8 onscreen dads who served as makeshift therapists for their children!

These onscreen dads turned into counsellor-in-chiefs and helped their children power through various challenges of life!

At the risk of sounding uncreative I’d say something that you might have heard a zillion times before - dads are superheroes. But seriously, what can dads not do? Right from fixing kitchen taps to your life, they do it all sometimes grumpily but with a deep sense of love and care, each time! While conversations regarding dads being the rock and support of the family are as old as the mountains, let’s talk about a lesser discussed role they embrace that helps us navigate and power through the ups and downs of our lives - being counsellor in chief! On most days, there’s nothing a heartfelt conversation with your dad cannot fix. Yes, they aren’t therapists but as someone who knows you inside out there’s no person better than them to take advice from when you feel lost. 

Cinema too has beautifully captured this side of dads where they talk their kids through heartbreak, identity crises, big life decisions, and sometimes even their own mistakes, becoming unexpected emotional anchors while giving the audience some of the most memorable moments in movies and shows.

Also Read: Parenting with Pride: Short films package review from Kashish Pride Film Festival 2025!

These movies are proof!

Paresh Rawal as Sunil Dutt - Sanju

Sanju is Sanjay Dutt’s biopic but at its heart, it's simply a heartwarming tale of a father and son. Paresh Rawal’s Sunil Dutt supports Sanjay (Ranbir Kapoor) through addiction and legal troubles with unwavering love and advice, helping him rebuild his life. Remember the four ‘ustaads’ of Hindi cinema senior Dutt recommends, songs of whom guide and correct the course of Sanju's life? Sunil addresses his son’s flaws with empathy and corrective guidance which makes him one of the best on-screen dads!

Sushant Singh Rajput as Anni - Chhichhore

Let’s be honest! Watching Anni talk to his son clad in casts and tubes on a hospital bed while trying to keep his composure was both heartbreaking and inspiring. The way Anni helps his son Raghav overcome despair after failing the JEE by sharing stories of his failures during his college days provided him with a great sense of comfort and emotional support, especially the dialogue -‘Tumhara result decide nahi karta ki tum loser ho ya nahi, tumhari koshish decide karti hai’, which also underlined the film’s message of resilience!

Pankaj Tripathi as Anup Saxena - Gunjan Saxena 

Gunjan Saxena epitomized that a father’s faith and unconditional support, especially for his daughter, can move mountains. Pankaj Tripathi's Anup is shown to be Gunjan’s (Janhvi Kapoor) biggest emotional anchor in her quest to become an Indian Air Force pilot - a distant dream for girls during that period. Anup listens to her without judgement and validates her feelings, creating a safe space for Gunjan to pursue her dreams. His simple yet practical advice helps her navigate through the challenges of her life and chase her dreams with courage and conviction.

 Amitabh Bachchan as Bhaskor Banerjee - Piku 

Yes, you read that right, Mr. Banerjee, despite often putting Piku’s (Deepika Padukone) patience to test thanks to his hypochondria, actually served as her emotional mirror and motivator. His bluntness, vulnerability, and intellectual banter with her revealed a unique father-daughter bond, one that thrives on uncomfortable yet progressive conversations and unwavering trust in each other. 

Naveen Kumar as Sharief - Sultan

Sharief, just like a typical Indian dad, spoke less to Sultan (Salman Khan) and largely had a formal relationship with him. However, when Sultan gets dejected by Aarfa’s (Anushka Sharma) humiliating rejection of his proposal, Sharief steps up and gives him an honest mantra that ensures a course correction and motivates Sultan to kick off his journey of becoming a world champion wrestler, thereby leading a life of purpose and dignity. 

David Harbour as Jim Hopper - Stranger Things

At the start of Stranger Things, you find Hopper to be a tough police cop, a brooding figure who looks emotionally closed-off. However, as the show progresses, you see him evolving into a fiercely protective and emotionally present father to his adopted daughter Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown). Some of the show's most endearing moments are the ones where he awkwardly navigates talks with El and helps her deal with adolescence, trauma, and identity, offering her reassurance and encouragement in his silent ways.

Jared Harris as King George VI - The Crown

George is shown to be a quiet, emotionally astute father who guides young Elizabeth (Claire Foy) in her early years as his successor to the throne. Despite his struggles with a lung tumor and the pressure of the duties, he offers her emotional reassurance and clears her head every time she is overwhelmed by the ups and downs of her married life and the anticipations of the role she is about to enter, through wise advice

Mufasa - The Lion King 

The most soulful aspect of Disney’s The Lion King was the way Mufasa guides Simba not just in life, but even after it! His teachings on responsibility, identity, and legacy stick with Simba and help him process the grief of losing his father and get over the guilt of abandoning his kingdom. Mufasa’s guidance inspires Simba to reclaim the purpose of his life and take on the duties he was destined to perform.

Which other on-screen dads do you think deserve a shout-out for their counselling prowess? Tell us in the comments below!

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