Mother’s Day: B-town’s most unforgettable screen mothers

Not only in Indian cinema but also in Indian culture, the role and place of a mother in life is always regarded as close to heart. Over the years, there have been many iconic actresses who have done justice to the ‘Maa’ role in Bollywood. BizAsia has taken a journey down memory lane and bring to you a little look at those actresses.

Nargis Dutt

The list would be incomplete without this actress who played the mother in 1957’s ‘Mother India’. She played the role with her future husband, Sunil Dutt, playing her son. Her role was the mother who raised her two children single-handedly despite the obstacles that life threw her way.

Nirupa Roy

This actress is best known for and most remembered for the many times she has played the role of Amitabh Bachchan’s mother. We think she deserves to be on this list just for that reason and also because the famous dialogue Mere Paas Maa Hai in ‘Deewaar’ (1975) is really dedicated to her.

Reema Lagoo

Her most unforgettable mother roles were in the immensely popular movies starring Salman Khan, ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’ (1989) and also ‘Hum Aapke Hai Koun’ (1994). She also played Shah Rukh Khan’s mum in 2003’s ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’. It seems she fitted the mother role perfectly – more so in the middle class portrayals.

Zohra Sehgal

She is perhaps one of the most senior on this list at the age of 100 and what an actress she is. Audiences will remember her witty portrayal of Amitabh Bachchan’s mother in ‘Cheeni Kum’ (2007) and also ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’ (2001). Sehgal has this quality of coming across modern even in her well-rooted roles and this is something that will always remain special in her performances.

Achla Sachdev

The late Achla Sachdev is remembered for her mother roles in the multi-starrers ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’ (2001) and ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ (1995). However, with 250 films in her kitty, she was no stranger to cinema. The actress died last year after a prolonged illness.

Jaya Bachchan

When one thinks of Jaya Bachchan in iconic mother roles, one can mostly picture her in Shah Rukh Khan films ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham’ (2001) and also ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’ (2003). ��She was also seen in ‘Fiza’ (2000) and ‘Koi Mere Dil Se Pooche’ (2002) as mothers of the protagonists. Her most recent role as a mother was in 2007’s ‘Laaga Chunari Mein Daag’ which also starred her son, Abhishek.

Rakhee

‘Karan Arjun’ (1995) is the one film which stands out in one’s head when thinking of Rakhee in a mother’s role. However, the actress did go on to play many such roles both before and after that. She is best known for the stronger characters as a mother which somewhat sets her apart.

Farida Jalal

Farida Jalal’s happy-go-lucky persona in her mother performances is what stands out. Her most unforgettable performances remain ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ (1998) and also in 1995’s ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’. She will also be remembered for her role in ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’ (2001) in which she played Daijaan/DJ.

Dina Pathak

She is perhaps one of the most famous mother figures that have graced Indian cinema. Her work encompasses a very many films which perhaps wouldn’t have done so well without her input.

As you can see from this far from extensive list, the mothers of Indian cinema are pivotal to any film and may they remain so. BizAsia would like to wish all the mothers reading this a very happy mother’s day.