Father’s Day: Five different on-screen portrayals of fathers in Bollywood

The bond between a father and child is passionate and endearing but often times underlooked. That mutual understanding fathers and their children have is also indescribable at times. Fathers have many traits and different approaches to showing their affection towards their children. BizAsiaLive.com takes a walk down memory lane this Father’s Day to highlight five effective father-child relationships Bollywood has given us.

Sushant Singh Rajput – ‘Chhichhore’ (2019)
In his last released film ‘Chhichhore’, Singh Rajput played the philosophical father to a young engineering aspirant. Singh Rajput’s character Aniruddh Pathak refuses to let his son Raghav believe that ending your life over a mere college rejection is the right thing to do. Sometimes all you need is a little push in life, especially when it’s not all pretty clouds and sunny skies. Aniruddh is an advisor and inspirational as he narrates his eventful college memories, convincing Raghav that life is more than which college you studied in.

Irrfan Khan – ‘Angrezi Medium’ (2020)
Fathers are the backbone of a child’s life and they are always willing to risk their lives for them. Khan played Champak Bansal, a supportive father in ‘Angrezi Medium’. His daughter Tarika nurtures the dream of traveling to the United Kingdom for her college education and Champak while reluctant, takes every step that is needed for her to fulfill her dreams. While in London, Tarika is itching to get out of her dad’s bubble and a hurt Champak still manages to watch over her regardless. He is willing to stay by her side as Tarika learns about the world her father protected her from.

Aamir Khan – ‘Dangal’ (2016)
Fathers have dreams for their children and there are times when those dreams seem elusive to them. In ‘Dangal’, Aamir Khan played wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat, a strict father. His unfulfilled dreams of winning a medal for India transitioned into the same aspirations for his daughters Babita and Geeta. Phogat is a strenuous taskmaster and is not willing to bend his rules in making his children successful wrestlers. In the moment when fathers lay down strict rules, their children find it difficult to process but there is always a positive outcome because fathers also know best.

Farooq Shaikh – ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’ (2013)
Fathers are inherently perceptive. They know when things will be in your favor but they are also an understanding pillar. Farooq Shaikh played an unassuming father in ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’. His son Kabir has his own aspirations to fly away to, which Shaikh’s character Sanjay Thapar is empathetic towards. Sanjay understands the dreams his son has laid out and reiterates that fathers will have an unconditional love towards their children, even if their own wants are sacrificed.

Anupam Kher – ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ (1995)
Fathers are the best friend that a lot of children wish for. They look forward to their father not punishing them for breaking their curfew or even failing an exam. Anupam Kher played that best friend in ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayange’ (1995). His character Dharamvir Malhotra is playful and collected, who stands by his son Rahul in his silly times, through his failures, and even helps him with his love story. This is the epitome of a best friend and Dharamvir Malhotra reminds us that our fathers can indeed be our confidante.

Father’s Day is a little different this year. Some fathers will see their children through their webcams or maybe even through their keyhole as they leave them goodies at the front door. The bond between a father and his children is cherishable and no matter how you’re celebrating it, BizAsiaLive.com wishes all the fathers a Happy Father’s Day!