Bollywood films are full of romance, and no studio does romance quite like Yash Raj Films.
Founded in 1970 by the Late Yash Chopra, the storytelling studio continues to produce films that reflect the heart of its creator who famously said,
"I don't make romantic films, I make films about human relationships."
Some of the most evergreen and well-known romantic films come out of Yash Raj studios, including the iconic Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge as well as classics like Veer-Zaara, Rab Ne Bana De Jodi, Jab Tak Hai Jaan. Not only do these films feature great stories and excellent music, but they star Shah Rukh Khan who has a fan following that spans the globe.
Beyond those films starring Shah Rukh Khan, Yash Raj Films has presented a number of other unique films offering different perspectives on love and romance. If you are new to Bollywood, here are five recent Yash Raj Films which would be perfect to share on Valentine's Day.
1. Befikre
Release Date: 9 December 2016
Director: Aditya Chopra
Music by: Vishal-Shekhar, Mikey McCleary
Description: Delhi boy Dharam (Ranveer Singh) arrives in Paris in search of work and an adventure. At a party, he meets wild, free spirited, French-born Indian girl Shyra (Vaani Kapoor). They become romantically involved and eventually move in together. When their relationship takes a turn for the worse, they separate. But soon they discover that while the romance may be gone, the fire of friendship they began continues to burn.
Valentine's Day Message: Friendship is the basis of lasting love. This very modern love story seems like a raucous, commitment-free relationship built only on courage and crazy antics. While some of that is true, the characters are more grounded than that. After a tumultuous romance, Dharam is safely living in Shyra's friend zone. This gives him a chance to get to know Shyra on a more honest level and their relationship becomes stronger. The challenge comes when she must decide whether to marry another. While most films focus on love and marriage, this one focuses on the importance of true friendship as the basis of any lasting relationship.
Quote: "Love is a dare."
2. Dum Laga Ke Haisha
Release Date: 27 February 2015
Director: Sharat Katariya
Music by: Anu Malik, Andrea Guerra
Description: Set in the 1990s, uneducated Prem Prakash Tiwari (Ayushmann Khurrana) runs a cassette recording shop. With business doing poorly, his overbearing family arranges his marriage to aspiring teacher Sandhya Verma (Bhumi Pednekar) with the idea that she could get a job and help support the family financially. The only problem is that Prem finds Sandhya unattractive because she is overweight. What's more, he is embarrassed to be seen in public with her. They seek to divorce, but the court counsels them to spend another six months together before taking a final decision. Finding themselves at the lowest point in their lives, they begin to talk openly and honestly. When pressured by the local community to participate in a wife-carrying contest, they realize they have nothing else to lose but perhaps a little something to gain.
Valentine's Day Message: Love can overcome all obstacles. While Sandhya likes Prem from the first time she meets him, Prem is more focused on Sandhya's looks than the content of her character. Sandhya initially doesn't understand her husband's disinterest and borderline hostility towards her and tries her best to please her husband and new family. But when she comes to understand that she isn't valued, she stands up for herself because she fully knows her worth. This strength begins weaving a connection between her and Prem, allowing him to draw on her spirit and see value in himself. The film received a National Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi for "a sweet and resonant film set in Haridwar and challenges the middle-class prejudices in choosing a bride."
Quote: "Love comes in all sizes."
3. Daawat-e-Ishq
English Translation: "Feast on Love"
Release Date: 19 September 2014
Director: Habib Faisal
Music by: Sajid-Wajid, Hitesh Modak
Description: Gulrez “Gullu” Qadir (Parineeti Chopra) is shoe-sales girl disillusioned with love because of repeated encounters with dowry-seeking men. She hatches a plan with her father (Anupam Kher) to take financial advantage of the old-fashioned idea of dowry by posing as a rich, husband-seeking women. Tariq “Taru” Haidar (Aditya Roy Kapur), the owner of a local eatery, falls for Gullu and determines to marry her. When Tariq discovers her fraud, his heart is broken but his desire to track her down is resolute.
Valentine's Day Message: True love always wins. Gullu and her father aren't trained criminals, nor are they rich, and those elements help fuel the humorous nature of this otherwise dark story. Gullu and her father have their hands full dealing with the enthusiastic and larger-than-life Tariq. While he is rough around the edges, the good-natured Tariq can charm anybody with his enthusiasm and sincerity. Even Gullu finds it difficult to con this man. Meanwhile, Gullu is somewhat irresistible in her own right. The combination dishes up an entertaining feast of fun.
Quote: "I've fallen in love with your flavors."
4. Ek Tha Tiger
Release Date: 15 August 2012
Director: Kabir Khan
Music by: Sohail Sen, Sajid-Wajid, Julius Packiam
Description: Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) agent code name "Tiger" (Salman Khan) is sent on a seemingly simple mission to Dublin to investigate how classified information about his work is being transferred from an Indian scientist to the Pakistan defense establishment. Tiger is unsuccessful in gaining the scientist's trust, so he tries to befriend the scientist's part-time housekeeper Zoya (Katrina Kaif). As his investigation continues, he finds his friendship with Zoya is turning into something more. His mission takes an unexpected turn, sending Tiger and Zoya on a journey around the world.
Valentine's Day Message: Love has no enemies. This love story features action, adventure, and a light dose of humor all while taking us on a trip to exotic locations around the world. However, the heart of the film is the romance between the perfectly-matched Tiger and Zoya. Their mutual trust and desire to live beyond the reach of the world of intelligence and espionage highlight the value of people over politics - a message that resonates in today's erratic political landscape.
Quote: "Sane love is no love."
4. Band Baaja Baaraat
Release Date: 10 December 2010
Director: Maneesh Sharma
Music by: Salim-Sulaiman
Description: Shruti Kakkar (Anushka Sharma) wants to be a wedding planner. Bittoo Sharma (Ranveer Singh) doesn't want to go back to his family's sugarcane fields. When Bittoo meets Shruti, he hatches a plan to become her partner in the wedding planning business. At first, Shruti refuses concerned that they may fall in love if they work so closely together. But one thing leads to another and soon they have their own successful "Shaadi Mubaarak" business - and just as predicted they fall in love. This complicates their work relationship and they face a tumultuous road ahead.
Valentine's Day Message. When true love appears, embrace it. Bittoo brings joy to the workplace and Shruti provides the structure. They complement each other and make a great team. While the film offers a cautionary tale about turning a business relationship into a love relationship it also highlights the importance of open and honest communication to be successful in both.
Quote: "I'll love you heaps, heaps, and heaps. And will take loads of love from you. What say, will you give me love?"
The following playlist features trailers for each of these films.
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