the train —

"Unse mohabbat kamaal ki hoti hai, jinka milna muqaddar mein nahi hota."

(Those who are never meant to meet — loving them is the most remarkable kind of love.)

This is the main highlight of the film for me.

One line verdict — Not a perfect film, but when you watch it, you won't regret it if you love sad songs and a decent romantic-cum-sad drama story.

The Story

The main plot is — the female lead Aisha visits Delhi, and during her visit she meets the male lead Dev Mathur. And the love story evolves into a marriage. Because Aisha is a modern girl — she smokes cigarettes, drinks alcohol, like a modern girl from rich and super-rich societies in India. Dev is more traditional. But after all of that, both tried to pair up.

After a very cute phase, Aisha conceived. During the pregnancy journey the relationship became much deeper. But one night both planned a night drive and a wrong turn in life — both faced an accident. During this incident the couple lost their unborn child. Dev's mother started blaming Aisha, and Aisha left the house.

Aisha gave a chance to their relationship. She asked Dev to meet her in Kashmir — if he loves her. But Dev didn't come.

Seven Years Later — The Train

Then the story comes forward after seven years. Dev, Aisha, and Dev's current wife Anu Mathur meet in the same cabin in a train. And the story continues.

Aisha was unaware that Anu and her daughter had a bad past. Dev accepted Anu as his wife and her daughter as his own daughter. I really loved that part — Dev's action to accept Anu and give his name to Anu's daughter. That says a lot about his character.

At the end, Dev tells Aisha why he didn't come to meet her seven years before. And at the very end — Aisha writes a book titled Jalebi. Dev finds it in a bookstore. And the film ends.

Why the Title is Jalebi

The film title Jalebi is also mentioned in the book — titled Jalebi — same name, written by the female lead Aisha. Just like a jalebi is twisted and circular and goes round and round, the story also moves in loops — past, present, memories — all twisted together.

Performances

Acting by artists like Varun Mitra as Dev Mathur, Rhea Chakraborty as Aisha Pradhan, and Digangana Suryavanshi as Anu Mathur is pretty decent — not great. But when you watch the film, you don't regret it.

What I Really Liked

As for me, I really loved this film. The story and songs have a really good matchup. I enjoyed the love between Aisha and Dev. I really loved Dev's action to accept Anu as his wife and give his name to Anu's daughter. And the background score and locations are really good. The overall feel of the film is solid.

The Remake Connection

It is a remake of the 2016 Bengali language film Praktan. The film did not perform well at the box office, but its songs, story, and shayari have become popular among heartbreaking and emotional romantic movies. The Instagram reels about clips from this film are still performing really well even now.

Who Should Watch Jalebi

If you love sad Bollywood songs and connect with heartbreak and emotional themes, Jalebi is made for you. Especially if Pal or Tum Se is already on your playlist — this film will hit even harder when you see the scenes those songs belong to. Watch it on a quiet evening when you are in a reflective mood.

However if you are looking for a fast-paced story, action, or comedy — this is not for you. Jalebi is slow, emotional, and music-driven. Know what you are signing up for before you press play.

Similar Movies You Might Like

If Jalebi sounds like your kind of film, here are some others in the same space — Aashiqui 2 (2013) for its music-driven heartbreak romance, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016) for its theme of unrequited love, and The Lunchbox (2013) which I have also reviewed on this blog — another quiet emotional film that stays with you long after watching. Also check out the original Bengali film Praktan (2016) if you want to compare.

Rewatch Value

I would not rewatch Jalebi for the story. But for the songs and a few specific emotional scenes — absolutely yes. That is exactly what I did in 2025. And honestly the songs were still just as addictive. That says everything about how well the music was made for this film.

Basic Details

Film: Jalebi (2018)
Genre: Romantic Drama
Language: Hindi
Based on: Praktan (2016, Bengali)
Director: Pushpdeep Bhardwaj
Producers: Mahesh Bhatt, Mukesh Bhatt
Music: Jeet Gannguli, Tanishk Bagchi and others
Cast: Varun Mitra, Rhea Chakraborty, Digangana Suryavanshi
Where to Watch: Available on YouTube for free

Final Verdict

It's a solid 7.5 stars out of 10 from me. Not a masterpiece. But a film with real heart. Give it a chance — especially if Pal or Tum Se is already on your playlist.

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Thanks for reading. Harsh Goyal (hgbyhg) signing off.

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