6 directors whose rom-com magic we’re still craving in 2026!

Consider this a PSA to bring back these legendary directors and a Bollywood that loved us back!

You remember the feeling you got when you went to a housefull theatre in the early 2000s and everyone just came there to have a good time at the movies and enjoy a feel-good rom-com? When was the last time we even did that? When was the last time Bollywood gave us a romantic film without any problematic arcs, sleazy jokes or a social message shoved down our throats? Yes, we all know it’s been quite a while! The answer to that isn’t just the fact that Bollywood these days just keeps making the same two storylines that seem to be working, but also because the directors who once pulled the crowds in just by their names without relying on any star cast, seem to be on a never ending hiatus.

 Zoya Akhtar is busy producing films and probably brainstorming over yet another season of Made in Heaven (which also takes eons to make for some reason). Farah Khan has turned into a full time Youtuber with her cook Dilip and has us visiting every TV and movie celebrity’s house whether we like it or not. Karan Johar is busy being a part of every podcast you can possibly think of. And lastly, Aditya Chopra is still somewhere hidden in the Yash Raj office launching the next Ahaan Panday or making debutants sign a three film contract.

But can any of them just listen to our plea and get back to what they’re actually known for which is indeed their movie making! I miss the days when I entered the theatres and the characters in a Zoya Akhtar's film called me poor in every way possible. The only way I could take those vacations was in fact through her films! Or when Karan Johar had me stressed out and crying over a love triangle as if I was a part of it myself! Or when Farah Khan’s brain rot humour made me believe in re-incarnation like it’s an actual concept. The internet had a term for Imraan Khan’s comeback called ‘Laaut aao Imraan’ but I’d say ‘Laau aao good old days of Bollywood’ because the cinema halls and this Chat GPT generation needs you now more than ever! 

Also Read: From finales to first chapters: Here’s 2026’s most anticipated franchise returns and origin stories!

Here’s why!

Farah Khan’s brain rot humour 

In an era where everyone’s so scared of speaking their minds, Farah Khan’s movies were bold enough to say what they wanted. The jokes were over the top, controversial, but they landed every single time! To add to that, the romance in her movies was so celebrated. As a former choreographer, she let her leads express their love through the beauty of singing and dancing and probably that’s exactly why all of us are still melting over Om’s expressions in Ajab Si when he sees Shantipriya for the first time!

Zoya Akhtar’s life changing road trip movies

Zoya Akhtar’s movies actually made me believe I could take a road trip to Europe and find the love of my life as I go on an unforgettable journey of self discovery. Her movies played out our biggest ‘what ifs’ which included everything from what we would do if we were 'old money rich' to unexpectedly falling in love on a trip abroad. We need a movie like hers which teaches you to seize the day, makes you laugh and yet leaves a huge impression on you.

Karan Johar’s larger than life love stories

Karan Johar’s movies truly celebrate every aspect of love and sometimes even falling out of it! From the love one has for their parents, love at first sight to ek tarfaa pyaar and his iconic love triangles, he has done it all and there’s no one who does it like him! There are so many iconic memories from his film that we still re-create and we’re all still searching for a love like Rahul and Anjali. There is no wedding in India that does not play songs from his movies and there is no bride who does want to feel like she is straight out of a Karan Johar film. We need all of this and more in 2026 so, Mr. Johar, if you’re listening, we’d like you to accelerate on that next script real quick!

Aditya Chopra’s movies that turn into a phenomenon

DDLJ put Indian cinema on the map in a way that no other romantic film ever could. It not only became the longest running film in theatres but also gave us the iconic duo of Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan who went on to give us hit after hit post DDLJ. His love story always highlights the fact that love knows no bounds and maybe we are in a dire need of yet another love story about deeply yearning for one another!

Sooraj Barjatya’s love stories that brought families together

His love stories are made with such purity and simplicity that they bring families together under one roof to watch his films. His movies have a little bit of everything for everyone! From the single devar who is finding the love of his life to the bade bhaiyya who has the responsibilities of the household on him, everyone has a little bit to relate to in his stories! And then of course there’s moments like Poonam’s jal lijiye in Vivaah to Hum Saath- Saath Hain’s Abcdefghi - they simply do not make movies like these anymore!

Kunal Kohli’s light hearted rom-coms

From Hum Tum, Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic, Mujhse Dosti Karoge to Break Ke Baad,Kunal Kohli’s rom-coms were a genre of their own. They don’t leave you sobbing inside the theatre, instead they just give you a good time at the movies. Unlike films today, he actually knew how to blend comedy and romance perfectly together!

This year, Valentine's Day saw Tu Ya Main, O'Romeo and Wuthering Heights playing in theatres; a survival thriller, an intense gangster drama and a love-hate story that'll leave you sobbing. While we love what each of them brought to the table, we cannot help but miss the old school charm of what these directors and their movies gave us, which was a quintessential love story that leaves us feeling satisfied as audiences!

Which of these directors’ work do you miss watching on-screen? Let us know in the comments below!

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