2000s NRI films Vs 2010s Small town romance.

In 00s, there was a trend of NRI films in Bollywood mostly made by YRF and Dharma. Rom-coms in a foreign setting focussing on NRIs were loved by the audience.

DDLJ had the most influence on this genre but the trend really started in 2001 with K3G and then we had films like:

Kal Ho Naa Ho

Hum Tum

Salaam Namaste

Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna

Ta Ra Rum Pum

Namastey London

Dostana

Love Aaj Kal

After that people got the access of internet and foreign settings weren't that cool anymore.

After few years Raanjhanaa released in 2013 and it started the trend of romantic movies set in small towns with protagonists from a more humble background, and then we had films like:

Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya

Tanu Weds Manu Returns

Dum Laga Ke Haisha

Toilet: Ek Prem Katha

Badrinath Ke Dulhaniya

Shubh Mangal Saavdhan

Bareilly Ki Barfi

Luka Chhupi

Pati Patni Aur Woh

Which sub-genre of movies do you find more entertaining?

only shah rukh khans NRI films and Ayushmans small town films were good... everything else trash.

I think the small-town/desi rom-com trend started with Band Baaja Baarat in 2010. If you see the film today, it might not seem like anything extraordinary but at that time it felt like a breath of fresh air to see the lead pair coming from humble backgrounds, who dressed normally, looked sweaty and talked in local accents.

Anyway, coming to the question, Choose one from each category:

Namastey London vs Luka Chupi

Band Baaja Baarat vs Anjana Anjani

If majority end up choosing the first option, the answer is: both subgenres can be equally good, it depends on story, direction, acting, chemistry etc.

Agreed that BBB was one of the earlier films to tap into this with a refreshing take and superb dialogues.

But now I am sick of this sub genre- the story, character, dialogues and worst of all- the songs with their cliched 'Hinglish' lyrics are practically writing themselves. BORING. Can we move on and innovate a little more please?

2000's..❤️

In that 2nd example, have watched just one!

Originally posted by: Sashay01

Agreed that BBB was one of the earlier films to tap into this with a refreshing take and superb dialogues.

But now I am sick of this sub genre- the story, character, dialogues and worst of all- the songs with their cliched 'Hinglish' lyrics are practically writing themselves. BORING. Can we move on and innovate a little more please?

That's BW for you. Ek genre ka ek film ek baar chal gayi toh sab toot padenge usko copy Karne ke liye.

Wanted chal gayi. Toh sab milke ab South Masala films ka remake banao.

MS Dhoni chal gayi. So let's start churning out wohi same ghisa-pita sports based films/biopics.

Dum laga ke haisha chal gayi. Toh chalo ab sab ek ek Karke social issues dhundo aur uspe picture banao.

Etc etc.

They don't understand that it is not the genre that works. What works is good storytelling.

As far as music is concerned, I can only blame it on the dearth of talent and creativity. A sad state of BW music indeed when people like the Kakkars and Badshah are ruling the charts 😭

The NRI romances hold no appeal to me. They’re not even realistic. I love the small town India romances. They need to make more of these.

A sort of cross between the two which is somewhat de glam and focusing on NRIs but those of a more ordinary background would be ideal for me personally (I guess Kal Ho Na Ho and Ta Ra Rum Pum in the sad parts came the closest to that from that list?)...

But that is mainly due to the relatability factor so... 😆

From the two options though I pick the small town stories, they are definitely more real/authentic and therefor more impactful (imo at least, maybe K3G, KANK, etc. feel authentic to rich people but I wouldn't know as I'm not one of them 😆)

2000s NRI romance was my college time. It has its nostalgia. It does look unrealistic but it stays with you depending on your age factor. Also music was best.

I can never get tired of watching Kal ho na Ho and Namaste London.

Today’s indie romance is equally fun and engaging. I love Band Baja Baarat and Bareilly ki barfi. I have special liking for small town movies.

Extravaganza is a good escape but nothing like some nice easy greasy slice of life movie reflecting what we have lived through.

I think good story telling would make both of this genre appealing.

Like I watched Meenakshi Sundareshwar recently and I enjoyed it for the most part but at certain places movie was trying to hard to be netflixy types. While, Both Abhimanyu and Sanya was perfect for the part. It wouldn’t make me want to watch it again though. Direction was little sketchy and all over the place.

2000s all the way. I grew up watching those movies and it holds a lot of nostalgic feels for me.