Fathers' Day 2022: Doting Fathers Of Regional Cinema We Loved Watching On-Screen

"Abba nahi manenge" the classic dialogue from 3 Idiots summarises most desi fathers in Indian cinema. These fathers are usually traditional and patriarchal and have an issue with changing with the times. Father figures in cinema who emulated this stereotype became redundant. Filmmakers and screenwriters since then have been striving to create characters who are rounded than just two-dimensional caricatures.

The shift has been palpable not just in the Hindi films, but also in the regional cinema. In recent years, the film industry has produced numerous examples demonstrating that "understanding" and "supporting" fathers are no longer a "goal to be achieved" in the movies. We've seen fathers in the movies who believe in gender equality and don't give a damn about "samaj kya sochega".  We've compiled a list of six doting fathers in regional films that every child dreams of having.

Doting Fathers of Regional Cinema

Uma

Srijit Mukherji's film Uma depicts how a real-life father-daughter relationship may be transformed into a reel-life masterpiece. He indeed emerged as the perfect example of a doting father in the film. Sara Sengupta's performance as the main character is natural. She embodies the purity of her dreams, as well as gentle maturity.

Sara's real-life father, Jisshu Sengupta, throws his heart and soul into his great performance as a desperate and adoring father. Jisshu had a difficult time on set while filming Uma. It was difficult for a father to see his own daughter Sara as a terminally ill youngster in the film and wishes to see Kolkata's Durga Puja, a major Bengali festival.

Sathyadev in Yennai Arindhaal

'A daughter's first love is her father,' is truly seen in the character of Ajith as Sathyadev in Yennai Arindhaal, who plays an endearing father. Sathya is a police officer who'd gotten in tuff with a criminal. He kills his partner on the day of their wedding and since her death becomes a doting father to her and tries to safeguard her from any possible danger.

The song Unakkena Venum Sollu beautifully conveys the emotions of a single father for his daughter, taking care of the little things and recognising the smallest of his daughter's acts of love. This movie is a must-watch.

Ajith In Yennai Arindhaal as Sathya

Raja Rani

In Raja Rani, Sathyaraj plays James, the father of Regina, a Daddy's girl played by Nayantara. A father who adores and cares for his daughter and respects her feelings and decisions. Supporting her decisions at all times in her life and accompanying her on her path through life. His character truly depicts the idea father a daughter wants in her life. He highly prioritises her daughter's desires more than considering what society thinks.

Kanaa

Kaana, directed by Aishwarya Rajesh and Sathyaraj, is a sports drama about a girl who is bonded by her love for cricket. She aspires to play for her country and to please her father. Society becomes an impediment to her goals, yet she works tirelessly to attain them.

In the film, Aishwarya's mother is upset that her daughter is playing cricket with males, but her father is a staunch supporter. Kanaa's father-daughter combo is the show's highlight.

Suggested Reading: This Father’s Day, Watch Six Amazing Films, Shows On Father-Daughter Relationship

Aan Devathai

Samuthirakani and Ramya Pandian feature in Aan Devathai, a film about a dysfunctional nuclear family. It centres around a diametrically opposed couple who go through a tough period after they start living separately. Samuthirakani and Ramya are parents to twins, but after an intense dispute, the former leaves the house with his daughter. The challenges a father faces in order to provide a better life for his daughter are depicted in this film; being a single parent is certainly not easy.

This movie shows the emotional side of a father which is not normally seen in movies. He does everything he is capable of to give a better life to his daughter. He plays the role of both father and mother to his daughter. He is seen as an ideal doting father.

Kabuliwala

Rahmat is among the popular doting fathers we have seen in regional films. Kabuliwala depicts a lovely friendship between Rahmat, an Afghan dry-fruit vendor, and a small girl Mini who often reminds him of his own daughter in Afghanistan, and is based on Rabindranath Tagore's short story of the same name.

The friendship metaphor represents reconciliation between a foreigner's material and spiritual requirements as well as his role as a father to a little daughter. The Nobel Laureate's narrative is heartwarming, and director Tapan Sinha gives it the right movie treatment.

Still from Kabuliwala