Bollywood, TV couples reveal their romantic monsoon memories

Thick, dark clouds hover overhead as the gentle rustle of leaves suddenly turns into a tumultuous flutter; the drum roll of thunder echoes through the city and rain drops come down to kiss the parched ground and the heat weary...

The monsoon has arrived in the city. And nothing inspires poetry and awakens the romantic in us like the rains. For many, the season opens the floodgates to sweet memories.

Sonu Sood and wife Sonali used to sail paper boats while it rained

Actress Dia Mirza, who turns producer with the Vidya Balan-starrer, Bobby Jasoos, is rejoicing at the change of weather. "The rains bring a magic of their own. It is my favourite season and reminds me of Sahil (Sangha, fiancee). I used to sit by the window with a piping hot cuppa and have long phone conversations with him. The rains set the perfect score in the background," says Dia, as we remember the sensual Zara Zara song from her debut film, Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein.

Bollywood's quintessential mom, Kirron Kher, has special memories associated with the season. During her courtship period with husband Anupam Kher, she once ditched plans to meet him on a rainy day, as the city was flooded and the traffic had come to a grinding halt. Added to that, Anupam was supposed to go out of town for shooting.

Rain inspired Mika Singh's debut song

"Suddenly, the doorbell rang and there he was standing outside all drenched. Instead of going out of town, he had braved the weather and perhaps walked half the way to come see me. I saw the look of love on his face. I can never ever forget that wonderful gesture," the 59-year-old actress-cum-politician. had said.

It was during the monsoon that television personality Mandira Bedi found the love of her life. "Whenever it rains, Rim Jhim Gire Saawan starts playing in my head. It is the song that my husband, Raj (Kaushal, filmmaker), used to sing for me when we were dating. So, that is our song," she says with a 1,000-watt smile.

Monsoon is Dia Mirza's favourite season. A cup of tea, soft music and long phone conversations with fiancée Sahil Sangha keep her company

For Golmaal co-stars, Arshad Warsi and Sharman Joshi, the rains evoke fond memories of long drives with their respective partners. "Last year, when it was raining cats and dogs in Mumbai, I spontaneously decided to drive to Goa. What made the 12-hour drive beautiful was the person sitting next to me - my wife, Maria (Goretti). She hummed our favourite songs while I whistled along. We stopped by a roadside dhaba and gorged on Konkani food, listening to the rain beat a tattoo on the roof," recalls Arshad.

Sharman, on the other hand, reminisces his trip to Lonavla with his better half, Prerana Chopra, a few days before they got hitched. "We relished the sight of freshly bathed trees and sipped hot coffee on the roadside as the cool breeze tickled our faces," he adds.

Anupam Kher once walked all the way from Bandra to Carmichael Road to meet Kirron Kher, on a rainy day during their courtship period. Needless to say, his ladylove was all smiles at the sight of a drenched Anupam

Be it a drizzle or heavy downpour, the rains have been serenaded by poets since generations while singers have extolled its various hues. In fact, it was a monsoon moment that inspired singer Mika Singh to pen the lyrics of Saawan Mein Lag Gayee Aag. The song was a smash hit of 1998 and catapulted him into the big league. "I had taken a girl out for coffee when it started pouring. We ran to the nearby bus stop for shelter. I asked her to wait there while I fetched two cups of tea. We got drenched to the bone and, boy, was it romantic!" winks Mika.

Starlet Richa Chaddha remembers a ‘surreal' monsoon tryst from her teenage days. "I was with this boy on a swing atop the hills. The sky was overcast and the heavens opened up. It started pouring. It was too slippery to get down so we continued swinging and soaked in the fun by singing songs," she says.

Before tying the knot, Sharman Joshi and Prerana Chopra drove to Lonavla to relish the rains

One of Richa's close friends from the industry, Amit Sadh, talks about celebrating the onset of monsoon with a ‘special friend'. "She had flown down to India from New York. We went to Goa - my favourite monsoon destination. We spent all day walking down the beach in the rain and concluded our rendezvous with a candlelight dinner at one of the sea-facing restaurants," he says.

Much like Dia, filmmaker Sanjay Gupta loves the rain and calls himself a complete monsoon person. "It is undoubtedly the season of romance. I come alive during this time of the year," he says. Driving up to Khandala, views of the valley, leisurely walks in the drizzle and candlelight dinners on the verandah with wife Anu are part of his itinerary every monsoon.

Arshad Warsi likes to go for long drives with wife Maria Goretti during monsoon

Gulshan Devaiya, who shot to fame as Bhavani in the blockbuster Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela, likes to get wet and wild when it pours. "My wife, Kallirroi, and I go swimming at an indoor pool while the rain beats down. Something about it is incredibly exciting despite the water being cold," the young actor chuckles.

During his college days in Delhi, TV presenter Manish Paul always used to look forward to the rains not only to indulge in romance with his childhood sweetheart Sanyukta but also to satiate his gastronomic cravings. "We would relish samosas at Dilli Haat and have long conversations. I wish I could relive those days," he adds.

Romance brewed on the college campus for Dabangg actor Sonu Sood and his wife, Sonali, as they made paper boats and sailed them in puddles of water everytime it rained. "At one point, an entire stretch was filled with paper boats. Then it seemed romantic but in hindsight, I feel it was a bit childish," he laughs.

Childish? You just made us go awwww!

(Inputs from Shameem Khan and Urmimala Banerjee)

Song splash

The very mention of rains conjures up the image of Raj Kapoor and Nargis romancing under a solitary umbrella in Pyaar Hua Iqraar Hua (Shree 420). Four decades later came the sensual Tip Tip Barsa Paani (Mohra) with Raveena Tandon in a barely-there saree cosying up to Akshay Kumar. But you don't always need a lover to romance the rains. Get drenched in the season of love with these songs...

Barso Re Megha Megha (Guru)

This song filmed on Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan shows a jovial village girl celebrating life and her freedom. Want to break away from the humdrum world? Just dance to this peppy number.

Mere Khwaabon (Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge)

Kajol set many a heart aflutter with this song in which she is hoping to find love soon. And she does! If you dream of finding someone like Shah Rukh Khan, this one's for you.

Bhaage Re Mann (Chameli)

The song captures Kareena Kapoor, who played a sex worker, in a carefree mood, reminding one of Singin' In the Rain featuring Gene Kelly. This is your song if you are "apni favourite"!

Dil Hai Chhota Sa (Roja)

Though not exactly a rain song, it shows Madhoo getting drenched by a waterfall. Reflects energy, spontaneity, innocence and the magic of living with a smile, of course. Catch our drift?

Kaatein Nahin Kat Te (Mr India)

Draped in a rain-soaked blue chiffon saree, Sridevi seduces an invisible lover in this boiling-hot song. Go ahead, shed all your inhibitions and feel sexy in the rains. We won't judge you!