Baghban turns 23: The Film taught India to call toxic parenting a sacrifice and guilt-tripping children a parent’s right

October 4, 2026 - 06:33

Two decades have passed since Baghban first appeared on screens, yet its emotional grip on Indian audiences remains as tight as ever. The film tells the story of Raj Malhotra, played by Amitabh Bachchan, and his wife Pooja, played by Hema Malini, who dedicate their lives to raising four sons. They give everything: money, time, comfort, and personal dreams. In return, they expect care in their old age. When that care does not arrive, the film frames their disappointment as a moral failure of the children.

But looking back after 23 years, the story reveals something more uncomfortable. Love in this household functions like a loan. Every meal, every school fee, every sacrifice becomes part of an invisible ledger. The parents are not simply generous. They are investors waiting for returns. The famous courtroom scene where Raj demands his due is not a plea for affection. It is a collection notice.

The film taught a generation to confuse emotional blackmail with devotion. It told parents that guilt is a valid tool and told children that independence is betrayal. Baghban still moves people to tears, but those tears often hide a harder truth. A family built on debt will always struggle to give love freely.