Romance is and will always be a timeless film genre which can never get old. So, today’s recco is for genre fans and for all the love birds out there. We give you five rather underrated but must-watch Indian romantic movies which deserve more recognition and popularity. All these films are streaming on various Indian OTT platforms which we have mentioned below. So, what are you waiting for? Get, set & binge!
Manmarziyaan, 2018 (Streaming on Jio Cinema, Zee5, Eros Now, MX Player)
Directed by maverick filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, the romantic drama movie is set in the city of Amritsar, Punjab. The underlying plot follows two lovers Rumy and Vicky (Taapsee Pannu and Vicky Kaushal), but the latter does not want commitment or marriage. The story takes a turn when a well-settled investment banker Robbie (Abhishek Bachchan) falls for Rumy. Who will Rumy finally choose?
Paheli, 2005 (Streaming on Netflix)
Directed by Amol Palekar, the supernatural romantic drama follows the story of a village girl Lachchi (Rani Mukerji), who gets married to the son (Shah Rukh Khan) of an affluent businessman. When the husband departs for a business trip right after their marriage, Lachchi is visited by a ghost who falls in love with her and takes the place of the husband.
Dum Laga Ke Haisha, 2015 (Streaming on Amazon Prime Video)
The 1990s-set romantic comedy movie tells the story of a timid and slim music buff (Ayushmann Khurrana), who runs a small tape-recording business in Haridwar. But his life suddenly takes a U-turn when he is married to an educated girl (Bhumi Pednekar). Will love flourish for the mismatched couple?
Akaash Vani, 2013 (Streaming on Amazon Prime Video)
Helmed by Luv Ranjan of ‘Pyaar Ka Punchnama’ fame, the film’s story revolves around a girl Vani (Nushrratt Bharuccha), who belongs to a conservative family. Despite her unwillingness to get married because of romantic feelings for her college mate Akaash (Kartik Aaryan), still she reluctantly marries another man of her parents’ choice. With an unhappy married life and a dominating husband, will she be able to gather courage for another chance to follow her dreams?
Socha Na Tha, 2005 (Streaming on Amazon Prime Video)
The movie’s story is about how a boy and a girl (played by Abhay Deol and Ayesha Takia) unwillingly meet for an arranged marriage but secretly become friends and eventually fall for each other. It was Imtiaz Ali’s feature film directorial debut and is a light-hearted and feel-good rom-com done right. The film touches upon the subject of arranged marriages in India in a unique and humorous way.