It’s always a good time to celebrate your significant other, so celebrate your love in the comfort of your home with these perfectly romantic Bollywood movies.
Even among the run-of-the-mill action movies or the cliched droves of films from modern-day Bollywood, there are some mushy-gushy gems worth your time.
We promise that you will be in a loving, romantic mood for at least the rest of the week with these classically sweet and passionate mix of hits and possibly some films that may have flown under your radar.
Here are the most lovey-dovey Bollywood movies of the last five years.
2009
1. “Love Aaj Kal”
Director Imtiaz Ali has always been one to make interesting films about love and relationships. His first film, “Socha Na Tha,” explored arranged marriage, while his next venture, “Jab We Met,” was all about how love (even of a one-sided nature) can bring new life to a drifting soul. With his third film, “Love Aaj Kal,” Ali showed that love is constant through time—and that true love can exist. This film is a bit sappy and melodramatic at times, but what classic romantic film isn’t? For the truly romantic at heart, this film is a must-watch.
2010
2. “Band Baaja Baaraat”
The best way to describe this film—which features Anushka Sharma in her third acting role and Ranveer Singh in his debut, alongside debutant director Maneesh Sharma—has a simple premise that is elevated by two fantastic performances.
“Band Baaja Baaraat” follows two very different people, Bittoo Sharma and Shruti Kakkar, who come together to create a successful wedding planning business. Though there are some clichéd moments (the way the Bittoo and Shruti finally get together is the most obvious one), the chemistry between Sharma and Singh is obvious and palpable, and the way the relationship between their characters grows is modern and beyond sweet.
2011
3. “Tanu Weds Manu”
Our generation may think of arranged marriage as old-fashioned and outdated, but “Tanu Weds Manu” exhibits the balance between arranged marriage and love, while realistically portraying what it is like to fall in love unexpectedly and completely.
The film is enhanced by the immense talent of its main cast. The incredible Kangana Ranaut is great yet again, alongside another consistently good actor, Madhavan. There is even a great supporting role by Jimmy Shergill, arguably the only young actor from “Mohabbatein” that lived up to his potential. If this movie doesn’t succeed in putting a smile on your face by the end, nothing will.
2012
4. “London, Paris, New York”
For a more modern romance film, look no further than “London, Paris, New York,” which follows the ups and downs of a tempestuous romance between a couple over the course of several years.
The lovers lie to each other, trick each other, lust after one another, and do so many things that happen in real life between two people who fall in love—but have a tough time making their relationship work.
“London, Paris, New York” is hard to watch at times, and at others, it is delightful. And what makes this film great is its realness.
2013
5. “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani”
This film is the most traditional Bollywood romance on the list but still has some wonderful moments, thanks mostly to the main cast of four ridiculously talented actors: Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor, Kalki Koechlin and Aditya Roy Kapur. “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani” follows Padukone’s Naina as she breaks out of her nerdy, schoolgirl existence to explore life with Kapoor’s Bunny and his friends Avi (Kapur) and Aditi (Koechlin).
Naina starts to fall for the fun-loving Bunny, but knows that he and his spirit cannot be tied down. Surprisingly enough, this isn’t a spoiler, as most of the film is told after the gang breaks apart for a few years then reunites for a big event. Sometimes it is a bit corny, a bit too flashy, and a bit too Yash Raj—but man, does it bring joy.
6. “Raanjhanaa”
Sometimes a romance doesn’t work—and while that might not be the best message to spread when watching a film with a loved one, “Raanjhanaa” finds a way to show that love doesn’t just go away because of one-sidedness or any other negative circumstances.
Tamil star Dhanush’s first Bollywood outing is a beautiful and, at times, dark one, with a love triangle for the ages. What works so well about this story is that all three characters, including Sonam Kapoor and Abhay Deol, have positive and negative traits and all make difficult—and sometimes wrong—decisions, but are ultimately all good people.
7. “Lootera”
“Lootera” is a gorgeous film about how falling for the wrong person can absolutely be right. For the first time since her debut in masala films like “Dabangg” and more, Sonakshi Sinha proves to the masses that she is a fantastic actress in her own right, and can play women with real substance and depth.
Additionally, Ranveer Singh impresses yet again in a role without his trademark wildness. Both actors’ chemistry and the romance written in the script have tender and painful moments, which makes it all the more fascinating to watch.
8. “The Lunchbox”
Easily the most unconventional and quiet film of the bunch, “The Lunchbox” is a truly special film with a unique love story about two very different people in two dissimilar situations.
All-star actor Irrfan Khan shines as a man about to retire from his job after several decades, and Nimrat Kaur matches him as a disillusioned and wronged housewife. The two have a wonderful love story that is leaps and bounds better than most in Bollywood—and Hollywood as well. The film also uses India and Indian traditions as the backdrop for this extraordinary tale of romance.
9. “Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela”
Over-the-top, extravagant, dramatic: despite the sometimes negative connotations of these words, somehow they come together to create this epic Romeo and Juliet love story.
“Ram Leela” shares visual similarities to “Devdas,” thanks to director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The difference between this film and “Devdas,” and others in this genre, is the incredible chemistry between actors—and possible real-life lovers—Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone (that’s right Singh is back again on our list, crazy right?).
Without Singh and Padukone in particular, this film would not have been nearly as good, but the actors bring to life the true struggle between family loyalty, tradition and love.
2014
10. “Hasee Toh Phasee”
Some people didn’t really like this film when it came out at the beginning of last year, but they clearly didn’t understand its brilliance. The deliberate pacing, the relationship between Parineeti Chopra and Siddharth Malhotra, and the family dynamics, all work together to create something really special.
Chopra had the chance to play a challenging and interesting character; a genius who doesn’t really take social cues and has deep troubles with her family. Watching a character like this fall in love was fascinating, as was Malhotra’s character’s evolution, which helped him become the best partner he could be in the end. It’s a slightly silly but well-meaning and pleasant film.
11. “Highway”
As stated earlier in this list, director Imtiaz Ali is an expert at finding love stories in the strangest places. “Highway” absolutely follows that pattern, as the film follows Alia Bhatt’s Veera as she is kidnapped by a group goons led by Mahabir (Randeep Hooda)—and soon realizes that her kidnapped confinement is actually more freeing than the life from which she was taken.
Veera and Mahabir grow closer and closer together, and while the ending of the film may not be the happiest in the world, it gives us an extremely original story to ponder.
12. “2 States”
Written by Chetan Bhagat about his real-life romance with his wife, “2 States” is not a particularly strong movie, but it is certainly elevated thanks to the real subject matter and chemistry between stars Arjun Kapoor and Alia Bhatt.
While casting Bhatt as a light-skinned Tamilian feels less than inspired, the couple work really well together and the plot is a beautifully romantic one, as it combines a love story with a coming-of-age story.
13. “Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania”
Alia Bhatt was on fire in 2014 with three great films one right after the other. This feature produced by Karan Johar stars Bhatt alongside her “Student of the Year” co-star, the adorable Varun Dhawan.
While this film definitely has less substance than Bhatt’s other films of 2014, this is a sweet, classic Bollywood love story that features an adorable back and forth between Dhawan and Bhatt.
14. “Finding Fanny”
A movie not only about finding lost love, but also finding yourself, “Finding Fanny” is so much more than just a rom-com. In fact, it’s really just a well-rounded film that features a central love story and has a few unexpected (and some expected) love stories peppered in between.
The main cast is incredible: Naseerudin Shah, Deepika Padukone, Dimple Kapadia, Pankaj Kapur and Arjun Kapoor. The film is also so wonderfully funny, sweet and just the perfect amount of weird to really set it apart.
Bonus: Movies Coming Soon in 2015
If you’ve already crossed the above films off your watch list, there are a few new movies to check out this year.
The sequel to “Tanu Weds Manu,” very matter-of-factly titled “Tanu Weds Manu Returns,” comes to theaters this May. We don’t know much about this sequel, except that the first film’s great director Anand L. Rai is back (he also directed another film on our list: “Raanjhaana”), and it looks like Kangana Ranaut will be playing two roles in the movie.
There’s also the upcoming release of “Hamari Adhuri Kahani” to check out in June, as it follows the real-life love story of Mukhesh Bhatt’s parents and stars Vidya Balan, Emraan Hashmi, Rajkummar Rao, and Aditya Roy Kapur.
“Shaandaar” comes to theaters in September and is being touted as “India’s first destination wedding movie.” The film gives us the first ever pairing of Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, and also stars Kapoor’s real-life dad Pankaj Kapoor.
Then there’s “Bajirao Mastani,” which is currently scheduled to release in December. This is yet another Sanjay Leela Bhansali epic love saga, once again starring Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone as the titular lovers. What makes this different than their last movie together you may ask? Priyanka Chopra has joined the cast as well, as Bajirao’s first wife.
Let drama and classic love triangles ensue!