At one point, Hindi cinema regularly served up entertainers built around one classic conflict – one male protagonist caught between two women. It was a formula that gave rise to comedy, confusion, romance, jealousy, misunderstandings and full-blown chaos. Over the years, however, the space slowly faded as filmmakers moved increasingly towards action spectacles, dark thrillers, intense dramas and larger-than-life franchises. But now, this once-popular genre seems to be making a smashing comeback. Interestingly, not one but three films revolving around this idea are set to arrive in cinemas within a span of just 35 days.

Pati Patni Aur Woh Do, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, Cocktail 2: Bollywood brings back the ‘one hero, many heroines’ formula

The first to release will be Pati Patni Aur Woh Do. This time, Ayushmann Khurrana is not stuck between two women but three – Sara Ali Khan, Wamiqa Gabbi and Rakul Preet Singh. From the title itself, it appears that the makers have taken the idea of Pati Patni Aur Woh (2019) several steps ahead. The earlier film had Kartik Aaryan’s character juggling between his wife and girlfriend, played by Bhumi Pednekar and Ananya Panday, respectively. In Pati Patni Aur Woh Do, the equation seems even more complicated, and possibly even more chaotic. The film releases in cinemas on May 15.

A week later, Varun Dhawan will step into a similar zone with Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai. The actor will be seen balancing his life between Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde. Going by the teaser, it appears that Varun’s character is married to both women and has, of course, hidden the truth from each of them. The result promises confusion, madness and the kind of old-school comic mayhem that Hindi cinema once specialized in. Directed by Varun’s father, David Dhawan, the film arrives in theatres on May 22, just a week after Pati Patni Aur Woh Do.

Then, almost a month later, on June 19, Shahid Kapoor will be seen caught between Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna in Cocktail 2. The first film, Cocktail (2012), also explored a complicated romantic triangle and became memorable for its fresh treatment, emotional drama, performances by Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone and Diana Penty, and of course, its unforgettable music. It was also a major box office success. Naturally, expectations are high for the second part. The first song from the film is already out and has managed to get noticed, adding to the curiosity around the sequel.

What makes this trend interesting is that all three films are arriving in quick succession, and all seem to be reviving a space that Hindi cinema had almost abandoned. For years, audiences enjoyed stories where love, lies and timing collided inside a commercial entertainer. Now, with Ayushmann Khurrana, Varun Dhawan and Shahid Kapoor all entering this zone within a month, Bollywood seems ready to bring back the messy, madcap romantic triangle, only this time with a 2026 twist.

Also Read: SCOOP: Pati Patni Aur Woh Do worldwide distribution rights sold to Zee Studios for Rs. 35 crores