If You Liked 'Gehraiyaan', You Need to Watch These 12 Movies That Deal With Complex Relationships

After Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu (2012) and Kapoor & Sons (2016), Shakun Batra’s latest, Gehraiyaan, has become the talk of the town. Despite the divided opinion amongst the audience and film critics alike, we can’t shy away from the fact that ensemble cast movie has brought to the fore some deep-rooted realities, compelling us to sit up, take notice, and address. 

Using adultery as a plot device, the film canvasses the lives of four seemingly ‘sorted’ individuals—in intertwined relationships—making choices and escaping reality, in the pursuit of discovering themselves. While some commended the cast and crew for attempting to tackle such a complex, albeit culturally-tabooed concept with such courage, others are engrossed in unearthing its faults, and frankly, are way too preoccupied with their prejudices. 

If you find yourself in the first boat, we’ve got a movie watchlist ready for you; a carefully-curated compilation of films that showcase the nuances and complexities of day-to-day relationships. 

 

Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006)

 

The Karan Johar-directed Dharma Productions film received a fair share of flak for stirring the conversation on infidelity back in the mid-2000s. But, if you enjoyed watching Gehraiyaan, this unconventional romantic drama—which presents a mature take on relationships—will have you hooked. 

 

 

Manmarziyaan (2018)

 

Anurag Kashyap is applauded for his raw, real storytelling—and he delivers exactly that, through this complex story of love and lust. The film chronicles a riveting love triangle between Vicky Sandhu (Vicky Kaushal), Rumi Bagga (Taapsee Pannu) and Robbie Bhatia (Abhishek Bachchan). 

 

 

The Lunchbox (2013)

 

The epistolary romance film written, directed, filmed and edited by Ritesh Batra, is unlike anything ever seen in Indian cinema before. The one-hour-forty-minute romantic drama captures a yearning for love, the ‘stuck’ feeling, the hope to revive a dying marriage, and a lot more. 

 

 

Sir (2018)

 

The award-winning film narrates the forbidden love story of those who remain silently unified in the face of class disparity. A lot is said without much being said—and that is the beauty of it all. 

 

 

Tamasha (2015)

 

The Imitiaz Ali-directed romantic-drama movie promises to take you a rollercoaster ride of emotions. With the central theme revolving around abrasion and loss of a sense of self, the film captures the tumultuous journey of lovers; all while attempting to find oneself, all over again.

 

 

Cocktail (2012)

 

Cocktail, another Imitiaz Ali offering, lends a cocktail of emotions; touching on the intricacies of love, individuality, and platonic relationships. It reminds us: Love is not simple. Love is complicated. 

 

 

Kapoor & Sons (2016)

 

Gehraiyaan wasn’t Batra’s first attempt at addressing complex relationships. Back in 2016, Kapoor & Sons urged us to open up our minds to the far-from-perfect, dysfunctional Indian family set-up, grappling with relatable, albeit complex life—and love—issues. 

 

 

Highway (2014) 

 

Stockholm syndrome is real, and this movie depicts it all so splendidly. A first in Indian cinema, the film paints an unconventional picture of love, and how you can find it anywhere, and in anyone. 

 

 

Astitva (2000)

 

Undoubtedly one of Tabu’s most convincingly portrayed characters so far, Astitva, a bilingual film, touches upon the ‘touchy’ topic of finding love outside marriage. Is it justified in certain scenarios? It forces you to sit up and think. 

 

 

Silsila (1981)

 

A love story, thwarted by society's demands, which reappears as adultery—but can it survive in the face of society? Yash Chopra’s Silsila takes you on a journey of love, passion, and responsibility; where nothing seems apparently wrong or right.  

 

 

Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui (2021)

 

A not-talked-enough-about topic, the Abhishek Kapoor-directed film compels you to come face-to-face with your deeply ingrained biases. Everyone is worthy of love, and if it’s true love, you’ll go to the greatest lengths to get what you want. 

 

 

Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga (2019)

 

Carrying the burden of a personal secret around town is gruelling enough; all while being cornered owing to society’s unwritten rules that we are all expected to abide by. The Sonam Kapoor starrer sparked the conversation on homosexuality—and it was about time. Recently released Badhaai Do (2022) follows a strikingly similar story of a gay man and a lesbian woman who get into a marriage of convenience to escape societal stigma and shame.