Gen-Z calls Amitabh Bachchan the Problem in Baghban, Samir Soni says ‘finally!’

Two decades after Baghban became shorthand for every dinner-table lecture on ungrateful children, the 2003 family drama is back in conversation, this time with a Gen-Z filter. Actor Samir Soni, who played Sanjay Malhotra, recently shared a viral Instagram reel by a young content creator who flips the film’s moral lens. Her take? Sanjay was never the villain. If anything, he was a green flag man.

A Viral Reel That Changes the Narrative

The influencer’s reel revisits key scenes involving Amitabh Bachchan’s Raj Malhotra and his son Sanjay, arguing that the son’s requests were practical, not cruel. From asking about financial planning to suggesting small lifestyle adjustments, Sanjay’s behaviour is described as sensible and considerate. The creator even labels him a “green flag,” praising his punctuality, his respect for his wife’s needs, and his calm communication with his father.

One moment she highlights is Sanjay asking why his retired father, who worked at a reputed bank, had no savings or fixed deposits. In the film, this question is drowned out by emotional music, turning a reasonable concern into an act of disrespect. “Bro, your son is right,” the creator says, pointing out how basic financial security was framed as insensitivity.

Scenes That Hit Differently Today

The reel also revisits the infamous typewriter scene. Sanjay’s wife, a working professional, requests that Raj Malhotra avoid typing late at night because the noise disrupts her sleep. Sanjay politely suggests using the machine in another room or switching to a laptop. The film paints this as cold-hearted behaviour, but the influencer sees it as basic courtesy and a problem-solving approach.

Another example is the Karva Chauth dinner episode, where assumptions and silent expectations lead to hurt feelings. To Gen-Z viewers, these moments reveal poor communication rather than cruelty from the younger generation.

Samir Soni’s Reaction and a Generational Shift

Sharing the reel, Samir Soni wrote, “Finally some redemption after 20 years. Just love the new generation.” His caption struck a chord, echoing a wider shift in how audiences read older films. What once felt like a moral sermon now invites debate about boundaries, accountability, and emotional manipulation.

Directed by Ravi Chopra and starring Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini as ageing parents sidelined by their four sons, Baghban reflected its time when sacrifice was expected to be silent, and authority went unquestioned. The film also featured Salman Khan in a special role as the ideal, caring adopted son.

Today, younger viewers aren’t rejecting the pain of ageing parents. They’re questioning the storytelling that turned reasonable behaviour into villainy.