Father’s Day 2017: 5 Bad Bollywood Dads That Messed Up Their Kids

Amrish Puri in 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' (1995)

One of the most seminal movies of Bollywood history is none other than 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge'. The movie about a young woman finding love, and breaking free from the oppressive reigns of her father, is considered one of the most memorable movies of the industry. Legendary actor, the late Amrish Puri plays the father to the lead heroine (Kajol, again), and is essentially the villain of the story. And despite a redeeming climax, the character is one of the worst fathers in Bollywood.

basically 'cuz of things like this...

(I'm just going to use the actors' names here because their characters are basically interchangeable in every movie.) When Kajol's arranged marriage is finalized by her father, against her own wishes, it understandably causes some internal conflict within her. After coming to a realization, she begs her father for one last adventure before her marriage. He grants her (almost like a last request, since arranged marriage is often equated to a death sentence) wish for a trip around Europe, before marrying someone she's never met.

The movie tries to humanize Puri's character as being traditional and old-school, which is fine. It's one thing if the father considers what he's doing as the right thing, from his perspective. But that's not the case here. Not only does Puri's dad-villain realize that he's encroaching on his daughter's personal wishes and own sense of happiness, but allows her to, get that happiness out of her system, before ruining her life.

also things like this...

This is even more evident at how completely un-strict he is in granting this request in the first place. When the father is away, Kajol, her sister and mother enjoy listening to Western music. But the minute he returns, they have to scramble to put on something more traditionally Indian.

So it's safe to say that he runs a pretty strict household. But out of nowhere, becomes completely accepting of his daughter galivanting around Europe, without any supervision, for days? It's very much unlike him, unless of course he also realizes the life of servitude awaiting her in marriage, making it unlikely that she'll ever experience this again.

Which makes it even worse that he's putting her through that, full well knowing what's in store for her. Worst. Father. Ever!

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