Tanu Weds Manu to Tumbbad, Aanand L Rai’s Films That Have Had An Impact On Indian Cinema

Renowned for his distinct storytelling, Aanand L Rai has transformed Indian film by emphasizing deep character development and small-town narratives, so creating a lasting impact.

Filmmaker Aanand L Rai has transformed the landscape of Indian cinema by focusing on small-town stories and delving deeply into the lives of people in the Hindi heartlands, in addition to making important films that offer a novel viewpoint. He blew everyone away in every movie he made, hitting the mark every time. Let’s honour Aanand L Rai’s legacy and his production company, Colour Yellow Productions.

6 Must-Watch Movies of Filmmaker Aanand L Rai

1. Tanu Weds Manu Franchise: 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 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 a trilogy!
2. Raanjhanaa: 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.
3. 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.
4. Atrangi Re: 2021’s Atrangi Re delves into yet another Rai classic, a small-town story of Rinku, portrayed by Sara Ali Khan, who has been in love with Sajjad, portrayed by Akshay Kumar, for years. Set in a small town in Bihar, Rai takes the audience on 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.
5. Tumbbad: Aanand L Rai has often broken the box office pattern, which became evident with his production venture ‘Tumbbad‘. In times when the 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 times and became a reference for other horror films to come.
6. Haseen Dillruba Franchise: 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.