While Bollywood has its iconic monsoon moments—think Rimjhim gire saawan or Barso re—some lesser-known films go deeper, using the rain not just as a backdrop but as an emotional and visual character.
Here are five hidden cinematic gems that use the monsoon to celebrate nature’s raw, moody beauty—perfect for a cozy, introspective watch this season.
1. Asha Jaoar Majhe (Labour of Love) – 2014 | Bengali
Director: Aditya Vikram Sengupta
Where the rain whispers in silence
Set in monsoon-drenched Kolkata, this nearly wordless film tells the story of a couple who never meet due to opposite work shifts. The rain becomes both a metaphor for longing and a real-time lullaby. The way it glistens on old walls, reflects in puddles, and mingles with the daily sounds is almost poetic.
2. The Japanese Wife – 2010 | Bengali-English
Director: Aparna Sen
When love letters meet monsoon shores
This Indo-Japanese tale unfolds in the lush, rain-kissed landscapes of the Sundarbans. The story—of a long-distance marriage by post between a Bengali man and a Japanese woman—is both haunting and deeply poetic. The mangroves, rivers, and incessant drizzle build an atmosphere of isolation and gentle melancholy.
3. Onaatah – 2016 | Khasi
Director: Pradip Kurbah
Healing with the clouds in Meghalaya
This National Award-winning Khasi-language film is a quiet, powerful journey of a rape survivor who finds solace and self-worth in a rural Meghalaya village. The scenery is breathtaking: rolling hills, dripping pine trees, and mist that moves like breath. The monsoon is ever-present, softening the harshness of life.
4. Before the Rains – 2007 | English-Malayalam
Director: Santosh Sivan
Kerala’s wet beauty on 35mm
Set in 1930s colonial Kerala, this visually striking film deals with forbidden romance, betrayal, and the tension between cultures. The lush plantations, muddy footpaths, and dramatic thunderstorms become intrinsic to the storytelling. Every frame glows with monsoon’s lush chaos.
5. Nainsukh – 2010 | Pahari-Hindi
Director: Amit Dutta
When rain meets art in the Kangra valley
Based on the life of 18th-century painter Nainsukh, this film is more like a moving painting. Shot in Himachal’s rain-soaked valleys, it reflects the meditative pace of mountain rains. Every scene is composed like a miniature artwork, and the monsoon amplifies its intimacy.
So, this monsoon, instead of replaying the usual romcoms, explore these hidden cinematic monsoon capsules—where nature is not a prop, but a protagonist.
