Bollywood produces dozens of films every year— each with stories and characters that impact us at a deeper level. Of course, it is a fictional world— but as a viewer, we all get engrossed in the stories and start living with the characters. So, when life throws lemons at them— we too feel like we were hit by a truck. We have enlisted some of the popular Bollywood movie characters who just deserved better! And, yes, tell us which one hit you the hardest and you cried afterward (No, I did not).
Also Read: 12 Most Misunderstood Bollywood Movie Characters
1. Sanjay Singhania | Ghajini
Sanjay was a young, handsome, and crazy rich man who fell for a woman named Kalpana (quite earnestly). It is a rare feat., right? Well, this one was surely our favorite hero and a true green flag. But, alas! his girlfriend was killed even before he could reveal his identity. And not just that, he was hit on the head and was forever left with a short-term memory loss issue. He was angry, desolate, and wanted to take revenge. Although, he did take revenge at the end— but at what cost? We wanted Sanjay and Kalpana to end up together happily because true love is rare!
2. Aman | Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
Aman is an innocent, charming, and rich man who fell in love with Anjali at first sight and wanted to marry her. Anjali’s family also liked him so much. But, instead, Anjali ditched him on their wedding day and went on to marry Rahul— who not only rejected her love to marry the new popular girl in college aka Tina, but also made fun of her, and even chose to marry her when she started wearing saree, and even in a way showed her that she was his second choice. Aman truly deserved someone who would love him back too.
3. Meghna | Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na
Meghna was truly a good person who started to accept his own delusional truth about life in order to protect herself from getting with her own dysfunctional family. She must be frustrated with her parents and their fights— but her love wasn’t some half-baked fantasy. And, while, Jay was indeed a nice man who was deeply in love with Aditi, he did not act wisely and emphatically with Meghna. She deserved to have someone who also understood where she came from and why she was behaving that way— she needed someone who loved her deeply and healed her inner child.
4. Nisha | Dil Toh Pagal Hai
This superhit classic film might be leaning a little towards misogyny. The film shows that women would always find love when fall into the bracket of what men fantasize about. Yup, Pooja fit perfectly into that ‘dream girl’ that Rahul always talked about. Instead, Nisha, who was real, raw, and confident— good at her job, and understood Rahul better than anyone, was treated like a side character because she did not wear kurtas, and sang and danced in the traditional way that Pooja did. But, was the side character of Rahul’s life, who cares? You go girl— open your dance studio and leave a mark!
5. Veronica | Cocktail
This Homi Adjaniya directorial was loved by the viewers but later on, people realized that the movie’s plot was highly misogynistic and problematic. Saif Ali Khan’s Gautam first sleeps with Veronica who is sexy, hot, and wild— but later goes on to marry her bestie who is shy, religious, and overall a ‘gharelu’ and ‘sanskari’ type whom his mother would like and approve. Sure, we were hurt— but we hope that Veronica got someone who loved her for who she was.
6. Saba | Ae Dil Hai Mushkil
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan portrayed the role of Saba in the film. Saba was beautiful, sizzling hot, and a successful poet. This divorced woman was looking for a second chance at love— but Ranbir’s Ayan did dirty to her by using her as a rebound. She still tried her best and when she realized that he still couldn’t get over Alizeh— she left him forever without any regrets (what a dignified lady!). I would like to meet Saba once in my life and wish her the best!
7. Kashibai | Bajirao Mastani
Kashibai in the movie ‘Bajirao Mastani’ was the first wife of Peshwa Bajirao. And, no matter how much justice they gave in the film that Bajirao and Mastani fell in love— they had an illicit affair. On the other hand, Kashibai was religious, elegant, brave, and even loyal towards her husband, and family. She was left heartbroken when she was informed about Mastani— we could still feel the pain that was reflected in her eyes.
8. Mahabir | Highway
Mahabir was surely wrong when he kidnapped the daughter of a rich businessman to extort money from him. But, as the movie went forward, we realised that deep down he was a nice and kind man who had no ill-intension, but only the desperation of a poor man made him take such a drastic step. He drove around with Alia’s character on egress fields and empty roads, and the silences for comforting— the girl was more comfortable in his presence than he was ever in her own house. Thanks to him— she was finally free. He did not deserve to die.
9. MC Sher | Gully Boy
Siddhant Chaturvedi made MC Sher a classic character that the viewers won’t ever forget. In this Zoya Akhtar directorial, MC Sher was Ranvir Singh’s mentor. While both Alia and Ranvir performed exceptionally well, we felt that Sher was slightly ignored and he not only deserved more screen time but also a better story (one where he is the main character).
10. Sridevi | English Vinglish
Sridevi portrays the role of a meek middle-class homemaker who is neither respected by her husband, nor by her kids. Still, she takes care of everyone and tries to be optimistic. However, when she comes to the US for a wedding, she joins an English coaching class and makes a lot of friends, even a hot French man falls for her (for the real Shashi!). Still, in the end, she came back home with her condescending family and we were left sad.
Yes, I know the list is long and these are probably only a handful that we have added to our compilation of Bollywood movie characters who deserved better. But, we will add more— so, suggest us, and share more names.