Writer/Director: Ravi Chopra
Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Kha and Helma Malini
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Bollywood have earned praise of Amitabh Bachchan. Following his rise to fame amid the 1970’s, Bachchan has transformed in a legendary Bollywood icon. Whether it’s inspiring teachers, frustrated fathers or patriotic leaders, Bachchan has played many strong characters. Arguably, Bachchan’s best strength as an actor has always been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare Indian actors that has always had strong presence which has elevated every movie he is in. Through his capabilities to create characters which audience can easily relate to, Bachchan has become a celebrated Bollywood icon that audiences value. Although he is best known for roles in Bollywood, Bachchan has proven he excels in every genre. Despite reaching an age of retirement, Bachchan has never lost long lasting passion for entertainment. Throughout his illustrious career, Bachchan has produced countless movies which are absolutely worth talking about without any doubt.
I’m a big fan of Bachchan and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “Baghban” certainly stands out as his most subtle role. Released in 2003, Ravi Chopra’s film offered a powerful portrait of a broken Indian family. Packed with bold production, engaging storyline and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best Bollywood movies made about families. At centre of it all is a terrific performance by Amitabh Bachchan, playing a father enduring family tension. Ultimately, what makes “Baghban” a Bollywood classic is universal appeal. Unlike most Indian films made in the 2000’s, it tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. A riveting Bollywood classic about dysfunctional families, there’s several strong reasons why “Baghban” is a film worth watching.
“Baghban” tells the story of a father facing family tension struggling to raise ungrateful children. Amitabh Bachchan embodies Raj Malhotra, an aging patriarch of a family in India. Accompanied by his caring wife Pooja (Hema Malini), Raj has always done every single thing he can to care for his children. However, Raj’s life forever changes when he is abandoned by his children putting him in pressure. Left in a state of being homeless, Raj questions his devotion towards children which are careless. As all the odds become stacked against his favour, Raj questions if he can care for a family that’s under intense financial pressure.
Ravi Chopra has always been fascinated by themes of family trauma. His iconic movie “Zander” offered a strong portrait of Indian families torn apart by forces of crime. With “Baghban”, however, Chopra made his first movie about abandonment. It was Chopra’s first attempt to capture the tensions faced by parents abandoned by children in broken families but he succeeded. Using engaging cinematography, Chopra captures a father that struggles to raise a financially unstable family. Evoking Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham”, Chopra deftly uses montage to capture families torn apart by a financial problem. For instance, montages enhance the family meeting scene. During this tense scene, Raj has an argument with children on his family that causes tension. Using strong montages, Chopra constructs a portrait of a family that’s engaging. Montages are tricky. As Aditya Chopra’s “Mohabbatein” claimed, montages elevate Bollywood movies about college students. Nevertheless, it works in this film. Using captivating visuals, Chopra captures tensions that fathers in estranged families are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Baghban” which merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best Bollywood films ever made. Evoking Ramesh Sippy’s “Sholay”, Chopra stages marvellous musical numbers showcasing fathers facing hardships using cross-cutting. For instance, cross-cutting elevates the Chali Chali Phir” music sequence. During this heartwarming scene, Raj expresses his love for friends by singing a song. Using cross-cutting, Chopra creates a portrait of dysfunctional families that’s engaging. Moreover, the music score is magnificent. It gives the movie an intense atmosphere capturing a heavy burden that homeless parents bear. Through production, Chopra captures fathers which experience family tension.
Storytelling is one is the main reasons why “Baghban” is a Bollywood movie which is engaging. The film is extremely well-written, and effectively uses dramatic monologues to capture hardships that fathers in broken families are facing. For instance, dramatic monologues elevate the children problems scene. During this heartfelt scene, Raj has an intense argument with his children over the way in which they have mistreated him. Through captivating monologues, Chopra creates a portrait of dysfunctional families which audiences can relate to. Monologues are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Black” suggested, monologues elevate Bollywood films about disability. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Chopra captures broken families that face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Amitabh Bachchan delivers one of his best performances as Raj. Bachchan achieved appreciation for portraying anti-heroes in classic movies. With “Baghban”, however, he took on his most complex role. It is hard to play an aging father straggling to care for a broken family, but he succeeds. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most subtle role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and grief of a father which experiences family tensions. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the best actors that’s working in Bollywood today.
While the film is mainly a strong showcase for Amitabh Bachchan, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciation. Hema Malini is marvellous, bringing a sense of charisma to a mother struggling to take care of a dysfunctional family experiencing a big dilemma. Salman Khan is spectacular, capturing the caring nature of a son seeking to aid his financially unstable father. Lastly, Paresh Rawal deserves appreciations. As an Indian store owner, he is unforgettable.
Finally, “Baghban” would earn appreciation of everyone for capturing families that face tension. Unlike most Bollywood movies, the film tackles strong themes which everyone would relate to. It tackles powerful themes such as ambition, mental health and family that would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with Indian culture to enjoy it. Therefore, “Baghban” is one of those rare Bollywood movies that everyone would adore.
Fans of Amitabh Bachchan would definitely appreciate “Baghban” and so would movie-goers seeking touching entertainment. An incredible Indian family drama, it celebrates a legendary actor with charisma.
Nearly 25 years following the release of an iconic Bollywood film about fathers that are abandoned by neglectful children in families facing tension, it’s a fantastic reminder of a celebrated Indian actor that has established a strong reputation through abilities to play compelling characters in memorable movies that deserve appreciation.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 