5 WAYS INDIAN CINEMA GLORIFIED THE NOTION OF SELFLESS MOTHERS

‘Mothers’ in Bollywood have always been represented as all sacrificing, selfless goddesses who would do anything to put roti on their child’s plate and not her own. The depiction of motherhood in Hindi Cinema is woven by the cultural norms and societal expectations of those who cook, clean, sacrifice and don't possess any identity other than being someone’s ‘maa’. 

‘Maa ki Mamta’, is a trope that Bollywood has been using as a tool of patriarchy to prevent women from being their own person. Seasoned actors such as Nirupa Roy, Reema Lagoo, Rakhee, Farida Jalal and Jaya Bachchan have perfected the role of moms who live for their children and devoting even a minute to their own happiness is a far thought. Take a cue from the Laxman Utekar directorial ‘Mimi’. Though called one of the most loved movies of 2021, did Mimi get to live her childhood dream? No! She was praised by the nation for killing her dreams, burying them deep under the ground and raising someone else's child. Movies have systematically glorified selfless motherhood and in the process have made life so much more difficult for women

Now as modernization kicked in and women started breaking free from traditional moulds, people seem to be facing a hard time seeing mothers prioritising their happiness for once. Cue “Shakuntala Devi,” where the protagonist battles guilt for choosing her career over exclusive motherhood.

Don't Miss: Mother’s Day 2024: 5 Things To Do For Your Mom At Home And Surprise Her

Portrayal Of Selfless Moms: A Tool of Patriarchy in Bollywood Films

Mr Bechara (1996)

Image Courtesy: IMDb

Anita refuses to marry her childhood love Ajay because she believes being a mother is more supreme than being a lover or even a woman. 

Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994)

Image Courtesy: YouTube

Nisha has to sacrifice her love for Prem because she has to be the mother of her dead sister’s child. 

Life in a... Metro (2007)

Image Courtesy: TOI

Shikha bids adieu to her love, Akash as she has decided to stay in an abusive and abusive marriage for the sake of her child. 

Aitraaz (2004) 

Image Courtesy: IMDb

The film demonises Sonia who aborts her child and refuses to marry her boyfriend because she wants to create her independent identity. 

Zeher (2006)

Image Courtesy: Music Brainz 

Sonia refuses to continue with her pregnancy and loses her husband to another woman in almost a fashion of poetic justice. 

Don't Miss: Bollywood Moms Who Are Loving But Fiery

Herzindagi.com is Jagran New Media's gender and lifestyle vertical, catering to women of all age groups, helping them remain updated, on-trend and aware. To improve our performance and understand our readers' interests better, we have created this poll. This will take 2 minutes of your time, do help us out with this link.

2024-05-04T07:16:28Z dg43tfdfdgfd