If airports are important for Ross and Rachel, it is trains for Idhayam's Raja. I believe Gunther, the pining, one-sided lover with bad timing, and a fragile heart was inspired by our very own Murali
What if Gunther was also part of the group? What if Rachel still fell for Ross? What if the hair brighter than the sun was replaced with a dark mop? We have Shah Rukh Khan's Kabhi Haan Kabhi NaaIt is good that Gunther was never invited to any of the marriages. Would our neighbourhood barista ever overcome the grief of being the ring bearer of the wedding ala Appu in Aboorva Sagodharargal?Let's assume Ross was not a paleontologist and was in a way less cool profession - actor. Rather, what if Ross was Joey but Gunther was still... Gunther... but with a stubble? Rangeela's Munna says hiGunther always saw Rachel as the embodiment of everything nice. Almost like an ardent devotee seeing God. Would Gunther ever be able to kidnap Rachel to express his love? Could Gunther ever be...Guna?Let's say Gunther is injured and there is a replacement barista. What if Rachel and the replacement fall in love? Would Gunther ever forgive himself for falling sick like Karishma in Dil Toh Pagal HaiWe know Gunther knows Dutch. But what if he knew maths, dance, and deception. He might not plummet to his death like in Kadhal Konden, but would have loved to beat Ross to a pulp while dancing in rainGunther was a gentleman. Even when Rachel was with Ross or anyone else, Gunther never disturbed her daily life. He never went around saying Ra Ra Ra Rachel. Unlike Rahul of Darr, who just didn't stop.Gunther loved Rachel enough to buy that Sphinx Cat. But did he love her enough to help Rachel cross any and all hurdles in the way to marrying Ross? Did he have it in him to be Raja of Poove Unakkaga?It was Gunther who helped Rachel when she was jobless. He was there whenever she wanted. He knows the pain of not being with a loved one. He would have surely empathised with Taal's Vikrant KapoorWhat if Rachel loved Gunther? What if she had left the coffee seller for Ross, who had a 'cooler' job? Would he have made his peace or taken a leaf out of tea seller Devathaiyai Kanden Babu's bookWhat if Gunther believed hs attire was making Rachel stay away from him? What if Gunther believed his value system was flawed? What if Ms Greene behaved with him like he was Veronica from Cocktail?Remember Rachel asking Ross to let her grow and blow and be her own windkeeper? We're sure Gunther might not have made Rachel question her abilities as a windkeeper... just like Kanaa's Murali KrishnaThough Gunther loved Rachel, he was stern as a boss when situations demanded it. Principles trumped love. Even if the love is one-sided, what is a man if not his actions? Much like Omar of New York.Gunther loved Rachel. But she didn't know it for 6-7 years. But imagine both hanging out at the same place having the knowledge that one had unrequited love. Tough times... something Kutty would know.Remember when Rachel considered going out with Gunther for a date? He never got that close... ever again. If he did, would Gunther have recused himself for Rachel's greater good? Barfi's Shruti did.What'd have hurt Gunther more? The fact Rachel didn't love him in the same way or was it how Rachel didn't have any idea Gunther loved her with all his heart? Moondram Pirai Seenu raises both hands upHow would Gunther have felt seeing Rachel walk into Central Perk, day in and day out, with someone else she is in love with. Ross' feelings were documented. What about Gunther's... or Anjali's of KKHHDo you think Gunther had it in him to sacrifice his love? Do you think Gunther would convince the families of Greene and Geller to let their kids get married? Vijay in Shahjahan did this and lot moreUnlike with Ross, Rachel and Joey could never move past the threshold of friendship. Could Gunther ever be just friends with Rachel. Did he have it in him to be Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu's Imran Khan?Remember Phoebe calling him 'sexy in an obvious way' or Judy saying he's a sexy blond? If not for his Rachel fascination, would Gunther have found someone else & become like Chinnrasu of SuryavamsamRaanjhanaa's Dhanush might seem like an anti-thesis to Gunther. Unlike Kundan, Gunther understands 'No'. But like Kundan rats out Zaidi, Gunther rats out Ross when he 'was on a break'. So, same?Would Gunther have left someone he was with for Rachel? Would he do it every time Rachel came back? Would he ever stop giving her importance? Will he ever be better than Meri Pyaari Bindu's Abhimanyu?Towards the end, Ross and Rachel reconciled, AGAIN. Will Gunther unleash his inner angst immediately, or wait for 20 years to avenge his love like Padayappa's Neelambari?FRIENDS ended with a prospective meeting at Central Perk. They might not regularly hang out anymore. Will Gunther, like Aman in KHNH, let everything go, and be glad Rachel is with her lobster?