Spending time watching a movie together is a wonderful way to bond, create lasting memories, and, on special occasions, turn on the films we’ve already loved. Movies have the power to help us relive treasured memories or create new ones. Father’s Day brings a mix of emotions, from joy to nostalgia and this year, we decided it would be great to give our readers (and watchers) a list of titles to choose from for the Father’s Day TV time!
Whether you’re celebrating your dad, remembering him, or simply cherishing your moments together with older or newer generation, a great movie can be the perfect companion. Grab some popcorn, get comfortable, and dive into our list of recommended Desi and English films to watch with your kids, dads, granddads, and father-figures!
10 Desi Movies to Watch With Dads Who Love Bollywood!
Let’s start with Desi cinema. Our culture deeply embeds the love for parents, the respect for fathers, and the significance of family bonds. Desi theatre has excelled in preserving these virtues while also adapting to societal changes over the years. Here are some titles you can enjoy with your dad and kids of different ages!
Shakti – 1982
A father and a son share a very unique bond – of distrust, anger, and hatred. This movie will always be remembered for its simmering and smoldering dialogues and the clash of the two titans Amitabh and Dilip sahab, who delivered, undoubtedly, the most power packed performances of their careers. This movie is the only movie that cast the two ruling heroes of their times and budding star, Anil Kapoor. If you, your father and grandfather are from a certain generation, this movie will sit very well with the gang!
Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham – 2001
The relationship between an adopted son and his foster dad forms the fabric of this masala potboiler. The story is completely desi, but it appeals to the sensibilities of western audience also due to its humor, likability of characters, stellar music, and the universal theme of importance of family.
Akele Hum Akele Tum – 1995
Although a remake of the classic Kramer vs Kramer, this film expanded on the plot of the original and added more depth to the storyline. Amir skillfully played the role of a single dad fighting a fierce custody battle, for his only son, with his estranged wife. Aamir, being Mr. Perfectionist, very convincingly portrayed the spectrum of emotions that his character required, specially in the scenes with his son.
Dangal – 2016
Based on a true story, this inspirational film tells the tale of Phogat, a renowned wrestler who dreamt of winning gold for India in wrestling. Having failed at his aspiration, he vowed to make his daughters fulfil his dream. In a society where male child is considered an asset, and female child a liability, this film is all about a father who didn’t believe in these stereotypes, and empowered his daughters to push themselves to break ceilings, norms, and records.
Piku – 2015
A sweet, funny, and very original take on the relationship between an aging father and his very accomplished and independent daughter in urban India. Deepika was endearing in the role of a caring daughter who chose to stay single to take care of her hypochondriac and fussy dad.
Munna Bhai MBBS – 2003
This movie is one of my all time favorites. To please his dad, Munna – a small time gangster – faked being a doctor. When his dad uncovered the truth, he actually enrolled himself in a medical school to earn the MBBS degree. This movie was a really humorous take on the expectations desi parents put on their kids. Interesting fact: the roles were played by real-life father and son.
Mughal e Azam – 1960
A cult classic – Mughal-e-Azam showcases the tussle and tension between two generations – only this time the generations in question happen to be a Mughal king and his heir to the throne who haplessly fell in love with a lowly court dancer. Watch it for the ethereal beauty of Madhubala – if nothing else.
Drishyam – 2015
A dad can go to any length to save his family even if he has no education, no skills, no experience, and no resources. Ajay played the role of an average joe, who overnight turned into a strategic planner, with amazing sincerity and conviction.
Paa – 2009
In real life Amitabh Bachchan is the dad and Abhishek Bachchan is the son. They play father and son in this movie too with the exception that Amitabh plays the son, suffering from a rare disease called Progeria, and Abhishek his politician dad. It is interesting to see their chemistry and the role reversal.
Wazir – 2016
Being disabled didn’t prevent a dad from avenging his daughter’s wrongful death. Father daughter love – though not shown in detail – serves as the catalyst to move the story of this thriller forward.
10 Western Cinema Productions for Father’s Day!
While the West may not emphasize its relationship with fathers with the same extreme respect seen in traditional cultures like those in Pakistan, India, and other parts of Asia, the bond is rooted in the valuable concept of giving children the freedom to think, learn, and fail. Parenting, like many aspects of society, is transforming, and movies are reflecting these changes.
Father of the Bride – 1991
This film is a classic example of a simple plot line working very effectively due to charismatic characters, and exceptional comedy elements. Steve Martin played the role of an overprotective and overbearing father who could not come to grips with the idea of his daughter getting married. Most of us ladies can somewhere see our own dads in his character.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade – 1989
Kids always seek validation from their dads even if it means risking their lives to make them proud. Indy had a strained relationship with his father since he always prioritized work over him. An adventure of a lifetime that involved saving his father’s life made him value his old man, appreciate and understand his pursuits and passions, and realize that he was the chip of the same block.
Lion King – 1994
Simba used to idolize his father and aspired to become like him. A tragic incident broke his spirit and resolve, and he ran away from his land and his duty. Simba’s coming of age and returning to his land to avenge the death of his father and taking back his throne form the rest of the movie. One of the most memorable scenes in movie history is the scene from Lion King where Simba’s dad Mufasa sacrificed his life to save his son. There was not a dry eye in the theatre. Lion King is a very relatable allegory and that’s why it is valid even today – more than thirty years after its release.
The Pursuit of Happyness – 2006
This film restores your faith in humanity. It is a sincere, fulfilling, and genuinely moving saga of a down-on-his-luck salesman who went to great lengths to provide for his son. There are moments of frustration and anguish, but they are punctuated by heartfelt, and feel-good moments between the father son duo who happen to be father and son in real life too.
Life is Beautiful – 1997
In ‘the Room’, a mother created a safe haven for his son in a 10 by 10 shed where they were imprisoned. In ‘Life is Beautiful’, a father did the same for his son – except that the setting was a much grimmer concentration camp. The story is extremely depressing, but the director managed to inject humor and lightheartedness even in the most horrible situations.
Despicable Me – 2010
What not to like in this adorable story that features a soft-at-heart villain, three adorable orphan kids, and an army of mumbling minions! An adoptive dad can be as loving and nurturing as a biological one. Gru aspired to be a super villain, but three cute little daughters came into his life and brought out the best in him.
Annie – 1982
This is a heartwarming children’s movie that has been remade several times, and is loved and appreciated by multiple generations. Annie, a Depression era orphan, wrapped the cold-hearted and emotionless billionaire Warbucks around her cute little finger, won his heart, and turned him into a tender family man.
Interstellar – 2014
This is one science fiction movie which is more about relationships than about science. A father promised his daughter that he would come home to her, and he kept his words against all odds proving that some relationships transcend time, distance and dimensions.
Cheaper by the Dozen – 2003
Being the dad of one child is enough work. Just imagine being the dad of a brood of twelve. The eccentric, unusual, and anxious Steve Martin found himself as the sole caretaker of a dozen kids when his wife had to move for work. What follows is typical chaos and destruction, but somehow Martin learnt the ropes of fatherhood and strengthened his bond with his kids while restoring order and peace in their lives.
Elf – 2003
Elf is a sweet and charming movie about a boy raised by the elves in the North Pole. What unfolds when he journeys to New York in search of his biological father forms the story line of this warm and fuzzy Christmas classic. It will fill your heart with holiday cheer and may even turn you into a believer of the elves and Santa.
We hope this list enhances your Father’s Day movie time. It is never too late to express your love to your dad. Good thing about dads is that they are not as touchy as moms so a little delay in gifts is not as frowned upon. Here is a list of hand-picked items that you can order for your dad if you are still looking! Want to send a cool message to your dad? Send this post – he will be sure to enjoy it!
A note from Riffat Rehman (co-writer) – Movies have always been a bridge between generations in our family. They served not just as entertainment but as a medium for learning and reflection. One of the favorite things my father used to do was show us kids the movies he had admired as a young man- movies like Ben-Hur, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Mughal-e-Azam, Devdas. These moments of the only available version of the then screen time together broadened our horizons, helping us acquire a taste for classics, witness the evolution of the film industry, and appreciate the achievements of artists from previous eras of Raj Kumar, Nargis, Sophia Loren, Anthony Quinn, Sean Connery and many others. My father had a remarkable skill for analyzing movies, delving into the stories and characters. His insightful comments and discussions about films left an indelible mark on me. He taught us to appreciate the nuances of storytelling, the artistry of cinematography, and the dedication of actors and directors who bring these stories to life. Unlike many from his time, he was very welcoming to younger, upcoming directors, actors, and story writers of that time, admiring the art for the sake of art, not to prove his generational superiority. Even today, when I watch a movie, I unconsciously think about how he would have viewed that particular production, what angles he would have highlighted that others might have overlooked. I have, on few occasions also sat down with my kids and picked movies from my and my dad’s time and immensely enjoyed. I miss my father on this Father’s Day, as I have for the past 17 years. This year, I thought of including a post that celebrated our shared love for movies. I brainstormed the idea with Sofia and sent her few titles of my likes. She took it to the next level adding memorable titles to the list and made the post that you have just read, more fun by adding interesting blurbs under each movie. So here’s to my father, and to all others who share their passions and wisdom with their children. Happy Father’s Day! Let me close this post by one of my father’s favorite song from his favorite movie and cast…
Media credits: IMBD and Youtube (Shemaroo Filmi Gaane)
