South Asians in Romantic Comedies
To be honest, romantic comedies are the shit! They are fun, hopeful, and don’t require much brain work. Just a bowl of popcorn and a comfy couch. Up until recently, unless you went digging on the internet or to another ‘wood to find one, rom coms in Hollywood did not include Asians beyond the token character. Unpopular opinion but I still am cynical as to whether Asian leads in rom-coms are popular for their talent or the trend. Watching romantic comedies are still my go-to ‘I am so done with the day’ activity, especially the Bollywood ones. So, for all my South-Asians who have watched these, you rock! And for those who have not been exposed to these great laugh and love stories, the time has finally come.
Dil Chahta Hai (2001)- Hindi
As its 21st anniversary goes by, this film makes me nostalgic. The name translates to ‘The Heart Desires’. Three boys have to stand the test of time, distance, love, careers, and opposing opinions to become the adults they weren’t anticipating. This movie has the bromance and romance that we all wished for. And let’s not forget the mind-blowing music that anybody can dance to.
Jab We Met (2007)- Hindi
An all-time favourite. Jab We Met means ‘When We Met’ and truly did we hope to encounter a love story like this. A wealthy industrialist has a hard time getting rid of a deathly romantic chatterbox only to discover his true emotions never wanted to get rid her. This romantic comedy shows you that fortunes change within minutes and the only thing that saves you is capturing moments that eventually reach you to your destiny.
Cocktail (2012)- Hindi
No rom com is real without a love triangle. Veronica, Meera, and Gautam support each other as roommates and friends. The three get super comfortable but soon enough the lines between them become blurred and hazardous. Not the most popular romantic comedy out there but this film is a good example of how tastes, feelings, and insecurities can complicate pleasures like friendships and flings.
Baahubali: The Beginning (2015)- Tamil and Telugu
Baahubali stands for ‘One With Strong Arms’. This two-part epic action film has inspirations from the Hindu religion. In the kingdom of Mahishmati, Shivudu learns about the conflict infested past of his family and legacy while pursuing love. He must now prepare to face what his destiny has laid out for him. Although this film isn’t considered a rom com, it contains a love story between family and fame.
Fidaa (2017)- Telugu
The title roughly translates to ‘Flattered’. The hero and heroine find their own heartbreaking love story while their siblings look for their own. From similar backgrounds but very different presents, two young people spend enough time together to start caring for each other. But the fantasies of how they would spend time together is hard to join with the reality they must go back to.
Mundina Nildana (2019)- Kannada
Mundina Nildana translates to ‘Next Stop’. If you enjoy introspection, this Kannada film is a mix of a rom com and slice-of-life. It portrays professionals exploring themselves as they chase after wildly different imaginations. To achieve a dream or find your way through life, occasionally you have to be reckless.
Janaan (2016)- Urdu
The name of the film means ‘Beloved’. Similar to the name is the plot. A Pakhtun-Canadian returns to find herself experiencing a culture shock in her own motherland. A family wedding brings her back to Pakistan, but she stays to see her own feelings being sorted out. This film quickly gets you invested in its cute dialogues and characters.
Punjabi Nahi Jaungi (2017)- Urdu
‘I won’t go to Punjab’ is a romantic comedy based on an ancient trope. But sometimes old can be good. A man vows to win the heart of the woman he loves. This film is drama induced, action packed, and displays the grandiose that exists in South Asian weddings and love stories.
Chalay Thay Saath (2017)- Urdu
An unconventional love story between Pakistan and China. Chalay Thay Saath means ‘They Went Together’. Despite borders and barriers, a doctor and backpacker find themselves attracted to each other while on an adventurous self-discovery journey with friends. This film also presents a marvelous view of the Northern regions of Pakistan. So, if you don’t stay for the plot, stay for the breathtaking nature.
I grew up with Bollywood to fulfill my rom com dose, let us know in the comments what Asian romantic comedies you grew up with, love to date, or think is so underrated that it should be a crime not having watched it. And feel free to share your opinion on the movies mentioned in the list!