In a side-splitting segment on the latest episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 17, legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan found himself at the receiving end of comedian Harsh Gujral's witty observations about his iconic 2003 film Baghban. The hilarious interaction has since gone viral, resonating with countless Indian viewers who grew up with the film's cultural impact.
The Baghban Backlash: A Generation's Trauma
Harsh Gujral channeled what he described as the collective frustration of 90s kids across India during his stand-up act on the popular game show. He directly confronted Bachchan about his decision to star in Baghban, the emotional family drama where Big B and Hema Malini played a retired couple neglected by their ungrateful sons.
"Why did you do that film sir?" Gujral questioned dramatically. "Kids in India are threatened with only two films – at night from Veerana and in the morning, Baghban." The comedian elaborated on how parents used the film as a cautionary tale against disrespecting elders, creating what he humorously described as generational trauma.
Gujral shared personal anecdotes about the film's aftermath in his household. "Our parents beat us up while taking us to watch the film. We thought that they hadn't seen the film yet and they were beating us so much, after watching the film, they would kill us," he joked. "After watching the film, the Baghban test started in my family. My father started accusing me of having an eye on his property, I had to remind him that he lives on rent."
Karva Chauth Controversy and Film Legacy
The comedian didn't stop at criticizing the film's portrayal of parent-child relationships. He also highlighted how Bachchan's character observing Karva Chauth fast in the movie has created real-world pressure on Indian men.
"Why did you keep a fast on Karwa Chauth in the film? Now all the males in the country are tense," Gujral exclaimed. "When we refuse to keep the fast, women tell us that 'if Amitabh Bachchan can keep the fast, tum kis khet ki muli ho?' We have to make them understand that Amitabh kept the fast only till the time the camera was rolling and after the cut he had started eating fruits."
Directed by Ravi Chopra and produced by BR Chopra, Baghban featured Amitabh Bachchan as Raj and Hema Malini as Pooja, a couple married for 40 years who face neglect from their four sons after retirement. The film also included Salman Khan in a significant role and became a cultural phenomenon in Indian cinema.
Enduring Cultural Impact
Two decades after its release, Baghban continues to generate discussions and memes on social media. Actors who played the 'ungrateful sons' in the film have shared their experiences of being recognized and sometimes scolded by audiences.
Aman Verma, who portrayed one of the sons, previously expressed amazement at the film's lasting relevance. "It feels surreal that the film is still being talked about. Today, there are memes made and people still talk about it. Everyone keeps asking me 'Aman ji, aap itni nalayak aulad kaise ho sakte the?'"
His co-star Samir Soni added, "When the film released, I was just happy but the response we got was so unbelievable. I remember once an old lady coming up to me in a mall and scolding me for being a 'very bad son.' People were relating to Amit ji and Hema ji so much that we turned the bad guys overnight."
The KBC 17 episode featuring this humorous exchange has been widely shared online, with viewers appreciating both Harsh Gujral's comedic timing and Amitabh Bachchan's gracious reception of the good-natured roasting. The segment highlights how certain films transcend entertainment to become embedded in cultural consciousness, sometimes with unintended consequences for generations of viewers.
