Filmmaker Aanand L Rai has changed the dynamics of Indian cinema by not only creating substantial films that gave a fresh perspective, but he also brought small-town stories to the forefront, diving into the lives of people in the Hindi heartlands. With each of his films, he hit the ball out of the park and left the masses blown away. As the ace filmmaker celebrates his birthday today, here’s celebrating the legacy of Aanand L Rai and his production banner Colour Yellow Productions:
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Aanand L Rai redefined love stories with the rom-com ‘Tanu Weds Manu’ (2011), which has stood the test of time and strikes a chord with audiences even today. The R Madhavan and Kangana Ranaut starrer is a feel-good, light-hearted entertainer with the hues of romance, drama and humour. In 2015, a befitting sequel to the 2011 classic went on to wreak havoc at the box office. This time, Rai’s story was stronger and better, making it a cherished theatrical experience. Apart from being a commercial success, the film was also a critical success and also loved by the netizens who have, time and again, demanded for a trilogy!
Raanjhanaa
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Rai’s way of blending romance, heartbreak and relationship makes this Dhanush and Sonam Kapoor starrer a timeless film that has gained the status of a cult classic. Backed by soulful tracks by AR Rahman set to lyrics by Irshad Kamil, ‘Raanjhanaa’ is a hard-hitting proof of Rai’s sensibilities as a filmmaker, which makes him stand apart in Bollywood.
Shubh Mangal Saavdhan Franchise
Shubh Mangal Saavdhan is a 2017 romantic comedy directed by R. S. Prasanna and produced by Aanand L. Rai. Revolving around Aayushmann Khurrana’s character who is about to get married, the film navigates on how he deals with erectile dysfunction with his fiancé. The sequel to this, 2020’s Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, beautifully portrays the lives of two gay men deeply in love, navigating the challenges of gaining familial acceptance. The film delivered memorable performances that added depth to this heartwarming story. Recently, the sequel was also re-released in theatres as a tribute to the ongoing efforts to promote diversity and inclusivity in cinema during Pride Month.
Atrangi Re
2021’s Atrangi Re delves into yet another Rai classic, a small town story of Rinku, portrayed by Sara Ali Khan, who is in love with Sajjad, portrayed by Akshay Kumar, for years. Set in a small town in Bihar, Rai takes the audience through a journey where Rinku elopes with Sajjad every time her grandmother wants to control her. The film takes us through an unlikely love triangle with Vishu, portrayed by Dhanush, who is kidnapped and forcibly married to Rinku.
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Tumbbad
Aanand L Rai has often broken the box office pattern, which became evident with his production venture ‘Tumbbad’. In times when action took centre stage, Rai brought a story that blended folklore with horror, creating a niche space for the horror genre. The film emerged as one of the most remarkable horror movies in recent time, and became a reference for other horror films to come.
Haseen Dillruba Franchise
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Rai delivered one of the most creatively impactful films with ‘Haseen Dillruba’, which not only blew the minds of the audiences but emerged as the most-watched Hindi film on an OTT platform in 2021. The sequel of this thriller, Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba, is in the making, and has already been teased by Aanand L Rai on his social media. The pulpy romantic thriller is all set for a direct-to-digital release soon.
