Falling in love is easy. But popping the question? That’s where the real nerves kick in. The stakes are high, the moment is monumental, and every word you say will live forever. After all, it is a story you will tell for the rest of your life! Not everyone is a poet or a wordsmith, but that doesn’t mean you should settle for anything less than perfect. So, what does one do? Seek inspiration. No, you don’t have to flip through age-old literature (unless you really want to). Sometimes, the best ideas are a click away. Case in point: films. If you are planning to propose on this Valentine's Day , here are the five best proposal scenes from Malayalam and Tamil films, which will give you a direction and a head start.



'Alai Payuthey'
Can anyone weave a love story quite like the OG Mani Ratnam and deliver it with the disarming charm of R Madhavan? If you are a brave soul and like to get right to the point, seek Karthik’s (from Alai Payuthey) guidance. In what’s said to be one of the best proposal scenes of all time, Karthik walks up to Shakthi and speaks his heart.



Karthik: Shakthi! Naan unna virumbala, un maela aasai padala, nee azhagaa irukka nu nenachala... aana, adhudhaan nadandhudhu... oru bayama irukku! Yosichu sollu (I didn't like you, I didn't desire you, I didn't think you were beautiful... but that's exactly what's happening... and I'm scared! Think about it).



Sometimes the most courageous thing to do is to admit your vulnerability and fears.



'Vaaranam Aayiram'



Want to make your partner blush? Turn to the 2008 Tamil release ‘Vaaranam Aayiram’. The proposal scene, where Krishnan approaches Malini and declares his love, has won hearts for all the right reasons. It’s straightforward, confident, and charming.



Krishnan: Hi Malini, naan Krishnan. (Hi Malini, I'm Krishnan.) Naan idhu solliye aaganum. Nee avvalavu azhagu. Inga yevanum ivlo azhaga paarthirukka maattaanga. And I am in love with you! (I have to say this. You're so beautiful. No one here has seen such beauty. And I'm in love with you!)



Who is going to turn down this beautiful proposal?



'Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa'




Remember Keanu Reeves' iconic quotes about love? “If you're a lover, you gotta be a fighter.” And that’s exactly what filmmaker Gautham Vasudev Menon feels. His hero Karthik from ‘Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya’ is a fighter. Strict father, or the age difference, doesn’t really frighten him. After all, love is love.



When Jessie tells him that he is younger than her, Karthik confesses his love.



Karthik: Indha ulagathula irukka ella ponnungalaiyum naan thangatchiya yethukkiireen inimey, unnai dhavira! (I'll treat all the girls in the world as sisters, except you!) Yen na enakku onnu pudichirukku… I am in love with you, Jessie!



This proposal is certainly not an inspiration for the faint of heart, so keep that in mind.



'Namukku Parkkan Munthirithoppukal'




When Padmarajan crafts love stories, he makes sure they remain eternal. How else would you describe the scene in ‘Namukku Parkkan Munthirithoppukal (1986)’, where Solomon proposes to Sofi? Drawn from the Bible itself, the proposal is poetic, passionate, and perfect.



Solomon: Namukku gramangalil chennu rappaarkkaam... athikaalathu ezhunnerthu munthirithoppukalil poyi, munthiri valli thallirthu poovidukayum, maathalanarakam pookkukayum cheytho ennu nokkam... avide vachu, naan ninakku ente preman tharuum! (Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth: there will I give thee my loves.)



This proposal scene is one for the books, so make sure you use it right!



'Thattathin Marayathu'




Not really a fan of the classics? Want to keep the proposal realistic, but also heartwarming? You may seek inspo from the 2012 Malayalam film ‘Thattathin Marayathu’. Vinod scales the wall at midnight and conveys his love to Aisha. With his heart racing, Vinod confesses his love.



Vinod: I'm sorry Aisha, inne ingane vannu pedippikkanamenn njan karuthiyalla (I didn't mean to startle you like this). Pakshe veetil irunnitt enik veetil irunnitt irikkanum nikkanum patanilla (I couldn't sit at home, I'm restless). Sathyam parayalo, inte athrem bhangiyulla oru pennine ente jeevithathil njan kandittilla ( I've never seen a girl as beautiful as you in my entire life). Enne ingane nokkalle Aisha... njan marichu pokum... (Don't look at me like that, God... I'll die...)



Ho… bhayankara, bhayankara aashwasam thonnunnu, entha parayuka ee pathu pathinaalu divasam, bhakshanam kazhikkatha aalude munpil chicken biriyani vechaal enganeyirikkum, athaan ente avastha; vellam illaathe, oonum urakkavum illaathe, oru nooru varsham ninne ingane nokki irikkan pattum enikku — angane onnum pattillayirikkum, pakshe enikkippo anganeyokke thonnunnu; ninte veettukaar vannu enne thallunnathinu munpe njan parayaam… (Oh… I feel such immense, immense relief. How do I explain? It’s like offering a plate of chicken biryani to someone who hasn’t eaten in two weeks. That’s my state right now. I feel like I could sit and look at you like this without water, food, or sleep for a hundred years. Maybe that’s not really possible, but that’s how I feel at this moment. Before your family comes and beats me up, let me just say it…) I love you, Aisha.



Which one among these resonates with you the most? Let us know in the comments below!