Free of villainous stakes and draining melodrama, these stories thrive on eccentric families, spontaneous road journeys, steaming cups of chai, and ge…
1/10Chashme Buddoor (1981) | Directed by Sai Paranjpye, the film centres on three roommates whose easygoing dynamic is upended when two of them fail to woo a neighbourhood girl, while their quiet, studious friend effortlessly wins her over. The film stars Farooq Shaikh, Deepti Naval, Rakesh Bedi, and Ravi Baswani. You can stream it on Prime Video.
2/10Andaz Apna Apna (1994) | Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, the plot follows two slackers from modest backgrounds who compete to win the hand of a wealthy heiress, only to get tangled up with an eccentric criminal gang. The film stars Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Raveena Tandon, Karisma Kapoor, and Paresh Rawal. You can stream it on Prime Video.
3/10Socha Na Tha (2005) | Directed by Imtiaz Ali, this romance begins when a boy and girl reject an arranged match set up by their families, only to strike up an unexpected friendship that gradually turns into love. The film stars Abhay Deol and Ayesha Takia in the lead roles. You can stream it on Zee5.
4/10Jab We Met (2007) | Directed by Imtiaz Ali, the story tracks a depressed, wealthy industrialist whose life changes course after he encounters a talkative, free-spirited girl on an overnight train journey. The film stars Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor. You can stream it on Prime Video.
5/10Wake Up Sid (2009) | Directed by Ayan Mukerji, the coming-of-age film follows an aimless, wealthy college graduate who is forced to learn independence and find his ambition after moving in with an aspiring writer from Kolkata. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor and Konkona Sen Sharma. You can stream it on Prime Video.
6/10Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011) | Directed by Zoya Akhtar, the narrative follows three childhood friends on a three-week bachelor road trip across Spain, where each chooses an extreme adventure sport to help face their personal fears. The film stars Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, Abhay Deol, Katrina Kaif, and Kalki Koechlin. You can stream it on Netflix.
7/10Barfi! (2012) | Directed by Anurag Basu, the story follows a mute and deaf young man in Darjeeling and his heartfelt, evolving relationships with two women over several years. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, and Ileana D’Cruz. You can stream it on Prime Video.
8/10Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013) | Directed by Ayan Mukerji, the film tracks four young friends on a trekking expedition through Manali, exploring the balance between personal ambition and long-standing friendship when they reunite years later. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Aditya Roy Kapur, and Kalki Koechlin. You can stream it on Netflix.
9/10The Lunchbox (2013) | Directed by Ritesh Batra, the plot revolves around a rare mistaken tiffin delivery by Mumbai’s dabbawalas that sparks an exchange of handwritten letters between a lonely widower approaching retirement and an unappreciated housewife. The film stars Irrfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. You can stream it on JioHotstar.
10/10Queen (2014) | Directed by Vikas Bahl, the story follows an unassuming, sheltered Delhi girl who decides to embark on her European honeymoon solo after her fiancé abruptly calls off their wedding. The film stars Kangana Ranaut, Rajkummar Rao, and Lisa Haydon. You can stream it on Prime Video.
