Old are the days when a story needed a male hero at its center to capture attention. Netflix’s latest offering, Maa Behen, is such an example, with the three female characters played by Madhuri Dixit, Tripti Dimri, and Dhaarna leading this chaotic dramedy into a perfect paisa-vasool entertainment that is more than what meets the eye.
Let me tell you one thing clearly—Maa Behen is what meets the eye, and the plot is totally different than what it seems in the trailer.
Plot
Set in Uttar Pradesh’s nosy housing colony, the film follows the tale of a dysfunctional mother-daughter trio. Rekha, played by Madhuri Dixit; Jaya, played by Tripti Dimri; and Sushma, played by Dhaarna, are the ladies leading this chaotic dramedy.
The show grips viewers from the very beginning, introducing Rekha, a strong, independent woman who is subjected to society’s judgment- her dressing choice to her attitude. She faces demeaning comments for everything, but does she care? No, but lives her life the way she wants. And her two daughters: Jaya, who lives a dead, married life and faces patriarchy, while Sushma is a bold, experimental, and fiery personality, dreaming of going viral on the internet, but beneath the boldness lies an emotional struggle.
What sets the stage for the drama ahead is when Rekha calls her daughters Jaya and Sushma with the shocker that her neighbor Charitra Kumar Gupta has died in her house. And the chaos begins here with Rekha, Jaya, and Sushma struggling to evacuate Gupta Ji’s dead body, and what follows ahead is more than just what meets the eye, with lots of surprises packed in.
Performances
Madhuri Dixit as Rekha is truly amazing. As a bold, fiery, and chaotic woman who lost her husband at 25, she impresses and defies stereotypes. The surprise is how beautifully Madhuri picks up the Bhojpuri accent. And needless to say, the expressions make it engaging.
Tripti Dimri once again showcases her versatility as Jaya, portraying a strong woman constrained by patriarchal society. This is one of her career-defining roles.
Dhaarna, as a debutant, is impressive. She portrays a girl who aims to go viral no matter what, be it by publishing a 5-minute smooch video on social media. She fears nothing but deals with emotional scrutiny.
Ravi Kishan, no doubt, brings in entertainment. As Gupta Ji, he adds laughter and drama, catalyzing the story’s main drama.
Actors Geetanjali Kulkarni, Arunoday Singh, and Shardul Bharadwaj, with their characters, contribute to the drama, chaos, and comedy in the engaging tale.
Direction And Screenplay
Produced by Vikram Malhotra and Suresh Triveni, Maa Behen is directed by Triveni, who does his work with perfection. He portrays a crime thriller woven into comedy and drama, turning this chaos into a perfect paisa-vasool watch. Cinematically, the film scores well, set in Uttar Pradesh, carefully showcasing the world of chaos.
Overall, Maa Behen is a full paisa-vasool entertainer blending comedy, drama, romance, and crime into a tale that surprises in every frame.
IWMBuzz rates Maa Behen 4 out of 5 stars!
