Platonic friendships in Bollywood movies

Bollywood movies (and desi movies in general) are known for their love stories. Even in other genres like action, comedy, horror, etc, a romantic subplot is often introduced. Sometimes though, I think a platonic friendship between the opposite sex can be sweeter and more fulfilling.

One of my favorite pairings of all time is Sheldon and Penny in TBBT. Even though I am a Shenny shipper, I just love their friendship. I actually appreciate that the show kept it platonic. Their emotional moments are more tender and sweet than actual couples, Leonard and Penny or Sheldon and Amy.

Are there similar friendships in Indian movies and shows?

I can think of Shashi and Laurent in English Vinglish. Although Laurent is interested in Shashi, it remains platonic because Shashi is married. But it is lovely to see Shashi gain confidence and some well-deserved attention through Laurent, something her husband doesn't give her.

Maybe Bunny and Aditi in YJHD. But they're more like friendly bros.

What are the good platonic friendships in Bollywood?

Soha Ali Khan and the guys in Rang De Basanti

DTPH - SRK and Karishma, Madhuri and Akshay

PK: Aamir & Anushka

Parineeta- Vidya and Sanjay

highway- the relationship borders between platonic and romantic.

What’s that funny movie with SRK, Sallu and Madhuri? Sallu and Madz in that movie, much to the chagrin of poor SRK’s troubled character 🤣

Originally posted by: loginidran

DTPH - SRK and Karishma, Madhuri and Akshay

PK: Aamir & Anushka

Parineeta- Vidya and Sanjay

highway- the relationship borders between platonic and romantic.

What’s that funny movie with SRK, Sallu and Madhuri? Sallu and Madz in that movie, much to the chagrin of poor SRK’s troubled character 🤣

Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam😆

Also, I hate that movie.

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/154858835

You will rack your brains and still not find mutually platonic relationships between heterosexual characters both of whom are the leads in the movie.

It's either:

They are friends but one person harbors romantic feelings (SRK-Karishma DTPH)

One is the lead character and he/she has a side character friend (Naina-Avi YJHD).

Two hot leads who are just friends? Nope. Have not seen.

I think in highway, everyone questioned whether the relationship was platonic or romantic. It might have grown into a romantic one if they had been given more time together. The short film Imtiaz also made, which aired on tv, had the same basic plot. Only there he turned it into a love story with a happy ending. He did not want to promote the idea of young girls falling for the kidnapper. That is still a lot better then what Bollywood did in the 90s. Promote women falling in love with their rapists.

Originally posted by: FilmiDhun

You will rack your brains and still not find mutually platonic relationships between heterosexual characters both of whom are the leads in the movie.

It's either:

They are friends but one person harbors romantic feelings (SRK-Karishma DTPH)

One is the lead character and he/she has a side character friend (Naina-Avi YJHD).

Two hot leads who are just friends? Nope. Have not seen.

Is it possible in real life? They say one side normally has romantic feelings without the other ever finding out.

Ahhh Penny and Sheldon. Love love love their friendship. Another one is Lily and Ted from HIMYM.

In Bollywood, as someone mentioned above, Soha and her four buddies in RDB.

Does SRK and Alia count in Dear Zindagi? Theirs was more of a therapist patient dynamic though.

I don’t think Highway counts because towards the end Alia was playing house with Randeep’s character. It was Stockholm syndrome obviously, but the equation was definitely creeping towards non-platonic had they not been caught.

The only (famous) platonic love between two heterosexual leads that (spontaneously) comes into my mind relative to the Hindi filmindustry isn't (yet) depicted IN a movie... SRK-Kajol