When filmmaker Ravi Chopra’s Baghban released in 2003, it impressed cinema lovers with its heart-wrenching story. Starring Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini, the film is considered a cult classic. The 2003 film is also remembered for Baghban’s dialogues; most of them are so profound that they can overwhelm you.
Amitabh Bachchan played Raj Malhotra in Baghban, a retired banker, while Hema played his wife Pooja Malhotra. Remember when Big B, as Raj Malhotra, described parents as the roots of a tree? “Parents are the roots of the tree of life?”
Let’s look at 13 dialogues from Baghban that describe the workings of the Malhotra family:
13 dialogues from Baghban that will make you emotional
1. If a father can help his son in taking the first step of his life… then why can’t the same son help his father in taking the last step?
This line was said by Amitabh Bachchan in the character of Raj Malhotra. In the scene, Malhotra questions why the son he has raised does not want to support him in his old age.
2. Parents are not direct payments to anyone. Parents are the roots of the tree of life. No matter how big a tree grows, no matter how decrepit it may be, it cannot remain green by cutting its roots.
Big B uttered this famous dialogue during his powerful speech in the climax. Malhotra talked about the importance of parents and metaphorically described them as the ‘root’ of the family (tree).
3. If you are there then we are there, if we are there then everything is there, otherwise nothing is there.
Malhotra said this in his speech during the book launch. He expressed his feelings while expressing love for his wife Pooja.
4. I never forgive those children who cannot give love, support and respect to their parents. I punish them. I break all ties with them.
Big B said this dialogue when his sons apologized to him after the speech.
5. Love is that magic…which keeps one young throughout life.
This dialogue is from the earlier part of the film when Raj Malhotra and Pooja Malhotra are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary.
6. I was just living without you…my heart started beating the day I met you.
In one scene, Raj expresses his love for his wife Pooja on the occasion of their wedding anniversary.
7. Whether you ring the bell or not…the bell in my heart already rings with the sound of your footsteps.
In an introductory scene, Hema Malini as Pooja utters these lines to her husband Raj. This happens when Pooja opens the door in front of him and rings the bell.
8. Your eyes show your heart…in which my picture is hidden.
Salman Khan said this dialogue while expressing his love for his girlfriend Arpita.
9. You are my God who came into my life as my father, who held the hand of a child who had no importance in this world, nor did he have a name. There was a stone, just a stone…
In another emotional scene, Salman Khan as Alok utters these lines when Big B tells him that he treats him like God.
10. You must agree that your children already had the skills, the talent, the ability which were transformed into them, they created their own paths, made their destinations, built this house, and not just this, dad secured his future along with his present.
Samir Soni who plays Raj Malhotra’s son Sanjay tells Raj that he has not contributed anything to his life. Sanjay also makes Raj realise that he has secured his future unlike his father.
11. Despite our soul being a part of us, they are not able to understand that their parents are not two but one. They are trying to unite those whom God has united.
Big B said these lines in the scene when he was asked to live separately with his sons.
12. You saw her crying, but not your mother’s tears, her affection, her love, you did not see anything, leave it, asking you this question is useless because you have probably forgotten that you are my son but I. I will always remember that I am your mother.
In one scene, Hema, playing Pooja, talks about how her son Ajay ignored her tears but got worried when his wife started crying. “You made her cry, didn’t you?” Remember?
13. Dadu…can I tell you something? You should never come here.
In a heart-wrenching scene, Raj Malhotra’s grandson, who shares a great relationship with him, tells him not to stay at his parents’ house.
The film depicts the dynamics of the Malhotra family. The conflict begins when Raj and Pooja decide to spend time with their four sons after retirement. Being a banker, Raj has no savings for the future, as he considers his sons as his ‘fixed deposits’.
Salman Khan also played a supporting role in Baghban. Salman played the role of Alok, the adopted son of Raj and Pooja. Mahima Chaudhary played the role of his girlfriend turned wife Arpita.
Also read: 5 movies of Salman Khan and Amitabh Bachchan: Baghban and more movies of this lesser known pair
