Top 11 Movies to watch this summer if you are a Romcom lover!!

Alright, we'll say it loud and proud: We LOVE a good rom-com movie from time to time.  There doesn't have to be anything "guilty pleasure" about it. If you're like us, get the blankets and popcorn ready, and enjoy these warm-and-fuzzy classics.

1. HUM TUM: 

The film that took the battle of sexes to a whole new level, 'HUM TUM' is about a boy and a girl, totally opposite from each other who just cannot tolerate each other falling hopelessly in love over a span of 7 years. Saif's impeccable comic timing and Rani Mukherji's brilliant performance make it arguably the best Bollywood Romcom ever. 

2. YEH JAWAANI HAI DEEWANI:

A very refreshing take on love, romance, friendship and life, Ye Jawaani Hai Deewaniwas for this generation our DDLJ. The coming-of-age film made it a point to celebrate love but not at the cost of sacrificing one's passion. 

3. JAANE TU... YA JAANE NA:

It's a tale of college besties, Jai, the most non-violent Rajput ever and Aditi, a highly aggressive and impulsive girl. They want to settle down in life after college but not with each other. They don't realise or accept love for each other until Jai finds a girl and Aditi starts missing him and his company. 

4. BAREILLY KI BARFI:

Rajkummar Rao may have hogged all the limelight for his performance in the film. But it's Ayushmann's character Pritam who we can relate with more. His role taught us that being someone's secret admirer isn't a great idea. 

5. DDLJ:

The ultimate rulebook of all rulebooks of romance, DDLJ became the longest running film in the history of Indian cinema (surpassing the action classic Sholay). Aditya Chopra’s debut film gave us memorable screen characters in Raj and Simran, that epitomised love. The record-breaking cult film set benchmarks for romantic dramas to come. No Bollywood list is quite complete without this one.

6. DIL CHAHTA HAI:

Farhan Akhtar’s directorial debut explored friendship and love with a subtle, indie sensibility. It was a generational shift in our style of storytelling. Recounting his insecurities as a filmmaker in his biography, An Unsuitable Boy, Karan Johar says, “there was a part of me that got a little afraid,” post the release of Lagaan and Dil Chahta Hai. “I felt in that year, the syntax of cinema had changed… What was really, intrinsically, authentically cool was Farhan Akhtar’s depiction of urban youth, the way they dressed, spoke, the mannerisms. My sensibilities were mixed up with those of the filmmakers of yore – Yash Chopra, Subhash Ghai, Raj Kapoor.”

7. BAND BAAJA BARAAT: 

From writer Habib Faisal and first-time director Maneesh Sharma came a film which will be remembered long beyond the films of its decade. A well-written script engagingly screenplayed and honest performances from Ranveer Singh and Anushka Sharma make this a winner. Add to it the Delhi milieu which comes alive as another character in the film. Even repeated viewings don’t dilute the initial impact of the film. Debutant Ranveer Singh carried the ‘newcomer’ title with ease and pride, nearly owning the film. Little did we know this was just the beginning for this abundantly talented actor.

8. ZINDAGI NA MILEGI DOBARA: 

Zoya Akhtar skilfully marries artistic and mainstream sensibilities to create this gem. A film about friendship and travel, Zindagi Ne Milegi Dobara is a simple story with its heart in the right place. The poems by Javed Akhtar aid the narrative. We find a little bit of ourselves in all the characters. Characters with simple aspirations. Characters that speak our language. They along with a simple, relatable story elevate this film to a cult level.

9. QUEEN:

Queen defied Bollywood tradition in how it wasn’t the usual fall-in-love-and-live-happily-ever-after story. While it did involve falling in love and living happily ever after, it chronicled the journey of a woman falling in love with herself – two elements Bollywood has barely explored. And Kangana Ranaut nailed it with a career-best performance. How often does mainstream Bollywood subvert storytelling norms? It’s an icing on the cake when it gets it right.

10. SAATHIYA: 

Mani Ratnam’s protege Shaad Ali delivered a winner in this Tamil film remake. The film smoothly transitions from mostly a light, zippy first half to a dark, grim latter half. The non-linear narrative tightly edited (except the last few minutes) kept up the pace and attention. Rani Mukerji held the film with an impressive performance. Vivek Oberoi came off his dark avatar and took on the loverboy mantle charming his way through to Suhani’s (Rani Mukerji) and our hearts. From Yaar Milade Saiyya to Chupke Se, A.R. Rahman’s soulful music added another character to the film.

 11. SOCHA NA THA:

Critics loved it but the box office snubbed it. The film was a commercial failure, possibly because it had no big names to boast of or bring audience to the theatres. It was a first for director Imtiaz Ali and actor Abhay Deol, while Ayesha Takia had two flops behind her, the same year. It was much later when moviegoers warmed up to it. I happened to watch it five months after its release. Even today, it’s hard to keep away from each time it’s on TV. Socha Na Tha is mainstream romance done right. And Imtiaz is among the very few filmmakers who nail this genre.

BY ADITI B.