Bollywood goes through different distinct time periods. Sometimes romance rules the box office and audiences' hearts, sometimes action movies are the flavour of the season, sometimes thrillers, while other times drama or comedy movies. In the last few years, it has been the masala action genre that has mostly ruled the box office. However, more recently the winds of change have been blowing and it seems that the era of romance has finally returned to Bollywood. Romantic films have been doing good business, getting critical acclaim, receiving awards, and winning audiences' hearts. Even action movies like Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Dobara have an important element of romance in them. Some action heroes have also sensed this change and are planning to turn to romance. Below is a look at the romantic movies that have done well since the beginning of 2012 and also the upcoming romantic movies of 2013.
Do you think the era of romance has returned to Bollywood?
Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu (February 2012)
This romantic comedy, starring Kareena Kapoor and Imran Khan, won over hearts and did above average business. Both Kareena Kapoor and Imran Khan received some critical praise for their performances.
Ishaqzaade (May 2012)
This romantic saga stars Arjun Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra. It received mix response from critics, but went on to become a worldwide hit and the two leads received much critical praise for their performances.
Cocktail (July 2012)
This love triangle stars Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, and Diana Penty. It received mixed critical response, but won over audiences and became a major commercial success.
Barfi! (September 2012)
This sweet love triangle stars Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, and Ileana D'Cruz. It won over audiences' hearts, critical acclaim, commercial success, and awards.
Student of the Year (October 2012)
Yet another youth oriented love triangle, this one stars Sidharth Malhotra, Alia Bhatt, and Varun Dhawan. It received mixed critical response, but went on to become a commercial success and was declared a hit.
Jab Tak Hai Jaan (November 2012)
This love triangle marked the return of the late Yash Chopra as a director for one last time and stars the King of Romance Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif, and Anushka Sharma. While the film's plot received much criticism, Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma were praised for their performances and the film went on to become a major commercial success.
Aashiqui 2 (April 2013)
This romantic musical stars Aditya Roy Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor and is sequel to the 1990 musical blockbuster Aashiqui. It received positive to mixed critical reception, but became a major commercial success.
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (May 2013)
This coming-of-age romantic comedy stars Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Aditya Roy Kapoor, and Kalki Koechlin. It received positive to mixed reviews and went on to become the biggest box office grosser of 2013 so far.
Raanjhanaa (June 2013)
This romantic drama stars Dhanush, Sonam Kapoor, and Abhay Deol in lead roles. It received positive critical reception, won over audiences, and became a commercial success.
Lootera (July 2013)
Lootera is a period romance starring Ranveer Singh and Sonakshi Sinha. It is set to release on 5th July 2013, but its trailers have already received positive response and those who have watched the movie in selected screenings before release have praised the film, the direction, and the lead performances.
Ramaiya Vastavaiya (July 2013)
This romantic movie stars producer Kumar Taurani's son Girish Kumar and Shruti Haasan. It is set to hit theatres on 19th July 2013.
Chennai Express (August 2013)
This action romantic comedy is set for a grand release on Eid 2013. It stars the King of Romance Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone. It also marks the entry of action director Rohit Shetty into the romantic genre. The film's trailers and music have been released to positive response and the chemistry of the lead pair has received much praise. It is about the journey of a man from Mumbai to Rameshwaram aboard a train and how he finds the love of his life during this journey. The tag line of the movie is inspired from the epic DDLJ and reads as, "Come fall in love, Rohit Shetty Ishtyle!"
Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Dobara (August 2013)
A sequel to the action packed Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai, this movie is a romantic crime film and stars Akshay Kumar, Sonakshi Sinha, Imran Khan, and Sonali Bendre. It is set to release on India's Independence Day 2013.
Ram Leela (November 2013)
This romantic drama is said to be an adaptation of Shakespeare's epic love story Romeo and Juliet. It stars Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone.
Gori Tere Pyaar Mein (November 2013)
This romantic comedy will see the return of Kareena Kapoor and Imran Khan as a lead pair.
Shaadi Ke Side Effects (December 2013)
This romantic comedy stars Vidya Balan and Farhan Akhtar in leads.
Highway (December 2013)
This romance drama stars Randeep Hooda and Alia Bhatt.