Valentine's Day movie picks: Unconventional Bollywood romances exploring love, lies, and heartbreak

Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating love in all its messy glory. While we have a fair idea on syrupy romances, why not try something different this year? To keep things interesting, we have compiled a list of unconventional romances to watch this V-day. Love is rarely simple and our picks aren’t either. Here’s a list of wicked romances that sets our hearts racing.

Manmarziyaan (Eros Now): You cannot write off this cracker of a romantic triangle as a ‘been-there-seen-that’ relationship drama because director Anurag Kashyap throws us a delightful curveball of a film. Manmarziyaan deconstructs the established norms of a Bollywood love triangle by throwing its spotlight on a feisty woman being the object of desire and affection of two men. Manmarziyaan is what you get when three gorgeously flawed souls, with a penchant for self-destruction, entangle their lives in a series of impulsive decisions. Rumi, played by an on-point Taapsee Pannu, is madly in love with the cute but commitment-phobic, flaky DJ Saand (Vicky Kaushal). Their on-off relationship hits a block when a staid and dependable man (Abhishek Bachchan) enters the fray and throws his groom hat into the ring. What makes Manmarziyaan stand out is its ability to tackle prickly topics such as marital infidelity and carnal urges without judgement. It approaches love, lies and lust in all its rip-roaringly frustrating glory. This unorthodox love story is a revelation of sorts amid Hindi films that gets its steam from virginal, utopian and youthful love stories.

Kho Gaye Hum Kahan (Netflix): This is one of the rare Bollywood films where three best mates played by Ananya Panday, Siddhant Chaturvedi, and Adarsh Gourav don’t end up developing romantic feelings at any point for each other. But it mines deep into the perils and pleasures of finding love in modern times of social media and dating apps with impressive deftness. Panday, who plays a twenty-something Ahana grappling with a sudden break-up, impresses us with her raw and searing performance. Chaturvedi and Gourav, who play childhood mates living in the bustling Mumbai metropolis, also pull in their weight. Break-ups or finding love in today’s times of multiple options isn’t easy, but this movie taps into the complex nature of love and desire with great sensitivity. And sometimes, romantic love is overrated and makes you wonder if having close friends who have your back at all times is far more precious.

Three Of Us (Netflix): This film is a deeply meditative film about a woman grappling with dementia and how she returns to her childhood sweetheart along with her husband hoping to experience the joys all over again. But there’s no unnecessary melodrama marring this beautiful story about relationships that mature with time. Jaideep Ahlawat and Shefali Shah, who used to play together during childhood, are in top form as they learn new things about each other as they explore the past. Shailaja (Shah) and her bond with Pradeep Desai (Ahlawat) and her husband Dipankar Desai (Swanand Kirkire) is shown with such grace and dignity. There’s nothing remotely icky about this film and will fill you with hope, remorse, and make you realise how fleeting life is.

‘Haseen Dillruba’ (Netflix): If you are in the mood for a warped romance and an interesting psychological thriller, then Taapsee Pannu’s ‘Haseen Dillruba’ will hit the sweet spot. Directed by Vinil Mathew, this movie about a dysfunctional married couple Rani and Rishi (played superbly by Pannu and Vikrant Massey) with undertones of infidelity and deception is a great Valentine’s Day watch. Actor Harshvardhan Rane is also effective in his dishy role of a cousin who lays the charm on Pannu’s wicked character. The film also has some interesting twists and a diabolical sense of humour. Plus, this film is also a timely reminder that love is complicated and keeping a marriage alive requires Herculean strength. Pannu as the bold and obnoxious Rani is a treat to watch. Her eccentricities and twisted ideas of love, lust and passion are questionable, but she’s never detestable to her viewers. Even Massey — for all his mousiness and superficial kindness — isn’t straight as an arrow. All the characters in this film are uniformly crooked and warped. What’s not to love?

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (Amazon Prime Video): When it comes to Bollywood romances that never goes out of style, it has to be Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol’s sweeping film ‘DDLJ’. Khan as the flamboyant-yet-goofy Rahul and Kajol as the demure, but feisty young woman who meet in London is all shades of nice. Rahul has set the gold standards for most boyfriends out there. The way in which Rahul flies down to India to convince Simran’s ultra-conservative and strict parents makes for some good cinema. It’s one of those films that charm you with its zesty tone.

Talaash: The Answer Lies Within (Amazon Prime Video): On the surface, Aamir Khan and Rani Mukerji’s ‘Talaash’ is a riveting psychological drama about a cop who sets out to investigate a movie star’s death. But look closer and you will see a searing film about a married couple who are struggling to find closure after their son’s accidental drowning. Their loneliness and their inability to connect with each other after the irrevocable personal tragedy places a great deal of stress on their relationship. The decay in their once-strong bond sets in. Both Khan and Mukerji are achingly good in this film and director Reema Kagti does a neat job of communicating grief and how life can derail a good relationship. Keep your tissues handy for this one.

Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani (Amazon Prime Video) : If you are in the mood for a feel-good romantic drama, it doesn’t get sweeter than ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’. Rambir Kapoor as the flirtatious man-child, and commitment phobe Bunny is the spine of this romance, along with Deepika Padukone who plays the fetching Naina Talwar. This tale is about a couple of twenty-somethings who discover life and love. The chemistry between the lead pair makes this film immensely watchable, and supporting cast including Kalki Koechlin and Aditya Roy Kapoor elevate the drama. Also, watch out for the lush destination wedding scenes in Rajasthan and the incredible music score.

Gehraiyaan (Amazon Prime Video): It’s a romantic domestic noir starring Deepika Padukone and Siddhant Chaturvedi that tackles infidelity, anxiety, and messy minds with aplomb. Be warned, it’s no poster for a wholesome relationship bonds. But we urge you to stick with to this gorgeously handsome, but dark and twisted pair. Their life choices may be questionable, but Shakun Batra’s multi-layered and complex film is a keeper. The movies also features Ananya Panday and Dhairya Karwa in crucial roles. It’s not your usual Bollywood musical with eternally happy lovers, but delves deep into corners that aren’t always flattering.