Earlier, the first to announce Rakshabandhan (or just about any other festival) would be a cheery message from the network operators. A very happy Rakshabandhan / New Year / Christmas, the message would read, followed by details about a slight increase in tariff for SMSes sent on that day.
Later, Cadburys took over, and added a contemporary touch to the pooja thaali, switching laddoos / other Indian sweets with an assortment of chocolate bars in its advertisements. They also included a happy family, and a very filmy brother and sister who fight over a chocolate bar, set to an emotional tune.
The last couple of years or so, the GIFs took over – one for every moment, every emotion, every relationship.
A look at a few GIFS from popular movies and shows, that chronicles the much-celebrated brother-sister relationship through the years.
And also to potentially serve as a fun greeting.
1. Who can forget the brother-sister act of Sivaji Ganesan and Savithri in Pasamalar (1961)?
Radha (Savithri) falls in love with her brother’s friend, Anand (Gemini Ganesan). Rajasekhar (Sivaji), who is opposed to their union at first, eventually arranges for their marriage. They face a lot of hardship together, but the ending is what gets viewers emotional, when a blind Rajasekhar, unable to bear the thought that he can’t see his sister anymore, dies. Radha, too, overcome by brother’s death, dies holding onto his hand.
The film has been remade too many times (Rakhi and Aisa Pyar Kahan in Hindi, Vathsalya in Kannada, and Rakta Sambhandam in Telugu) and continues to be quoted even now as one of the best films on brother-sister relationships. The song ‘Malargalai Pol Thangai Urangukiral‘, written by Kannadasan, and composed by the duo MS Vishwanathan and TK Ramamoorthy, have inspired movie titles, too.
The GIF for when your sibling gets married.
2. Directed by Onir, My Brother Nikhil has the sister protecting the brother from societal judgement.
Told from the perspective of Anamika (Juhi Chawla), the story shows a sister staying by her brother’s side even when he is tested HIV positive and isolated, and left to die in a prison. Mustering courage and defying her parents’ warnings, Anamika sets Nikhil (Sanjay Suri) free, and reunites him with their parents.
It’s a heartwarming story based on an actual incident. A small film compared to most commercial hits, the film went on to fare well at awards and festivals.
A GIF to announce that you have got your sibling’s back.
3. We recommend you to watch Pyar Ka Devta (1991) – a typical Mithun Chakraborty film, it is about the righteous hero and brother who teaches the villain(s) a lesson or two at the end.
In this film, Vijay (Mithun Chakraborty) has three sisters to take care of when their mother dies. Things get difficult when they’ve all grown up and he has the biggest responsibility a Bollywood brother has to fulfill – getting his sisters married. While the film reinforces stereotypes about men and women, and talks of a woman’s purity, Pyar Ka Devta is also a lesson on why toxic masculinity isn’t always the answer.
The film also features a song in which Mithun’s Vijay runs around with rakhis – a cult Raksha Bandhan song (‘Behne Hasti Hai To‘).
GIF for the brother that needs a lesson.
4. Aditi (Genelia D’Souza) and Amit (Prateik Babbar) in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (2008) are the only on-screen brother-sister who convincingly portray reality. One is popular and has her set of friends. The other is more reserved and doesn’t quite get along with people. While growing up, Aditi and Amit were best friends. They drifted apart when Aditi’s friends circle grew, and Amit’s dwindled.
Jaane Tu
In the film, right after they fight, Aditi and Amit talk about their childhood, their secrets and games. Not much has changed between them when they sit down and talk as adults. Together, they’ll always be the squabbling siblings, fighting and then making up soon enough. He’s also the first to warn her about marrying the abusive Sushant, and choosing Jai (Imran Khan) instead.
A GIF for the siblings who have found each after a long time.
5. In Iqbal, Khadija (Shweta Prasad) is her brother Iqbal’s (Shreyas Talpade) friend and translator. Khadija is the only one who can understand the deaf and mute Iqbal.
Iqbal is passionate about cricket, and Khadija sets about finding a good coach for him. She convinces a burnt out cricketer to help Iqbal with the sport, all without their parents’ knowledge.
GIF #2 to say ‘I got your back’.
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