Hollywood
Five romantic films to watch before ‘Past Lives’
Mumbai: Being entangled in love is one of the most challenging experiences an individual can face as they search for connection within art and culture. While the feeling of uncertainty can be distressing, films about heartbreak provide solace and help us cope with the painful aftermath of separation. With the highly anticipated romantic drama “Past Lives” releasing in theaters today, including PVR and INOX cinemas, here are five films centered around love that will leave you yearning for closure from unrequited love.
The Notebook
“The Notebook” is a captivating tale set in 1940s South Carolina, following the love story of Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling), a working-class mill worker, and Allie (Rachel McAdams), a young woman from a wealthy background. Despite their deep love for each other, Allie’s parents strongly disapprove of their relationship. The onset of World War II separates the couple, seemingly bringing an end to their passionate affair. During Noah’s absence, Allie becomes involved with another man (James Marsden). However, when Noah returns to their small town years later, just as Allie is about to marry, it becomes evident that their romance is far from over.
Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind
The film depicts a painful breakup in which Clementine (Kate Winslet) undergoes a procedure to erase memories of her ex-boyfriend Joel (Jim Carrey) from her mind. When Joel learns about Clementine’s drastic measure to forget their relationship, he decides to undergo the same procedure, gradually losing his memories of the woman he deeply loves. Directed by Michel Gondry, a former music video director, this visually stunning film delves into the complexity of relationships and the anguish of loss.
500 Days of Summer
The movie follows Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a greeting-card writer and hopeless romantic caught completely off-guard when his girlfriend, Summer (Zooey Deschanel), suddenly dumps him. He reflects on their 500 days together to try to figure out where their love affair went sour, and in doing so, Tom rediscovers his true passions in life.
Raanjhanaa
Raanjhanaa tells the story of Kundan and his childhood love, Zoya, played by Dhanush and Sonam Kapoor, respectively. Kundan tries to move on from Zoya when he discovers she is interested in someone from her community. However, things take a different turn when Kundan discovers that Zoya has lied about her fiancé’s religion, deeply upsetting him.
Sanam Teri Kasam
Starring Harshvardhan Rane & Mawra Hocane, Sanam Teri Kasam is a story of Saraswati’s father throwing her out of the house. Inder stands with her against all odds, bringing them close to each other. However, destiny has its own plans to separate them.
Past Lives
Making her debut in direction, Celine Song has written Past Lives as well. The film revolves around Nora and Hae Sung, two deeply connected childhood friends torn apart after Nora’s family emigrates from South Korea. Decades later, they are reunited for one fateful week as they confront destiny, love and the choices that make a life.
Hollywood
Who won what at the Oscars 2026? Full winners list from the 98th Academy Awards
A night of history, high drama, and gingery wit at the 98th Academy Awards
LOS ANGELES: If the 98th Academy Awards taught us anything, it is that Hollywood still loves a tortured genius and a well-timed ginger joke. While the night was technically a coronation for Paul Thomas Anderson’s sprawling war drama One Battle After Another, the real battle was fought in the stalls of the Dolby Theatre as host Conan O’Brien unleashed a monologue that was part roast, part group therapy session.
The evening belonged to the cinematic heavyweights. One Battle After Another lived up to its title, clinching Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Anderson, the perennial bridesmaid of the Oscars, finally took home the big prizes, cementing his status as the industry’s favourite auteur.
In the acting categories, Michael B. Jordan made history. Winning Best Actor for his visceral performance in the supernatural thriller Sinners, he became only the fourth Black man to win the trophy. His speech was a masterclass in humility, though he spared a moment to thank his trainer for “making me look like I could actually fight a demon.”
The history books were rewritten several times over. Autumn Durald Arkapaw shattered a long-standing glass ceiling by becoming the first woman to win Best Cinematography for Sinners. Meanwhile, the newly minted Best Achievement in Casting category saw its inaugural trophy go to the ensemble of One Battle After Another.
Returning to the stage with his signature quiff and self-deprecating bite, Conan O’Brien did not hold back. He began by acknowledging the elephant in the room: his own presence.
“I know what you’re thinking,” he quipped. “Why is the ghost of a Victorian chimney sweep hosting the Oscars? It’s because AI is too expensive and I work for sandwiches.”
The controversy kicked off when he turned his sights on the Best Visual Effects nominees. Pointing at the Avatar: Fire and Ash table, he remarked:
“James Cameron has spent so much money on blue people that the actual ocean is now jealous of his budget. Jim, at some point, you have to admit this is just a very expensive aquarium hobby.”
He also took a cheeky swipe at the trend of method acting, specifically targeting Sean Penn.
“Sean stayed in character for so long that his own family had to serve him a subpoena just to get him to come to Sunday roast,” O’Brien joked, to a mix of nervous titters and Penn’s trademark stony glare.
The night was not without its “did he really say that?” moments. During a bit about the length of the telecast, O’Brien noted that the show was running so long that:
“By the time we get to Best Picture, the winner will have already been rebooted as a gritty limited series on Max.”
He also touched on the industry’s obsession with youth, pointing at a young starlet and saying:
“You’re so young that your first memory is actually a TikTok of this monologue.”
While most took it in stride, some critics on social media called the joke “typical boomer energy,” though O’Brien seemed entirely unfazed.
The full winners’ circle:
Best Picture: One Battle After Another
Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another)
Best Actor: Michael B. Jordan (Sinners)
Best Actress: Jessie Buckley (Hamnet)
Best Supporting Actor: Sean Penn (One Battle After Another)
Best Supporting Actress: Amy Madigan (Weapons)
Best Animated Feature: K-Pop: Demon Hunters
Best Original Song: “Golden” from K-Pop: Demon Hunters
As the curtains closed and the A-list headed for the after-parties, the mood was one of relief. Hollywood had managed to celebrate its past while poking fun at its increasingly digital future. Whether the night belonged to the war heroes of PTA or the witty barbs of a tall redhead remains a matter of debate.
