Bollywood Romantic Movies That Inspire Us to Fall in Love

The Bollywood romantic movies that still inspire us to fall in love include Veer-Zaara, Jab We Met, Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein, Raanjhanaa and Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na. Each shows a different side of love, from sacrifice and separation to friendship that turns into romance. Most of them stream in India on Netflix, Prime Video or ZEE5.

We have refreshed this list for 2026 with years, directors and where each film streams right now. We have also added two newer love stories that found a big audience in the last few years.

10 Bollywood romantic movies that inspire us to fall in love

1. Veer-Zaara (2004)

Yash Chopra’s film follows Indian Air Force pilot Veer Pratap Singh (Shah Rukh Khan) and Zaara (Preity Zinta), the daughter of a Pakistani politician. Their love crosses a border, and Veer spends years in a Pakistani jail to protect her name. Rani Mukerji plays the lawyer who brings their story out.

The film is about patience and sacrifice more than grand gestures. The Madan Mohan tunes, reworked for the film, remain popular. Where to watch: Netflix.

2. My Name Is Khan (2010)

Karan Johar’s drama stars Shah Rukh Khan as Rizwan Khan, a man with Asperger’s syndrome, and Kajol as Mandira, a single mother he marries in the US. After 9/11, their family is torn apart by hate, and Rizwan sets out to meet the American president.

It is as much about Islamophobia as it is about love, but the bond between Rizwan and Mandira is the heart of the film. Where to watch: Prime Video.

3. Fanaa (2006)

Directed by Kunal Kohli, Fanaa pairs Aamir Khan with Kajol. Zooni, a blind Kashmiri woman, falls for Rehan, a charming tour guide in Delhi. The second half takes a dark turn when Rehan’s real identity comes out.

The film asks what love means when it clashes with duty. Songs like “Chand Sifarish” and “Mere Haath Mein” are still played at weddings. Where to watch: Netflix.

4. Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na (2008)

Abbas Tyrewala’s debut stars Imran Khan and Genelia D’Souza as Jai and Aditi, best friends who everyone thinks should be a couple. They date other people before they finally admit what they feel.

A.R. Rahman’s music and the friend group make it a comfort watch for many. It is not listed on a major Indian subscription platform at the moment, so check before you plan a rewatch.

5. Aashiqui 2 (2013)

Mohit Suri’s film stars Aditya Roy Kapur as Rahul Jaykar, a fading singer, and Shraddha Kapoor as Aarohi, the young singer he helps become a star. As her career rises, his alcoholism pulls him down.

The soundtrack, led by Arijit Singh’s “Tum Hi Ho”, made the film a huge hit. Its streaming availability changes often, and it is not currently listed on a major subscription service in India.

6. Raanjhanaa (2013)

Aanand L. Rai’s film stars Dhanush as Kundan, a Hindu boy in Varanasi who loves Zoya (Sonam Kapoor), a Muslim girl, from childhood. His love is one-sided and stubborn, and the film shows how obsession can destroy lives.

In 2025, a Tamil re-release with an AI-altered ending drew criticism from Dhanush and Rai, who said it changed the film’s meaning. Where to watch: ZEE5.

7. Jab We Met (2007)

Imtiaz Ali’s film is the one many people name first. Aditya (Shahid Kapoor), a heartbroken businessman, meets Geet (Kareena Kapoor), a talkative Punjabi girl, on a train. She brings him back to life, and later he has to do the same for her.

Geet’s line “Main apni favourite hoon” (I am my own favourite) is still quoted everywhere. The film returned to theatres in a re-release in 2024. Where to watch: Prime Video.

8. Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani (2009)

Rajkumar Santoshi’s comedy stars Ranbir Kapoor as Prem, a small-town do-gooder, and Katrina Kaif as Jenny. Prem helps Jenny elope with the man she loves, even though he loves her himself.

It is silly, loud and fun, the kind of film you watch to lift your mood. Where to watch: JioHotstar (with ads).

9. Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (2001)

Directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, this remake of his Tamil film Minnale stars R. Madhavan as Maddy, Dia Mirza as Reena and Saif Ali Khan as Rajiv. Maddy poses as Rajiv to win Reena, who is engaged to Rajiv.

The film flopped in theatres but became a cult favourite through TV reruns. Harris Jayaraj’s songs are a big reason. Where to watch: Prime Video.

10. Ishq Vishk (2003)

Ken Ghosh’s college romance launched Shahid Kapoor, with Amrita Rao as Payal, his childhood friend. Rajiv only realises how much Payal means to him after he chases someone else.

A spiritual follow-up, Ishq Vishk Rebound, released in 2024 with a new cast. Where to watch: Prime Video.

Newer love stories worth adding

11. Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023)

Karan Johar returned to direction with Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt as a couple from very different Delhi families who swap homes to win them over. It is colourful and funny, but also talks about gender roles and family. Where to watch: Prime Video.

12. Saiyaara (2025)

Mohit Suri’s musical romance introduced Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda as a struggling musician and a songwriter whose love is tested by illness. Produced by Yash Raj Films, it became one of the biggest hits of 2025 and was widely reported as the highest-grossing Indian love story. Where to watch: Netflix.

What these films get right about love

None of these films shows love as easy. Veer waits for decades, Geet has to rebuild her self-respect, and Kundan learns that love without consent is not love. That honesty is why they still connect with viewers in their 20s and 30s. For more film lists, visit our Bollywood section and listicles.

Frequently asked questions

Sources: Wikipedia: Veer-Zaara, Gulf News on the Raanjhanaa AI ending, India TV on Saiyaara’s Netflix release, JustWatch India.