Leela Chitnis
Ailing maa
Although she started off as a leading lady of Marathi films, Leela Chitnis made a 22-year career out of motherly roles. Often playing the ailing mother burdened with bringing up children, Chitnis mostly wore widow’s whites on screen. Chitnis played mother to major heroes - Dilip Kumar (Gunga Jumna), Raj Kapoor(Awara) and Dev Anand (Guide). She played the title role in Bimal Roy’s Maa and the archetypal mother in Man Ki Aankhen, Jeevan Mrityu, Bhai Bhai and Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein. She last featured in Dil Tujhko Diya (1985), after which she migrated to the United States to join her children but died a lonely death in a hospital.

Achla Sachdev
Assertive maa
The pretty Peshawar-born actress wished she had been a heroine, but that was not to be. She became the fabled screen mother instead. Not your suffering mother by a long shot, she shot to fame as Balraj Sahni’s wife in Waqt in which he serenaded her with O meri zohra jabeen and went on to make her mark as the authoritarian mother in Julie, assertive maa in Kora Kagaz and the divorced maa in Hare Rama Hare Krishna. She graduated to playing the loveable granny in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Na Tum Jaano Na Hum, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... and Kal Ho Na Ho.

Durga Khote
Queen maa
The dimpled Maharashtrian beauty from Kolhapur was the heroine of Ayodhyecha Raja, the first-ever Marathi talkie. Although she played the lead in several Hindi films as well, she is remembered for her endearing Jodha act in Mughal-E-Azam. Her other memorable roles include Bobby in which she played Dimple’s grandmother and and Abhimaan as Amitabh Bachchan’s maternal aunt. For her career of over 200 films, she was feted with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award .

Nirupa Roy
Immortal maa
Her name has become synonymous with motherhood. In a career spanning over half a century from 1946-’99, Nirupa acted in almost a hundred films. But Manmohan Desai’s masala flicks turned her into the sturdiest “filmi” stereotype. When Vyjayantimala turned down the chance of a comeback with Yash Chopra’s Deewaar (‘75), Nirupa stepped in and reserved her berth in the history of Indian cinema. Shashi Kapoor’s proud retort, “Mere paas maa hai “ remains the epitome of maternal exaltation. She played Amitabh’s mother in Amar Akbar Anthony, Muqaddar Ka Sikander, Suhaag and Mard. Having played Dharmendra’s mother, she also played Sunny’s mother in Betaab. She finally played Amitabh’s mother for the last time in Laal Badshah (‘99).

Farida Jalal
Cuddly maa
n Her memorable roles include as Rishi Kapoor’s mentally- challenged fiancee in Bobby, young Rajesh Khanna’s beloved in Aradhana and of course Amitabh’s whee-chair-ridden sister in Majboor. Following a short break from acting, she returned in a motherly guise in Raja Hindustani, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Dil To Pagal Hai , Kya Kehna , Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai , Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge for most times as the bubbly and cuddly mom.

Reema Lagoo
Sweet maa
n A celebrated Marathi stage and film actress, Reema played the rich, traditional mom over and over again since Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak as Juhi Chawla’s mother. After playing Salman Khan’s doting parent in Maine Pyar Kiya, she turned into the biggest screen moms of the day. Come Hum Aapke Hain Koun...!, Rangeela, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kal Ho Naa Ho, she was always the sweet mama. It was only with Vaastav that she did a complete volte-face shooting dead her errant son, Sanjay Dutt, a la Mother India.

Raakhee
Melodramatic maa
n Famous leading lady of the ‘60s and ‘70s, Raakhee returned after marriage and motherhood in mid-’80s as a melodramatic screen mother who inspired her son(s) to seek badla in films like Ram Lakhan, Baazigar, Khal-Nayak, Karan Arjun , Border and Baadshah. The recipient of the civilian honour Padma Shri, Raakhee is immortalised in her emotional roles.

Kirron Kher
Spunky maa
n She’s the quinessential new-age mom who’s a pal to her children and has no qualms about her autumnal charm. As Aishwarya’s enthusiastic maa in Devdas, the concerned mom in Main Hoon Na, Rani’s colourful mom in Hum Tum, Preity’s Paki amma in Veer-Zaara, Aamir’s Punjabi bebe in Rang De Basanti, Shah Rukh’s mom in Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna and the young Deols’ maternal parent in Apne, clearly Kirron always delivers a convincing, life-like performance. Not surprising that she also features in award-winning crossover films like Khamoshi Pani.