Hum Tum to Hasee Toh Phasee: 10 romantic films that deserve a rerun on Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and the internet is brimming with ideas about how to make your loved one feel special on February 14. Apart from gifting flowers and chocolates, movie lovers are also likely to dedicate an all-time favourite film to their special someone on this day. Several iconic films - from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Jab We Met to Tamasha and Titanic - are having a rerun in select theatres across the nation. 

Although these are some of the most popular films that we would love to watch over and over again, there are several other heart-warming romantic dramas that may be underrated but brilliant, and would make a good watch all over again. Here’s a mix of Bollywood and Hollywood films that, we believe, deserve a rerun…   

1. Hasee Toh Phasee (2014)

In the Sidharth Malhotra and Parineeti Chopra-starrer romantic comedy drama film Hasee Toh Phasee, Nikhil Bharadwaj (Sidharth) thinks that he is in love with actress Karishma Solanki (Adah Sharma) until he meets geeky Dr Meeta Solanki Bharadwaj (Parineeti). Directed by Vinil Mathew, the 2014 film also has a couple of popular romantic numbers. 

2. Socha Na Tha (2005)

An underrated gem, Socha Na Tha marks the Bollywood debut of Abhay Deol. And there’s more, this 2005 romantic comedy is also the first film directed by Imtiaz Ali. The movie also featured Ayesha Takia and Apoorva Jha in lead roles. In the film, Viren (Abhay) and Aditi’s (Ayesha) families decide to get them married off, but Viren wanted to spend his life with his girlfriend Karen (Apoorva). However, the story takes a different turn later. 

3. Hum Tum (2004)

A musical treat, Hum Tum was a coming-of-age film written and directed by Kunal Kohli. The 2004 romantic comedy featured Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukherji in lead roles. The storyline follows the rather quirky love story between cartoonist Karan Kapoor (Saif), who although claims to be a ladies’ man, fails to impress Rhea Prakash (Rani) when they first meet. Fate, however, had other plans for them.  

4. Saathiya (2002)

Gulzar’s lyrics and AR Rahman’s composition gave some unforgettable songs to the Rani Mukerji and Vivek Oberoi-starrer film Saathiya. Directed by Shaad Ali, the 2002 romantic drama film, directed by Shaad Ali, was a remake of the Tamil film, Alaipayuthey. It also had Shah Rukh Khan and Tabu in cameo roles. The plot traces the many ups and downs in the life of Aditya Sehgal (Vivek) and his wife Suhani Sehgal (Rani), before and after their marriage. 

5. Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (1994)

A memorable romantic comedy film from the 1990s, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa marks the Bollywood debut of Suchitra Krishnamurthy, opposite Shah Rukh Khan. The film also featured Naseeruddin Shah and Deepak Tijori. This coming-of-age drama was directed by Kundan Shah. The story revolves around happy-go-lucky Sunil (SRK), who has a reputation of being good for nothing. He is desperately trying to woo Anna (Suchitra), but things don’t quite turn out the way he wants.

6. Blue Jay (2016)

This black-and-white gem won over cinephiles with its warmth and delicious slowness. The 2016 romantic drama film was directed by Alex Lehmann. Blue Jay also marked his fictional feature debut. The film starred Mark Duplass (who has also written the screenplay) and Sarah Paulson. Jim Henderson had no clue that when goes back to his hometown in California, he would cross paths with his former high school girlfriend Amanda and the two would end up revisiting memories. 

7. Leap Year (2010)

Following a rather quirky leap year tradition, Anna Brady (Amy Adams) from Boston lands in Dingle. She manages to get Declan O’Callaghan (Matthew Goode), an Irish innkeeper, to take her to Dublin, where she plans to propose to her boyfriend Jeremy (Adam Scott). The road trip, however, changes everything. The 2010 romantic comedy film Leap Year was directed by Anand Tucker.  

8. The Other End of the Line (2007)

This 2007 James Dodson directorial features Jesse Metcalfe, Shriya Saran and Anupam Kher in lead roles. The romantic comedy film traces the life of a call centre employee, Priya Sethi (Shriya), who falls in love with Granger Woodruff (Jesse) and decides to travel to San Francisco to meet. The Other End of the Line’s tagline goes: ‘Two countries. Two cultures. One chance at love’.

9. No Reservations (2007)

It’s a sweet and sour narrative of what brews between two accomplished, but intimidating chefs, inside a high-end restaurant. Starring Catherine Zeta-Jones (as Kate Armstrong) and Aaron Eckhart (as Nick Palmer), No Reservations is a romantic comedy drama film helmed by Scott Hicks. Released in 2007, the film also features Abigail Breslin and Patricia Clarkson in supporting roles. 

10. Chasing Liberty (2004)

It obviously isn’t going to be an easy ride when the daughter of POTUS falls in love with a Secret Service Special Agent. But director Andy Cadiff’s 2004 film Chasing Liberty promises a whirlwind romance, a tour of Europe and more. Starring Mandy Moore (as Anna Foster) and Matthew Goode (as Ben Calder), this romantic comedy film is a must-watch. The film also features Jeremy Piven and Annabella Sciorra in supporting roles.