rediff.com
News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » Movies » The Glam Moms of Bollywood

The Glam Moms of Bollywood

Last updated on: August 11, 2010 10:31 IST

Image: Kajol in We Are Family
Neither hapless nor harried, Bollywood's glamorous mom is nothing like her melodramatic predecessors.

Gone are the days when playing Maa on screen implied cooking gajar ka halwa or sporting dull cotton saris with her hair tied indifferently in a serious bun.

The new, fancy yummy mummy doesn't let her maternal duties conflict with her picture-perfect appearance, sky-rocketing profession and breezy, chic attitude.

In Karan Johar's latest, We Are Family, an official adaptation of Hollywood's Stepmom, Kareena Kapoor, along with co-star Kajol, is expected to slip into the skin of the hip titular character with her signature poise.

On that note, here's a low down on the memorable glam moms of Bollywood in recent times.

Kajol, My Name is Khan

As the single NRI mom juggling between her beautician's job and raising an exceptionally understanding son, Kajol does a commendable job of conveying the balance between a focused professional and affectionate parent a quality that remains unaltered even after she remarries. Considering her line of work involves attractive appearances, she's rarely ever found having a bad hair day.

Vidya Balan, Paa

Image: Vidya Balan in Paa

In one of her finest performances, Vidya Balan plays the no-nonsense yet doting mom with a clear sense of ethics and aesthetics.

At the same time, her Sabyasachi-clad character leaves her straightforward gynecologist approach behind while fondly interacting with her Progeria-afflicted 13-year-old, Auro, indulging in his various whims and fancies.

Priyanka Chopra, Pyaar Impossible

Image: Priyanka Chopra in Pyaar Impossible

Though she speaks a lot like Lindsay Lohan from all those high school capers and looks straight out of a stunning Vogue cover, Priyanka Chopra is, for better or worse, a divorced, single mum in Jugal Hansraj's Pyaar Impossible

Owing to her demanding job in a PR firm, she finds little time to attend to her seriously spoiled daughter, a mini version of her rock-star ways in college. So what's the next best thing to do? Hire a male nanny.  

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Kuch Naa Kaho

Image: Aishwarya Rai in Kuch Naa Kaho

She's quite unconvincing as a desi Dorothy Boyd in Rohan Sippy's directorial debut, Kuch Naa Kaho.  

 

Even so, you can't deny her yummy mummy status regardless of her (back then) eligible bachelorette chirpiness and awkward maternal air while exclaiming 'Beta' to laughable results.

Lara Dutta, Partner

Image: Salman Khan and Lara Dutta in Partner

Dancing like a J-Lo inspired fashionista with Salman Khan in tow, at every conceivable opportunity takes precedence over playing a single mom to a fast-talking, over-smart kiddo for Lara Dutta in this Hitch rip-off.  

 

But like most things about a David Dhawan film, Lara's on screen motherhood, too, is of no significant consequence. 

Madhuri Dixit, Aaja Nachle

Image: Madhuri Dixit in Aaja Nachle

Madhuri Dixit's comeback vehicle features her as a choreographer and divorced NRI mother who comes to small-town India with her daughter to revive a run-down local theatre for which she nurses a particular attachment.

 

While it's not your typical mother-daughter movie, Dixit, in turns, expresses amusement and information towards her ignorant child's curious queries. 

Juhi Chawla, Bhootnath

Image: A scene from Bhootnath

She's a cool, no-fuss mom blending in the right dose of concern and rebuke to her playful, somewhat lonely son who befriends the house ghost, Bhootnath.

 

Trust Juhi to play a fun mom with the giggling nonchalance of her comical Kurkure commercials.

Preity Zinta, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna

Image: Preity Zinta in Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna

Karan Johar's New York is abuzz with busy moms in mini-skirts.

 

Preity Zinta plays this type with heart and spice as the apologetic mommy struggling to make peace with her resentful hubby and their low-on-motherly warmth son.

 

While it's hard to sympathize with anyone in this soap of a movie, PZ, in all her snazzy designer-wear glory, makes for an 'awww' moment when she excitedly picks her kid from school.

 

Rani Mukerji, Ta Ra Rum Pum

Image: A scene from Ta Ra Rum Pum

Rani Mukerji channels the inner child with her cutesy wardrobe of dungarees and shorts to engage in an upbeat boogie woogie session with her adorable bachcha party in and around NYC landmarks in Siddharth Anand's version of Cinderella Man.

 

 Though she looks too young to pass off as a mommy of two, the Black star shares a rather endearing chemistry with her on-screen brood.

Tabu, Chachi 420

Image: Tabu in Chachi 420

It's hard to tell the mother from her baby in Kamal Haasan's laugh riot, Chachi 420.

 

Barring the occasional stern tone directed at the precocious four-five year old, a slim 'n' trim Tabu is too spoilt to be taken seriously as a mommy especially when relying on Haasan's ever-so-motherly Chachi to do the needful.