Holi has just arrived in town and so are our boxes of colors, powders, and ink. It can be said that Holi is the celebration that can describe Indian culture and tradition – vibrant, colorful, and bright. The festival of colors and love is celebrated widely by every household in this country without any differences. We spend the day darting color-filled balloons, tagging friends and family with colors, and last but not least, filling up on hot fresh delectable dishes.
However, after the festivities, when you need time to wind down and recharge we have prepared a list of movies for you to watch with your friends and family. This list includes evergreen movies that are guaranteed to take you on for an emotional ride every second of the voyage.
Ye Jawani Hai Deewani
Ye Jawani Hai Deewani offers the most simple yet extremely comprehensive package of a millennial’s life. Director Ayan Mukerji’s 2013 Bollywood romantic drama blockbuster movie had not only robbed the hearts of its viewers but also took them on an emotional rollercoaster. Ranbir Kapoor, Kalki Koechlin, and Aditya Roy Kapur showcased exceptional performance in the movie that portrayed a story of old friendships and unrequited love.
The movie makes sure to cater to the audience’s typical Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge style romance without being too peachy or sappy. After all who can forget that “Balam Pichkari“, “Badtameez Dil” or “Dilliwalli Girlfriend” that rocked our parties since 2013.
Baghban
Director Ravi Chopra’s 2003 movie starring Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Salman Khan, and others depicts a story that is aptly titled. The sentimental thriller takes the viewers on a journey of sacrifice, loyalty, and above all, love. The movie instills a feeling of warmth and longingness in all those who watch it. The plot runs along with a family where the parents nurture their children by sacrificing their desires and wishes until their children stand on their own feet. The story shows how such parents suffer at the hands of their children and how goodness is found in the most unexpected of places. Nevertheless, no Holi will ever be complete without the tune of “Hori Khele Raghuveera“.
Ramleela
Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Ramleela (2013) is a story of love, passion, agony, and suffering. The story highlights the attraction between the protagonists Ram and Leela and their fight to reveal their love to the world. The movie has a characteristic touch of Bhansali’s creativity leaving the audience with a Bollywood version of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
The story invigorates the audience with its powerful script and mesmerizing dialogues coupled with the raw powerful performance of Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh.
Silsila
The 1981 romantic drama film directed by Yash Chopra starring Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, and Jaya Bachchan revolves around the themes of marriage, love, and adultery. The themes though dark, light a spark of compassion and warmth in the viewer’s heart for the characters. Yet the true story of the characters in the movie is incomplete without their colorful musical backdrop provided by the song “Rang Barse” which has become the defacto hymn in Holi across India.
Badrinath Ki Dulhania
This masterstroke was directed by Shashank Khaitan in 2017 starring Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt. The movie highlights the real-life drama, love between the protagonists in the spotlight of societal pressures and norms. The movie leaves the audience feeling refreshed and entertained. The movie depicts the societal demands that exist in our society without unnecessary sugarcoating or mollycoddling.
Mohabbatein
This classic romantic drama film released in 2000 is one of the most acclaimed works of Aditya Chopra. The movie sheds light on the drama unraveling between the fight between love and fear. The film stars the industry heavyweights Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and others.
The plot thickens around the three men as they fall in love and life upheaves their relationship. This movie ensures that the audience is riveted to their seats watching in thrilled silence anticipating the next emotion to hit them.
Just as Holi, the celebration of colors, these films are a sure bet to usher in an ecstatic celebration of memories filled with colors. These films have aptly captured the festival’s soul of good winning the battle over evil, love winning over fear. Some of these movies have left a mark on our minds and hearts, dialogues we cannot forget, and songs that we cannot stop humming but will surely take you on the full Bollywood experience.