Father’s Day 2025: Iconic On-Screen Dads of Bollywood

Father’s Day 2025: Bollywood’s representation of fatherhood is a wide and diverse spectrum. From strict and restrictive fathers to supportive and cool dads, fathers in Bollywood have reflected the realities of a father in real life with their on-screen representation. 

Ahead of Father's Day, revisit the nostalgia of watching the iconic fathers in Hindi films that made us question when our father will do something like that.  

Pops in DDLJ 

Anupam Kher played the role of Pops or father of Shah Rukh Khan in the film Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. He was the antithesis of Simran aka Kajol’s father, Baldev Singh. 

The jodi i want to see again in a movie.
I had lost my father at very early age. Everytime i saw DDLJ i found my self as raj and anupam sir as my Pops. 🙂❤️‍🩹@iamsrk @AnupamPKher #ShahRukhKhan𓀠 pic.twitter.com/a3KGGii33T

— GOPAL (@HiGopalHere) August 19, 2023

Pops was cool, engaging, and supportive of his son’s desires and actions. He is happy and proud of his son.  

Ramkishen in Hum Saath Saath Hain

Played by Alok Nath, Ramkishen is the patriarch of the family in Hum Saath Saath Hai. But unlike other patriarchs, he keeps his children and family’s happiness on top. He is proud of his family’s unity and appreciates their parenting.

आलोक नाथ मेरे सामने कपड़े उतारने लगे और मुझे ज़बरदस्ती पकड़ लिया - हम साथ साथ हैं क्रू मेंबर https://t.co/5BKmX6eUKd pic.twitter.com/MnK0pc7Ydz

— The Democratic (@_TheDemocratic) October 10, 2018

Mr Thapar in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani 

At some point, we all wished for a father like Bunny’s, Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani. Jovial and encouraging, he supported his son’s dream to see the world and never tied him to the responsibilities or social expectations that were a hurdle in his dreams.

Surest sign that I’ve aged is that while I watched Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani again after 10 years, I realised that in these 10 years my imagination of myself has changed from being “Bunny” (Ranbir Kapoor) to his Dad (Farooq Sheikh) 🥲 pic.twitter.com/7m1HGQy0l9

— Shekhar Dutt (@DuttShekhar) October 16, 2023

Mahavir Singh Phogat in Dangal 

A poignant character from Dangal. Mahavir is the right representation of how one can run off misogyny and sexism as soon as people start looking at women as just humans and not just female bodies. His resilience becomes the support system of Geeta and Babita Phogat.

Aamir khan as 'mahavir singh phogat' in 'dangal' is always iconic forever ✓ pic.twitter.com/uyvPN9T338

— ً (@dilaursoch) June 20, 2022

Champak Bansal in Angrezi Medium

Essayed by Irfaan Khan, Champank Bansal is a doting father who celebrates every win of her daughter. He is ready to cross the oceans to give her daughter the things she’s dreamt of. This honesty and simplicity steal the heart. 

#IrrfanKhan in Angrezi Medium as Champak Bansal was so endearing, vulnerable and soft! It’s sad and heartbreaking to think it is his last award💔Not a very big fan of this sequel! But Khan Saab deserve everything! Miss him so much🙏🏼 Rest In Peace✨#VimalElaichiFilmfareAwards pic.twitter.com/S8GmdrmXp8

— . (@thebrownprint_) March 27, 2021

Narottam Mishra in Bareilly Ki Barfi 

A coming-of-age father in the busy lanes of Bareilly, Narottam Mishra, played by Pankaj Tripathi, is a loving and feminist father even if he does not know that the term exists. He understands the hardships her daughter goes through as a woman, and is ready to lend an ear to her vent rather than giving her an earful that fathers are known for. 

Narottam Mishra, played by Pankaj Tripathi in Bareilly ki Barfi who despite from being a small town, doesn't force his daughter to get married and respects her need to live her life the way she wants. pic.twitter.com/KSZ8fuDYy2

— Srishti Pandey (@srishtayyyy) June 20, 2021

The bitter-sweet representation of fatherhood on-screen in Bollywood achieves the love-hate relationship kids feel with their father, the man ready to go to any lengths for their happiness, but sometimes ends up restricting them.