Bollywood isn’t always just fun and games, sometimes, it also strikes a chord. It acts as a mirror to society, reflecting emotions, relationships, and life’s many stages. While the silver screens are mostly graced by youth-centric narratives, filmmakers like Shoojit Sircar, Umesh Shukla and Avinash Arun explore the challenges and beauty of ageing.
As realistic as they might or might not be, these masterpieces present a very fresh perspective on the joys, challenges, and wisdom that come with advanced age. From heartfelt comedies to deeply emotional dramas, here are some Bollywood films that beautifully depict the journey of ageing.
Bollywood Movies That Deal With The Complexities Of Ageing
Piku (2015)
Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, and Irrfan Khan, Piku explores a humorous yet intricate relationship between an ageing father and his daughter. Amitabh Bachchan plays the character of a stubborn old man with chronic constipation issues, while Deepika Padukone portrays Piku, his dedicated yet exasperated daughter.
With each frame, director Shoojir Sircar explores the themes of caregiving, generational conflicts and emotional dependency that comes with ageing. Irrfan Khan brought a very fresh energy to the screen with his comic timing and one-liners that just hit the spot. Along with the lighthearted comedy, the film gives a powerful message about love and responsibility.
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Three Of Us (2022)
Directed by Avinash Arun, Three Of Us explores the themes of the inevitability of time, nostalgia, and lost connections. Starring Shefali Shah, Jaideep Ahlawat and Swanand Kirkire, the movie revolves around a woman diagnosed with early-onset dementia who returns to her hometown with her husband.
The film portrays the journey of a person trying to hold on to memories that are slowly slipping through the cracks of her fingers. The movie sensitively portrays the struggles of living with a degenerative condition, highlighting the emotional weight of memory loss and the bittersweet nature of nostalgia.
Sharmaji Namkeen (2022)
Sharmaji Namkeen was the final film of the Late Rishi Kapoor that revolved around a 58-year-old man navigating post-retirement life. Throughout the course of the film, Rishi Kapoor’s character moves on from being a lonely and purposeless old man to someone who rediscovered joy and new friendships.
The film beautifully addresses the challenges of retirement and, at the same time, establishes the importance of embracing change and the idea of pursuing happiness and fulfillment at any stage of life.
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102 Not Out (2018)
The film, starring Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor, simply screams that age is nothing but a number. Amitabh Bachchan plays a 102-year-old man who believes in living life to the fullest, while Rishi Kapoor portrays his grumpy 75-year-old son.
With every single frame of this heartwarming comedy, director Umesh Shukla challenges the societal perceptions of old age and emphesises that that one’s spirit and attitude determine how fulfilling life can be. This film is a testament to the simple yet powerful fact that growing older doesn’t mean giving up on your happiness or dreams.
Uunchai (2022)
Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, and Boman Irani, the film follows three elderly friends who embark on a journey to Everest Base Camp in memory of their friend who just passed away. What started as a physical challenge for the three friends turned into an emotional and spiritual awakening.
It is a beautiful tale that revolves around the themes of resilience, friendship and the importance of pushing one’s limits, no matter the age. It acts as a tribute to lifelong bonds and the dreams one chases in the later stages of life.
Bottomline
It is these movies through which Bollywood still manages to make its way into people’s hearts every now and then. These movies not only entertain but also shed light on the realities of life, joys, sorrows and struggles of the human spirit. Whether through laughter, tears, or adventure, these movies remind us that ageing is not just about growing old but also about embracing every moment with grace and enthusiasm.