These stories will make you laugh, cry and call your mum – just in time for Mother’s Day.
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
Karan Johar’s 2001 blockbuster Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham… is a beloved Bollywood classic that tells the story of Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan), whose father (Amitabh Bachchan) disowns him for marrying a woman he disapproves of.
One of the film’s most iconic moments is the emotional reunion between mother and son. In a London shopping centre, Nandini (Jaya Bachchan) locks eyes with Rahul after years of painful separation – a scene etched into the memories of every ’90s kid.
Adding to the nostalgia is the title track Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, which translates to “sometimes happiness, sometimes sorrow”. Composed by Jatin-Lalit and sung by Lata Mangeshkar, the soulful ballad perfectly underscores the tearful embrace, making it a fitting anthem for Mother’s Day.
Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway
The Hindi-language film Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, released in 2023, is a legal drama film that follows an Indian mother’s arduous journey to regain custody of her two kids after they are taken away by the Norwegian Child Welfare Services.
Based on the real-life story of Indian immigrant Sagarika Chakraborty, the film highlights the cultural clash between Indian and Western parenting styles, and how traditional Indian maternal affection like feeding your child with your own hands can be misconstrued as child abuse.
Rani Mukerji leads the film with a powerful performance as Mrs Chatterjee, the tenacious mother who fights to rescue her children from foster care after losing the custody battle due to a biased Norwegian jury. The Bollywood actress won the Filmfare Critics Award for her role and the film is currently available to stream on Netflix.
Modern Day Motherhood
In an episode titled “Modern Day Motherhood” on The Zarna Garg Family Podcast, Indian-American stand-up comedienne and author Zarna Garg laments how American mothers give endlessly without expecting their children to care for them in old age.
Joined by her husband of 25 years and their three children, Zarna candidly explores what it means to be an Indian mother in an era where nuclear families are no longer the norm and emotional or financial support for mothers is increasingly rare.
The back and forth between the family members is funny yet telling as the American-born children are initially nonchalant about the caregiving responsibilities typically expected of in Indian households. The episode is available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcast.
