Weakest Mothers of Bollywood

Mother. A person who has a soothing, calming effect on every child. She can be weak as a person, but as a mother, she can brave the fiercest of storms to protect her little one, even when the little one is not so little anymore. With the world celebrating the essence of motherhood this month, BollyCurry brings you a special edition comprising some of the weakest motherly roles in our beloved Bollywood movies and how our hearts still go out for them.

First on the list comes from the recent hit and much hyped Student of the Year (2012). Rohan's mother, Gayatri Nanda played by Gautami Kapoor, is one such mother who can see the right from wrong. Yet, under the dominance of the patriarch of the family, her husband, she's helpless. Bound by the trappings of customs and traditions, there's little she can do for her son against her husband. We see more a submissive wife and less a protective mother in Gayatri Nanda.

Next on our list is Mariam Khan from Veer Zaara (2004), the epitome of a love story. Mariam Khan, Zaara's mother played by Kirron Kher, is one comical mother with deep love and care for her daughter. When it comes to love, we have seen mothers being the first to melt down. No matter what, they love their children and with their strong emotions, they are the first who cannot see their children in pain. Here's one such example of the same.

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, popularly known as K3G (2001), introduced the audience to Nandini Raichand, effectively portrayed by Jaya Bachchan. While she immensely cares for her two sons, Rahul and Rohan, she lives under her husband's shadow. She does not raise a word against his decisions and thus chooses to bear the pain within. This in itself marks the bearing line of a mother, who is capable of much more than being heroic. Being weak has it's own charm, and while not encouraging it, the movie does give one a sharp sense of righteousness and awareness.

Most commonly called upon as DDLJ, the movie Dilwale Dulhani Le Jaayenge (1995) is another such movie portraying a mother in her weakest form. Simran's mother, Lajwanti (Lajjo) Singh, played by Farida Jalal, portrays the character of a sweet mother, who once again, is powerless in front of her husband and cannot save her daughter from having her free will. Hence, she warns her daughter to stay within limits knowing what the future holds for her if she persists treading on the chosen path. Not having the courage to confront her husband, but also not willing to crush the maternal love for her daughter, the only option she gives her daughter is to elope.

Last on our list comes a mother who tolerates pain and injustice towards herself and her sons for countless years, until one fine day when her husband abandons her suddenly and she is left to fend for her sons alone. The movie Karan Arjun, with the character of Durga (Raakhee), a targeted woman whose world is her sons, conveys a strong concept of not undermining the pain of a mother. For her children, she braves it all, yet, when it is time to fend for brood, she is no weakling.

These were some mothers, iconic in their own right but surely these are not all. They simply are some from the different time periods who've left an impression on our hearts. With this, BollyCurry just wishes to reimpress the importance of mothers and the love they deserve. We wish you and all mothers out there, a happy Mothers Day! Do share with us your favorite or not-so-favorite mothers from your favorite movies!

Writer: Khushi P.