Relationships - Reel vs Real

CAUTION - Spoilers ahead

The other day, I was watching a Hindi movie with mom. The friend of the male protagonist really helps a lot in the complicated romance between the male and female protagonists. I mentioned that his friend is such a gem, he is really extending himself. And mom commented - "We only find such friends in films." The movie is Atrangi re, and the friend is Vishu's medical college buddy - Dr. Madhusudhan, who uses his knowledge of psychology to help along the hapless romance of his friend.

So true! Seldom have I seen such loyalty in real life. It got me thinking about the genesis of such characters in reel. Could it be wishful thinking on the part of the writer? Or did the director intend to inspire such relationships in real life?

The character "Circuit", man Friday of the don Munna in Munnabhai MBBS, is another such example. He is the loyal second-hand to his master. He carries out each order sincerely yet there is a friend-like bond between them. He is never judgemental, always cheerful and provides much needed comic relief. His "Bhai, tum nahi chaloge kya?" when Munna asks him why he bought two train tickets for his village after he loses his reputation, is classic.

Speaking of boss-employee relationships, how can we forget the quintessential "Ramu kaka" of Sholay? This loyal servant of the Thakur parivaar has seen all the highs and lows of the family. He keeps all their secrets and even has access to the safe in the house. He is literally the right and left hand of his armless employer. Where can we find such domestic help these days?

Some "mothers" and "fathers" in reel viz. Kajol's mother and SRK's father in DDLJ, are parents we rarely find in real life. The steadfast understanding demonstrated by Farida Jalal toward her on-screen daughter despite being a traditional and timid mom, and the bombastic, carefree single dad portrayed by Anupam Kher, are simply adorable and unforgettable!

            

Then comes my favorite Harry Potter character, Ronald Weasley (Ron). He is Harry's best friend. Not blessed with any super powers (unless you count his prowess at chess), nor with any exceptional good looks, he is always in Harry's shadow yet is supremely loyal and loving toward him. He is the first person ever to show unconditional love and acceptance toward Harry since his difficult and lonely childhood. Not only him, but his entire family accepts Harry as their own and never let him feel that he is alone. Quite unlike his biological aunt and legal guardian.

  

What do I say about Jai in Sholay, as the friend who dies for his best buddy - Veeru? Amitabh Bachchan as the mature and decisive one, is always seen to be ridiculing his friend, Dharmendra. Even when he takes his friend's marriage proposal to Hema Malini's aunt, he is busy highlighting all the vices of his friend and trying to put them in a positive light. So much so, that even the formidable "mausiji" comments - "Beta, dost ho to tumhare jaisa. Sharaabi wo, juwaari wo, magar isme uska koi dosh nahi!" 

He falls head over heels in love with, and agrees to marry, a young widow - an unheard of scenario in those times. He makes fun of the talkative Basanti (his friend's girl), yet for her sake, he gives up his own life so that his friend is saved. By tossing his usual two-headed coin, unbeknownst to his friend who always thinks that the decisions made by the toss of the coin between them are always fair, he sacrifices his own romance for that of his friend's. 

Sisterhood - well, who can forget the Frozen sisters, Anna and Elsa? Anna's hunt for her missing sister, her adventures along the way (almost losing her own life in the process), are strong sibling goals for today's young generation. Her determination to restore her elder sister as the rightful queen of their kingdom, despite being the next contender herself, is truly commendable. There is so much acceptance in her about her sister's quirk!

Last but not the least, the evergreen bond between Krishnan Iyer M.A. and Vijay Dinanath Chauhan, of Agneepath. 

A stranger turned savior turned brother-in-law, Mithun is always there to support the ever-suffering protagonist, Amitabh Bachchan. He becomes the glue between him and his estranged, strong-minded mother - Rohini Hattangaddi, and eventually, her second son.

I am sure there are examples galore about the inspirational employer, in-laws, teachers etc. that I have missed to capture. Reel relationships do have the power to inspire relationship goals in real life!