Five Hindi Films That Taught Us How Breakups Are Not Always Bad

When one thinks of Hindi films, the immediate visuals are Shah Rukh Khan with his hands spread waiting for his lady love to embrace him. The industry has covered different shades of love and its changing tunes over decades. But what about falling out of love? How has Bollywood portrayed breakups?

What happens after the happy ending? should couples prioritise individual goals over togetherness or vice versa? An emotion like love does not come without its inherent complexities. Is love always the answer or can it be toxic and limiting? When does a character decide to leave their partner? And how does a person move on when their partner is the one to call it quits, much against their wishes?

Over the last two decades, we have been blessed with numerous films that relook at breakups in a much more positive light. The separation of lovers is no longer just about sad songs, longing and desperation. It is also about reinspecting priorities, rediscovering individual identity and even choosing to end things amicably, instead of being bitter about it.

Suggested Reading: Luka Chuppi And Other Hindi Films On Live-In Relationships

Here is a list of five Hindi films on breakups which tell us that ending things is not always that bad:

Queen 

Lisa Haydon and Kangana Ranaut in Queen.

Hailing from a boisterous Delhi family, Rani is all set to marry her fiance, Vijay. However, the London-return Vijay dumps her the day before their wedding as he doesn't feel she is right for him. A heartbroken Rani decides to go on her honeymoon to Paris alone. There she meets Vijay Lakshmi and as she travels, she meets newer people and stays with men in a hostel, which she had never imagined.

During the course of her trip, Rani discovers the barriers that Vijay had erected in her life and breaks free. She even chooses the joy of friendship over mending things with Vijay. When Rani, played by Kangana Ranaut, asks her former fiance Vijay, played by Rajkummar Rao to leave, while she spends a happy day with her friends in Europe, it is simply beautiful.

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara 

The scene where Kabir Dewan, played by Abhay Deol, realises that he does not want to marry Natasha (Kalki Koechlin) is one of the most subtle portrayals of love lost in Hindi cinema. The two break up their wedding and are seen at Arjun (Hritik Roshan) and Laila's (Katrina Kaif) wedding. Natasha then is with another man, with whom she probably equates better and Kabir is alone. The film on three friends taking a bachelor trip to Spain has one more breakup scene where Arjun is dumped by his former girlfriend for being emotionally unavailable and inconsiderate.

The Zoya Akhtar directorial gives its characters a chance to redeem themselves after breakups, as we do not end up feeling resentful towards any of the characters involved in breakups throughout the film. which puts across a very important message- no one needs to be the bad guy, or gal, in a breakup.

Cocktail 

Deepika Padukone in Cocktail.

The film did not do quite well at the box office but it was one of the most complex films on love, friendship and belonging in the last decade. The scene which stood out and broke hearts was when Gautam, played by Saif Ali Khan and Veronica, played by Deepika Padukone breakup. They begin their relationship on a casual note but later Veronica becomes serious about Gautam, whereas he falls for Veronica's friend Meera.

While the film was panned for its male lead choosing a stereotypically "wild" girl to date and a "nice" girl to take to his mom, Cocktail shows how breakups can be practical, despite being emotionally crushing.

Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu

A still from Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu

It is okay if the relationship ends and the two individuals involved in it leave happily apart. This is what the film by Shakun Batra taught us. Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu revolves around Rahul played by Imran Khan and Riana ( Kareena Kapoor Khan), who get married accidentally after a drunken night and decide to get it annulled. During the few days spent together, Rahul falls in love with Riana but the latter does not. Initially, Rahul is shown to be angry about the entire situation but then they meet and discuss the issue. They come to a decision of still remaining friends.

The film ends with the two leading their lives separately and happily and staying good friends despite the misunderstandings between them.

Jab We Met

Kareena Kapoor Khan in Jab We Met

The flashback scene where Geet, played by Kareena Kapoor Khan is shown confronting her boyfriend Anshuman, who rejects her, is heartbreaking but as the audience, one feels glad that she did not end up with him. Geet runs away from her house to marry Anshuman which does not happen. So she starts living alone and teaches. The once jolly person becomes quiet until Aditya played by Shahid Kapoor finds her.

In Jab We Met both its leads go through bad breakups only to realise that life can be good on the other side if they give it a chance. Beyond heartbreak, they find love and laughter and eventually learn to be happy again.