Mother’s Day: Sridevi, Gitanjali Rao, Swara Bhasker, the changing phase of moms in Bollywood

MOTHER, every writer and director has his own interpretation of this powerhouse lady. Bollywood in the long run has introduced us to many variations of moms on the big screen. Some cry in their sorrows, some fight for revenge, while some sacrifice everything, etc. But now, Indian Cinema has not only evolved in terms of content, but even the moms from it have undergone drastic change. Though the yesteryear had some iconic moms including Nirupa Roy in Deewar, Rakhee in Karan Arjun and Nargis in Mother India, but the 2.0 version of mothers of Bollywood is totally relatable. Today, as we celebrate Mother’s Day, let’s have a look at a few new age mothers from Bollywood who we feel will be iconic a few decades down the line.

Sridevi (English Vinglish and MOM)

Stills from MOM and English Vinglish

Late superstar Sridevi did a bandwidth of roles in her career. Marking her last few films she played two moms contrastingly opposite from each other. Sashi from Gauri Shinde’s English Vinglish was a loving mother to two kids. Sashi was a pro at everything except for speaking English, which embarrassed her children. However, Sashi left everyone behind learnt the language and thereafter went on to be an inspiration to many moms. In MOM, the legendary actress took a complete detour and became a mother with a mission to revenge the people who abuse her daughter and she totally touches your heart.

Geetanjali Rao (October)

still from October

Her world came crashing down seeing her elder daughter on death bed, money crisis stressed her, and still she reminded her younger kids to do their homework. Gitanjali Rao in Shoojit Sircar’s October played Shuili’s (Banita Sandhu) mother and a professor with utmost poise and patience. Not even once did she let her sorrow reflect on her face. Haven’t we seen such a lady in our real lives? Gitanjali Rao, you have our heart.

Seema Pahwa  (Shubh Mangal Saavdhan)

Still from Shubh Mangal Saavdhan

Raise your hand if you think Seema Pahwa is one of the cutest moms Bollywood has ever seen. A small town mother to a young girl, Seema in Shubh Sandal Saavdhan was a mom who was trying to be with the generation. While, she new her daughter is an adult and knows everything; she felt that explaining to her the concept of reproduction was her duty. If you have seen the film you would remember the scene where she explains Bhumi about sex without even mentioning the word once.

Swara Bhasker (Nil Battey Sannata)

Still from Nil Battey Sannata

Imagine a mother-daughter duo going to school together. Well, Swara Bhasker’s Nil Battey Sannata is a voice of all those ladies in the country who were pushed in marriage at an early age. The film talks about a lady who decides to go to school just to save her daughter from not being a house maid like her character, she attends school and makes her daughter what she dreamt of. A film everyone should watch.

Ratna Pathak Shah (Kapoor and Sons Since 1921)

Still from Kapoor and Sons Since 1921

Gone are the days where mothers could never be wrong. Ratna Pathak Shah in Kapoor and Sons played a flawed woman who made mistakes, regretted them but also had a lot of sufferings on her plate. Robbing a chance from one son and giving it to another, she showed us how moms can also be partial sometimes. By the end she accepts a gay son and wins our hearts. Thank you director Shakun Batra for showing us a flawed mother and make us understand the complexities of a family.

Happy Mother’s Day! Let us know who is your favourite mom from these? Comment below and stay tuned to CineBlitz