From Piku to Dil Dhadakne Do: 7 Bollywood movies that brilliantly explore the generation gap

Every Indian family has its fair share of chaos — clashing opinions, generational differences, and the eternal struggle between tradition and modernity. 

Bollywood has long mirrored this dynamic, and over the years, several films have captured the nuances of family conflict and emotional distance between parents and children. 

These movies go beyond melodrama, offering layered portrayals of love, misunderstanding, and reconciliation within families. Here are seven of the best Bollywood films that explore the generation gap — and where you can stream them.

Also Read: 8 Feel-Good Bollywood Movies on OTTs That Will Instantly Lift Your Mood

1. Taare Zameen Par (YouTube)

Eight-year-old Ishaan Awasthi lives in a world of imagination that few understand. His parents, caught up in the grind of marks and performance, fail to see the child’s struggles with dyslexia. When Ishaan is sent to a boarding school, his life changes with the arrival of his art teacher, Ram Shankar Nikumbh. Nikumbh recognises Ishaan’s unique way of seeing the world and helps him rediscover his joy and confidence through art. The film is a tender story about the emotional distance between parents and children, urging viewers to look beyond grades and appreciate individuality.

2. Udaan (Netflix)

Rohan, a teenage boy expelled from boarding school, returns to his industrial hometown, only to face his domineering father, Bhairav. Living under the constant threat of punishment and strict control, Rohan dreams of freedom and expression through writing. When he discovers his much younger half-brother Arjun suffering the same emotional neglect, he begins to see his father’s cruelty in a new light. Udaan captures the pain of generational trauma and the courage it takes to break free from it. It’s a powerful tale of rebellion, resilience, and the search for one’s own voice.

3. Kapoor & Sons (Prime Video)

The Kapoor family reunion quickly spirals into a mess of secrets, jealousy, and long-buried resentment. Siblings Arjun and Rahul return home to visit their ailing grandfather, only to find their parents’ marriage crumbling and their own relationship strained by rivalry and misunderstandings. Amidst the chaos, love interests and half-truths come to light, forcing everyone to confront their flaws. Kapoor & Sons masterfully portrays how generational conflicts are often reflections of unspoken love and unmet expectations. It’s a sharp, heartfelt drama that finds warmth amid dysfunction.

4. Piku (Netflix)

Piku Banerjee, an independent architect, lives with her eccentric, hypochondriac father, Bhaskor. Constantly consumed by his bowel troubles and fear of death, Bhaskor tests Piku’s patience daily. When they embark on a road trip from Delhi to Kolkata with cab driver Rana, their emotional journey unfolds mile by mile. Beneath the bickering lies deep affection and mutual dependence that both are too proud to express. Piku transforms ordinary family arguments into reflections on love, mortality, and caretaking, blending humour and poignancy in equal measure.

5. Wake Up Sid (Netflix)

Sid Mehra, a privileged yet aimless young man in Mumbai, drifts through life with no direction. When his carefree attitude clashes with his father’s expectations, he leaves home and moves in with Aisha, an independent writer from Kolkata. Through her disciplined lifestyle and encouragement, Sid begins to understand responsibility and self-worth. The film beautifully captures the generational gap between parents who value stability and children who seek purpose beyond success. Wake Up Sid is a quiet coming-of-age story about growing up — emotionally and spiritually.

6. The Namesake (Disney+ Hotstar)

Based on Jhumpa Lahiri’s acclaimed novel, The Namesake follows Gogol Ganguli, an Indian-American trying to find his identity between two worlds. His parents, Ashoke and Ashima, carry the weight of their immigrant experience — tradition, longing, and displacement — while Gogol seeks freedom in modern America. As he grows older, the distance between them deepens until tragedy bridges it again. The film beautifully examines how love and cultural heritage shape who we become, even when we try to escape them. It’s a moving portrayal of generational and cultural divides within families torn between two homes.

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7. Dil Dhadakne Do (Prime Video)

The wealthy Mehra family boards a luxury cruise to celebrate Kamal and Neelam Mehra’s wedding anniversary. Beneath the glamour, however, lies years of resentment and emotional disconnect. Their daughter Ayesha, trapped in an unhappy marriage, yearns for freedom, while their son Kabir is pressured to run the family business he doesn’t love. As the ship sails across Europe, secrets unravel, confrontations erupt, and each member faces uncomfortable truths about themselves and each other. Dil Dhadakne Do is a witty yet poignant exploration of status, expectations, and the silent rebellion of the younger generation.