- Tuesday, February 04, 2025
By: Vibhuti Pathak
Bollywood love stories are no longer just about grand declarations and picture-perfect endings. The new generation of stars is reshaping romance with modern, relatable, and layered storytelling. From digital-age dating to self-discovery within relationships, actors like Ananya Panday, Suhana Khan, Agastya Nanda, Khushi Kapoor, Junaid Khan, Alia Bhatt, Ranveer Singh, Shraddha Kapoor, and Ranbir Kapoor are leading this transformation. Here’s how Gen Z Bollywood is redefining love on screen.
1. Call Me Bae: A Modern Take on Love & Self-Discovery
Call Me Bae is a Hindi comedy-drama series on Amazon Prime Video, starring Ananya Panday as Bella Choudhary, aka “Bae.” A privileged Delhi socialite, Bae’s life falls apart when her affair with her trainer is exposed, leading to her family disowning her. Forced to start fresh in Mumbai, she embarks on a journey of self-reliance, navigating life, love, and personal growth.
The show offers a fresh, modern take on romance, focusing on self-discovery over traditional love stories. Rather than relying on a savior, Bae finds strength within herself, making Call Me Bae a coming-of-age tale for the digital era. The series blends humor and drama while exploring themes of independence, self-worth, and resilience.
Critics have had mixed reactions. Some praise its entertaining, Emily in Paris-style storytelling and Panday’s fitting performance, while others find the final episodes overly dramatic. Despite this, Call Me Bae successfully reinvents the Bollywood rom-com with a Gen Z perspective, emphasizing personal reinvention over fairy-tale romance.
2. The Archies: A Retro Spin on Young Love
Set in 1960s India, The Archies reimagines the classic American comic series within an Anglo-Indian community in the fictional town of Riverdale. Directed by Zoya Akhtar, the film features Suhana Khan as Veronica Lodge and Agastya Nanda as Archie Andrews, alongside Khushi Kapoor as Betty Cooper. The narrative follows Archie and his friends as they navigate adolescence, friendship, and romance, all while striving to save their cherished Green Park from encroaching developers.
The film offers a modern take on love by exploring themes of young romance, identity, and social change. While set in the ’60s, the characters’ experiences resonate with contemporary audiences, highlighting the timeless nature of teenage struggles and emotions. The story delves into the challenges of growing up, the complexities of relationships, and the fight against societal issues, all wrapped in a nostalgic yet relevant package.
Critics have provided mixed reviews. Some appreciate its unique adaptation and engaging musical numbers, noting that it deals with adult concepts like capitalism and societal change through the lens of youthful exuberance. However, others feel the film lacks depth and originality, with some performances described as average.
3. Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar: Navigating Modern Love with Humor
Directed by Luv Ranjan, Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar is a Hindi romantic comedy that delves into the complexities of contemporary relationships. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Mickey, a Delhi-based entrepreneur who, alongside his friend Dabbas, runs a side business assisting couples in orchestrating breakups. Mickey’s life takes an unexpected turn when he meets Tinni, portrayed by Shraddha Kapoor. Their whirlwind romance quickly escalates to discussions of marriage, but underlying insecurities and miscommunications lead to complications.
The narrative offers a modern take on love, highlighting the challenges of commitment in today’s fast-paced world. It emphasizes the importance of open communication and understanding in relationships, showcasing how assumptions and lack of dialogue can lead to misunderstandings. The film also touches upon the influence of family dynamics on personal decisions, reflecting the balance between individual desires and familial expectations prevalent in modern Indian society.
Critics have provided mixed reviews. Some appreciate the film’s entertaining blend of humor and romance, noting its relatable portrayal of modern dating dilemmas. However, others criticize it for perpetuating certain stereotypes and lacking depth in character development. Despite these critiques, the chemistry between the lead actors and the film’s vibrant musical sequences have been widely praised.
In summary, Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar presents a humorous yet insightful exploration of modern love, capturing the trials and tribulations of contemporary relationships while emphasizing the timeless importance of honesty and communication.
4. Romance Beyond Family Boundaries – Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani (Alia Bhatt & Ranveer Singh)
Directed by Karan Johar, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani is a romantic drama that explores the dynamics between tradition and modernity in contemporary relationships. The film features Ranveer Singh as Rocky, a charismatic Punjabi man from a wealthy family, and Alia Bhatt as Rani, an intellectual Bengali journalist. Their love story faces challenges due to their contrasting cultural backgrounds and family expectations.
To better understand each other’s worlds, Rocky and Rani decide to live with each other’s families before committing to marriage. This arrangement leads to a series of humorous and poignant situations, highlighting the cultural disparities and deep-seated prejudices within their families. The narrative delves into themes of identity, acceptance, and the balance between honoring traditions and embracing change.
The film offers a modern take on love by showcasing how contemporary couples navigate familial and societal expectations. It emphasizes the importance of empathy, open-mindedness, and communication in building a successful relationship. The story also addresses issues such as gender roles, generational conflicts, and the evolving definition of family in today’s society.
Critics have praised the film for its vibrant storytelling and strong performances. Anupama Chopra described it as “delicious eye-candy with a rebellious core,” appreciating its blend of visual appeal and meaningful themes.
Ryan Gilbey of The Guardian highlighted the film’s exploration of the clash between progressiveness and tradition, noting its “eye-popping” presentation.
5. Loveyapa: A Modern Love Story for the Tech-Savvy Generation
Loveyapa is a contemporary romantic comedy that delves into the intricacies of modern relationships in the digital age. The film features Junaid Khan and Khushi Kapoor in lead roles, portraying characters who navigate love and connection amidst a tech-obsessed society.
The narrative centers around the challenges and humorous situations that arise from the pervasive influence of technology and dating apps on personal relationships. With clever dialogue and an engaging plot, Loveyapa delves into the quirky aspects of relationships, set against a fast-paced, comedic backdrop.
The film offers a modern take on love by highlighting how technology shapes interactions and perceptions in today’s dating scene. It emphasizes the importance of genuine connection and understanding, even in a world dominated by digital communication. The story resonates with Gen Z audiences, reflecting their experiences and challenges in balancing virtual interactions with real-world emotions.
Karan Johar praised the film, stating, “Drum roll for 2025’s first love story success story… #loveyapa talks to the Tech and App obsessed Gen Z with a love story that is hugely entertaining and makes solid points with brevity and precision.”
6. Zara Hatke Zara Bachke: A Modern Twist on Love and Privacy
Directed by Laxman Utekar, Zara Hatke Zara Bachke is a Hindi romantic comedy that delves into the complexities of modern relationships and the quest for personal space. The film stars Vicky Kaushal as Kapil and Sara Ali Khan as Somya, a married couple from Indore living in a joint family. Desiring privacy and independence, they decide to fake a divorce to qualify for a government housing scheme. Their plan leads to a series of comedic misunderstandings and challenges, highlighting the intricacies of love, family dynamics, and personal aspirations.
The narrative offers a contemporary perspective on love by addressing the modern desire for personal space within relationships. It explores how couples navigate societal expectations, familial obligations, and individual dreams. The film emphasizes the importance of communication, mutual respect, and understanding in maintaining a healthy relationship amidst external pressures. By focusing on the protagonists’ journey to balance personal desires with familial responsibilities, Zara Hatke Zara Bachke presents a relatable and humorous take on modern love.
Critics have offered mixed reviews. Some appreciate the film’s fresh approach to the rom-com genre, noting its engaging storyline and performances. However, others feel it falls short in execution, with certain plot points lacking depth. Despite these critiques, the film has been recognized for its unique premise and the chemistry between the lead actors.
As Bollywood embraces Gen Z’s evolving views on love, its romantic narratives are becoming more real, progressive, and reflective of today’s world. With actors like Ananya Panday, Suhana Khan, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Alia Bhatt, and others at the forefront, Bollywood love stories are no longer just about fantasy—they’re about real-life emotions, struggles, and self-discovery.
