8 FILMS TO WATCH THIS VALENTINE’S DAY
Here’s a list of wicked romances that set our hearts racing
Valentine’s Day is 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 movies to watch this V-Day. Love is rarely simple and our picks aren’t either. Here’s a list of wicked works that set our hearts racing.
MANMARZIYAAN (EROS NOW)
You cannot write off this cracker of a romantic triangle as a ‘been-there-seen-that’ 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 selfdestruction, 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. 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 get their steam from 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 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 20-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 their weight. This movie taps into the complex nature of love and desire with sensitivity. And sometimes, romantic love is overrated and makes you wonder if having close friends who have your back is far more precious.
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 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. Even Massey isn’t straight as an arrow. All the characters in this film are uniformly crooked and warped. What’s not to love?
TALAASH: THE ANSWER LIES WITHIN (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 place 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.
GEHRAIYAAN (PRIME VIDEO)
It’s a romantic noir starring Deepika Padukone and Siddhant Chaturvedi that tackles infidelity, anxiety, and messy minds with aplomb. Be warned, it’s no poster for wholesome relationship bonds. But we urge you to stick with 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 movie also features Ananya Panday and Dhairya Karwa in crucial roles.
THREE OF US (NETFLIX)
This film is a meditative film about a woman grappling with dementia and how she returns to her childhood sweetheart along with her husband. Jaideep Ahlawat and Shefali Shah, who used to play together during childhood, are in top form as they learn new things about each other. 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 remorse, hope and make you realise how fleeting life is.