Home Alone: Rekindling a Romance with My Dramatic Old Flame

The house is unnervingly quiet. There are no arguments over homework, no asking where shoes are, and surprisingly, no one asking what’s for dinner. My husband has taken the kids on a two-week trip to India, leaving me home alone for the first time in years.

Look, I miss them. Of course, I do. But I have a confession to make. With the family away, I have fallen madly, deeply in love again with an improved version of an old flame.

That flame is Bollywood.

It started with just one movie, but it quickly spiraled into a full-blown affair. I am currently deep in a movie marathon phase, completely immersed in a world far removed from my quiet living room. I’d forgotten how intoxicating this world is—the vast, sweeping landscapes that fill the screen, and the emotional depth that Bollywood somehow manages to sustain for three hours straight.

It’s the tunes and the lyrics that get stuck in your head for days. It’s seeing fresh new faces holding their own alongside the legends we grew up watching. But mostly, it’s the unique brand of storytelling that comes from a land defined by culture, intense emotion, intricate family dynamics, and beautiful complexities. It feels like a bridge to where my family is right now.

I haven't just been watching; I've been devouring cinema. This week’s lineup has been an incredible mix of genres. I’ve journeyed through Saiyaara, Dhurandar, Thamma, and the intense Chaava. I dove into stories of bravery in 120 Bahadur, the drama of Mehta Boys, the courtroom wit of Jolly LLB, and the narrative of Single Salma.

My husband might be experiencing the real India right now, but I’m perfectly content experiencing the reel India from my couch. The reunion in two weeks will be sweet, but for now, don't disturb me—the movie is starting.