Kisses, chaos & comebacks! Is 2025 the year love returns to the big-screen with these romances?

Since Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani hit the screens in 2023, Bollywood’s romance genre seemed to have taken a backseat. While that film offered a fresh dose of love, laughter, and family drama, it also left audiences longing for more such passionate, larger-than-life love stories. But instead of capitalizing on that success, Hindi cinema saw a surge of high-octane actioners, pan-India spectacles, and thrillers in 2024 and early 2025.

However, the second half of 2025 is painting a very different picture, one drenched in longing stares, timeless music, and the many shades of romance. From musical dramas to layered anthologies and intense love sagas, this period promises a return to the golden era of Bollywood romance. Here’s a breakdown of the most anticipated films and whether they can give Rocky Aur Rani a run for their money and maybe even emerge as new-age classics.

Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyaan – A Quiet Love Letter

Shanaya Kapoor's big debut is no masala launchpad but a gentle, emotional musical titled Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyaan. Pairing her with Vikrant Massey, the film explores a unique romance between a blind musician and a theatre artist. Inspired by Ruskin Bond’s ‘The Eyes Have It’, this one seems poised to deliver not just a love story but a story of soulful connection. The teaser’s soft piano score, haunting visuals, and Vikrant’s closing line, "Love is blind", give us hope that this might be one of the more intimate, layered romances in years. Its July 11 release will reveal if it’s just aesthetically beautiful or emotionally resonant enough to strike a chord. If done with sensitivity and sincerity, this could be a rare lyrical love story that becomes a sleeper hit, like Lootera or Barfi.

Metro... In Dino – Love in the City of Chaos

Anurag Basu is back with the spiritual successor to his 2007 gem Life in a... Metro, with a sprawling ensemble cast featuring Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Konkona Sen Sharma, Pankaj Tripathi, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and more. Metro... In Dino will weave together four contemporary urban love stories dealing with commitment, parenthood, second chances, and late-in-life romance.

The trailer promises emotional depth and relatability, with stories ranging from youthful dilemmas to mature affection. Basu’s strength lies in layering intimacy with melancholy, and here, it seems like every couple has something emotionally juicy to offer.

With its diverse cast and realistic themes, it could appeal to both multiplex audiences and emotional purists. It might not be a fairy tale, but it could easily become a cult favourite like Tamasha or Kapoor & Sons.

Param Sundari – Old-School Charm, New-Age Twist

Starring Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor, Param Sundari feels like a breezy rom-com wrapped in lush visuals and sweet chaos. Directed by Tushar Jalota and produced by Maddock Films, it promises a playful yet heartfelt love story set against the scenic backwaters of Kerala.

There's no dialogue in the teaser, but the visuals scream romance, especially with Sonu Nigam's nostalgic voice playing in the background. The film's setting offers a welcome break from the usual urban landscapes, adding freshness to a familiar genre.

With Sidharth and Janhvi's rising popularity and Maddock's rom-com track record, this could be the surprise crowd-pleaser of the season. If the script delivers genuine chemistry and comic relief, it might be 2025's feel-good hit.

Dhadak 2 – Interfaith, Interclass, Intense

While Dhadak (2018) faced criticism for softening its source material (Sairat), Dhadak 2 seems more rooted and raw. Directed by Shazia Iqbal and starring Triptii Dimri and Siddhant Chaturvedi, the film is a remake of the hard-hitting Tamil film Pariyerum Perumal.

This time, the story goes beyond teen romance and dives into caste, class, and religious conflict. It promises to be a more unflinching portrayal of love in India's complex social landscape. Triptii's gravitas and Siddhant's emotional depth could lend authenticity to this crucial tale. If things fall in place, with Triptii and Siddhant's solid performances and a socially relevant narrative, it might resonate deeply, especially among younger, socially aware audiences. It could stir the kind of conversations Article 15 or Masaan did, offering more than just romance.

Saiyaara – The Poetry of Pain and Passion

Mohit Suri is back in his comfort zone with Saiyaara, a poetic and emotional love story that introduces Ahaan Panday and stars Aneet Padda. Produced by YRF, the film carries a metaphorical title 'Saiyaara' meaning a celestial being, dazzling yet distant.

From the makers' description, this seems like classic Mohit Suri terrain: pain, passion, longing, heartbreak, and catharsis. The narrative seems to follow an almost mythological arc,star-crossed lovers caught in fate's cruel games.

If the music connects and the chemistry clicks, this could be a Gen-Z heartbreak anthem. YRF's production muscle will ensure high visibility, and the poetry-infused storytelling might strike a chord with nostalgic romantics.

Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari – Filmy, Flirty, Full of Fun

Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor star in this romantic entertainer directed by Shashank Khaitan and produced by Dharma Productions. With supporting roles from Sanya Malhotra, Maniesh Paul, and Rohit Saraf, it feels like a full-on Bollywood family entertainer with drama, humour, and song-dance galore. Varun's BTS videos show him in his comic groove, while Janhvi seems to be having fun with her Tulsi Kumari character. This one could be your classic Karan Johar brand of romance with a lot of heart and humour. It has all the ingredients of a Diwali dhamaka. If the narrative balances comedy with emotion and offers some foot-tapping music, it might just be 2025's wedding season favourite.

Tere Ishk Mein – Love, Obsession, and Revolution

Aanand L Rai teams up with Dhanush again in Tere Ishk Mein, with Kriti Sanon in a never-seen-before intense avatar. The teaser shows Kriti walking through a riot with kerosene, uttering chilling lines about love and autonomy before lighting a cigarette. It's heavy, philosophical, and haunting.

Thematically, it seems to be a spiritual successor to Raanjhanaa, dealing with the dangers of obsessive love, religious identity, and emotional destruction. Rai has a gift for telling love stories rooted in chaos, and Kriti's monologue already has the internet buzzing. If the screenplay balances its intensity with emotional payoff, this could become a talking point film. Dhanush's presence and Kriti's fire might just create cinematic electricity. It has the potential to spark debates, fan theories, and critical acclaim.

From intense passion to light-hearted flirtation, the second half of 2025 is an exciting canvas of love. These upcoming films cover a wide spectrum from soulful dramas and social commentaries to anthologies and nostalgic rom-coms. What's notable is how most of them attempt to redefine love, not just replicate DDLJ-style formulas.

While 2023 gave us films like Do Aur Do Pyaar, Mr. & Mrs. Mahi, Ishq Vishk Rebound, and Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha, none managed to strike gold at the box office. Do Aur Do Pyaar earned praise for its mature storytelling, but lacked mass appeal. Mr. & Mrs. Mahi checked all the commercial boxes, yet failed to emotionally connect with audiences. Meanwhile, Ishq Vishk Rebound and Auron Mein… were outright disappointments—criticised for weak narratives and dated treatment. These misfires only deepened the romance drought in Hindi cinema. 2024, thus far, remained equally uninspired in the love story department, leaving fans yearning for the kind of emotional magic that once defined Bollywood. With this lull stretching nearly two years, all hopes now rest on 2025's promising slate of romantic dramas and fresh pairings.

Will one of these films dethrone Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani as the ultimate post-pandemic romance? That remains to be seen. But what's clear is this: love is back in Bollywood, and this time, it might just stay for a while. In a landscape overcrowded with testosterone-heavy spectacles, these films offer something the heart's been craving, stories that celebrate connection, vulnerability, and emotional truth. Bollywood romance isn't just about chiffon sarees in Swiss valleys anymore. It's raw, real, rebellious and finally, ready for a revival.

So whether you believe in fairytale endings, messy realities, or unspoken connections, there's likely a 2025 romance waiting just for you.