Father’s Day 2014: 5 unconventional on-screen fathers

Today, as the nation celebrates Father’s Day, there is no doubt that there have been some noted and remembered fathers’ in Bollywood’s silver screen. However, there have been some very non-traditional characters as fathers too which have gone on to be remembered as father with a difference. As Indian cinema continues to evolve, BizAsia looks at some of those fathers that should remain unforgettable for that very reason.

Perhaps one of the most unconventional fathers to ever have been a part of Bollywood is Dharamvir Malhotra in ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ (1995), played by the very versatile Anupam Kher. He was a father who was friends with his son (played by Shah Rukh Khan) but what makes him so loved even today is that he celebrated his offspring’s failures. Also, the way he support his son to win over the family of his ladylove is very commendable and almost idealistic.

Another such father that had a battle almost to win over his own family was in ‘Baabul’ (2006) played by Amitabh Bachchan. His was a character, named Balraj Kapoor, who not only loses his son in an accident but he who makes his daughter-in-law (played by Rani Mukerji) believe that she still needs to live her life. He fights with his whole family – including his wife, played by Hema Malini – to get her married again, giving her Kanyadaan himself, and basically giving her re-birth after she mourns for the loss of her husband who was the love of her life.

Keeping it in with the Bachchan family, one of the most unique father-son relationships ever to enter Indian cinema was in 2009’s ‘Paa’. Amitabh Bachchan was seen playing the role of 12-year-old boy, Auro, with Progeria. He knows now who his father is but it soon becomes apparent that his mother, Vidya Balan, and politician Amol Arte, played by Abhishek Bachchan, had a relationship years ago. An interesting relationship develops between Auro and Arte, even when neither know their real relation. In a often comical, often poignant tale, the story of ‘Paa’ will be a little special as R Balki placed the real father as the reel son and the real son as the reel father.

In a non-conforming role, Ayushmann Khurrana made his debut in ‘Vicky Donor’ (2012). The film focussed on sperm donation and how his character, Vicky Arora, becomes a donor when he finds it hard getting a more acceptable job. In his time, he gives many families the chance to become all the more complete but at the same time comes as a crossroads when his own wife is unable to conceive, tragically. Khurrana was no doubt extremely brave to play such a role but with the subject in question, it was going to be a clear hit or miss with the audiences. It’s safe to say it was a hit and Khurrana became a very offbeat father to a very many children in the film.

The final name on our list comes with Ronit Roy’s character Vikram Malhotra in ‘2 States’ (2014). With an army background, his was a father filled with anger and rage and perhaps this is why his unseen warm-hearted nature which brought his son Krish (Arjun Kapoor) and his love Ananya (Alia Bhatt) together for the climax of the story is a little unexpected. Roy’s rendition is by far one of the best of the film and this list would have been incomplete without inclusion of this.

BizAsia would like to wish all the fathers a very happy Father’s Day.