Kamal Ghorui
Ravi Chopra’s 2003 family drama Baghban has long occupied a special place in popular culture. For years, the Hema Malini–Amitabh Bachchan film has been widely viewed as a defining portrayal of ageing parents neglected by their children. Centered on an elderly retired couple treated as a burden by their four sons, the film struck an emotional nerve—especially with Amitabh Bachchan’s climactic monologue, which became iconic for calling out an ungrateful younger generation.But two decades later, audiences are beginning to reassess the film, viewing it through a more contemporary and critical lens.Actor Samir Soni, who played Sanjay Malhotra, the second son of Raj (Amitabh Bachchan) and Pooja Malhotra (Hema Malini)—recently shared a viral Instagram reel that reflects this shift in perspective. In the video, a Gen-Z content creator questions Baghban’s moral framework, describing it as “boomer propaganda,” and argues that Sanjay’s character was unfairly portrayed as the antagonist.
Focusing on scenes between Raj Malhotra and Sanjay, the influencer suggests that Sanjay’s expectations were practical rather than cruel. She praises the character for being disciplined and empathetic toward his wife’s concerns, while also highlighting his financial reasoning. “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 says.The reel also revisits the much-discussed typewriter scene. Here, Sanjay’s wife requests that her father-in-law avoid using the typewriter late at night because the noise disrupts her sleep—especially since she is a working woman who needs to wake up early. Sanjay calmly relays this request, suggesting his father use the machine in his own room, limit its use to mornings, or consider a laptop. Despite the reasonable tone, Raj Malhotra takes offence, with background music once again framing the son and daughter-in-law as insensitive.Another moment dissected in the reel is the Karva Chauth sequence. After fasting all day, Sanjay’s wife proposes going out for dinner, assuming her father-in-law will eat at his usual café. However, Raj declines the café owner’s repeated offers and returns home to find no food waiting, an episode presented as yet another emotional slight against him.Sharing the reel on his own Instagram account, Samir Soni responded with a touch of irony and appreciation for the changing times. In his caption, he wrote, “Finally some redemption after 20 years. Just love the new generation.”
