The 2019 film Yaaram captivated audiences with its intense and complicated story of modern love. The film revolves around a classic love triangle: two best friends, Aahan and Zorawar, who both fall for the same woman, Zoya.
This premise becomes a launchpad for exploring powerful themes of friendship versus love, the turmoil of inter-religious romance, and the heartbreaking consequences of secrets and unspoken feelings.
If you were drawn to Yaaram's blend of youthful energy, emotional depth, and relationship drama, this list is for you. We've curated a selection of Indian contemporary novels that echo its core themes, from epic love stories and cultural clashes to the poignant pain of heartbreak.
This iconic novel follows the love story of Krish, a Punjabi boy from Delhi, and Ananya, a Tamilian girl from Chennai, who meet and fall in love at business school. Their journey moves beyond personal romance to become a hilarious and often frustrating mission to convince their culturally opposite families to accept their union.
Why It's Like Yaaram: This novel directly tackles the theme of navigating family and societal opposition to a relationship, a central conflict in Yaaram. It captures the drama and emotional strain that arise when love is pitted against deep-seated cultural traditions and parental expectations.
Based on the author’s own life, this deeply moving novel chronicles the relationship between Ravin and Khushi, who meet through a matrimonial site and fall profoundly in love without ever meeting in person.
Singh’s narration is simple, sincere, and heartbreakingly honest, capturing the purity of their connection and the cruel unpredictability of fate. Why It's Like Yaaram: If the raw emotional intensity and vulnerability of Yaaram resonated with you, this book is essential reading.
It explores the idea of an all-consuming love and the devastating pain of potential loss, making the characters' journey unforgettable.
Often called the "Nicholas Sparks of India," Faraaz Kazi delivers a powerful high-school romance that evolves into a story of passion, separation, and destiny. Rahul and Seema’s love is instant and all-encompassing, but their story is fraught with challenges that test the limits of their bond.
Why It's Like Yaaram: This book mirrors the theme of a fated, intense love that defines the characters' lives. Like the central trio in the film, the protagonists experience a romance so powerful it verges on obsession, leading to both incredible joy and profound heartbreak.
When Deb, a survivor of a tragic bomb blast, finds a half-burnt diary amidst the wreckage, he embarks on a quest with his friends to find the owner and uncover the fate of an unfinished love story. The narrative weaves together friendship, mystery, and a poignant romance that transcends life and death.
Why It's Like Yaaram: This novel captures the same blend of youthful friendship dynamics and high-stakes emotional drama seen in Yaaram. The central quest is driven by love and loyalty, showing how deeply intertwined the lives and feelings of a group of friends can become.
Set against the thrilling backdrop of the 1971 India-Pakistan war, this novel introduces Ishaan ‘Baaz’ Faujdaar, a charismatic and fearless Indian Air Force pilot. His life of adventure is complicated when he falls for Tehmina Dadyseth, a pacifist who challenges his very way of life.
Their romance is as turbulent and captivating as the war raging around them. Why It's Like Yaaram: While the setting is different, Baaz excels at creating a high-stakes romance where love is tested by extreme external pressures and ideological differences—a theme that echoes the religious and social conflicts in Yaaram.
Set in the 1990s, this novel follows Ankita, a bright and ambitious young woman whose life takes an unexpected turn when she is diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The story is a raw and honest portrayal of her struggle with mental health, family turmoil, and the powerful role that love plays in her journey toward healing.
Why It's Like Yaaram: This book is for readers who appreciated the deeper, more painful emotional currents in Yaaram. It explores how personal struggles can profoundly impact relationships, forcing characters to confront their innermost demons in the name of love and survival.
Zoya Singh Solanki is a perfectly ordinary advertising executive until she is declared a lucky charm for the Indian cricket team. Her life is thrown into chaos as she navigates her newfound fame and a fiery romance with the skeptical team captain, Nikhil Khoda. Anuja Chauhan’s writing is famous for its sparkling wit and sharp humor.
Why It's Like Yaaram: While lighter in tone, this novel shares Yaaram's theme of a romance playing out under immense public pressure. If you enjoyed the story of a relationship facing external scrutiny, you'll love this witty and thoroughly entertaining take on love in the limelight.
This story follows Akash, a reserved young man who prefers the basketball court to social gatherings. His life changes when he connects with Aleesha online, sparking a modern love story filled with flirtatious chats, awkward first dates, and the challenges of a long-distance relationship.
However, a tragic misunderstanding threatens to tear them apart. Why It's Like Yaaram: This book captures the essence of modern, youthful romance complicated by miscommunication and deep emotional turmoil.
It reflects the way friendships and romantic relationships can become tangled, leading to dramatic and heart-wrenching consequences similar to those faced by Yaaram’s characters.
A delightful young adult novel, this story follows Dimple Shah, a fiercely independent teen who wants to code, not get married. She’s shocked to discover her parents have sent her to a summer program with the hope that she’ll connect with Rishi Patel, a hopeless romantic who believes in tradition and arranged marriage.
Their ensuing clash is both hilarious and heartwarming. Why It's Like Yaaram: This is a perfect recommendation if you enjoyed the "clash of ideologies" aspect of Yaaram but are looking for a lighter, sweeter narrative. It beautifully explores the tension between modern aspirations and traditional expectations in the context of young love.
In this uniquely structured and poetic novel, a brother and sister, Tanay and Anuja, recount their memories of a mysterious paying guest who lived in their home. Both siblings fall in love with him, and his sudden departure leaves them shattered.
The story is a profound and melancholic exploration of love, sexuality, heartbreak, and unspoken family secrets. Why It's Like Yaaram: This is a more literary and introspective choice for those who want to explore the love triangle theme on a deeper level.
Like Yaaram, it shows how a single person can irrevocably alter the dynamics within a family and highlights the solitary nature of heartbreak.