Watch Papa Kehte Hain

Papa Kehte Hain is a Bollywood movie released in the year 1996 directed by Mahesh Bhatt. The movie is a beautiful tale of a father-son relationship, the generation gap, and the father's unconditional love for his child. It highlights the importance of parents' support in a child's life, their aspirations, and understanding them with a positive outlook.

The movie is set in Dehradun, a city in Northern India, and follows the life of a young college-going boy named Rahul (played by actor Jugal Hansraj), who is passionate about music and wants to pursue a career in it, much against his father's wishes. His father, Mr. Sethi (played by actor Anupam Kher), is a typical disciplinarian parent who wants his son to become an engineer and take over his business.

The story unfolds as the father-son duo tries to understand each other, and the older generation tries to bridge the gap with the new age modernism through their varied experiences dealing with situations. The movie shows the struggle the son, Rahul, goes through in his journey to fulfill his dreams while also understanding, respecting, and reciprocating his father's love, values, and traditions.

The movie's title song 'Papa Kehte Hain Bada Naam Karega' (translates to 'Dad says I will make a name for myself') is still one of the most famous and iconic songs of that era, and resonates with the young and the old alike. The song captures the aspirations of Rahul and the father's hopes for his son, and has still managed to stay relevant and popular among the modern audience, who relate to the songs' feel-good vibe.

The movie's main highlight is the charismatic presence of Anupam Kher as the father, who portrays his role with utmost honesty, sincerity, and genuine emotions that left an indelible mark on the audience. His chemistry with Jugal Hansraj, who was a newcomer at that time, is heartwarming and endearing, and adds an unusual charm to the movie's overall narrative. The father gives his son ample space and moral support, to fly unbound in the skies of creativity, leaving the mould of traditional gender roles that India thrives on.

The female lead in the movie is played by Mayuri Kango, who plays the role of a young girl Anjali from Rahul's college, who becomes his love interest. The movie's romantic track between Rahul and Anjali is sweet, charming, and has a feel-good vibe that adds to the movie's overall cheerful and optimistic theme. The leading lady's role is small but pivotal in shaping the pairing and the concept of balance in the movie.

The movie also highlights the importance of family bonds, sibling love, and the unsaid support that siblings have in each other's lives. Rahul has a younger sister (played by Aashna Vora), who is not only his confidante but also a guiding light to him when he faces roadblocks in his journey. She is instrumental in breaking her brother's resolve when he is not striving as he must in his pursuit of music at times.

The movie's music, composed by Rajesh Roshan, is soulful, melodious, and had become an instant hit among the masses. The songs, on music and emotional values, are still relevant and eternal among generations who grew up listening to them. It is not an overstatement to say the movie's music has become a part of Indian culture, a representative of Indian youth's aspirations and energy rebelling against the structured social norms.

In conclusion, Papa Kehte Hain is a heartwarming, family-oriented movie that will make you smile, laugh, and maybe even drop some happy tears. It is a beautiful depiction of the father-son bond, the journey to understanding your child, realizing your dreams, and ultimately finding the balance in life. The movie's dialogues, songs, and story touch all the right cords, making it a timeless classic worth watching whenever one's heart seeks the warmth of connecting with family love.

Papa Kehte Hain is a 1996 art house & international movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 20 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.9.