Baghban

Lately, Bollywood has churned out movies with tremendous show of skin and exhibitionism, but this movie is such a stark contrast and is one of the reasons that it works. In this movie they have dealt with the age-old issue of children not willing to take the responsibility of their parents when the parents are considered "useless" by their children. Although we have seen such movies in the past like Avtar and Amrit, but what is different about this movie is the way they have shown the romance of an old couple. I can't remember seeing such romance in any other Hindi movie, so it is refreshing to see that even an old couple can have youthful romance.

This is one of those movies that makes you think and analyze your relationship with your parents. As one's parents get older their habits get formed and many times members of the younger generation (myself included) get angry at them and I felt how important it is to overlook the immediate state of your parents, and instead to reflect on how they have toiled in bringing you up. Another question that arose in my mind after watching the movie was whether parents have children so that they have someone to take care of them or do they have children without any ulterior motive. After having discussions with my Mom (in relation to this movie) I realized that, yes, everyone does have expectations, but that's not the reason that they work so hard to build a child's future. In fact, as a child, we have expectations from our parents through our dependence on them, so why should we accuse them of wrongdoing when we have similar expectations. It is human to want to be loved, and that's the least we can do for our parents. Well, after reading this lengthy philosophical discussion you can see how thought-provoking this movie is. Let me get back to the movie. After a long time I have enjoyed watching Amitabh Bachchan, and Hema Malini's performance was so subtle and yet she gave a powerful performance. There is one scene in particular, where she tells Amitabh to have his medicine (right before they get separated) and one moment she has her eyes shut and the next moment her eyes are filled with tears. In this movie I didn't find much melodrama and the dialogues are hard-hitting and are to the point. Finally, the performance of Paresh Rawal, is, as usual, very good. I hope everyone watches this movie with their families.

I watched the movie again after about two decades. Some things slipped from mind. The highlight was however was cast of Alok. I somehow felt he is first introduced while the scene involving test drive.

If we see the script, that introduction of Alok seem overdone. They could have done it better but that could have not been that entertaining.

I just pray a loving couple is never separated and funds never become as issue.

Music is good that goes well along with the movie.

Acting is justified. The grand children were great. Characters alongside café, bank, and rented house did well. Salman as Alok slightly overdone as I want to ask is Salman really that polite in real life?

Final Verdict: Do watch it, it's available on YouTube. You will love it if you are in right relationship with your parents.

There are few thing that stand out, music by Aditya Shrivastava and the Choreography by Vibhavi Merchat. This is one of the movies where you treasure the CD and the DVD,since there is complete instrumental of the "Mere Mukuda Tere Soniye" number which is superbly melodious. This is a movie that will be a classic with the inimitable Amitab Bachchan who also has become a singer another feather in the cap of this talented actor. Hisventies. His bronzed voice, albeit with litte vocal lessons for modulation; is astounding and a cross between Hemant Kumar and Saigal. Paresh Rawal and Lilette Dubey (Monsoon Wedding,Om Jai Jagdish,Chalte Chalte)are not only make a great comedy team but versatile actors. I was just spellbound by this movie so much so it takes you back to the golden era of the Sixties when it was called "Bombay" not Bollywood.

First of all, I would like to take this opportunity to agree with jungleking. He has told it like it is.

I'll admit there are a few movies that will make me ball out and this is one of them. This is movie is reality in its true colours.

Great performances by the whole cast and great work by the crew.

I believe that Baghban should be made into a book, but that is my view.

If you haven't seen Baghban, watch it as soon as possible. It is worth the time.

Okay, the movie has a good theme--people should not forget their parents and discard them when they get old. However, I don't see some of the things happening in real life, especially things like Amitabh's glasses not being repaired. Sometimes the anger was also justified such as the late-night typewriter incident and the daughter coming back home at 3 AM (since they didn't know the true story). Somethings were just over-doing it, such as Salman and Mahima literally worshiping Salman's parents. The ever-growing love between Amitabh and Hema was really sweet. It was nice to see elderly, true love after watching cliched perfect 20s romance in every movie. What I especially didn't like about this movie is that it put women back in the 19th century where they are supposed to sit on the edge of their chair every evening, waiting for their husband to open the door; they should live in the kitchen. Hema's dialogue, "Times may change, but a woman's role never changes" ticked me off. However, this whole movie was made up by the climax, which was one extraordinary speech by Amitabh. His perfect eloquence is unmatchable by any other orator in Indian cinema. His words envelope you and take you on an emotional roller coaster.