The 2003 family drama Baghban, directed by Ravi Chopra, has long been a part of pop culture discussions. For years, the Hema Malini–Amitabh Bachchan starrer has been considered a benchmark film depicting the struggles of ageing parents and how they are overlooked by their children. The film portrays the hardships of an elderly retired couple who are seen as a burden by their four sons. Bachchan’s climactic monologue, aimed at an ungrateful generation, struck an emotional chord with audiences and became iconic. However, perspectives around the film are now changing, with viewers revisiting it through a more critical lens.

The Baghban perspective changes

Recently, actor Samir Soni shared a viral Instagram reel in which a Gen-Z content creator calls out Baghban for what she terms “boomer propaganda.” Soni played Sanjay Malhotra, the second son of Raj (Amitabh Bachchan) and Pooja Malhotra (Hema Malini). Picking scenes featuring Raj Malhotra and his son Sanjay, the influencer argues that Sanjay only made logical demands and reasonable expectations from his father.