From Shah Rukh Khan to Aamir Khan, several actors have played fathers who were unlike the regular dads we see in our Bollywood films. From being cranky to over protective, we’ve had many interesting portrayals. On Father’s Day 2024, we list 10 such unconventional dads who were unique and memorable.
Bollywood fathers who were different in their own way
Bollywood has time and again found its safe haven in its oscreen fathers. Be it single dads, or those who are overprotective about their kids, or even the doting ones, one can often see a reflection of our own fathers in the way Hindi movies depict. And with time, the manner in which these characters are being written is only getting better, more realistic and honest.
While actors like Amrish Puri, Alok Nath and Anupam Kher did their job well in being some of the most popular onscreen dads, we also had some unique fathers who were unlike what you would’ve expected. From the storyline around them to the actors who portrayed them, everything was rare about these patriarchs.
On Father’s Day, we take a look at some of the unconventional Bollywood dads, who left a deep impression on the audience minds for reasons.
Mehmood gave a memorable performance in Kunwara Baap
Among the earliest single dads of Hindi cinema, legendary actor Mehmood played a kunwara baap in this tearjerker. The actor played a rickshawala who raises a kid with polio abandoned by his parents. Though the film was aimed at spreading awareness about polio, it touched the hearts with a performance that was a pleasant departure from Mehmood’s regular comic gigs.
Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai (1998)
Salman Khan and Aditya Narayan in a still from Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai
Salman Khan played an accidental dad to Aditya Narayan, who enters his life out of nowhere, making him look back at his various past flings and wonder who his mother is. Salman’s turn from a casanova to a protective father in this romcom was an interesting character, when he was mostly doing typical hero roles in 90s.
Abhishek Bachchan played Amitabh Bachchan’s father in Paa
Playing a father to your father wasn’t something anyone would’ve imagined Abhishek Bachchan doing. But, he won hearts with Paa by protraying a man yearning to fulfil his fatherly duties despite his public image as a politician. His son (Amitabh Bachchan) born out of wedlock with Vidya Balan, suffers from progeria. The emotional scenes between the father-son still remain afresh.
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013)
Farooq Sheikh left an emotional dent in the audience’s hearts with Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
One of Farooq Sheikh’s last movie outings before his demise, his beautiful special appearance is still celebrated. The legendary actor’s scenes with his son Kabir (Ranbir Kapoor) were among the best moments of the movie, that leave you teary eyed more than once. He depicted every father who lives for his kid’s happiness, even if it meant putting his own desires on the back burner.
Deepika Padukone and Amitabh Bachchan won hearts with Piku
This father-daughter duo might be among the crankiest you’ve seen in Bollywood, but there were so many layers of love and respect on the inside. The way they communicated in silences was beyond measure. They cared, fought, reconciled and missed each other only to keep coming back in the comfort of their camaraderie. Bhashkor Banerjee was snarky, but too real to be true.
Aamir Khan had a major physical transformation for Dangal
A fan favourite feminist father, when Aamir Khan asked “mhari choriyan choron se kam hain ke?” we all felt it. Playing wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat in this biographical, he hard nut haanikaarak bapu. Aamir balanced the role to the T, as he played a soft man on the inside, who dreams big for his kids. A memorable Bollywood father!
Alaya F played Saif Ali Khan’s onscreen daughter in Jawaani Jaaneman
When a father is a more flamboyant character than his pregnant daughter, we have a quirky parent-kid relationship. And who better than Saif Ali Khan to do that. He plays a 4o-year-old man, a carefree womaniser, who still believes life is a big party, until he has to confront a mother-to-be daughter he never knew he had!
Sharib Hashmi received a lot of praise for his performance in Darbaan
Sharib Hashmi’s most striking performance till date, he plays a man caught under a guilt and eventually gives away his own son to the couple he serves, in redemption. A selfless man who goes beyond his periphery to raise his son. Based on Rabindra Nath Tagore’s short story, this is probably the best adaption you’ll see.
Sunny Deol played Utkarsh Sharma’s father in Gadar 2
Tara Singh can extract any handpump to save his family. In the sequel, he plays a father who can take on an entire nation and create mayhem if anyone puts a finger on his son Jeete. Sunny Deol created a separate fan base for Tara, and only took it to another level in the sequel. The coordinated action scenes of father-son were quite a spectacle in this blockbuster.
Shah Rukh Khan had a double role of both father and son in Jawan
Shah Rukh Khan played both father and son. But, it was the daddy who stole the show. As Vikram Rathore, who carried an air of mystery, was a menace to his enemies. He not just got the best dialogues, but even the best punches. So much so, that fans demanded a spinoff of this character, tracing his years when he was rescued, until he reunites with his son, Azad. Vikram has no memory of his son, but when he hugs Azad, the audience feels.
