Mother’s have been an important part of Hindi cinema. Over the years, the portrayal of mothers in Bollywood has been changing. Mothers are given much more importance in cinema than just being a character actor who has to nod to everything the husband or the child says. 

On the occasion of Mother’s Day, here’s looking at some of the most popular on-screen mothers. 

Rakhee 

Her dialogue “Mere Karan Arjun aayenge'' is not something that one will forget anytime soon. She played mother to actors Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan in the hit film Karan Arjun. While Rakhee has played varied roles in her illustrious career spanning over 50 years, when it came to being a mother onscreen she has been seen as a woman of principles including in films like Baazigar, Ram Lakhan, Soldier, Khalnayak and others. 

Farida Jalal 

Farida Jalal too has been part of the industry for almost fifty years and continues to impress people with her charm. While the actress has played different kinds of roles, her motherly onscreen figure is the one most remembered by people. From being Shah Rukh Khan’s mother in Duplicate to Kajol’s in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jaayenge, she is the kind of mother who is always ready to make sacrifices for her child. She is also popular for the savage yet emotional grandmother of Jiya from the television series Shararat. 

Kirron Kher

She is often cast as the loud Punjabi mother with a soft heart always caring and worrying about her child. From Dostana, to Hum Tum to Singh is King to Om Shanti Om she was the mother who could also make you laugh with her snarky comments. While she started her career in film in 1983, most of her hit films including Main Hoon Na and Rang De Basanti see her play the role of a mother. 

Reema Lagoo

Best remembered for her role in Tu Tu Main Main, she has largely been seen in Bollywood films playing the emotional mother. She has played mother to most superstars in the late 80s and 90s. She was considered as a "new-age mother" in Hindi cinema. She was low on drama and was not too emotional either, perfectly maintaining the balance between the two. From Hum Saath Saath Hai to Hum Aapke Hai Kaun to Kal Ho Naa Ho, she is the kind of mother you just want to give a hug and say everything will be okay. 

 Jaya Bachchan 

How can an onscreen mother’s list be complete without Jaya Bachchan. She raised the bar for on-screen mothers with her performance in Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham. The scene with Shah Rukh Khan’s entry in the film will be remembered for Jaya Bachchan’s sixth sense rather than the superstar’s entry. She then went on to ditch the saree and all the parampara and thali and was seen playing a bold single mother in Kal Ho Naa Ho. 

Ratna Pathak Shah

She will always be remembered dearly as Maya Sarabhai who could accept anything else but being middle class. When it comes to playing a mother in Bollywood, she has never been typecast and has shown variety in her characters. In Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na she was the protective and progressive mother to Imran Khan’s character who could not tolerate violence or any unjust activities. She once again played mother to Imran Khan in Ek Main Aur Ek Tu. She was a rich- sophisticated woman yet very different from her character Maya Sarabhai. Meanwhile, she played a middle-class mother to Taapsee Pannu in the film Thappad who worried more about “Log Kya Kahenge”. 

Let us know your favourites in the comment section.

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Industry veterans such as Farida Jalal and Satish Kaushik, who not only worked with Rishi Kapoor but also knew him well, cannot get over the news of his demise. Filmmaker-actor Kaushik, who has worked with Kapoor in films like "Tehzeeb", "Saagar", "Aa Ab Laut Chalen" and "Wedding Pullav", says the late star made acting look like the easiest profession and that he ruled Bollywood with his charm and king size personality.

"Chintuji was a much-loved young icon of romance for me when I saw 'Bobby' in my college days in Delhi. After coming to Mumbai I kept on seeing him in various films as a huge star, and then got to work with him as a co-actor, and then he directed me in 'Aa Ab Laut Chalen'," Satish told IANS.

"He was a great friend, great company, always very jovial and very loving. A great person and actor, who ruled the film industry with his charm and king size persona," said Satish, who was recently shooting with Rishi for a film called "Sharmajee Namkeen".

An emotional Satish says that with Rishi the era of Romance has gone. "Yes, (the) era of romance is gone with him but his footprints will always take us to happiness and joy. Chintuji we will miss you and you will always remain the charming boy of Indian cinema. Rest in peace," he wrote.

While Kaushik was working with Rishi Kapoor in the film he would never complete, Farida Jalal recalled working with the late actor in his debut movie, "Bobby". She broke down over phone, while talking about Rishi Kapoor.

"Oh my god, what is happening? Yesterday Irrfan Khan passed away and today it is Chintu (Rishi Kapoor) I am really shocked. I was very close to Chintu. I worked with him in his first film, ‘Bobby'. I don't know what to say, I need to process this," she said.

In 2018, Rishi Kapoor was diagnosed with cancer for the first time, following which the actor was in New York for nearly a year to undergo treatment. He returned to India in September 2019 after recovering.

Post return to India, his health has frequently been in focus. The actor was admitted to hospital in quick succession in February.

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