Bollywood has always undermined its power to bring social change through its movies. Its obsession with the regressive thought process is one of the reasons why our society still takes pride in following regressive beliefs. It’s sad how our movies promote regressive beliefs in the name of sanskaars and family values. And, a very apt example of such a horrific representation of sanskaar is the movie – Hum Saath Saath Hain.
Hum Saath Saath Hain, Sooraj Barjatya’s family drama ruled the roost for more than two decades now. The movie starred Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Mohnish Bahl, Karisma Kapoor, Tabu, and Sonali Bendre in pivotal roles. And, how can we forget Alok Nath and Reema Lagoo for playing the universal parents in most Rajshri films?
While many thought Hum Saath Saath Hain was a quick lesson in family values and sanskaar, here are the reasons that show how this movie was the not-at-all needed lesson in patriarchy, stupidity and regressive thoughts!
1. The ultimate goal for the ghar ki bahus was just to cook and serve the entire family with their own hands.
2. Oh! Of course, the ultimate goal for a woman in a Barjatya movie is to find her sapno ka rajkumar and get married – only to play an adarsh bahu thereon.
3. Even after being well-educated, women, sadly, had no other aspirations but just to be wives, bahus and mothers!
4. This movie forgot that women have demands other than feeding families. Do you remember Priti! Despite being a doctor and having a degree, she was always seen serving the family. Not a single day was she shown doing what her profession demands. Because who cares?
5. One thing that Priti was expected to do was to shy and blush every time Prem’s name is mentioned. Because that’s what good girls are expected to do! Isn’t it?
6. The whole family accompanies the newlywed couple on honeymoon! Seriously? This movie set stupid precedence of expecting a woman to suggest the whole family accompany her on the honeymoon. And, how this movie promotes this stupid idea in name of sanskaar is quite disgusting.
7. It’s weird how the whole family refuse to give the newlyweds any space, making our nosy Indian families feel its okay to not give space to the married couples.
8. We love our parents. But, promoting the idea to worship parents as God is a bit too much. This song was the ultimate tool given to parents to make kids feel guilty of leading life as per their own desires, and not as per parents’ wishes! Yes, we are talking about ‘Yeh Toh Sach Hai Ki Bhagwan Hai’
9. You aren’t sanskari enough if you don’t start your day without praying with your mom and dad. Just saying!
ALSO READ: 8 Reasons Why Hit Movie Baghban Isn’t About Sanskars, But Patriarchy & Misogyny
Do let us know what you think!