I am very romantic. Given a choice, I'd do only romantic films!

"I am very romantic. Given a choice, I'd do only romantic films!" These words from Sonam Kapoor echo the timeless appeal of romance, a force that has captured the hearts and imaginations of people across cultures and epochs. To be romantic, as Kapoor describes, is to embrace the idealization of love—the hope, the passion, and the desire for a deeper, almost ethereal connection between souls. In her desire to immerse herself in romantic films, Kapoor taps into something universal—the human longing for connection, beauty, and emotional truth. Romantic films, she suggests, allow her to express and embody these longings, to delve into the world of idealized love, and to bring that emotional depth to the screen.

In the ancient world, the concept of romance was often interwoven with divine forces and fateful connections. Greek mythology is full of stories where gods and mortals alike were bound by love, whether tragic or divine. Orpheus and Eurydice tell a story of love so profound that it transcends death itself, with Orpheus descending to the Underworld to reclaim his beloved. Their love was not just an earthly emotion, but something that reached into the very fabric of existence. In the ancient Greek mind, romance was both a divine and earthly experience—one that connected human beings to the gods, but also grounded them in the realities of life. Kapoor's desire to be part of romantic films reflects this longing for love that transcends the ordinary and touches the sublime.

The romantic film genre, however, is not just about the beauty of love but about the emotional journey that unfolds within it. Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, for instance, stands as one of the most iconic representations of romantic idealism—a love so intense, so pure, and so destined, that it becomes both the pinnacle of passion and the tragedy of fate. Through Romeo and Juliet, we see that romantic love is not just about the moments of bliss, but about the struggles, sacrifices, and longings that define what it means to love. Kapoor’s reflection on romantic films points to the intensity of human emotion and the desire to connect with love in its most pure and idealized form.

Throughout history, romance has been painted as the highest aspiration of the human spirit—idealized love, where two souls meet and complete one another. Yet, even the great romantic stories are filled with complications and tragedy. Take the story of Antony and Cleopatra, whose love, while profound and legendary, led to betrayal, loss, and eventual death. Their relationship, though steeped in romantic idealism, was not immune to the harsh realities of power and ambition. Kapoor’s desire to act in romantic films reflects this tension between the ideal and the real. She seeks to tap into the depths of human emotion—the joy and the sorrow, the hope and the despair—that romantic love can bring.

The lesson within Kapoor’s words is clear: romance, in its truest form, is about connection—emotional, intimate, and deeply human. Whether expressed through a film or experienced in real life, romantic love is a force that drives us to dream, to yearn, and to believe in the possibility of something greater than ourselves. In the pursuit of romantic ideals, we are reminded of what it means to be vulnerable, to open our hearts to another, and to seek meaning beyond the mundane. Just as Orpheus risked everything for his love, and Romeo and Juliet loved with a fervor that defied reason, Kapoor’s desire to immerse herself in romantic stories highlights the power of love to inspire and transform.

In our own lives, we must not be afraid to embrace the romantic ideals that reside within us. Whether in our relationships, our dreams, or our art, we should seek to live with passion and heart. The romantic journey may be fraught with obstacles, but it is also the path to authentic connection—the kind of connection that shapes who we are and gives us the courage to dream. Just as Kapoor seeks to explore this in her craft, we, too, must open ourselves to the transformative power of love, creativity, and vulnerability.

Let us, then, embrace romance in all its forms—whether in art, friendship, or love. Romantic films, like Shakespeare's works, remind us that life is not simply about practicality or reason, but about the emotional journey that we take with others. Through love, we find the courage to live fully, to dream boldly, and to face the challenges of life with hope and joy. Just as Sonam Kapoor celebrates romance in film, so must we celebrate it in our hearts, knowing that love—with all its complexity—remains one of the greatest forces in human experience.