The 2003 family drama Baghban, directed by Ravi Chopra, has long been a part of pop culture discussions. For years, the Hema Malini–Amitabh Bachchan starrer has been considered a benchmark film depicting the struggles of ageing parents and how they are overlooked by their children. The film portrays the hardships of an elderly retired couple who are seen as a burden by their four sons. Bachchan’s climactic monologue, aimed at an ungrateful generation, struck an emotional chord with audiences and became iconic. However, perspectives around the film are now changing, with viewers revisiting it through a more critical lens.
The Baghban perspective changes
Recently, actor Samir Soni shared a viral Instagram reel in which a Gen-Z content creator calls out Baghban for what she terms “boomer propaganda.” Soni played Sanjay Malhotra, the second son of Raj (Amitabh Bachchan) and Pooja Malhotra (Hema Malini). Picking scenes featuring Raj Malhotra and his son Sanjay, the influencer argues that Sanjay only made logical demands and reasonable expectations from his father.
The Gen-Z influencer praised Sanjay’s character for being punctual and receptive to his wife’s concerns. “He’s also an intellectual because he asks his father why he doesn’t have any FDs, gratuity or savings. But then a very emotional song plays in the background and the son is turned into a villain. Bro, your son is right. Why do you not have savings? It’s not like you worked at a bad place. You worked at a very reputed bank,” she argued.
In another instance, the influencer highlights the typewriter scene, where Sanjay’s wife requests him to ask his father not to use the machine late at night, as the noise disturbs her sleep. She is a working woman who has to wake up early for her job. Sanjay politely suggests that his father use the typewriter in his own room or keep it for the morning, also recommending a laptop instead. However, Raj Malhotra takes offence, and emotional background music plays to villainise the son and his wife.
The third argument centres around the Karva Chauth scene, where Sanjay’s wife suggests going out for dinner after fasting the entire day. She assumes her father-in-law will eat at the café he regularly visits. However, Raj Malhotra chooses to skip dinner at the café despite the owner`s insistence, and returns home to no food — again portrayed as an emotional slight against him.
Sharing the reel on his Instagram feed, Samir Soni reacted with humour and wrote in the caption, “Finally some redemption after 20 years. Just love the new generation.”
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The film also had a special appearance by Salman Khan, as the adopted son of Amitabh and Hema and the one who cares for them the way they would like.
