OPINION: Why do we want the peak Bollywood rom-com era back so badly?

Despite our enduring fondness for classic Bollywood romantic comedies, the evolving style of contemporary filmmaking has left us yearning for them even more. To put it simply, the current state of rom-com production feels far from their full potential – many of these films fail to strike a chord with viewers. So, why is that?

As a devoted fan of Bollywood, I’ve spent my childhood watching movies like Kal Ho Naa Ho, Jab We Met, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, and Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahaani (with many more to add). To clarify, I’m not attempting to compare, but it appears that the distinctive Bollywood romantic genre is gradually losing its sparkle as the romance and our esteemed filmmakers have set the bar incredibly high. These films were instrumental in instilling within me a deep appreciation for the essence of love.

Without doubt, these films have treated us to some unforgettable acting, witty dialogue, hilarious sitcom-style situations, and heartfelt music. Whenever I yearn for a feel-good movie, I find myself returning to those golden years, drawn by the sense of nostalgia they evoke.

It might seem that I favor classic Bollywood romances, but the truth is, these films have opened my eyes to the scarcity of truly captivating romantic comedies. While modern movies such as Hasee Toh Phasee, Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, Bareilly Ki Barfi, Badhaai Ho, and Luka Chuppi showcase impressive acting, they are unfortunately not widely available.

One could argue that a significant number of our movie directors have been inspired by the vibrant performances of South American masses. It seems like, in our pursuit of creating mass-appealing “PAN India” films, we might be sacrificing the unique charm of offbeat, innocent romance that our cinema once offered on the big screen.

Many delightful rom-coms transformed into digital series, like Mismatched, lack the same cinematic ambiance compared to the grandeur of theaters.

In the realm of contemporary Bollywood romantic comedies, I long to experience the endearing innocence reminiscent of Saif Ali Khan’s portrayals in Hum Tum and Kal Ho Naa Ho. I yearn to immerse myself within the whimsical universe depicted in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. However, it seems that the charm and everything quintessential about classic rom-coms have been overshadowed in today’s films. As a devoted admirer of Hindi cinema, I find myself disheartened and frustrated by this loss.

To wrap it up, being a devoted fan of romantic comedies, with a heartfelt passion for romance and anything reminiscent of silk sarees and the charm portrayed in movies like Mohabbatein, I can’t help but long for our Hindi filmmakers to recapture the magical chemistry and iconic elements that seem to be missing in today’s films.

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2025-03-10 13:37