Mothers of Indian cinema
I would like to present a few of my favorite 'mothers' from Indian films, whose performances are etched in my memory, for their portrayal of motherhood under unique social and/or cultural situations, and their strong acting muscle. I have hand-picked a few movies, predominantly from Hindi and Telugu films.
My first tribute is to the two legendary actresses Anjali Devi of Telugu/Tamil industry and Nirupa Roy of Hindi films. These two actresses played 'mother' in over 700 films. Most of us remember them for their intense and doleful performances, often breaking into tears either lamenting for her children or mourning a loss.
But behind those tears is an empathetic woman, strong in her principles and values, but helpless to stand up against social pressures and dire situations. She makes huge sacrifices, prays, performs acts of faith, and unhesitatingly takes the bullet/stab on behalf of her child. As a woman of principles, she is unafraid to condemn wrongdoings of her sons or daughters, even if it means handing them over into the hands of the law.
Nothing is more heartbreaking for a mother than to witness her children separate from each other. Anjali Devi in 'Rangularatnam' (Telugu, 1966), gave a stellar performance as a mother caught between her two sons, who choose differing paths in life and break away from each other.
Similarly, Nirupa Roy is best remembered for mother performances, and she is the mother for whom the iconic dialogue 'Mere pass maa hai' ( I have a mother on my side ) was written for, from the movie 'Deewar' (Hindi, 1975). Here too, she plays a mother caught between her two warring sons and gives a tearful performance as she chooses right over wrong.
Who can forget Nargis's avatar in the iconic film, 'Mother India' (Hindi, 1957)!!
Contrary to the vivacious and romantic roles essayed in her younger years, Nargis as 'Mother India' shook the nation with her intense performance as a mother who redefined sacrifice. As a young widow, she faces unimaginable challenges to bring up her two sons. Her principles of dignity and righteousness are put to an ultimate test, when she shoots her erring son to protect the dignity of another woman.
The actress who broke away from the weepy, helpless character and gave us a strong woman and a stronger mother, powerful enough to induce fear into the wrong doer, was Sharada (South films). An artiste of high caliber and a 3 time 'Urvashi' award winner, Sharada broke all stereotypes of a mother - she was a homemaker, lawyer, doctor, judge, police officer, and a businesswoman - tough on the exterior and soft on the inside.
In her early years, her performance in a Malayalam movie ' Thulabharam' (1968) earned her, one of her 'Urvashi' awards. She plays a mother who, widowed by a tragedy, becomes a victim to social taboos. Unable to fight against her fate, she poisons her children to save them from poverty and starvation. In a moving courtroom drama, she is given the death penalty for her deed.
While most movies pivot around the mother-son relationship, very few movies unveil the mother-daughter relationship. K.Vishwanath's 'Jeevana Jyothi' (Telugu, 1975) is a landmark movie that revolves around an unusual and complex mother-daughter story - a daughter gives up her toddler son to her mother, who loses her mental stability following a tragedy. Vanisree, another terrific artiste, delivered a magnificent performance, essaying the dual roles of mother and daughter.
At a time when senior heroines put off playing 'mother' roles for a much later period in their career, the one heroine who took on playing the mother much early in her career and age, was the phenomenal actress, Sridevi. Even before the much famed English-Vinglish ( 2012) and MOM (2017) that garnered her world-wide acclaim, Sridevi, a mere teenager then, played step-mother to Rajnikanth in 'Moondru Mudichu' (Tamil, 1976). In her later years, as a glamourous star, Sridevi loved playing mother roles....mostly the doting mother.
She squares out with the perpetrator in MOM, when she takes the law into her own hands, to avenge the injustice meted out to her daughter -love is love even if it is an adopted child.
A mother, who adopts another's child, presents its own inconceivable challenges. Shabana Azmi played the mother, whose world comes crashing down, when a young boy (husband's love-child) comes into her life. In 'Masoom' ( Hindi, 1983), Shabana acted to near perfection as a woman who struggles with complex emotions of anger, pity and guilt, before finding maternal love for the boy.
In 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham' (Hindi, 2001), Jaya Bhaduri acted a mother to an adopted son, played splendidly by Shah Rukh Khan. Their bond is glorified in a typical Karan Johar style, and even today the movie's mother-son tender moments remain memorable...not to mention the hugely popular memes of their on-screen moments.
While talking about parents and adopted children, an unusual adoption story comes to mind - 'Maatru Devo Bhava' (Telugu, 1993). This offbeat movie is about a terminally ill mother who loses her husband and is left to care for her children. Knowing that her end is near, she gives up her children for adoption to different families. A highly moving and stirring performance by actress Madhavi.
An unwed mother, Sharmila Tagore essayed the most risky avatar in 'Aaradhana' (Hindi, 1969). She did the unthinkable in her most glamorous years by acting in 'Aradhana' - a blockbuster movie, with melodious and memorable songs and an emotional love story. She played mother to the nation's most handsome man, Rajesh Khanna. Her character ages into an old woman, out of prison and in search of her son. It was a risk that no heroine of her times would have taken....and it paid off as it remains a celebrated movie even today.
Being a mother to a 'challenged' child is an agonizing and a distressing experience. Mani Ratnam succeeded in bringing this difficult subject on screen through 'Anjali'( Tamil, 1990). Actress Revathy's brilliant portrayal of the mother to a 'challenged' child, navigating her emotions between anger, rejection and frustration, is moving and heartrending.
Vidya Balan, a tremendous actress in her own right, plays the challenging role of her career as a single unwed gynecologist, and a mother to a boy suffering from a rare disease called 'progeria' (accelerated aging) in the movie 'Paa' (Hindi, 2009). Her performance as an anguished and hurting mother is truly commendable. She later played a carefree, happy and content wife and mother in 'Tumhari Sulu' (Hindi, 2017), with adoring ease and conviction.
Modern mother of Indian celluloid made her entry into Indian cinema (Pan India ) , with a fresh and liberal social outlook. She has a great rapport with her children, has a sense of humor, a friend to all, and yet confident to stand on her own beliefs and values. She is rational, inclusive and unafraid to shape her own destiny ( a la Tabu in 'Astitva'). She understands the challenges of her times and faces them with progressive thoughts.
Reema Lagoo, Kirron Kher and Kajol set the bar in this category in Hindi films, and Jayasudha, Nadia, Sudha, Suhasini were forerunners of modern mothers in Telugu films.
Reema Lagoo as a cool, chilled mother was popularized by Rajashri's in 'Maine Pyaar Kiya', 'Hum Aapke Hain Kaun'. She is a sauve and stylish mother who balances sentiment and traditions with equal ease.
In 'Maaja Maa' (Marathi, 2022), Madhuri Dixit plays a mother who respects her sexuality and stands up for her girl friend, even as her children and the society is bent on humiliating her. Madhuri's acting prowess in this delicate role reminds us why she is a darn good actress!
To say Kajol is a powerhouse of talent is an understatement. She has proved herself in glamourous roles as well as more mature and serious roles with equal elan. Her performance as a single mother in 'My Name is Khan', 'We are family', and the more recent 'Helicopter Eela' and 'Tribhanga', is relevant and natural.
In Telugu films, Ramyakrishna plays the strong matriarchal warrior-mother, in her historic role of Sivagami in 'Baahubali', Jayasudha in 'Bommarillu' and 'Amma Nanna oka Tamil Ammayi', Suhasini in 'Leader', Nadia in 'Attarintiki Daaredi'...to name a few, have been blockbuster movies that hinge primarily on the strong mother. She stands tall along with the hero, motivates the son to fight injustice, lends a strong hand of support, and instills integrity in the family.
We should salute our Indian mothers, who have inspired movie makers to model them on screen, and appreciate the essence of 'motherhood'. This list is not even the tip of the iceberg, it's a humble attempt to honor mothers in Indian cinema.