Weekend Binge: 5 Must Watch Cross-Cultural Prem Kahaanis

New Delhi:

Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt’s big collaboration — Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani  — released in theatres today. The music album of the film, consisting of songs like Tum Kya Mile, What Jhumka, Dhindora Baje Re and Ve Kamleya, has already created a storm. Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, as the name suggests, is a love story of its lead pair Rocky Aur Rani (Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt). The catch is that they hail from different cultural backgrounds. The film also stars Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan, and Shabana Azmi, among others. Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani marks Karan Johar’s directorial comeback after seven years. 

Before (or after) you catch Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, we recommend you catch some cross-cultural love stories. To make your job easier, here are the titles you must add to your list.

1. Chennai Express – Netflix

Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone’s Chennai Express was a blockbuster and for good reason. The love story of a North Indian guy and a South Indian girl comes wrapped in Rohit Shetty’s trademark action sequences with loads of humour. This is a perfect light-hearted watch that you can watch – and rewatch – with family and friends.

2. Vicky Donor – Jio Cinema

Released in 2012, Vicky Donor is a romantic comedy film by Shoojit Sircar. The film marked the Bollywood debut of its lead pair Ayushmann Khurrana and Yami Gautam and addresses the stigma around sperm donation in a compelling yet light-hearted manner. The love story between Vicky Arora, who comes from a Punjabi family, and Ashima Roy, a progressive-minded Bengali woman, is the soul of the film.

3. Ek Duuje Ke Liye – MX Player

Ek Duuje Ke Liye is a classic that needs no introduction. The K Balachander film is a remake of his  1978 Telugu hit Maro Charitra. Starring Kamal Haasan and Rati Agnihotri in the lead roles, the film explores the theme of intercultural love and societal barriers. A Tamil man (Kamal Haasan as Vasu) meets Sapna (Rati Agnihotri), a North Indian woman, in Goa and sparks fly. They fall in love but the future holds many challenges.

4. 2 States – Disney + Hotstar 

2 States is based on Chetan Bhagat’s book of the same name 2 States: The Story of My Marriage. It narrates the story of a couple Krish (Arjun Kapoor) and Ananya (Alia Bhatt), who hail from two states of India, Punjab and Tamil Nadu. With spot-on humour, family conflict and a chartbuster music album, 2 States is a must-watch. 

5. Hum Hai Rahi Pyar Ke – Disney + Hotstar 

Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke is a Bollywood romantic comedy film released in 1993, directed by Mahesh Bhatt. The film stars Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla in the lead roles, and the love story between a North Indian man and a Tamilian woman forms the perfect backdrop for the hilarious chaos that also involves three mischievous children.

Tell us your pick from the list