9 movies like Student of the Year to relive your college memories: Mohabbatein and more

9 movies like Student of the Year to relive your college memories: Mohabbatein and more

As someone who has spent countless hours engrossed in the captivating world of Indian cinema, I must admit that each of these films holds a special place in my heart for different reasons. However, if I were to choose one that resonated most deeply with me, it would have to be “2 States”.


In this conversation, we’re talking about a number of college-set movies in Hindi cinema that still hold a special place among fans. These include films like Student of the Year, as well as others such as Mohabbatein, Main Hoon Na, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, and Rehnaa Hai Tere Dil Mein. Do you recall the iconic argument between Rahul and Anjali in KKHH or Raj Malhotra instructing his students in Mohabbatein? These films have left an indelible mark on Indian cinema with their memorable scenes and characters.

These films continue to be beloved today as they authentically portray university life on the cinema screen. Some characters found romance, while others deepened their friendships.

Let’s check out 9 movies like Student of the Year that you can watch to relive your college memories:

1. Mohabbatein

  • Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Uday Chopra, Shamita, Shetty, Jugal Hansraj, Kim Sharma, Jimmy Sheirgill, and Preeti Jhangiani
  • IMDB Rating: 7
  • Director: Aditya Chopra
  • Release year: 2000
  • Genre: Drama/Musical/Romance
  • Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

Under the guidance of director Aditya Chopra, the film Mohabbatein showcased a talented group of actors including Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, and others.

In a different interpretation: In this tale, Big B portrays Narayan Shankar, a stern and disciplined college headmaster who’s skeptical about romance. Tensions rise when one of his students, Raj Malhotra (played by Shah Rukh), develops feelings for Narayan’s daughter (Aishwarya’s character). Unfortunately, the outcome is not favorable for Raj as he gets expelled from the college due to this romantic entanglement.

Years later, he returns to the institution as a music teacher and makes his students fall in love.

2. Jo Jeeta Wahi Sikandar

9 movies like Student of the Year to relive your college memories: Mohabbatein and more

  • Cast: Aamir Khan, Ayesha Jhulka, Pooja Bedi, Deepak Tijori, and Kulbhushan Kharbanda
  • IMDB Rating: 8.1
  • Director: Mansoor Khan
  • Release year: 1992
  • Genre: Comedy/Drama/Romance
  • Where to watch: ZEE5

The film follows the story of a rich brat, Shekhar Malhotra (Deepak Tijori), and a lower-middle-class boy, Sanjay Lal (Aamir Khan), competing to win over a beautiful girl, played by Pooja Bedi. 

Simultaneously, Aamir’s character, Sanjay, undergoes intense training to participate in a bicycle competition due to his brother’s severe injury. Ayesha Jhulka portrays Anjali, a friend from Sanjay’s group who harbors affection for him. As Sanjay trains, he discovers his feelings for Anjali and eventually wins the race.

3. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai

  • Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, and Rani Mukerji
  • IMDB Rating: 7.5
  • Director: Karan Johar
  • Release year: 1998
  • Genre: Comedy/Drama/Musical
  • Where to watch: Netflix and Amazon Prime Video

In a film directed by Karan Johar titled “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,” stars Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, and Rani Mukerji appear. Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol portray college friends named Rahul and Anjali in the movie.

As Anjali develops affection for Rahul, he fails to return her feelings and eventually weds Tina (played by Rani Mukherji). After many years pass, following the demise of Tina, their daughter Anjali reconnects with an older Anjali and her father.

4. Ishq Vishk

  • Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Amrita Rao, and Shenaz Treasury
  • IMDB Rating: 6.1
  • Director: Ken Ghosh
  • Release year: 2003
  • Genre: comedy/romance
  • Where to watch: Jio Cinema and Amazon Prime Video

In this college-set tale, it revolves around Shahid Kapoor’s character, Rajiv Mathur, feigning affection towards his classmate, Payal, for the purpose of boosting his social standing. Contrastingly, Payal is deeply smitten by him.

Trouble arises for Rajiv when he assaults her in Alibaug, causing their bond to fracture. Later on, Rajiv attempts to charm a new university student, but eventually recognizes his feelings for Payal instead.

5. Rehnaa Hai Tere Dil Mein 

  • Cast: R Madhavan, Dia Mirza, and Saif Ali Khan
  • IMDB Rating: 7.5
  • Director: Gautham Vasudev Menon
  • Release year: 2001
  • Genre: Comedy/Drama
  • Where to watch: Jio Cinema

In a twist of events, actor R. Madhavan portrays Maddy, a character who deceives Reena by pretending to be her intended groom, Rajeev, to win her affections. Unbeknownst to them, Reena and Rajeev are supposed to get married. However, their relationship blossoms until the true Rajeev returns from the United States, eventually revealing Maddy’s disguise to Reena.

In a thrilling twist of fate, I found myself pitted against Maddy in our academic journey during our college years. The silver screen brought this rivalry to life through an enthralling tale starring none other than R Madhavan, Dia Mirza, and the charismatic Saif Ali Khan.

6. Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar (MP3)

  • Cast: Ruslaan Mumtaz and Hazel Croney
  • IMDB Rating: 7
  • Director: Robbie Grewal
  • Release year: 2007
  • Genre: Comedy/Drama/Musical
  • Where to watch: ZEE5

In a nutshell, “Mera Pehla Pehla Pyar” unfolds the tale of Rohan Sood, a student from Delhi, and his college sweetheart, Ayesha Mehra. However, their love story takes an unexpected turn when whispers about them dating other people start circulating, causing strain in their relationship.

Ayesha journeys to Paris accompanied by her mother, while Rohan eventually discovers this and sets off for the city to be reunited with his beloved.

7. Main Hoon Na

  • Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Sushmita Sen, Zayed Khan, and Amrita Rao
  • IMDB Rating: 7
  • Director: Farah Khan
  • Release year: 2004
  • Genre: Action/Comedy
  • Where to watch: Netflix

Under the guidance of director Farah Khan, the movie Main Hoon Na featured Shah Rukh Khan, Sushmita Sen, Zayed Khan, and Amrita Rao as its main characters.

The narrative unfolds around Shah Rukh’s character, Major Ram, who assumes the role of a college student secretly as an undercover agent. With this disguise, he is tasked with safeguarding General’s daughter, Sanjana, portrayed by Amrita. Moreover, his mission is driven by his desire to fulfill his deceased father’s wish, which was to reunite their family.

8. 2 States

  • Cast: Arjun Kapoor and Alia Bhatt
  • IMDB Rating: 6.9
  • Director: Abhishek Verman
  • Release year: 2014
  • Genre: Comedy/Drama/Romance
  • Where to watch: ZEE5

2 States is a film adaptation of Chetan Bhagat’s novel with the same title. The movie narrates the tale of two IIM students, Krish and Ananya, portrayed by Arjun Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, respectively.

Despite hailing from distinct cultural heritages, they found themselves deeply in love with one another. The pair endeavored tirelessly to win over each other’s families for their union. In an effort to sway Ananya’s parents, Krish ventured to Chennai, while she set off for Delhi to make a favorable impression on his family.

Following much effort, Krish and Ananya exchanged vows at a temple with their loved ones present.

9. Wake Up Sid

  • Cast: Ranbir Kapoor and Konkona Sen Sharma
  • IMDB Rating: 7.6
  • Director: Ayan Mukerji 
  • Release year:2009
  • Genre: Comedy/Drama/Romance
  • Where to watch: Netflix and Amazon Prime Video

Under the guidance of director Ayan Mukerji, the film Wake Up Sid features Ranbir Kapoor and Konkona Sen Sharma as its main characters. In this movie, Ranbir portrays Siddharth Mehra, a young man who is a college student, living a life of luxury and carelessness, with no defined purpose or ambition.

Through his encounter with Aisha, an ambitious author, he finds wisdom about life’s purpose and matures into a reliable man. Eventually, they decide to share their lives and eventually develop feelings for each other.

Which one do you like the most?

Read More

2024-08-16 22:38