A cross-cultural love triangle movie, leading Shantanu Maheshwari to get global spotlights, adds an international milestone to his creative journey.
Shantanu Maheshwari’s outstanding performance in his latest film, Love in Vietnam, a romantic love triangle drama, was released on 12th September 2025, written and directed by Rahat Shah Kazmi. Becoming the first Indian-Vietnamese film collaboration.
Credit: Seoul Global Movie Awards
Alongside alluring charm, “Avneet Kaur” as (Simmi) and stunning Vietnamese actress “Kha Ngan” as (Linh), were featuring tales of love, heartbreak and friendship genres. It was inspired by the classic Turkish novel “Madonna in a Fur Coat”, with legendary actors like Raj Babbar, Farida Jalal and Gulshan Grover in supporting roles.
Love in Vietnam reached a major international milestone for Indian cinema with two nominations on South Korean film charts. It made history as the first Indian film to win Best Film of Asia at the 2025 Seoul Global Movie Awards. Rahat Shah Kazmi also earned the Best Director honour. These achievements reflect the steady rise of Indian cinema on the global stage. This shows how its stories are connecting with international audiences. They also pave the way for deeper cross-border collaborations and stronger future partnerships, particularly winning hearts within Asian film industries, where interest in Indian storytelling continues to grow once again.
A Rare Feat in China: 10,000-Screen Pre-Release for the Film
Besides India and Vietnam, countries like South Korea and China showed immense interest in this film. China’s audience enthusiasm for this film was on another level, with a 10,000-screen pre-release by Shanghai YC Media & Film, a rare feat for any foreign film, which also, before the Indian release, highlighted strong interest in the cultural story.
Though Vietnam itself also embraces it as a landmark for cultural exchange and cinema. A perfect blend of Indo-Vietnamese storytelling qualities mixture of romance and friendship.
South Korean Audiences Moved to Tears by Love in Vietnam
South Korean filmmakers and audiences responded with strong emotional praise to Love in Vietnam. They have appreciated its sincere storytelling, well-structured narrative, and poetic musical flow, as well as the heartfelt bond shared by the lead actors. The emotional connection between the main actors and actresses made the audience tear up. The great on-screen chemistry between them is also appreciated and grabbed the attention of global audiences.
How Social Media Hype Took the Film to Korean Awards
Trends on social media reels and hashtags made their way towards South Korean awards show nominations and winning the major position in Asia. A song inspired by the film, sung by Korean artist Seaya, became a social media hit in Korea, with fans pairing it with film scenes, creating massive pre-release excitement. A few audiences even said the film characters remind them of some K-drama actors who are very popular in South Korea.
‘A Dream Moment’: Shantanu Maheshwari on Seoul Award Win
Shantanu expressed his excitement at the Seoul awards, calling the experience unforgettable. He shared that meeting renowned Korean stars and veteran actors felt like a dream come true. Stepping onto the international stage and seeing the film receive global recognition deeply moved him. He added that the warm acceptance of Love in Vietnam on such respected platforms made the moment even more special. This opportunity has brought him closer to fulfilling his long-held dream.
Shantanu Maheshwari: From Dance Floors to Cinema Screens
Shantanu Maheshwari is an Indian actor, dancer, and choreographer who first won hearts as Swayam Shekhawat in the popular youth television show Dil Dosti Dance. Known for his strong screen presence and exceptional dance skills, he quickly became a standout performer. His journey gained further momentum when he emerged as the winner of Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 8. Shantanu also represented India on the global stage as a member of the Desi Hoppers dance crew. The crew went on to win the World of Dance Championship in Los Angeles.
In 2022, he made his Bollywood debut in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Gangubai Kathiawadi. He also won the IIFA Award for Star Debut of the Year – Male. Over the years, he has won multiple awards for acting and choreography. He has consistently shown his versatility through films, dance, and music videos.
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