Madhavan
Ideally, each day would have to be a Valentine’s Day. I don’t think people should earmark a day to convey their love to their beloved. It’s important not to take the other person for granted. Valentine’s Day is a great occasion for me, as I have some beautiful memories on this day. Today, we’ll probably go out for a nice lunch, and go on to spend the evening together.
Growing up, I was a huge fan of Kamal Haasan and Sridevi, and the films they did. The most romantic film, in my opinion, has to be Mouna Raagam . I saw it as a 16-year-old, and even then, got all its nuances.
My most favourite love songs are from my own films. I love ‘Snehidhane’ and ‘Vaseegara’.
Vijay Sethupathi
I’ve always been a huge admirer of Simran. I loved her in films like VIP , Kannedhirey Thondrinal , and Parthen Rasithen.
My most favourite love song is ‘Uyire’ from Bombay. It came out when I was 15 years old, and I remember it a lot because I had a crush on a school mate. But of course, I never really had the courage to tell her about this, and moved on.
Nesikkardha solradhu oru azhagaana vishayam . So, I’ll probably take my wife to Besant Nagar beach or some place we can relate to, and spend the evening.
Khushboo
Growing up, my matinee idol was Amitabh Bachchan. I was totally in love with him. Of his films, I love Chupke Chupke the most and the scene in with Amitabhji teaches Jaya Bhaduri botany is my favourite. I’m also a huge fan of Aradhana —Rajesh Khanna was ‘ultimate’ in that. But if you ask me who I had the biggest crush on when growing up, it would, hands down, have to be Ravi Shastri. I had posters of him in my bedroom.
In Tamil, my favourite film is Mouna Ragam . ‘Chinna Chinna Vanna Kuyil’ is an unforgettable song. My Valentine’s Day is incomplete without listening to it at least once.
Today, I’m restricted to wishing my husband over the phone as he’s away at work. I guess I’ll be spending the day with my daughters and their crushes ( laughs ).
Shriya Saran
I cannot imagine a Valentine’s Day without listening to ‘Abhi Na Jao Chhodkar’ from Hum Dono . I also love watching Love Story ; that line ‘Love means never having to say you’re sorry’ gives me goosebumps every time. Of course, I’m also a big fan of Titanic and Notting Hill , and have watched it a million times.
As I grew up in the north, my favourite lover boy is Shahrukh Khan. As for Tamil films, who can forget Rahman’s love songs in Roja and Bombay ? I also like the love scenes between Suriya and Jyotika in Kaakha Kaakha a lot. That open car song (‘Ennai Konjam Maatri’) is so beautifully shot.
I also really like the scene from Sivaji in which I run towards Rajni sir when his foot gets stuck in the railway track. My all-time favourite is the scene from Pushpak ( Pesum Padam ) in which Kamal points at a calendar to tell Amala that it is Sunday. It’s still a reference point for me when I act.
Nikki Galrani
My all-time favourite is Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge . I’ve seen it at least 50 times. I don’t think there is a single girl in the world who can resist blushing when watching that scene that has Shah Rukh opening his arms in the mustard fields. I can’t think of another star who can do that.
I also keep watching Kamal Haasan’s Ek Duje Ke Liye with my mom. I adore the love angle with the Gujarati girl. It remains cute and fresh even today.
VTV Ganesh
Many people don’t even know that Valentine’s Day is actually about the persecution of Saint Valentine who organised weddings for couples in Rome. I wish more people realised who this day is dedicated to.
Growing up, I was a big fan of Kamal Haasan films. Naturally, I was a big admirer of the actresses he worked with—Sripriya, Sridevi, etc. He was, after all, the original Kadhal Mannan . My favourite romantic film is Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa and not just because I acted in it. I love that Simbu’s character falls in love with a girl who’s a year older than him. And it’s true romance, not like many couples today who first want to know how much the other earns before deciding to fall in love.
‘Hosanna’ is my most favourite love song. And I remember how beautiful it was that the off-screen chemistry of Trisha and Simbu, then, reflected on screen.
