Nine Bollywood On-Screen Fathers We Wish We’d Have

Easily the career-best performance of Pankaj Tripathi, Retired Colonel Anup Saxena is the feminist father, every young Indian girl dreams of. Not only does senior Saxena encourage his daughter to pursue her dreams, he also works alongside her to help her turn them into reality. Even during a crucial scene in the climax, Col. Saxena expresses his disappointment towards his daughters lack of belief without raising his voice. Its a tender, sensitive portrayal, indeed.

In what was an abysmally average film, Irrfan Khan as Champak Bansal totally had us invested in his selfless, unconditional act in 'Angrezi Medium'. As the father who doubles up as the mother and friend to his rather demanding daughter, one couldn't help but root for the character who goes to all lengths to ensure his daughter realised her big foreign dreams.

In what can be termed as 2020's most notable performance, Kumud Mishra playing Amrita's father Sachin Sandhu provides a pillar of support to his daughter when she takes the tough call to seek divorce from her husband after he slaps her at a house-party in 'Thappad'. He even takes it upon himself to correct his shortcomings as a husband when he not only addresses his male privilege but also reprimands his son when he gets aggressive with his girlfriend over an argument. Sachin Sandhu represents fathers, Indian daughters need today.

As the poetry-loving, railway ticket collector, Gajraj Rao as Jeetendra Kaushik in 'Badhaai Ho' brought out an affectionate and deeply heartfelt performance of a man who loves and respects his wife. Despite being a short-hand at English, he is very social with his son's girlfriend and even forgives his sons for their hostile behaviour towards their parents. Last but not the least, the overwhelming joy he feels at the birth of his daughter drove waterworks down our faces.

Well, I'm not sure if its progressive or cute for a father to be indulging his daughter's smoking habit but Pankaj Tripathi playing Narottam Mishra in 'Bareilly Ki Barfi' was an adorable sight. He understands the social pressures that come with having a daughter waiting to be wed. He does not give into that pressure despite his wife constantly fussing over the same and ridiculing his daughter. Instead, he lets her be and respects her choices. It's one of those performances where a part of you would want to reach out and give the actor, a hug.

While the story of Neerja's bravery cannot be comprehended in words, it must be noted that she was able to overcome the grief of a failed, abusive marriage and pursue her ambitions because her father accepted her back and supported her, despite initial resistance from her mother. As Harish Bhanot, Yogendra Tiku showed courage and faith even when news of the hijacked plane carrying his daughter as the flight's Head Pursuer reaches him. The film garnered rave reviews for the roles played by Sonam Kapoor Ahuja and Shabana Azmi but Tiku's performance was equally sensitive and effective.

As the revered Sanskrit professor alongside the riverbanks in Varanasi, Sanjay Mishra as Prof. Vidyadhar Pathak in 'Masaan' portrayed the desperation behind the lengths to which a father can go to save his daughter from infamy when she's caught red-handed by police officials for indulging in pre-marital sex. Not only is he accepting of his daughter despite her non-virginal status, he goes out of his way to ensure her life returns to normalcy with a steady job, even while she's grappling with the loss of her partner.

Amitabh Bachchan playing the hypochondriac Bhaskor Banerjee in 'Piku' was quite a handful. But beneath his annoying ways, lived a staunch feminist. A man who was unafraid about having his daughter remain unwed, yet encouraging her to be financially independent.

As the ever-smiling and cheerful father with humble means, Farooque Shaikh as Sanjay Thapar made us cry buckets in the climax scene of 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani' when he tells his selfish son Kabir aka Bunny, played by Ranbir Kapoor, to follow his dreams. Don't we all want a father who lets us be and live our lives as per our wishes?

Over the years, Bollywood has overcome the happy Indian family syndrome and has come off age with the way family members are portrayed on-screen. In the last few years, Bollywood's on-screen dads have become cooler, infact too cool for school. We don't see them as the strict disciplinarians who found pride in regressive family traditions and honour at the expense of their children's happiness. We see them as nurturers and being the wind beneath the wings of their kids. We bring you nine such examples of Bollywood daddies we absolutely adore and secretly wish we were their kids.