Boy meets girl. Some kabhi haan kabhi naa and a romantic song later, they fall in love. Then either they elope and die or get married and live happily ever after. And tada—the end.
Doesn’t this sound like the plot of every Bollywood movie ever? Thankfully, in a sea of these typical love stories, Bollywood pleasantly surprises us with a hatke storyline every now and then. These movies break the stereotype, reflect on the realities of society, and give us more than just hit numbers to groove on. They give us some much-needed food for thought! So here’s a big shout-out to ten such cinematic masterpieces. Watch them if you haven’t already:
Chhatriwali (2023)
Despite its humble OTT release, Chhatriwali created waves due to its unconventional subject matter. Starring Rakul Preet Singh in the lead, it is the story of Sanya, an underpaid chemistry tutor who becomes a well-paid condom tester. She decides to go against the norm and use her skills to educate young women about safe sex practices after she learns about the high death rate due to abortions in India.
Doctor G (2022)
Uday Gupta (Ayushmann Khurrana) gets into a situation deemed embarrassing in his village. He ends up being the lone male student in his medical college’s gynaecological department. Post his initial resistance and efforts to change his specialisation, Uday realises that there is more to life than people’s judgements. Eventually, he overcomes his hesitations and embraces his profession.
Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui (2021)
This movie seemed like a typical love story of Manu (Ayushmann Khurrana) and Maanvi (Vaani Kapoor). But here’s the “unconventional twist to the plot: after falling head over heels for her, Manu learns that Maanvi is a transwoman. After a sour breakup, he realises that love knows no boundaries or genders. Finally, they end up together. The movie educates about sex reaffirmation operations and questions gender norms.
Thappad (2020)
Thappad is a hard-hitting story of Amrita (Taapsee Pannu), who is a “perfect” homemaker, wife, daughter, and daughter-in-law. Things go downhill when she decides to take a stand for herself and files for divorce over “a mere slap” instead of doing what’s expected of her i.e. forgive him!
Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan (2020)
While the first part of the Shubh Mangal Saavdhan series deals with the thorny subject of erectile dysfunction, its 2020 sequel is an equally nuanced yet entertaining take on same-sex marriages. It highlights the struggle of a gay couple—Kartik (Ayushmann Khurrana) and Aman (Jitnedra Kumar)—who struggles to seek the approval of Aman’s conservative family.
Shubh Mangal Saavdhan (2017)
Mudit (Ayushmann Khurrana) is a shy Dilli boy, who woos Sugandha (Bhumi Pednekar) and the duo is set to tie the knot. However, there’s a major glitch in their gehra pyaar: Mudit suffers from erectile dysfunction. The movie challenges the patriarchal notions of masculinity usually glorified in the popular strain of Indian cinema and is truly a breath of fresh air.
Ki And Ka (2016)
Kia (Kareena Kapoor Khan), a driven, successful woman at the pinnacle of her advertising career marries Kabir (Arjun Kapoor), who prefers to be a “house husband”. All’s well in their grihasti where Kia keeps going up the corporate ladder while Kabir’s a happy cheerleader managing the house. But soon, ego clashes and jealousy set in and the relationship starts going downhill.
Dum Laga Ke Haisha (2015)
Prem (Ayushmann Khurrana) marries Sandhya (Bhumi Pednekar) due to family pressure. Despite her efforts, intelligence and qualifications, he fails to give her the love and respect that she deserves only because she’s overweight. However, he soon realises that it’s the heart that matters and not the looks and falls for her!
Queen (2014)
Queen was definitely the first of its kind! Rani (Kangana Ranaut) is left heartbroken when her fiance leaves her just before their wedding. However, Rani decides not to let her honeymoon tickets go to waste and sets out on a solo trip to Europe that proves to be a journey of self-discovery, independence, and some unforgettable friendships. This one’s a must-watch for all the young people reeling with a broken heart!
English Vinglish (2012)
Featuring the legendary Sridevi, English Vinglish is the story of Shashi, a meekly obedient homemaker, who is mocked by her family for not being well-versed in English. However, she learns the language during her visit to New York for her niece’s wedding and reasserts herself as a mother and wife.
Folks, these movies make for perfect weekend binge-watching and will leave you with so much to think about while making you smile. Enjoy!
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