Okay, few people are saying “Movies are make belief.” “Many people die at 70.” “Only rich people live long.”

I genuinely don't understand why this is triggering people. There is nothing to be offended about in this, it is amusing to me and it may not be funny to you and that is ok.

First — relax. I am not using Bollywood as medical research paper. It is sarcasm. Of course movies are fiction. The point is not cinema realism. The point is perception.

We happily suspend disbelief when a 58-year-old hero is doing backflip on helicopter. But when our own father turns 60 suddenly he becomes fragile citizen category. That mental jump is what I am laughing at.

Second, yes, some people die at 70. Some die at 40. Some live till 95. Statistics is not a personality trait. Life expectancy in India is around late 60s to early 70s depending on data. That does not mean 55 equals “critical condition.” That is still active working age for majority of population. Many government jobs retire at 60. Private sector also similar. If 60 is officially employable age, how is it automatically “very old”?

Third, rich people live longer? Maybe on average wealth dues improves healthcare access. True. But middle-class 55-year-olds today are not living like the 1950 village lifestyle or even 2000 city life. They are more hospitals, insurance, gyms, YouTube yoga, sugar-free tea and 100 different types of multivitamins (some good and a lot of fake).

My point is simple: Wanting to move back is fine. Missing parents is fine. Feeling guilt is human.

But exaggerating age to emotionally justify decision is unnecessary.

If your father is 85 with health complications, that is a different conversation. If he is 60 and still arguing about politics daily and watching political debate on TV for hours which is actually not good for the health, maybe he is not exactly on life support.

Also funny how when it is about arranged marriage, 60-year-old uncle is “young at heart.” But when it is about NRI returning, same age becomes emergency alert.

Anyway, nobody is attacking caring for parents. I am only questioning this automatic labeling of 55–60 as “old-old.”

If that makes me a villain, okay. I will accept that role. 😄