Chopra has made no secret of her support for Maa Behen. She’s put in a call-out for the up-and-coming Dharna Durga to keep on top of her game, while also heaping praise on Madhuri and Triptii. It’s enough to get people talking about the thriller and its unvarnished look at what happens when you tangle with your own kin.
Priyanka’s shout-out sets the tone
Over on Instagram, Priyanka gave the film a nudge, hailing it as a well-executed, funny and sharp ride. ‘My queen @madhuridixitnene, always the one to steal the scene and the phenomenon @tripti_dimri… what an amazing show and tell!’ she wrote.
Then there was the fan-girl moment for Dharna: ‘I have been such a fan always, and I cannot wait to see what all you unleash upon us. Keep crushing!!’ A tip of the hat to Suresh Triveni for a fine vision and the whole crew was in order, too.
A chorus of praise builds
Vidya Balan has been vocal about her enjoyment as well. ‘Apki toh Maa Behen aek ho gayi Netflix pe,’ she posted, then went on to gush over the energy of the three leads: ‘Was so much fun to watch the crackling chemistry between Madhuri Dixit, Triptii Dimri and Dharna Durga.’
You can see from the early word of mouth that the film is being well-received. The kind of support we are seeing now says it all: the wit and the bite of this project are getting through to all kinds of viewers.
What Maa Behen delivers
It is a story of an independent woman and her two daughters who have to put their heads together to make an end of a neighbour’s accidental death. Suresh Triveni and writers Suresh and Pooja Tolani have them – as played by Madhuri, Triptii and Dharna (Rekha, Jaya and Sushma) – wading through the mess with some attitude.
Out on June 4 from Abundantia Entertainment and Opening Image Films, the title has an ensemble to match, with Geetanjali Kulkarni, Arunoday Singh, Ravi Kishan, Jatin Sarna and more in the mix.
Here is the lowdown if you need it in a nutshell:
– You can stream it on Netflix as of June 4
– Headlined by Madhuri, Triptii and Dharna in the roles of Rekha, Jaya and Sushma
– A black comedy with a cover-up or two
– From the desk of Suresh Triveni and pen of Suresh and Pooja Tolani
Why Madhuri’s turn is stirring conversation
‘Usually in movies a mother is generally placed on a pedestal and she is sacrificing,’ Madhuri told us in an interview. Not so with this one. She is part of a dysfunctional lot and the character is a bit off-kilter.
She put some thought into the accent but didn’t let it be the be-all and end-all of the part. What you get instead is a performance with some moral grey areas and a little mischief. And you can see why Vidya was so taken with the trio’s dynamic.
What comes next for viewers
When Priyanka asked what else Dharna has in store for us, it only whets the appetite. But for the time being, Maa Behen is doing what a good streaming movie should: riling up some debate and making a case for women in the driver’s seat.
Go in with an open mind and you’ll have plenty to say. This is the sort of film that will have your group chat in a lather.
