Family stories have always had a place in Hindi cinema. They may look different from one another, but they all come back to the same idea of relationships, misunderstandings, second chances and the people we call home. Here are a few films that have stayed with audiences over the years.
Kapoor & Sons:
Shakun Batra’s Kapoor & Sons begins with two brothers returning home after news of their grandfather’s heart attack. What follows is a family reunion that quickly spirals as old issues, hidden truths and years of resentment come to the surface. The film stars Rishi Kapoor, Ratna Pathak Shah, Rajat Kapoor, Sidharth Malhotra, Fawad Khan and Alia Bhatt.
Dil Dhadakne Do
A cruise holiday is supposed to bring the Mehra family together, but it ends up exposing everything they have tried to hide. Directed by Zoya Akhtar, the film features Anil Kapoor, Shefali Shah, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Ranveer Singh, Farhan Akhtar and Anushka Sharma in a story that moves between family expectations and personal choices.
Wake Up Sid
Ranbir Kapoor plays Sid, a carefree youngster who has little direction in life until a series of experiences forces him to grow up. Directed by Ayan Mukerji, the film captures the changing equation between Sid and his parents as he begins to understand responsibility, love and finds a purpose to his life.
Piku:
Everyday life takes centre stage in Shoojit Sircar’s Piku. Amitabh Bachchan and Deepika Padukone play a father and daughter whose constant bickering are matched only by the affection they have for each other. Irrfan Khan rounds off the trio in a film that found humour in the smallest moments.
Udaan
Vikramaditya Motwane’s first feature follows a teenager who returns home after being expelled from boarding school and finds himself living under the watch of a strict father. Rajat Barmecha and Ronit Roy lead the cast in a story about dreams, freedom and a difficult father-son relationship.
Max, Min & Meowzaki
The latest addition to the list is Max, Min & Meowzaki, produced by Samiksha Oswal and Shael Oswal. The teaser shows a story centred on family, hope and everyday moments instead of larger-than-life spectacle. Siddharth Menon, Adil Hussain, Nasser, Mandira Bedi, Nafisa Ali, Medha Shankr and Vidhatri Bandi lead the cast, with a furry companion playing an important part in the narrative. The film releases in theatres on July 24.
Trends in cinema may change, but stories about families continue to find viewers because every generation sees a little of itself in them.