Year Ender 2025: Bollywood loves love stories. Or at least, it used to. In 2025, theatres were packed with romantic releases almost every month. Trailers promised passion, heartbreak, and big emotions. But when the dust settled, the box office told a very different story. Most of these films quietly disappeared. Only a handful truly connected. That sharp contrast makes you wonder. Is the romance genre losing its magic, or is Bollywood simply not listening to its audience anymore?
This Year Ender 2025 article brings that question into sharp focus. Over 10 romantic films hit the big screen this year. Yet only three managed to deliver solid box office results. The rest struggled, despite known names, glossy visuals and heavy promotions.
Year Ender 2025: When Romance Worked, And When It Didn’t
Anurag Basu’s Metro In Dino (released on July 4, 2025) tried to explore modern love through multiple urban stories. The film starred Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan and a large ensemble. It touched on loneliness, infidelity and emotional disconnect in big cities. The film earned around Rs 59.3 crore India net in 19 days. The verdict was Average. While Pritam’s music found fans, mixed word-of-mouth and low repeat value stopped it from becoming a big hit.
Dhadak 2 arrived later in July with an inter-caste romance angle. The story followed a young couple fighting social pressure in a small-town setup. However, audiences felt the plot was too close to Sairat. With weak music and backlash over originality, the film collected only about Rs 17.35 crore India net in eight days. The verdict was a clear Flop. Next was the cross-cultural romantic comedy by Janhvi Kapoor and Sidharth Malhotra, which also ended as a flop show.
Love in Vietnam was released on September 12, 2025. Set against scenic Vietnamese locations, this cross-cultural romance leaned towards arthouse storytelling. It explored missed love and emotional regret. Sadly, it earned just Rs 0.26 crore India net in its first week. With poor marketing and a very niche appeal, it ended as a Disaster.
Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari offered a more commercial flavour. Released in early October, it showed a clash between a traditional boy and a free-spirited girl within a family setup. Youth-friendly songs and meme culture helped. The film earned around Rs 54.1 crore India net in 14 days. Verdict: Above Average to Semi-Hit, though heavy clichés limited its long-term appeal.
De De Pyaar De 2, released in late November, performed far better. Ajay Devgn returned to the age-gap romance, now dealing with remarriage and blended families. Nostalgia worked. The film earned Rs 72.4 crore India net in 20 days and secured a Hit verdict, despite predictable writing.
Gustaakh Ishq, released on November 26, told a toxic small-town love story rooted in class divide. With no star power and dated execution, collections stalled at Rs 1.5 crore India net by Day 5. Verdict: Flop.
The Bigger Picture Behind Bollywood’s Love Story Problem
The real winners of the year were Saiyaara, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, and Tere Ishk Mein. These films succeeded for simple reasons. Saiyaara won hearts with emotional depth and soulful music. Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat clicked because of its stylised passion and mass-friendly dialogues. Tere Ishk Mein worked due to its tragic heartbreak angle and strong emotional hook.
On the other hand, films like Loveyapa, Mere Husband Ki Biwi and Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan failed to connect. Their plots felt thin, outdated or confusing. Promotion was weak and the emotional pull was missing.
Well, audiences are not rejecting romance. They are rejecting lazy storytelling.
This year ender 2025 story conveys that viewers proved they want fresh emotions, strong music and honest writing. If Bollywood wants the love genre to shine again in 2026, it needs courage, creativity and clarity. Not just more love stories, but better ones.
