A Dosa of Pop Culture for the Week of Feb 13

2000s - Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai

Hrithik Roshan’s debut film Koha Naa… Pyaar Hai was a cornerstone in early noughties romantic comedies. Directed and produced by his father, Rakesh Roshan, the film became one of the highest-grossing movies of the year and dominated the award season, winning an unprecedented 92 awards.

The story follows Rohit, a young man with dreams of becoming a singer, who falls deeply in love with Sonia, the daughter of a wealthy businessman. Their romance is tragically cut short when Rohit is mysteriously killed. Heartbroken, Sonia travels to New Zealand, where she encounters Raj, a man who looks exactly like Rohit. Together, they uncover the truth behind Rohit’s death and confront dark secrets connected to Sonia’s family. The movie sparked what the media dubbed “Hrithik Mania,” with intense fan adoration that included thousands of marriage proposals to the actor, and helped make its soundtrack and dance sequences cultural staples.

2010s - Fidaa

One of the 2010’s highly rated Telugu-language romantic comedies is Fidaa, written and directed by Sekhar Kammula and starring Varun Tej and Sai Pallavi (in her Telugu debut). The story follows an NRI medical student, Varun, who falls for the strong-willed village girl Bhanu, but their cultural differences deter a smooth-sailing romance. 

Released on 21 July 2017, Fidaa became a blockbuster, earning approximately Rs91 crore worldwide on a Rs13 crore budget and was among the few Telugu films to join the prestigious $2 million club in the United States, a notable achievement for regional cinema at the time. Critics and audiences alike praised the film’s authentic characteristics, natural performances (especially Sai Pallavi’s), and evocative soundtrack.

2020s - Hridayam

Malayalam-language coming-of-age romantic drama film, Hridayam, is one you’d be remiss to skip over. Contrary to what the poster suggests, the crux of the film is not a love triangle. Instead, it’s a slice-of-life narrative that pays tribute to the highs and lows of growing up. The film specifically charts the life journey of Arun Neelakandan from his college days through young adulthood, blending romance, self-discovery and nostalgia.

Released worldwide in January 2022, Hridayam became a commercial success despite pandemic-era restrictions, grossing significant box office returns and ranking among the top-grossing Malayalam films. Critics and audiences widely praised the film’s music by Hesham Abdul Wahab, which topped charts and won Best Music Director at the Kerala State Film Awards. Its evocative soundtrack and emotional resonance with youth and millennial nostalgia helped cement Hridayam as one of Malayalam cinema’s standout romantic dramas of the early 2020s.