From ‘Gunjan Saxena’ to ‘Do Dooni Chaar’: 'Desi’ on-screen fathers we adore

For too long, Bollywood has romanticised the emotionally distant, aggressive, or downright toxic father figure, the kind of dad who believes discipline is love and silence is strength. However, a new kind of father has emerged on-screen slowly and steadily. The one that is more relatable, soft, and supportive.

This Father’s Day, it’s time we gave these on-screen fathers their due recognition. These are the “pookie papas” of Bollywood, the affectionate, warm-hearted, quietly heroic dads who show up, listen, and support.

This Father’s Day, it’s time we gave these adorable and super supportive on-screen fathers their due recognition.

Pankaj Tripathi in ‘Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl’

Take Pankaj Tripathi in Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl. As Anup Saxena, he’s not a man of many words or grand declarations, but his belief in his daughter’s dreams is unwavering.

When the world doubted Gunjan for being a woman aspiring to fly in the Indian Air Force, he not only stood by her but empowered her with the tools. He is the supportive father we all wish for.

Irrfan Khan in ‘Angrezi Medium’

Then there’s Irrfan Khan’s Champak Bansal in ‘Angrezi Medium’, who embodies selfless love in its purest form. A modest sweet shop owner in Udaipur, Champak goes to unimaginable lengths, legal chaos, visa troubles, and language barriers, to ensure his daughter gets a chance to study abroad.

What makes him truly special isn’t just the effort, but his humility and humor through it all. He never tries to control his daughter’s ambitions; he simply wants to support them, even if he doesn’t fully understand them.

Kumud Mishra in ‘Thappad’

In the movie ‘Thappad’, Taapsee Pannu's father, Sachin Sandhu, is played by Kumud Mishra. The film shows that the relationship with her father significantly influences her expectations from her life partner. The love and encouragement she receives from her father shape her understanding of what a healthy relationship should be.

This dynamic is crucial in understanding Amrita's journey and her response to the challenges she faces in her marriage.

Shah Rukh Khan in ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’

Shah Rukh Khan’s Rahul in ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ might not tick all the boxes as a romantic hero, but as a father, he gets a high score. He’s present, involved, and emotionally open with his daughter, Anjali. He listens to her, shares her grief, and allows her to meddle in his love life - all signs of a dad who values his child’s feelings as much as his own.

Rishi Kapoor in ‘Do Dooni Chaar’

And of course, Rishi Kapoor’s Santosh Duggal in ‘Do Dooni Chaar’ is a classic pookie dad. A humble middle-class schoolteacher, he juggles financial stress, a demanding household, and societal pressure, but still manages to parent with grace, humor, and love. He’s flawed, relatable, and totally loveable, a perfect blend of discipline and softness.

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These portrayals matter. They remind us that masculinity doesn’t need to be stern to be strong, that love isn’t always loud, and that the best dads aren’t the ones who control their kids but the ones who champion them.

So, this Father’s Day, let’s pause on the angry, absent Bollywood father tropes and rewatch or watch these movies!