The Evolution of Mothers in Bollywood

 

'Mere Paas Maa Hai'- Recall this very popular dialogue of Shashi Kapoor from the 70s film 'Deewar' embodies the significant meaning of a mother’s existence in one’s life. If we look into the Bollywood films the portrayal of a mother has always been changing in every decade.

The God-fearing, homely moms of the 40s,  an idealistic mother, who tolerated misery. in the 50s and 60s, mothers laboring over a sewing machine in the 70s and 80s, friendly, witty, and modern in thinking of the 90s to the mother of films like English Vinglish, Mom, Secret Superstar, Vicky Donor.

In this blog, I look into the mothers of the 21st-century being portrayed in Bollywood films. The first significant role of a mother in my list is the role that shattered the stereotyped Maa role was in 'Kya Kehna' (2000). In this film, Preity Zinta plays a young unwed mother who takes on society to protect her unborn child.

Another unconventional mother role was that of Kirron Kher in 2008’s Dostana, who although with a heavy heart, was ready to accept her son’s boyfriend. Ratna Pathak Shah plays the new-age mother  is the best friend in films like Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na 

How can we forget Sridevi who played a role of a mother, who enrolls in an English-speaking course to stop her husband and daughter from mocking her lack of English skills^[ and gains self-respect in the process in the 2012 film English Vinglish and also a mother who takes revenge of the rapists of her daughter in the 2017 film 'Mom' 

We will see more unconventional mothers in Bollywood films in the future. The challenge, however, is to present the new-age mom without eliminating the core attributes that define motherhood. 

Song of Kya Kehna 2000

Song of Dostana 2008

Song of English Vinglish 2012

Song of Mom 2017

The most Popular Mothers Of Bollywood

Mother's Day  is a day dedicated to the most selfless beings in our lives - our moms. For all the selfless love and care your mom showered upon you, Mother's Day is the perfect occasion to make her feel special and give her a break from mommy duties.
 Cinema plays an important role in our lives, even more than we notice. Since the beginning most of the films had an important character of Mother in the story,some roles became immortal and some filmy mothers became very popular.
In this blog I pay a tribute to the most famous Mothers of Bollywood

Durga Khote

Scene from Mughal e Azam

Durga Khote marks the pioneering phase for women in Indian Cinema as she was one of the first women from respectable families to enter the film industry, thus breaking a social taboo.She also ranks among the top ten actresses in mother roles in Hindi cinema,most notable among them were as Jodhabai in K. Asif's Mughal-e-Azam (1960); as Kaikeyi in Vijay Bhatt's classic Bharat Milap (1942); her other memorable roles as mother were in Charnon Ki Dasi (1941); Mirza Ghalib; Bobby (1973) and Bidaai (1974). She has received the highest award in Indian cinema, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1983), for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema.
Sulochana

                                            JOHNY MERA NAAM - Just One Scene

Sulochana made her debut in films in 1946. She was often paired opposite Nazir Hussain and Ashok Kumar throughout her career in Hindi films.
Popularly known as Dev Anands Film mother, She was a regular in films with Dev Anand in the lead roles, where either Dev Anand was her son or relative and some of their films together were Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai, Pyar Mohabbat, Duniya (1968), Jhonny Mera Naam, Amir Garib, Warrant and Joshila.She also played mother or as close relative in Hindi films with Sunil Dutt as the leading man such as in Heera, Jhoola, Ek Phool Char Kante, Sujatha, Mehrbaan (1967), Chirag, Bhai Bahen (1969), Reshma Aur Shera, Umar Qaid, Muqabla, Jaani Dushman and Badle Ki Aag. 
Since 1969, she often played an on-screen close relative to the character played by Rajesh Khanna and some of their famous films included Bahraon Ke Sapne, Doli, Kati Patang, Mere Jeevan Saathi, Dil Daulat Duniya, Prem Nagar, Aakraman, Bhola Bhala, Tyaag, Aashiq Hoon Baharaon Ka and Adhikar(1986). Her other best known films include Nai Roshni (1967), Aaye Din Bahar Ke, Aaye Milan Ki Bela, Ab Dilli Dur Nahin, Majboor, Gora Aur Kala, Devar, Bandini, Kahani Kismat Ki, Talaash (1969) and Azaad (1978).
Lalita Pawar

She was a prolific Indian actress, who later became famous as a character actress, appearing in over 700 films in Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati cinema,She was known particularly for playing maternal figures, especially wicked matriarchs or mothers-in-law. 
She started as a child artiste at the age of 12 in the silent era in 1928. In 1938 she became the Leading lady but hercareer as a leading lady came to an abrupt end, due to an unfortunate incident during the shooting of Jung-E-Azadi. As per the scene, Master Bhagwan had to deliver a slap on her face and when he did so, it was so hard that she suffered facial paralysis as a result. Her left eye was permanently damaged. 
After that, she was out of work for almost three years and when she did return at work, she had no other choice but to accept character roles, even though she was just 25 years old! she had to play mother to heroes who were as old as her! Would you believe, she was younger than Ashok Kumar? Raj, Dilip and Dev are also younger to her by just a few years…and I had to play mother to each of them! Anyway,
In 1952 film Daag she became the mother of Dilip Kumar,In Junglee 1961 she became shammi Kapoor's mother. She also notably played the role of the strict but kind Mrs. L. D'Sa in Anari (1959) with Raj Kapoor. Under Hrishikesh Mukherjee's direction, she gave the performance of a lifetime
Kamini Kaushal

She played lead heroine in films from 1946 to 1963, wherein her roles in Do Bhai (1947), Shaheed (1948 film), Ziddi (1948 film), Shabnam (1949 film), Nadiya Ke Paar (1948 film), Arzoo (1950 film), Paras (1949), Namoona (1949), Jhanjar (1953), Aabroo (1956 film), Night Club (1958 film), Jailor (1958 film), Bade Sarkar and Godaan (1963) are considered her career's best performances. She played character roles since 1963, and was critically acclaimed for her performances in Shaheed (1965), in three films of Rajesh Khanna, She played mother to Rajesh Khanna in Prem Nagar in 1974, and in Maha Chor in 1976, and as sister in law to Khanna in Do Raaste.  and with Sanjeev Kumar - Anhonee and eight films with Manoj Kumar.
Nargis

Scene From Mother India

The mother of all Bollywood mothers was Nargis in Mother India,that one role made her immortal.This remains the top most performance till date.The film was released in 1957,she became a mother in only one film but that became the Top mother Performance.
Nirupa Roy

Scene from Deewar

 She played leading roles in her early films and started playing mother roles during the 1970s and 1980s. Her acting career spanned more than 50 years, and she acted in more than 275 films. In the 1970s, her role as mother to the characters played by Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor made her name synonymous to the impoverished suffering mother. Her role in Deewaar (1975) and its dialogues with reference to a mother and son are used as clichés.In the 70s and 80s she was known as Filmy mother of Amitabh Bachchan,some of her popular films as Amitabh's mother were Amar Akbar Anthony,Mukkadar Ka Sikandar,Suhaag,Mard,inquilaab and Lal Badshah
Nutan

 Nutan started her career at the age of 14 in the 1950 film Hamari Beti, directed by her mother. She subsequently starred in such films as Nagina and Humlog (both 1951). Her role in Seema (1955) garnered her wider recognition and a Filmfare Award for Best Actress. She continued playing leading roles through the 1960s until the late 1970s and went on to win the award on four other occasions for her roles in Sujata (1959), Bandini (1963), Milan (1967) and Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1978).
Nutan started playing character roles and continued working until shortly before her death. She portrayed mostly motherly roles in such films as Saajan Ki Saheli (1981), Meri Jung(1985) and Naam (1986). Her performance in Meri Jung earned her a sixth and last Filmfare Award, this time in the Best Supporting Actress category.
Dina Pathak

Dina Pathak acted in over 120 films in a career spanning over six decades.She is best known for her memorable roles in the Hindi films Gol Maal and Khubsoorat. She was a favourite of the Art Cinema in India where she played powerful roles in films like Koshish, Umrao Jaan, Mirch Masala and Mohan Joshi Hazir Ho!.
Rakhee Gulzar

In 1970 she made her debut with Jeevan Mrityu as heroine opposite Dharmendra  In 1971, Rakhee played a double role opposite Shashi Kapoor in Sharmilee, and in the same year she also acted in Lal Patthar and Paras; all three films were popular and she therefore became one of the leading actress of Hindi Cinema in the 1970s. The films Shehzada (1972) and Aankhon Aankhon Mein (1972) - both showcased her comic abilities. She displayed versatility with Heera Panna (1973), Daag: A Poem of Love (1973), Hamare Tumhare (1979), Aanchal (1980), Shriman Shrimati (1982) and Taaqat (1982). She regards her performances in Blackmail (1973), Tapasya (1976) and Aanchal to be her best performances. She acted with Dev Anand in Heera Panna, Banarasi Babu (1973), Joshila (1973) and Lootmaar (1980).

Rakhee worked with Shashi Kapoor in 10 released films, including Sharmelee (1971), Jaanwar Aur Insaan (1972), Kabhi Kabhie (1976), Doosra Aadmi (1977), the critically acclaimed Trishna (1978), Baseraa (1981),^[3] Bandhan Kuchchey Dhaagon Ka (1983), Zameen Aasmaan (1984), and Pighalta Aasman (1985). She also acted opposite Kapoor in the film Ek Do Teen Chaar, which was produced in 1980 but never released.^[4] Her other unreleased film is Majnoon (1979) though the songs were released. Her films with Amitabh Bachchan include Kabhie Kabhie (1976), Muqaddar Ka Sikander (1978), Kasme Vaade (1978), Trishul (1978), Kaala Patthar (1979), Jurmana (1979), Barsaat Ki Ek Raat (1981), and Bemisal (1982). 

Towards the late 1980s and 1990s she played strong character roles as the elderly mother—usually a bereaved and bitter widow whose husband died at the hands of ruthless villains—or a woman of principles in commercially successful films such as Ram Lakhan (1989), Anari (1993), Baazigar (1993), Khalnayak (1993), Karan Arjun (1995), Border (1997), Soldier (1998), Ek Rishtaa: The Bond of Love(2001) and Dil Ka Rishta (2002).

Farida Jalal

She started her career with Taqdeer (1967). She went on to play leading and supporting roles in numerous motion pictures through the 1970s and early 80s. She is widely remembered for her roles in Paras (1971), Henna (1991) and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), all of which garnered the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.She played the mother of Kajol in many films.She also became Shahrukh.s mother in couple of films.

Rima Lagoo

She started her acting career on Marathi stage. However, she received wider recognition with roles in television serials, Hindi and Marathi films. She debuted in films in 1979 with the Marathi film Sinhasan.

 She first rose to prominence with the Hindi film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988) where she played Juhi Chawla's mother. She was seen in a controversial role in Aruna Raje's Rihaee (1988). She then starred in the blockbuster film Maine Pyar Kiya (1989) as Salman Khan's mother and then in Saajan (1991), also a superhit success at the box office. She starred in action drama and crime thriller Gumrah (1993) as Sridevi's mother, Jai Kishen (1994) as Akshay Kumar's mother and Rangeela(1995) as Urmila Matondkar's mother. Her Gumrah (1993) was seventh-highest grosser of the year at the box office, Jai Kishen (1994) was a commercial success (declared 'semihit'). Rangeela (1995) was highest grosser of the year at the box office.

She played mother to gangster Sanjay Dutt.in Vaastav She has been credited in the media as a coming of a "new-age mother" in Hindi cinema.After that she played mother's role of Sanjay dutt in many films.

Dimple Kapadia

The ever-graceful Dimple Kapadia is the most stylish mother or grandmother in Bollywood right now.Started her career with Bobby in 1973 left films soon after marrying Rajesh Khanna,came back with Sagar in 1985.For the next decade, she would go on to become one of top five commercial actresses in Bollywood along with Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit, Meenakshi Sheshadri and Jaya Prada.

She played the role of Tara Jaiswal, a middle-aged alcoholic woman, an interior designer by profession, and a divorcee who is not allowed to meet with her daughter in 2001 film Dil Chahta Hai,In 2005  Dimple and Rishi Kapoor reunited as a lead couple for the third time after Bobby(1973) and Saagar (1985) in Pyaar Mein Twist. They starred as two middle-aged single parents who fall in love and later have to deal with the reaction of their children. Dimple Kapadia had perfected the way she played roles of the quintessential Indian mother, but she played each role in her own style. Her rendition of a Punjabi mother in Homi Adajania's Cocktail was funny and entertaining. In Homi Adajania's next venture. She played Deepika's mother-in-law in this comic caper.

Some of Mother-Child Relationship Song

                                                             Song from Sahaara 1958

Song from  Gharana (1961)

Song from Bandhini 1963

Song from Daadi Maa 1966

Song from  CHHOTA BHAI 1966

Song from Majhli Didi” (1967)

Song from  Mastana 1970

Song from Karan Arjun  (1995)

Song from  Tare Zameen Par 

10 Bollywood songs to dedicate to your mom

There’s nothing quite as ubiquitous in Bollywood as a mother. In the 50s and  60s Mother had a larger part to play in most films made at the time and so, there were several songs created on mother.Nowadays family oriented movies are not beeing made so the songs on mother are not created.
On the occasion of Mother's Day I dedicate few songs on Mother. 
The first song in my list is Ae Ma Teri Surat Se Alag Bhagwan Ki Surat Sung by Mahendra Kapoor, and composed by Rajesh Roshan, it is from the 1966 film Daadi Maa.

Song from (Dadi Maa) (1966)

 Meri duniyaa hai maan tere aanchal mein  from Talaash 1969 sang by S D Burman, Lyrics-Majrooh Sultanpuri, MD- S D Burman

Song from Talaash 1969

Tu kitni achhi hai  from Raja aur Rank 1968 it was written by Anand Bakshi and composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Lata Mangeshkar went behind the music for this song.

Song from Raja aur Rank 1968 

Maa hai muhabbat ka naam ,this song is from the film Maa Ka Aanchal” (1970) It is sung by Rafi. The song plays on the background while titles roll on the screen.Kaifi Azmi is the lyricist. Madan Mohan

Song from Maa Ka Aanchal” (1970)

Maa mujhe apne aanchal mein chhupaa le,this song is written by  Anand Bakshi music is by  Laxmikant Pyarelal sung by Lata ji from (Chhotaa Bhai) in1966

Song from (Chhotaa Bhai) 1966

Usko nahin dekha hamne kabhi  This song in fact is so moving that one can be pardoned for getting a bit moist eyed on listening to this song.This song is sung beautifully by Mahendra Kapoor and Manna Dey and it is picturised on Maa, her son and servant going to temple on a Tonga. The two men sing this song on the tonga.

Song from (Dadi Maa) (1966)

Meri Maa from TAARE ZAMEEN PAR  is possibly one of the most famous songs on mother for today’s generation which can almost choke you in the throat because of its highly emotional lyrics,written by Prasoon Joshi sung by Shankar Mahadevan

Song from TAARE ZAMEEN PAR 2009

Luka Chuppi from Rang De Basanti

Song from  Rang De Basanti

Khushiyo Kaa Din Aaya Hai from Beta 

Song from Beta 1992

“Maa Ne Kaha”this song is from the movie Zakhm released in 1998 is a heart-breaking song which is picturized on Kunal Khemu in a thoughtful mood and is sung by M.M. Kreem.

Song from Zakhm 1998