Bollywood’s Love Affair With North-South Romances
When a Punjabi guy from Delhi falls for a Malayali girl from Kerala, you get Param Sundari, an upcoming film that throws light on an old but enduring theme in Bollywood: the North-South romance. For decades, Hindi cinema has played with this idea, showing us how two people from different parts of India, with their unique cultures and traditions, can fall in love. It’s a formula that often brings in comedy from cultural clashes, but it also beautifully highlights how love can bridge any divide, making these stories feel both relatable and heartwarming. These films remind us that while we may have different customs and languages, love often speaks the same language. Here are some films that gave us the iconic “North-South” romantic tale.
Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981)
This film is often called the original North-South romance in Bollywood. It tells the tragic story of Vasu, a Tamilian boy played by Kamal Haasan, and Sapna, a North Indian girl played by Rati Agnihotri, who are neighbours in Goa. Their families are constantly fighting, and they try their best to keep the couple apart. The movie became iconic not just for its music but for its raw, emotional portrayal of a love that can’t survive in a world filled with prejudice and family opposition. It showed the audience a kind of heartbreaking reality that was new for its time, leaving a lasting impact.
Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993)
This is a delightful family comedy where a charming but unlucky businessman, Rahul Malhotra, played by Aamir Khan, becomes the guardian of his sister’s three mischievous children. Their lives get turned upside down when a spirited South Indian woman, Vyjayanthi Iyer, played by Juhi Chawla, enters their home as a governess. The film is a light-hearted and funny take on how two very different people, one from the fast-paced life of a big city and the other with a traditional South Indian background, can find love amidst chaos. It’s an iconic film that is still loved for its innocent love story and great performances.
Chennai Express (2013)
This film is a typical Rohit Shetty comedic rollercoaster where Rahul, a North Indian man from Mumbai played by Shah Rukh Khan, ends up getting mixed up in the family drama of Meenamma, a feisty South Indian girl played by Deepika Padukone, who’s on the run from her powerful, mob-boss father. The film is iconic for its over-the-top humour and for playfully poking fun at the cultural differences between the lead actors, all while a sweet and funny love story unfolds amidst a lot of action and comedic moments. One of the songs from this film, Lungi Dance, was a 2013 chartbuster, and became an instant hit for its funny and catchy lyrics blending North and South Indian elements.
2 States (2014)
Based on the popular book written by Chetan Bhagat, this movie tells the story of Krish, a Punjabi guy from Delhi played by Arjun Kapoor, and Ananya, a Tamil girl from Chennai played by Alia Bhatt. They fall in love while in college, but their biggest hurdle isn’t each other, instead it’s their families. The film does a great job of showing the cultural differences between a boisterous Punjabi family and a more traditional Tamil one. It’s a charming and funny film that feels really real as it shows the challenges of convincing two very different families to accept a marriage.
Param Sundari (2025)
With both sides of the coin being heavily discussed, one thing is sure – there is always buzz around Bollywood films exploring North-South love stories.
Also Read: Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor’s Chemistry is Unmissable in Param Sundari’s FIRST LOOK
