1. The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson – Ittefaq (2017)
Genre wise, these two couldn’t be more different. While The Kiss of Deception is an exciting and mysterious young adult fantasy romance, Ittefaq is the very definition of a thriller. Despite this, what makes me think readers who enjoyed one will like the other are the elements incorporated into each of these stories that will keep you on the edge of your seat. In The Kiss of Deception, you spend the entire book wondering who’s the prince and who’s the assassin, and it’s only barely revealed by the end of the book. Ittefaq is also like that. You spend the entire movie wondering what happened—truly a Who Done It? classic—and it’s only revealed at the very end. It’s almost unsettling how little time you get to spend with the revelation in each of these, but that may be what makes them so enjoyable.
2. Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson – 3 Idiots (2009)
One of my favorite young adult books for my absolute, all-time favorite movie. Both stories are about friendship at their core. These two are connected in my mind because one friend is missing while the main characters go on a journey—both metaphorically and literally—to reunite with the friend they credit their personal growth to. What I love about 3 Idiots is that it’s so much more than a story about three friends in college. It’s about doing what you love, fighting for what you believe in, and not caring about what other people think—which are also themes in Since You’ve Been Gone.
3. Daughter of Deep Silence by Carrie Ryan – Om Shanti Om (2007)
Both revenge stories with a somewhat sinister undertone, if you enjoyed Daughter of Deep Silence, you are sure to like the premise of Om Shanti Om. The book deals with a girl taking on a fake identity in the hopes of revenge. Likewise, Om Shanti Om is a story about reincarnation and revenge. These both posit the question of what revenge turns you into and if taking on another identity can start to make you lose your true self.
4. Don’t Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout – Ghajini (2008)
Don’t Look Back deals with one of my least favorite tropes ever—amnesia—but it’s so well done it’s secured a spot in my favorite young adult books! You spend half the time wondering why everything feels so dark and sinister even though nothing is going terribly wrong, but when the big reveal happens, everything makes sense. Ghajini also deals with an unreliable narrator. What makes this movie so interesting is the specific type of memory loss, where our main character, Sanjay, loses his memory every 15 minutes.
5. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green – Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)
Characterized by love and loss, everyone knows what The Fault in Our Stars is about. Similarly, Kal Ho Naa Ho is one of the most iconic Bollywood movies of the 21st century. The only advice I have is this: get your tissues ready and be prepared for the unexpected. Like the ending of The Fault in Our Stars, this movie might surprise you.
6. On the Come Up by Angie Thomas – Gully Boy (2019)
Both criminally underrated, On the Come Up and Gully Boy are both stories about young, aspiring rappers. What I love about these two is that while they tackle the difficulty of clawing your way into the music industry, they are also stellar social commentaries. I love a good social criticism moment, and these both deliver in a way that doesn’t feel suffocating!
7. I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson – Kapoor & Sons (2016)
Kapoor & Sons narrates the complicated and tangled lives of two estranged brothers who come home for their grandfather’s birthday. The entire family dynamic is messed up, but that’s what makes it so interesting. I’ll Give You the Sun is also a story of estranged siblings. These both deal with themes of loss and regret and remind me of each other in content and in vibe.
I also think Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo is an honorable mention because of the complicated family dynamic and the way a relationship between siblings develops.
8. Twilight by Stephanie Meyer – Student of the Year (2012)
A love triangle with two irresistible men? A girl that is the root of all her own problems? A school setting where no one ever seems to be doing any actual schoolwork? If these sound like things you enjoyed about Twilight, then you will certainly enjoy Student of the Year. And, if for some reason you’re still not sold, Student of the Year has a Triwizard Tournament-esque competition that makes all the boy drama worth it!
9. Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson – Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011)
Think friendship, road trips, adventure, and humor! I absolutely adore this movie, and I think it’s clear by now that I love Morgan Matson too. Despite the only connection here seeming to be the road trip aspect, it actually does go deeper than that. Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour deals with Amy navigating her life after her father dies. In a similar manner, Farhan—one of our three main characters of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara—is dealing with his own family issues.
10. All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven – Jab We Met (2007)
Content Warning: Depression and suicide (in both the book and the movie)
The majority of Indian media doesn’t show depression or any mental health struggles at all, let alone like the beginning and middle of this movie does. When I read All the Bright Places, I’ll admit I was a bit unsure on if I truly enjoyed it or if I was giving into the hype—but I think that regardless of your enjoyment of the book, you will like Jab We Met. It’s got a great mix of comedy and seriousness; a true 2000s Bollywood classic.
11. Puddin’ by Julie Murphy – Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013)
Unlikely friends and bold relationships are the best way I can explain why I think these should be paired together. Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani is one of my all time comfort movies and was one I knew I’d probably like when I went into it. On the other hand, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about Puddin’ but quickly realized the heartwarming friendship sold me on the story.
Vanshikha Vij, Pine Reads Reviews Writer