7 Popular Bollywood Movies That Featured Super Toxic Parents

For many of us, toxicity is a word we usually associate with an ex or a college friend. However, for many young Indians out there, toxic parents are an actual reality. While they may not really want you to get hurt or want harm to come your way, their actions and behaviors towards you say otherwise. Considering that movies are often based on real-life, there have been many toxic parent characters in Bollywood who have shown us a glimpse of the reality. If you’ve had to deal with toxic parents yourself, you can probably relate to many of the movies featured on this list. So let’s take a look at Bollywood #failparenting moments:

1. Taare Zameen Par

The reason why so many of us could relate to Ishaan Awasthi in this film was because we’ve all had to deal with parents who’ve pressured us to excel in academics. Even if we were ace students, there may have been a time when we didn’t have a good time at school. At these times, it is difficult to confide in your parents if they don’t listen to you. In the film, we see Ishaan’s father’s cruel behavior towards him, and his mother tries her best to be there for him. While the pair do eventually make amends, it is pretty upsetting to see.

2. Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham

Let’s be real, The Raichands kind of sucked. They were way too obsessed with class and status to actually care about their family dynamics. Yashvardhan truly deserves The Father Of The Year Award (sarcasm) for adopting Rahul and then kicking him out after he falls for a woman who doesn’t match their “standards.” We’re introduced to the typical patriarchal mindset of an old-fashioned, egotistical Indian father in the form of Yashvardhan. Many kids can probably relate to their parents being disapproving of their partners.

3. Rang De Basanti

So what happens when your father is the literal villain of the film and beyond redemption? You kill him, of course. Well, that might be a bit too extreme, but in the case of Rang De Basanti, Karan’s father, Rajnath Singhania, is one of the key people responsible for the death of his best friend. Anupam Kher plays the cunning, business-minded, and corrupt father of Karan’s and openly lies to him. Unfortunately, Karan dies at the end of the film after avenging his friend’s death.

4. Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon

Toxic parents who are obsessed with status and wealth seem to be a common trope in many Bollywood films. In this film, we deal with the gold digger-esque, Satyaprakash, and Susheela, who aren’t just incredibly dumb, but also cunning and heartless. The pair only approve of Prem when they are under the belief that he’s a wealthy kid and a green card holder. Once his real identity is discovered, they do everything they can to dissuade their daughter from being with the “fake-Prem” and choose the real Prem (cue iconic “toh phir problem kya hai?” dialogue).

5. Dil Dhadakne Do

One of the recent entries into the world of toxic parents was The Mehras in Dil Dhadakne Do. Not only were they obsessed with their class and being rich, but they were uber superficial as well and only set out to prove their worth in the society through their riches. We see their children struggle to get out from under their overcasting shadows. Even when Aisha does well, her father seems to berate her, and he detests Kabir wanting to pursue his own career. These parents remind us of the uber high society parents who only seem obsessed with projecting the image of a happy life rather than actually living one.

6. 3 Idiots

Well, to be honest, every single parent in this film had some kind of toxic notion towards life. Whether it was discouraging their children from pursuing their dreams or having an overenthusiastic interest in their love lives, 3 Idiots had them all. If the boys ever decide to break free and try new things, their parents discouraged them from doing so and often mocked and chastised them. No wonder we see so many of them going through emotional turmoil throughout the course of their college. Many Indians out there can relate to being forced into choosing a stream their parents pushed them into.

7. Student Of The Year

Ashok Nanda is the typical parent who continually feels the need to compass their kids with others around them. The toxic relationship shared between Ashok and his son Rohan is fascinating to watch. Simply because it’s something many of us can relate to. There are many out there who can relate to “Sharmaji’s Beta”, but there are also many others who might not be the class toppers. Almost every Indian parent is habituated to comparing their kid to other kids around them.

While toxic parents may seem to be a common Bollywood stereotype, there are many wholesome Bollywood parents in films like Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Naa and Gunjan Saxena. At the end of the day, every single parent has their flaws, but most of them do truly want what’s best for their child and hopes that their child soars in life. Is there a Bollywood film that you believe deserved a mention on this list. Let us know in the comment section below!

Banner Image Credits: DNA India , DNA India

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Niharika NayakBA (Media & Communication)

 

Niharika has a passion for all things art, music, and travel and has over 4 years of experience in writing for social media. During her spare time, she likes experimenting in the kitchen, playing video games, and hanging out with stray animals.

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