Baghban (2003)

Worth every penny and your time

This was an excellent movie. the first Indian movie i've seen i watched because a friend just couldn't stop talking about it. The movie is long like 3 hours but you get lost in the story. It is such a wonderful family movie and so refreshing, non violent and clean something almost impossible to find anymore even in a cartoon! It is very impressive to find something truly entertaining and a great story line. It is romantic, the scenes that show dancing are fabulous. I love the couple in this movie. A lot about the movie is realistic. I think it was definlety written from an older persons perspective but it is great to see it made me call my mom just to say i love you after seeing it. Its a reminder of how much we should respect and cherish our parents. No matter the mistakes they made we should remember the good and treat them with the dignity we hope to be treated with when we are their age. If you like a great love story, great writing and a clean movie this is for you! August 19, 2008

Cheesy Scenes!! Cheesy Plot!

I hate to use the word CHEESY, but I have to! The premise of this movie from India is in metaphor. Baghban means Caretaker, one who nutures garden. Or, a caretaker loves a tree with a shadow because the shade of the tree will provide. The belief is that if you devote your life to your children, in return, you will be guaranteed comfort.

The movie is based on a metaphor, fantasy, reality and sprinkled with lengthy dance musical numbers that only Bollywood provides. Baghban, at three hours long focuses on Raj who has had nearly a perfect life, retiring from a bank job, married for 40 years to a beautiful loving wife, and he raised five beautiful sons. He gave all to his sons, including caring love and kindness. At retirement, there is no money, and he believes that his sons will take him and his wife into their homes, lovingly..... Wrong.

Plot
Married for 40 years and retired, Raj and Pooja are forced to live separately as their sons reluctantly take them, rotating and separating the parents. In separate homes and "in the way" they become a disruption to the family. Alas, the "orphan turned adopted good son" arrives.

Cheesy unoriginal scenes
You will have to see these to believe how blatantly cheesy they are. What I would expect from a good director is to convey to me, the viewer, scenes that allow me to think on my own, even if just for a while. The director was quick to shove these numerous exaggerated scenarios in our face. This is insulting.

Unanswered Question???
If a man and wife raised four children with strong emotional loving, caring bonds, to lead successful lives, how could all four sons possibly be as inconsiderate and cold as they were? The two elements don't jive!!

Use of English language, Pepsi and Ford Surprisingly,
English phrases are used throughout and Pepsi and Ford take their spot prominently.

If you want a true family relationship movie that rings similar to this, try director Ozu's 50's Tokyo Story - Criterion Collection. You will see great work! MzRizz

June 19, 2007

A great family story

I borrow this movie from my niece a few months ago, I loved it so much that I decided to buy my own and it was the best money I spent. I almost watch this movie every other week. It such a nice story and the I love the music so very much. All of them are so great actors specially Armitha. I LOVE THIS MOVIE A LOT! I don't mind the subtitles but the plot is great. WATCH IT - YOU WON'T REGRET IT. May 4, 2007

Excellent!

This movie is so different from the high violence, high sex, low morals drivel that drives Hollywood productions these days. I watched this movie on the high recommendation of a cousin who asked "have you ever watched Indian movies", to which my answer was "no". Mind you this is quite a bit different from western movies; also getting used to reading the subtitles and the theatrical acting style. However it is nicely filmed and before you know it the story line has sucked you in -- my husband and I both shed buckets (of tears) as the story got going. (PS: my husband rarely watches movies, but watched this and enjoyed it). If you want to try something different that has a REAL story line and content that you can actually sit down and watch with your family, try this movie. December 18, 2006

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