The kissing scene in The Notebook (2004) 

Originally starred: Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams
Our pick: Fawad Khan and Alia Bhatt
 

Fawad Khan and Alia Bhatt, seen together in Kapoor & Sons but not paired opposite each other, did have some simmering chemistry, especially in that fun restaurant scene. A (cheat) kiss followed but that was brief and awkward. So we would love to see the two together again in the remake of the iconic romance The Notebook. Why? Because there’s something about Fawad that’s even better than Ryan Gosling (yes, fight us, but we are Gosling fans too!) and Alia has the cutesy charm of Rachel McAdams. Just the thought of them kissing in the rain is making our hearts melt.

The escape scene in Shawshank Redemption (1994) 

Originally starred: Tim Robbins
Our pick: Vicky Kaushal

That scene of Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) escaping from prison and savouring a taste of freedom, standing in the rain and looking upwards, is an iconic movie moment that still gives us chills. We are going to place the responsibility of playing Andy on the able (and broad) shoulders of Vicky Kaushal, who never ever gives a mediocre performance. In fact, something tells us the Raazi man — with his ability to be both intense and free-spirited — will play it even better. 

The title track in Singin’ in the Rain (1952) 

Originally starred: Gene Kelly
Our pick: Ranveer Singh

King of cool. King of dance. Gene Kelly dancing in the rain, using his black brolly as a prop, in the title song of the 1952 classic, is forever etched in our minds. Which Bolly star can match Kelly’s infectious energy, fluid moves and inhibition-free attitude other than the powerhouse Ranveer Singh? We just want to see what kind of madness he brings to the song, especially when jumping into puddles! 

Kaate nahin kat te in Mr India (1987) 

Originally starred: Sridevi
Our pick: Katrina Kaif

Sridevi’s Seema dancing sensuously in a blue sari as Mr India (Anil Kapoor) remains invisible but spies her every move is an instant classic. We pick Katrina Kaif as the one who can carry off Sridevi’s expressions and moves, all the while looking gorgeous in a blue chiffon sari.

When it finally rains in Life of Pi (2012) 

Originally starred: Suraj Sharma
Our pick: Rajkummar Rao

Remember the scene where it finally rains and Pi (Suraj Sharma), the lone survivor of a shipwreck, along with his tiger pal Richard Parker, finally gets to drink water? It’s a powerful scene that embodies hope after days of hopelessness and does bring a smile to the face even as it teases a tear. Rajkummar Rao is the perfect choice (we are looking at a slightly older Pi), already having shown his mettle in the survival drama Trapped. In that he had a cockroach or two for company. Let’s see what he does with a tiger!

The upside down kiss in Spider-Man (2002) 

Originally starred: Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst
Our pick: Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma
 

That iconic kiss after Spider-Man (Tobey Maguire) saves Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst) from the baddies, is super romantic and is a staple on many an award showreel. Right in the middle of a crazy downpour, Mary Jane slides Spidey’s mask to reveal his lips and kisses him, while he’s still hanging upside down! Anushka Sharma is perfect as Mary Jane and who better to play Spidey than her husband Virat Kohli?! He’s our cricketing superhero already and he will anyway be in a mask. 

Pyaar hua ikrar hua in Shree 420 (1955) 

Originally starred: Raj Kapoor and Nargis
Our pick: Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone

Raj Kapoor and Nargis’s cute chemistry in this song — we loved the bit where he urges her to take his umbrella even as he gets wet and she does the same — brings on a smile even today. They profess their love for each other even as the rain pelts down... he urges her to not be scared in love; she warns that the road ahead is not easy. That image of them walking in the rain without a care in the world can best be recreated by Raj’s grandson Ranbir Kapoor, with the fresh-faced Deepika Padukone. We’ve seen the kind of chemistry the two can conjure up on screen and this song seems to be tailormade for them. 

Koi ladki hai in Dil To Pagal Hai (1997) 

Originally starred: Shah Rukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit
Our pick: Ishaan Khatter and Janhvi Kapoor  

Chemistry. Check. Energy. Check. Playfulness. Check. Magic. Check. This number from Yash Chopra’s Dil To Pagal Hai has been a favourite with SRK’s boyish charm and Madhuri’s effervescent smile contributing to its appeal. With the Dhadak duo of Ishaan Khatter and Janhvi Kapoor giving us a peek into their dancing skills — as well as their chemistry — in the peppy Zingaat, we pick this Gen Y pair.

Sealing it with a kiss in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (2012) 

Originally starred: Audrey Hepburn
Our pick: Priyanka Chopra
 

What’s it about kissing scenes in the rain that make us turn into mush? We are forever sold on the romance of the final scene in Breakfast at Tiffany’s where Holly (Audrey Hepburn) slips on a ring, runs out of the cab in the middle of torrential rain, goes looking for her cat, hugs it close and cries and falls into Paul’s (George Peppard) arms and they share a passionate kiss. Who best to relive the charisma and magic, innocence and poise of Hepburn? Our desi girl Priyanka Chopra, who is all this and more. Plus, the girl’s got pizzazz!  

Tip tip barsa pani in Mohra (1994) 

Originally starred: Raveena Tandon
Our pick: Raveena Tandon

Yes, you read that right. We think there’s no one who can recreate the sensuousness of this Viju Shah number better than Raveena who still remains our favourite mast mast girl. A yellow sari hasn’t looked better!