Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Hindi Films Reimagine Grandparents as Rebellious, Independent Characters
Hindi films often show grandparents as wise and traditional family members.
Some movies present them as people with their own dreams and personalities.
In Lust Stories 2, Neena Gupta’s character openly talks about love, marriage and sex.
In Kapoor & Sons, Rishi Kapoor plays a funny and outspoken 90-year-old grandfather.
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani shows two older people finding their way back to an old love.
In Gulmohar, Sharmila Tagore’s character chooses to live with her same-gender lover.
In Vicky Donor, Beeji is modern, fun-loving and close to her grandson.
These characters show that grandparents can still make independent choices and have exciting lives.
Neena Gupta plays a candid grandmother who discusses sexual compatibility before marriage in Lust Stories 2.
Rishi Kapoor’s foul-mouthed, lively 90-year-old patriarch helps reunite his dysfunctional family in Kapoor & Sons.
Dharmendra and Shabana Azmi portray former lovers who rekindle their romance in old age in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.
Sharmila Tagore’s character in Gulmohar sells her family home to reunite with her same-gender lover.
Kamlesh Gill’s tech-savvy Beeji in Vicky Donor shares a relaxed, friend-like bond with her grandson.
- Who
- Grandparent characters portrayed by Neena Gupta, Rishi Kapoor, Dharmendra, Shabana Azmi, Sharmila Tagore and Kamlesh Gill.
- What
- A look at unconventional grandparents in five Hindi films.
- When
- The films were released between 2012 and 2023 and were highlighted for Grandparents’ Day.
- Where
- Hindi cinema.
- Why
- To show grandparents as rebellious, independent, flawed and emotionally complex people rather than only traditional family pillars.
- Films featured
- Lust Stories 2, Kapoor & Sons, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, Gulmohar and Vicky Donor
- Release period
- 2012 to 2023
- Progressive grandmother
- Neena Gupta’s character in Lust Stories 2 advocates testing sexual compatibility before marriage.
- Family patriarch
- Rishi Kapoor plays Amarjeet Kapoor, a 90-year-old patriarch in Kapoor & Sons.
- Rekindled romance
- Dharmendra and Shabana Azmi play former lovers who reunite in old age in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.
- Independent choice
- Sharmila Tagore’s Kusum Batra sells the family home to reunite with her same-gender lover.
- Friend-like bond
- Kamlesh Gill’s Beeji shares an easy relationship with her grandson Vicky in Vicky Donor.