The Bollywood sibling bond: How has it evolved over the years!

From the dramatic bonds shown in films like Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya to the more relatable dynamics in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, the portrayal of onscreen sibling relationships in Bollywood come a long way!

Raksha Bandhan, a festival deeply rooted in Indian culture, celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. The tradition is said to have originated when Draupadi tied a piece of cloth around Lord Krishna's wrist, and he vowed to protect her. However, the celebration has extended beyond the brother-sister bond to encompass siblings' broader relationships over time. Given how Bollywood both influences and is influenced by society, it's no surprise that this evolution is reflected in the way sibling relationships are portrayed in films.

In the past, Bollywood films were more family-oriented, often focusing on moralistic familial values. In the iconic Hum Saath Saath Hain, the four siblings are sweet, caring, respectful, and, above all, sacrificial for one another. Similarly, in Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! the younger siblings fall in love but choose to give it up for the sake of their elder siblings. Films like Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya portrayed the idealistic brother willing to go to any length to protect his sister. However, there were also films like Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Satte Pe Satta, and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar that dared to show the more complex, sometimes harsh realities of sibling relationships, where despite their troubles, siblings stand by each other.

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Over time, Bollywood began to explore these bonds more deeply, reflecting changing societal attitudes. In films like Fiza, My Brother...Nikhil and Iqal, the traditional roles were reversed, with sisters taking on the role of protectors and true companions for their brothers. Josh brought a fresh perspective by casting two major stars as siblings rather than romantic leads, while Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and Main Hoon Na showed that sibling bonds are about love and support, not just blood ties.

As Bollywood evolved, so did the portrayal of sibling relationships, moving from the idealistic, heavily dramatic to the realistic. Kapoor and Sons showed us the dark side of how rivalry and ego can work between two brothers. The sweet, banter-filled yet understanding relationships seen in films like Dil Dhadakne Do and Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na have achieved cult status for their authentic depiction of siblings who may be irritating and interfering but are also inseparable parts of each other's lives and a safe refuge from troubling parents. They became the beacon of representation of how siblings are the ones with whom we first learn to share, fight, and ultimately form lifelong bonds.

We truly have come a long way from Hum Saath Saath Hain's idealised portrayals to Dil Dhadakne Do's realistic depictions. So then, it's fairly safe to say that the sibling bond in Bollywood has undergone a remarkable transformation and evolved significantly over the years, reflecting the changes in society and the complexities of real-life relationships. And we are all for this apt representation of siblings in Bollywood! What do you think? Tell us in the comments below! 

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