From Mouna Ragam to Thiruchitrambalam: Dads who defined generations

Movies By Sujatha Narayanan Jun 16, 2024 Read the article

The first time I saw a realistic, non-patriarchal father-daughter relationship in film, was in Mani Ratnam’s Mouna Ragam (1986).

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Cut to the 2000s, with Selvaraghavan’s 7G Rainbow Colony (2004), where Vijayan played a caring father, a stark contrast to his toxic role in Mahendran’s Uthiripookkal (1979).

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The 90s saw dads who were like Raghuvaran in the Vijay-starrer, Love Today (1997), or even way cooler fathers, who were more like friends to their children onscreen.

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This film, which I consider the best from 2022, spoke of three men in one family and the wound that bound them to each other.

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Thiruchitrambalam is that “close to our heart” film that gave us a lot to take back home along with its main story of Dhanush and Nithya Menen’s tryst with friendship and love.

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A film with a funnier take on a father-daughter relationship was seen in the Hindi film, Piku (2015), which is always a great repeat watch thanks to the delightful chemistry.

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When discussing onscreen fathers, Suriya’s role as Krishnan in Gautham Menon’s Vaaranam Aayiram (2008) is unforgettable.

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Mammootty’s portrayal of Amudhavan in Ram’s Peranbu (2018) sensitively depicts a father’s journey of forming a profound bond with his spastic daughter, Paapa (a fantastic Sadhana).

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