12 Movies To Watch With Your Parents To Send Some Subtle Messages

There are a million things I’d like to tell my parents, but I don’t, because I know better than to poke the dragon. Today we’re aware of a lot more concepts than they are used to: pre-marital sex, sexism, racism, psychological disorders and so much more. But I often hear my parents grunting at more than one of them.

And sometimes you just need to broaden their horizons, introduce them to the new world and hope they’ll adapt.

1. Margarita with a Straw

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This is the mother of all movies. If you don’t make them watch any of the others, make sure at least this one is ticked off. It shows you that a disability shouldn’t mean locking up your child at home to take care of them, it should mean enjoying every moment to the best of your ability. It shows you that love doesn’t know gender or religion, it knows only feelings.

 

2. Oh My God

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God isn’t in temples, mosques or churches, it’s not a person or a messiah, it’s a belief. Not eating chicken on tuesdays and thursday isn’t going to please or displease anyone. It’s not a him or a her, it’s what you want it to be. It’s a feeling. It’s your belief in something bigger than yourself and it isn’t restrained by your periods, food choices, regularity in chanting or your religion.

 

3. Before Sunrise

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I’ve grown up hearing stranger-danger. But if we believe that everyone is a danger, then aren’t we revoking faith in humanity? That doesn’t mean you take no precaution or security, but give people a chance. Because you never know, they might end up being your soulmates.

 

4. Dil Dhadakne Do

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This is the one movie about family that really resonated with me. I mean no family is perfect, we don’t go to each other and touch feet, hug, cry and make up. But no matter what we do, we stand up for each other. No matter how bad, how much societal shame it brings, we should look past all of that and do what’s right for us. And I think a lesson is desperately needed in such a nosy society.

 

5. Tamasha

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Pushed into engineering, MBA, MBBS or your family business? Even though you don’t want it. You do it because you want to see your parents happy. But what about you? Your life? This movie shows them the extreme version of how dead you’d feel inside if you don’t do what you really want to do.

 

6. The Intern

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Trying new things at an old age isn’t bad, it’s refreshing. This movie will make them see that no matter how old you are, you have something to bring to this technologically advanced world. Because their experience is worth a lot and their contribution is going to make us all better.

 

7. Taare Zameen Par

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It’s difficult convincing your parents that you’re not weak at maths, but you actually have a learning disability. No amount of tutions or classes is going to solve that and you need specialized attention. This movie will do the job for you.

 

8. The Help

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Racism is something some Indian parents seemed to be unaware of. It isn’t just about treating people who are of a different colour equally, this movie also teaches you to treat people form different kinds of social strata with respect. Whether it’s your house help, your driver or otherwise.

 

9. Chak De India

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Sports isn’t just a profession for men, it’s for us girls too. No matter your gender, this movie shows you that women can make a profession in just about any field based on their talent. It gives a powerful message about feminism, leadership and zeal.

 

10. Juno

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Yeah I know your reaction, ‘Are you crazy, showing our mom a movie on teenage pregnancy’, but that’s not the only reason. It’s actually for Vanessa. She shows you that it’s okay for a man or woman to start a family without a partner. You don’t really need to get married or find a guy to have a kid. It’s okay to adopt and be a single mother out of choice. Something our society finds hard to accept.

 

11. Shutter Island

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My mom doesn’t believe psychology is legit. Since I myself have majored in the subject, I struggled to make her believe that it is in fact real. And that seeing a psychologist doesn’t mean you are crazy. So I showed her this movie and made her read a couple of books, to make her understand that going to a psychiatrist or a psychologist isn’t a bad thing. And it worked!

 

12. Queen

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It’s okay to live a little. It’s fine to travel by yourself, you don’t have to tie yourself down when you don’t want to and the world is not that bad a place! IF you’ve been dying to tell your mom all of this, this movie is your shot.

Now that you’re equipped with a list, all you need to do is put them on during the next family gathering!

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