Ahead of the release of the Telugu film Ante Sundaraniki, let's take a look at some Indian films that touched up on, addressed and explored interfaith relationships.

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33 films that addressed interfaith relationships

Ahead of the release of the Telugu film Ante Sundaraniki, starring Nani and Nazriya, let's take a look at some Indian films that touched up on, addressed and explored interfaith relationships in different degrees.

Ram Venkat Srikar

Published:8th Jun, 2022 at 6:11 PM

Bombay: This celebrated Mani Rathnam film explores the relationship between Shekhar Narayanan Pillai (Arvind Swami), a youngster hailing from an orthodox Hindu family and Shaila Banu Pillai, a Muslim. Streaming on Netflix.

Ajab Prem ki Ghazab Kahani: Although this slapstick comedy doesn’t get into the depths of interfaith relationships, the film addresses religion in the form of a divine intervention that ultimately unites the leading couple. Streaming on Jio Cinema

Uppena: A rather serious, even exploitative take on interfaith relationships, this Telugu film follows a young Christian from a fisherman community falling in love with the daughter of a Zamindar. No prizes for guessing who bears the brunt in the end.

Vinnaithandi Varuvaya: This popular Tamil film follows a Hindu youngster falling for his Christian neighbour and the complications that emerge consequentially.

Avakai Biriyani: This feel-good Telugu film, with a Muslim hero and Brahmin heroine, addresses religion with subtlety. Available on ZEE5.

Raja Rani: Although the lead couple, John and Regina hail from the same community, the film explores their previous relationships with partners from different religions. The film is streaming on Disney+Hotstar

Ennu Ninte Moideen: This Malayalam film is biographical romantic drama based on the real-life story of Kanchanamala and BP Moideen, which took place in the 1960s. - Streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.

Kaala: Although it is not central to the film's narrative, Kaala has a beautiful and mature angle where the titular character crosses paths with his former lover, a Muslim. Streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

Kovil: This rural Tamil entertainer follows two college students hailing from different religions and the clash that ensues when their respective clans learn about the relationship. Streaming on Sun NXT.

Ishaqzaade: Part action and part love story, Ishaqzaade—set against the backdrop of guns and gangsters—uses religion of the leads as one of the conflicts. Streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

Starring Vijay and Shalini, Kadhalukku Mariyadhai tells the story of a couple of different religions and beliefs and how they unite amidst the opposition of their families.

This Rajeev Ravi directorial is centered around Rasool, a Muslim youth and Anna, a Latin Christian woman. Set in the Vypin islands of Kochi, Annayum Rasoolum explores their star-crossed romance and the intricacies surrounding it.

Pokkisham set in the '70s tells the story of marine engineer Lenin and Nadira.

Kedarnath: This film constructs an interfaith relationship around the devastating 2013 North India floods. In addition to the religious differences, the natural calamity plays antagonist here.

In Mella Thirandhathu Kadhavu, the protagonist has a tragic backstory involving his Muslim lover, who dies before he could see her face. The film stars Mohan and Amala.

Thattathin Marayathu: A classic Hindu-Muslim love story but thankfully, a heartwarming one. Nivin Pauly's Vinod is a Hindu Nair who falls head over heels in love with Ayesha, played by Isha Talwar.

Raanjhanaa: In Aanand L Rai's film, Dhanush plays a Tamil brahmin who falls for Zoya and goes to extremes to win her love. Streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

Gadar - Ek Prem Katha: This modern-day classic is set during the partition and featured Sunny Deol, as a Sikh truck driver who falls in love with a Muslim girl, Sakina ''Sakku'' Ali. Streaming on ZEE5.

Alaigal Oivathillai: Bharathiraja's cult classic was parallelly made in Telugu as Seethakoka Chiluka and follows a Hindu boy, who falls in love with a Christian girl.

Abhiyum Naanum: Although it's a film about father-daughter relationship, this Radha Mohan film features an angle where the father has to come to terms with his daughter's fiancee, a Sikh.

Thangam (A segment of Paava Kadhaigal): This hard-hitting short touches on multiple intersectionalities, one of them being an interfaith relationship. Streaming on Netflix.

Sufiyum Sujatayum: Sujata, a speech-impaired girl from an orthodox Hindu background falls in love with Sufi, a Muslim scholar, much to the resentment of her family. A poignantly told love story, the film has Aditi Rao Hydari pulling off a solid performanc

Dil Se: Set during the Insurgency in Assam, the film is a turbulent love story of Amar and Moina

Chandralekha: In 1995, Vijay starred in this film that centers on two lovers from different religions culminating in tragedy.

Aadukalam: A film about rooster fights and 'guru-sishyan' theme still managed to tell a beautiful love story of an Anglo Indian girl and a rural native. Streaming on Jio Cinema.

Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham: In Karan Johar's grand family drama, it's an interfaith relationship that sparks the conflict between the son and the patriarch.

Bobby: This Hindi classic tells the story of a rich Hindu boy, Raj, who falls for Bobby, the daughter of a poor Goan Christian fisherman

My Name is Khan: A film that's committed to spreading the message that love transcends religions, this Karan Johar film has an interfaith marriage at its center.

Jai: This Telugu sports drama sees Navdeep play a timid Hindu guy trained to become a tough boxer within a Muslim community and, of course, finding his love interest in a Muslim college mate

Daas: This 2005 Tamil film starred Jayam Ravi as a young Christian man named Antony Daas who has overcome several obstacles to unite with his love interest, Rajeshwari.

Veer Zaara: This classic Yash Chopra romance tells the story of star-crossed lovers: an Indian Air Force officer and the daughter of a Pakistani politician.

Love Hostel: Perhaps the most shocking, scary and realistic portrayal of interfaith relationships in the list. The film doesn't flinch to present repercussions under the current political climate.

Kilinjalgal: Another film where the Hindu hero and Christian heroine have to battle the opposition of their families to unite.