Actor Avtar Gill marked the 23rd anniversary of the beloved family drama 'Baghban' on 3 October 2026, sharing a nostalgic carousel of throwback photographs — including a rare still alongside megastar Amitabh Bachchan — and expressing deep gratitude to the film's makers and audiences who have kept the story alive across generations.

Avtar Gill's heartfelt tribute

Sharing the photo series on his social media account, Gill wrote: 'On this day in 2003, a film was released that went on to touch the hearts of generations and spark conversations about family, love, sacrifice and the respect we owe our parents. Being a part of this beautiful film and its incredible journey is something I will always cherish.'

He further added: 'Even after 23 years, Baghban continues to live in the hearts of audiences and remains a story that resonates across generations. I am deeply grateful to Ravi Chopra ji, B. R. Chopra ji, the entire cast and crew, and most importantly, to the audiences whose love has given this film a timeless place in Indian cinema.'

The film that defined a generation

'Baghban', directed by Ravi Chopra and produced by B. R. Chopra, released on 3 October 2003 and starred Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini as Raj and Pooja Malhotra, a devoted couple whose twilight years are upended when their four sons refuse to shoulder responsibility for their ageing parents. The film's unflinching portrayal of elder neglect struck a chord that continues to resonate over two decades later.

Avtar Gill played Rawat, a bank manager, in the supporting cast. The film also featured Paresh Rawal, Lilette Dubey, Aman Verma, Sameer Soni, Divya Dutta, Suman Ranganathan, Asrani, and Rimi Sen, among others.

Salman Khan's special appearance and the Holi anthem

Salman Khan made a special appearance as Alok Raj, the adopted son of Raj and Pooja's family friend, while Mahima Chaudhry appeared as his love interest, Arpita Raj. The film's carousel tribute also featured a still from the iconic Holi sequence, a crowd-favourite moment set to the song 'Hori Khele Raghuveera', composed by Aadesh Shrivastava with lyrics by Sameer, which remains among the most recognisable Holi numbers in Hindi cinema.

A legacy that refuses to fade

'Baghban' has earned a lasting place in conversations about Indian family values, ageing, and intergenerational duty. Notably, it is one of the few Hindi films of its era whose central theme — children's obligations toward elderly parents — has only grown more culturally relevant as India's demographic landscape shifts. The film's enduring popularity speaks as much to its emotional core as to the craft of its director and the performances of its lead cast. At 23, the emotional power it carries remains, by all accounts, undimmed.