Baghban Film Review

The film Baghban is incredibly universal in its values and ideas. Because much of what is portrayed could have happened anywhere in the world, the film should be required viewing in schools. The film takes the opportunity to portray a family that is having a difficult time meeting both its modern cultural needs and the needs of the family at home. Given the financial problems occurring throughout the world, it is just as important as ever that these questions be answered. Answering the question of at what point are parents and children no longer responsible for one another can be incredibly difficult. This film explores the reality of the fact that adopted children are just as precious as biological children, and that sometimes they can feel even more obligation to the family than their siblings. While everyone in a family must gain enough financial security to not have to rely on their family for support, they must remain loyal to one another.

When a member of the family is no longer able to care for themselves, other family members have a responsibility to help. If it is not possible to help, then family members should at least make the effort to help one another seek out various services. This film creates a portrayal of what is coming for many families shortly due to turbulent conditions in the world. It is vital to put money aside, plan for retirement, and always remain responsible when it comes to approaching the age of retirement; but, when catastrophe strikes, it is important that everyone attempt to fix the situation. Parents are supposed to support their children for life, but to have that dynamic switched around may stunt their growth professionally, financially, or even educationally. Situations such as this are why many countries have laws against children working at a young age just to support their family. Adult children, though, need to take more responsibility for their parents if the occasion arises.

With the number of older people in nursing homes and long-term care facilities whose families never visit them, any level of support that is provided by families should be encouraged. Openly talking about what can be done if someone becomes ill or is in financial trouble before these things happen is very important and had the family in Baghban done so and planned, the situation might have been a lot different. The amount of communicating families do regarding their health, financial position, and the future should all be addressed while everyone is healthy. By encouraging the whole family to plan, it is possible to create a much more effective system for navigating the problems faced by families. In no time at all, a plan can be put together to address the situations that a family may encounter, like those in Baghban. If the children of an ill or aging relative can help them without causing harm to their children, they should do so; but if the only way to help out one's aging parents is to cause upheaval in the home, it might be better to allow them to enter into state care. These sorts of options can be difficult to fathom at a young or even a middle-age for many people, but it is very important to know what all the options are.

If parents can enter a caregiving situation that they have set up for themselves voluntarily; that is the best possible outcome. Avoiding being a burden on one's children while still being able to age comfortably is very important. These sorts of options require a huge amount of due diligence, saving, and planning with professionals who know about this transition. There are many people out there who might put things off until the last minute, but procrastination is not a good thing to be paired with planning for retirement or catastrophe.

Reference

Chopra, R. (Director) (2003). Baghban. United States: B. R. Films, InNetwork Entertainment Limited.