'Bridgerton', '365 Days': Are contract relationships the way to go this Valentine's Day?

Love, too, will be under a lockdown this Valentine's and now seems to be the perfect time to switch things up in the dating game. Those tried-and-tested traditional affairs can take a break this year because contract relationships seem to be the hot new trend that everyone seems to want to try. We've rounded up six, romantic shows and movies that will have you typing your terms and conditions, crossing it with an 'XO' and signing it with love.

Photo: Bridgerton, 365 Days Posters

'Bridgerton', the drama of romance and etiquette, set in the high society of Regency London, is all anyone has been talking about these days. The show is the story of eight siblings of the Bridgerton family who are looking for love and happiness. But, while the other young adults depend on the ‘social season’ to find their perfect match, Duke Simon settles for a verbal contract to help the "diamond of the season" Daphne Bridgerton find the perfect suitor. Their little "act" of love and affection gets everyone talking, including a certain Lady Whistledown who has the nose to sniff out a scandal.

Photo: Still

When two exceptionally beautiful people, who can start a fire with their insane chemistry, get acquainted with the words "I hate you," things are bound to get very interesting. Go third-wheeling on this romantic-comedy in which circumstance brings a famous architect Serkan Bolat and an aspiring landscape architect student, Eda Yildiz together and a contract engagement that keeps them in close quarters for two months. All the adorably awkward moments make way for some of the most romantic moments when a certain four-letter word comes into play.

Photo: Still

Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the mastermind behind dreamy fantasy romances, breathed new life to the genre with his latest production 'Tuesdays and Fridays'. The film will follow two millennials as they get into a contractual relationship where they are allowed to meet only on Tuesdays and Fridays. All the role-play, cute date nights, hook-ups and patch-ups seem just fine until love steps in this party for two.

Photo: Movie Poster

While we are talking contracts, let's be honest, the list would not be complete without a certain Mr Grey. If we've not read the books, we have watched the films (yes, those scenes included). Besides opening our eyes to the kinky side of life, 'Fifty Shades of Grey' also brought contractual relationships under the spotlight, once we could overlook those steamy BDSM scenes.

Photo: Movie Poster

At a time when Hollywood and Bollywood was devoid of any 'action', along came the Polish erotic romantic drama '365 Days' which did more than just scorch up the internet. If you've heard the ladies talking about a certain Massimo, they're probably talking about this one. The film revolves around Massimo, a member of the Sicilian Mafia family who literally meets the 'girl of his dreams', Laura. Although he kidnaps her in the beginning, they come to an agreement that she will give him 365 days to woo her and make her fall in love with him. Even though the film faced criticism for its questionable plot, all seemed forgotten after that explicit boat scene.

Photo: Movie Still

We're ending this roundup with a Korean drama, simply because no one does contract relationships quite as well as them. If you want something a little more relatable, then 'Because This Is My First Life' will have to be on your list. This one follows a couple, Nam Se Hee and Yoon Ji Ho, who decide to get married for very practical reasons — needing a rent-paying tenant and to appease meddling family members. When a drama can make a trope as cliché as “contract marriage” relatable, you know you’ve got a winner on your hands. Not only do the leads have incredible chemistry, but the supporting cast is also just as fantastic.

Photo: Poster