There was a period when Imran Khan's rom-coms ruled Bollywood-movies such as Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, I Hate Luv Storys, and Mere Brother Ki Dulhan became cult hits among millennial couples.
His boy-next-door looks and down-to-earth love tales combined with tear-jerking plots and memorable soundtracks propelled him to the forefront of Bollywood's rom-com scene.
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But a run of box-office disappointments put Imran in the shadows, and the genre lost momentum as the audience went towards action and suspense.
Presently, ending a ten-year exile, Imran is returning to work on a Netflix India romantic dramedy, shared by Bhumi Pednekar and Gurfateh Pirzada, with Break Ke Baad helmer Danish Aslam at the reins.
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The film, focused on a messy relationship, wants to get the quirky, feel-good storytelling of his past reign back on the front foot.
As people are in the mood for feel-good stories and soulful music, Khan's comeback is timely. If the film is a mix of laughs and feels with an amazing soundtrack to boot, it may just bring back the rom-com, making people realize that simplicity and truthfulness are never out of date.
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While Bollywood is welcoming remakes and spectacles, Khan's comeback may just make the industry remember the magic in plain, music-laden love stories.
The only question is: can he restore the charm that made him a brand name? The answer lies in whether people today still do have faith in "happily ever after."