Most of our arguments with our parents are blamed on this thing called ‘generation gap’. That talk is generally followed by how things are different now as compared to theirs, even when it comes to cinema.
However, looking back at some of the films from their time suggests their generation was way more modern than ours. Here are 15 movies to prove ‘generation gap’ is hogwash:
1. Ankur
The title roughly translating to ‘seedling’ appropriately holds the title for being one of the earliest films to have begun the phase of parallel cinema during the late 70s and 80s. Serving as the debut for Shyam Benegal, the film starred Shabana Azmi, Anant Nag and Priya Tendulkar in lead roles. The movie examined the inter-relationships of a few characters in a village, and is a portrait of the human behaviour under duress.
2. Trikal
Another reflection of human behaviour, the movie uses a Portuguese family living in the newly-liberated Goa to talk about issues like pre-marital pregnancy, prenuptial disasters, past demons coming to haunt the family, whilst maintaining a satirical tone. Starring Neena Gupta, Lucky Ali, Leela Naidu and Sushama Prakash, the film is one of the most underrated satires from the 80s.
3. Ijaazat
This movie by Gulzar traces the story of two exes who accidentally meet in a secluded railway station’s waiting room, many years after they parted ways. Having moved on in life, they reminisce about their marriage and their faults and how they could have made it work. It tried to approach ‘marriage’ with an open mind and started a conversation.
4. Mandi
Based in a brothel in the heart of the city, which some municipal officials want to tear down – the movie was a satire on the oppressed, and the politics around sex workers. Starring Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil in the lead roles, the film gave some major insight into the lives of those involved in prostitution.
5. Nishant
Another commentary on the socialist principles of the 99% vs the top 1%, this movie by Shyam Benegal talks about sexual exploitation of women in rural areas. Starring Naseeruddin Shah, Girish Karnad, Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil in the lead roles, it also underlines the perils of a rebellion without focus, which tramples over innocent lives.
6. Arth
Rumoured to be based on the life of Mahesh Bhatt, this was one of the most vivid portrayals of a marriage involving an extra-marital affair. Starring Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Smita Patil and Shabana Azmi in the lead roles, none of the characters were painted villains but the emphasis was on their flaws as human beings.
7. Saaransh
Anupam Kher’s acting debut, the film addresses subjects like a father grieving his son’s untimely death. He later finds an opportunity for redemption when his tenant (played by Soni Razdan) is being harassed by the goons of the local corporator for carrying the illegitimate child of the corporator’s son. Saving that unborn child, becomes the purpose of the man late in his life.
8. Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron
One of the most madcap satires ever made in Bollywood, this gem directed by Kundan Shah starred fantastic performances from everyone including Naseeruddin Shah, Ravi Baswani, Om Puri, Pankaj Kapur and Satish Shah. Along the lines of Kubrick’s Dr Strangelove, the movie is a disproportionately nonsensical comedy which works because of its sheer chaotic characters.
9. Chhoti Si Baat
Way before Will Smith’s Hitch, we made a movie on the ‘Date Doctor’ played none other than Ashok Kumar, who helps Amol Palekar win over his lady love. Directed by Basu Chatterjee, the movie was uncharacteristically receptive to modern relationships. And with Salil Chowdhury’s winning score, the movie was a fresh romantic comedy without the usual drama.
10. Kamla Ki Maut
The film delves into the pysche of an entire family who are confronted by their own demons after learning about their neighbour’s suicide because of being pregnant out of wedlock. Starring Pankaj Kapur, Roopa Ganguly and Supriya Pathak in the lead roles, the film asked important questions about fidelity, the physical aspect of relationships between lovers unlike few other movies.
11. Aandhi
Inspired partly by the life of Indira Gandhi, the film directed by Gulzar was banned for its not-so-subtle references. However, seeing champion performances by Suchitra Sen and Sanjeev Kumar, the film has become a cult movie in the following years for its sensitive portrayal of lovers (for even those in high profile political jobs like a PM). It was mature and groundbreaking for its times.
12. Manthan
Adapting the story of India’s White Revolution to a fictional setting, the film stars Girish Karnad (playing a fictitious form of Dr Verghese Kurien) and Smita Patil, who plays a young, feisty Bindu who champions the cause of ‘collective might’ by inspiring the village across caste politics to come together and make the co-operative initiative a success.
13. Mera Naam Joker
One of the groundbreaking films for its time, Raj Kapoor’s Mera Naam Joker was one of the earliest mainstream films to address the issue of a young boy falling in love with a much older woman. It even caused a ruckus, when he sees her in a nude scene. Ambitious, the film involves a ‘circus clown’ reminiscing about his life experiences in what happens to be his life’s last show. Fitting swan song for the showman, whose brilliance was only realised later.
14. Masoom
Another tender portrait of a man and a wife coming to terms with the man’s illegitimate child, the film by Shekhar Kapur was a timely reflection of the urban middle class. Clawing between age-old traditions, and the innocent face of a child, both characters of Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi find it hard to accept the truth and abandon the child at the same time.
15. Julie
At a time when inter-caste, inter-religious marriages are still frowned upon, this film in 1975 tackled it along with stigma attached to unwed mothers. Featuring a superb album by a young Rajesh Roshan, the film created quite a few ripples for its social agendas.
Movies that were ‘modern’ in the true sense of the word.