As Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda’s musical romance “Saiyaara” continues to captivate audiences nationwide, film enthusiasts are rediscovering their love for authentic Bollywood romance. Mahesh Bhatt feels happy that people are saying Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara has the nostalgia of his blockbuster romantic film Aashiqui, proving that great romantic cinema never goes out of style.
If you’re looking to prepare your heart for the emotional rollercoaster that is “Saiyaara,” or simply want to experience the best of Bollywood romance, here are seven hardcore romantic films that defined love on the silver screen.
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The Ultimate Romantic Film Preparation Guide before Watching Saiyaara:
1. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)
The eternal king of Bollywood romance, DDLJ revolutionized how love stories were told on screen. Shah Rukh Khan’s Raj and Kajol’s Simran created the template for modern Hindi cinema romance. This Aditya Chopra masterpiece showed that true love conquers cultural barriers, family expectations, and geographical distances.
Why Watch Before Saiyaara: DDLJ established the emotional depth and cultural authenticity that contemporary romantic films like Saiyaara still draw inspiration from.
2. Aashiqui 2 (2013)
Mohit Suri’s own romantic masterpiece featuring Aditya Roy Kapur and Shraddha Kapoor redefined musical romance for the millennial generation. The film’s exploration of love, ambition, and sacrifice through soul-stirring music created a new benchmark for romantic dramas.
The Aashiqui Connection: Saiyaara movie is a musical romantic drama that will remind you of Aashiqui 2, Rockstar, or even Sanam Teri Kasam, making it essential viewing before experiencing Suri’s latest creation.
3. Rockstar (2011)
Imtiaz Ali’s Rockstar starring Ranbir Kapoor and Nargis Fakhri explored the dark side of passionate love. The film showcased how love can be both creative inspiration and destructive force, wrapped in A.R. Rahman’s haunting melodies.
Musical Connection: Like Saiyaara, Rockstar used music as the primary language of love, making it a perfect companion piece.
4. Jab We Met (2007)
Another Imtiaz Ali gem that redefined the “opposites attract” trope. Shahid Kapoor’s Aditya and Kareena Kapoor’s Geet proved that sometimes the best love stories happen when you’re not looking for them.
Character Development: The film’s focus on personal growth through love mirrors contemporary romantic narratives like Saiyaara.
Quick Comparison: Romantic Film Essentials
| Film | Year | Director | Key Theme | Musical Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DDLJ | 1995 | Aditya Chopra | Cultural Love | Tujhe Dekha To |
| Aashiqui 2 | 2013 | Mohit Suri | Musical Romance | Tum Hi Ho |
| Rockstar | 2011 | Imtiaz Ali | Passionate Love | Kun Faya Kun |
| Jab We Met | 2007 | Imtiaz Ali | Self-Discovery | Mauja Hi Mauja |
| Laila Majnu | 2018 | Sajid Ali | Tragic Romance | Hafiz Hafiz |
| October | 2018 | Shoojit Sircar | Unconventional Love | Theher Ja |
| Saiyaara | 2025 | Mohit Suri | Musical Drama | TBA |
5. Laila Majnu (2018)
This Imtiaz Ali production starring Avinash Tiwary and Triptii Dimri brought the classic tragic love story to contemporary audiences. The film’s raw emotional intensity and poetic storytelling make it a must-watch for romance enthusiasts.
Tragic Romance Element: Prepares viewers for the emotional depth that Saiyaara promises to deliver.
6. October (2018)
Shoojit Sircar’s unconventional love story featuring Varun Dhawan challenged traditional romantic narratives. The film explored love in its purest form – without expectations or traditional romantic gestures.
Contemporary Relevance: Shows how modern romantic cinema can explore love beyond conventional boundaries.
7. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011)
While primarily a friendship film, ZNMD’s romantic subplot featuring Hrithik Roshan, Katrina Kaif, and others showcased mature relationship dynamics. The film proved that the best romantic stories often come packaged with life lessons.
Life and Love Balance: Perfect for understanding how contemporary films blend romance with personal growth.
Why These Films Matter Before Saiyaara
Hamari Adhuri Kahani is a 2015 romantic drama directed by Mohit Suri, starring Emraan Hashmi, Vidya Balan, and Rajkummar Rao, showing Suri’s consistent exploration of complex romantic narratives. Each film on this list contributes specific elements that help viewers appreciate the nuances in Saiyaara:
- Musical Integration: How songs drive narrative forward
- Character Development: Love as a catalyst for personal growth
- Cultural Context: Romance within Indian societal frameworks
- Emotional Authenticity: Real relationship challenges and resolutions
The Modern Romance Renaissance
Saiyaara, to me, will be the most definitive romantic film of this generation, according to Mahesh Bhatt, positioning it as the culmination of decades of romantic filmmaking evolution.
These seven films represent different eras and approaches to romantic storytelling, from the cultural romanticism of DDLJ to the unconventional narratives of October. Together, they create a comprehensive understanding of how Bollywood has portrayed love across generations.
For more insights on Bollywood romance and movie recommendations, check out our entertainment coverage and film analysis section.
The Saiyaara Connection
What makes this marathon particularly relevant is how each film contributes to understanding Saiyaara’s approach. Check out these seven musical romantic films that you should watch while waiting for Saiyaara, as they provide the emotional and narrative context for appreciating Mohit Suri’s latest offering.
Whether you’re preparing for your Saiyaara experience or simply want to rediscover the magic of Bollywood romance, this marathon offers the perfect blend of classic and contemporary love stories.
Discover more Bollywood insights and romantic film recommendations on Techno Sports. For comprehensive movie reviews and entertainment analysis, explore our detailed film coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which films should I prioritize if I only have time for 3 movies before watching Saiyaara?
A: For the essential Saiyaara prep experience, prioritize Aashiqui 2 (2013) as it’s Mohit Suri’s previous musical romance masterpiece, DDLJ (1995) for understanding the cultural foundation of Bollywood romance, and Rockstar (2011) for its musical storytelling approach. Aashiqui 2 is particularly crucial since Mahesh Bhatt noted the nostalgia connection between Saiyaara and the Aashiqui franchise, while DDLJ provides the emotional template that modern romantic films still follow, and Rockstar’s music-driven narrative style closely parallels Saiyaara’s approach.
Q: How do these classic romantic films enhance the Saiyaara viewing experience?
A: These films enhance your Saiyaara experience by providing the narrative and emotional context that Mohit Suri draws from in his latest work. DDLJ establishes the cultural authenticity and emotional depth, Aashiqui 2 showcases Suri’s signature style of blending music with romance, Rockstar demonstrates how music can drive character development, and Jab We Met shows personal growth through love – all elements that critics note are present in Saiyaara. Understanding these influences helps viewers appreciate the subtle references, musical continuity, and character development techniques that make Saiyaara resonate with audiences who have grown up watching these romantic classics.
