In movies, sometimes it is not just the main lead, who shines and inspires. At times, the supporting characters, who provide the main leads the background to shine, also leave us equally inspired. With their exceptional acting performances, supporting characters stay in our minds and hearts long after the movie is over.
And, here are some of those remarkable supporting characters that gave us some of the best life lessons and engraved their place in our hearts.
1.Kashibai in Bajirao Mastani (played by Priyanka Chopra)
Bajirao Mastani: The tragic love story by Sanjay Leela Bhansali left many impressed and stunned. But among the main leads, the character of Kashibai played by Priyanka Chopra left us inspired. Her famous dialogue: “Aap Humse humari zindagi maang lete hum aap ko khushi khushi de dete, par aapne toh humse humara guroor cheen liya,” is a reminder of one of the best life lessons. This character leaves us with the lesson that nothing is above our self-respect, not even the love of our life.
2. Khatana Bhai in Rockstar (played by Kumud Mishra)
How Khatana Bhai, played by Kumud Mishra, motivates Jordon (Ranbir Kapoor) and accepts him wholeheartedly makes you believe that we all need our own version of Khatana Bhai. Khatana Bhai encourages Jordan to find pain in his life and turn it into art. Here’s the life lesson that Khatana Bhai taught us: You don’t need to be extraordinary rich to help others; you just need to be kind to help them heal from their pain. Kindness goes a long way.
3. Dadu in Kapoor & Sons (played by Rishi Kapoor)
In Shakun Batra’s Kapoor & Sons, Rishi Kapoor played the role of ‘dadu’. Unlike many old age people, Dadu is different from the rest. Dadu is not another crude old man or someone who is frustrated to seek support from others as he is old.
Rather, he teaches us a memorable lesson: Life is to live not to worry or stress. He teaches us to enjoy life to the fullest. He teaches us to squeeze the complete joy out of life. Whether it’s smoking doobs, or just laughing with his grandsons, he taught us to laugh a little more, till we can.
4. Vijayalakshmi in Queen (played by Lisa Haydon)
Vijaya is an inspiring and independent woman, who isn’t afraid to live life on her own terms. The best lesson? You don’t need a man to define you! You can be complete without marriage as well. The only love that you need in your life to complete you is self-love! Can anything be more empowering than that?
5. Rajan Damodaran in Taare Zameen Par (played by Tanay Chheda)
How Rajan turns into Ishaan’s biggest cheerleader, makes you applaud this beautiful friendship. This 10-year-old young character teaches us the most beautiful life lesson on how friendship is one of the purest relationships!
6. Karan Singhania in Rang De Basanti (played by Siddharth Suryanarayan)
Rang De Basanti is a masterpiece that turned into a cult film with a brilliant storyline and an exceptional star cast. While all the supporting characters along with the male leads have their own inspiring story, the character Karan Singhania has one that touches our hearts like no one else! It gives us one of the most difficult life lessons – To stand for what is right no matter what! This character teaches us how to choose right even when our family is siding with the wrong. This character teaches us modern era Gita!
7. Laila in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (played by Katrina Kaif)
Zoya Akhtar’s Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is a brilliant movie with a captivating storyline and breakthrough performances by its exceptional cast. Among the exceptional performances, Katrina Kaif’s Laila leave you with an important life lesson about living fully: how to seize each day and live in the moment!
8. Savitri Rathore in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (played by Ratna Pathak Shah)
She is an unapologetic mother, who left the luxury of being a royalty so that she could shield her son against the toxic masculinity that ran in the Ranjore ke Rathore. She hustled to raise a son who was moulded outside the gender roles. How we can forget one of the cutest scenes about Savitri and Jay taking turns to cook food!
From being a strong and independent woman to raising her son in gender-neutral environment, Savitri Rathore has meaningful lessons not only for women but for parents too!
9. Sweetu in Kal Ho Naa Ho (played by Delnaaz Irani)
For a person with a friend like Naina, Sweetu was extremely optimistic and positive about life. Despite whatever Naina and the others said, she was truly comfortable in her own skin. She was a kind and supportive friend, who deserved a better friend for the kind of person she was.
Lesson that Sweetu taught many was on how to be optimistic even when people around you bring you down! How to be so much comfortable in your skin that others can’t break you down! And, don’t give others so much power that they can control you or shatter you. In short, be in love with yourself before being in love with someone else!
10. Pappu Master in Om Shanti Om (played by Shreyas Talpade)
Om (played by Sharukh Khan) always dreamed of becoming a big actor, but while he faced constant setbacks, his best friend Pappu stood by him like a rock. Pappu never lost his belief in Om’s talents and encouraged him to pursue his big dreams. We all need a Pappu in our lives. Lesson: True friends never give up on their friends. They believe in them, even during the times, when they don’t believe in themselves!
