There's been a lot of talk on twitter about favorite real life Bolly Dads, like new Daddy Abhishek Bachchan and perennial favorites like Shah Rukh Khan, but I immediately began thinking of Dad characters that tugged at heart strings. Certain ones come to mind instantly, like Nana Patekar in Khamoshi: The Musical, Aamir Khan in Akele Hum Akele Tum and Shashi Kapoor in Aa Gale Lag Jaa.
Then I started thinking about who I would want to play my dad in a Bollywood movie ... here's what I came up with:
TOP TEN BOLLY ACTORS I WOULD WANT TO PLAY MY DAD
10. Alok Nath
The Sooraj Barjatya/Rajshri dad of choice. Seemingly sweet and kind and perfect. Sometimes annoyingly so.
9. Khulbhushan Karbandha
Because then I could always say my dad was SHAKAAAAAAAAAL!!!!
8. Naseerudin Shah
He was really, really brilliant in Monsoon Wedding. His reactions were so spot-on, it was just perfect. And subtle and conflicted but so dedicated in Masoom. Also brilliantly awkward as the absentee dad in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. Hilarious as portrait dad in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. I could go on and on.
7. Saeed Jaffrey
I just find him to be so jolly. I'm surprised we don't see more of him these days, he was somewhat of a staple in the 90s. He's so little and distinguished. He sometimes reminds me of a leprechaun.
6. Pran
Because you know, he might leave you and your brothers in the park and then you all get separated for 20+ years, but he'll find his way back to you eventually - perhaps with wealth beyond what you could have imagined in your little hut with Nirupa Roy.
5. Anupam Kher
I love a funny dad!
4. Dharmendra
Because then my dad would be the handsomest man in the world.
3. Amitabh Bachchan
Obvs. Can you imagine him singing you to sleep? Plus, he played his own dad in Mahaan, so I'm pretty sure he could play mine.
2. Rishi Kapoor
Cuddliest daddy ever. Plus, he'd have a TON of sweaters I could borrow.
1. Prakash Raj
I just absolutely adore him in dad roles. I know he hasn't done too many in Hindi films, but after seeing him in Abhiyum Naanum (Tamil), I want to see more of this character type for him. Less villains, more slightly neurotic and overprotective but ultimately dedicated and loving dads.
Yes, I admit the Rishi Kapoor one is slightly problematic since I also had a massive childhood crush on him, but I can easily separate pre-sweater uncle!Rishi from post-sweater uncle!Rishi in my mind. Now he is so roly-poly and sweet and I absolutely adored him as a to bits as a father and teacher in Do Dooni Chaar.
Then finally ... in true Bollystalgia fashion ... I started thinking about songs about dads. And here is the result! A playlist! Enjoy and Happy Father's Day!
A special shoutout to Asim from UPodcast who just became a dad this Father's Day too. Enjoy this crazy ride of parenthood Asim!
Love this post! Of course, I wholeheartedly agree with number 1, but I'm seriously considering Pran. I also wonder why we don't see more of Saeed Jaffrey in films these days. He'd be a great filmi dad, or goofy boss in lot of the recent rom-coms.
ReplyDeleteI also liked Naseeruddin Shah playing the guy I primarily thought was the father in That Girl With Yellow Boots. And of course, in all the other films.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise I'd choose Amitabh or Anupam, they are fantastic.
Its really good post....Prakash Raj
ReplyDeleteYay to your post! :)I was almost going with Rishi because, HELLO, "cuddliest dad EVER" but then I saw your Number 1 and was mad at myself that I didn´t think of it. How could I forget the quintessential DAD of SI movies? Praju is what makes these movies so awesome.;)
ReplyDeleteAmitabh would be way too stern for me, though. I can just imagine 15 year old me asking him to allow me to go out on sat night: "NO WAY, it´s not in our family tradition for girls to go out alone at night." And he would definitely not be okay with my Bunny/SRK mix of a boyfriend. It would never work out between the two of us.;)