Bollywood's evergreen maa

Whether typical or unconventional, the maa in Hindi films might have undergone a change over the years but the character is still as popular as she was earlier. The clich'd dialogue from the film 'Deewar' - 'Mere paas maa hai' sums it all up for the heroes who have the confidence to take on the world if they have their mother by their side. Her guidance is valued by boys turned men who guide her with unmatched fervour.
If we take a look at the history of Hindi cinema, we can see that the role of mothers has transformed, keeping in line with the stories and characters that have evolved with the passing years.
The typical mothers in yesteryear films

Mother India is the mother of all Bollywood films with Nargis portraying the role of a mother who raises her sons single-handedly while also ploughing fields and fighting society. Nirupa Roy who played the maa is central to the 'Deewar' scene, which had her screen sons, Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor fighting over her presence in their lives. In many a films she was the suffering mother with a sad background, always trying to find ways to feed the family and keep them together. She started playing mother to Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970's with films like 'Amar Akbar Anthony', 'Suhaag', 'Muqaddar ka Sikander', 'Mard' with the last film being 'Laal Badshaah' in the late 90s.
Just like the 'Deewar' dialogue, Raakhee's soulful dialogue, 'Mere Karan Arjun aayenge' from the film 'Karan Arjun' is still popular. She is remembered for her role of a mother in 'Shakti', and other films like 'Ram Lakhan', 'Baazigar', 'Badshaah', 'Soldier' and 'Khalnayak'. Following the tradition of a caring mother is Jaya Bachchan who was seen enacting the character in 'Kal Ho Na Ho', 'Fizaa' and as the mom torn between her husband and son in 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham'.
Dina Pathak played the mother with a difference, so from the strict yet soft hearted mother in 'Khubsoorat' (1980) to the charming mother to Amol Palekar in 'Gol Maal' (1979), Pathak was one of the most loved mothers on screen. Playing the role of a dignified mother, was the soft spoken Waheeda Rehman in films like 'Om Jai Jagdish', 'Rang De Basanti' and 'Delhi 6'.
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Unconventional mothers in recent films
With times and films undergoing changes with a contemporary lifestyle coming to fore, we have recently seen mothers in films, too, showing off their modern side. Coming across as shockingly unconventional one was Manisha Koirala in the film 'Akele Hum Akele Tum' where she leaves her son behind as she walks out of a bad marriage, and gets back to build a career in music which she had earlier given up on. In 'Dil Chahta Hai', we see an on-the-brink Dimple Kapadia turn alcoholic after a bitter divorce battle as she craves for her child's company in loneliness.
A fresh perspective on motherhood where the mother is now more of a friend to her child is also seen in current films. In recent times, we saw films with unconventional characterisations like the ever effervescent Zohra Sehgal who played the character of a spirited mother to Amitabh Bachchan in 'Cheeni Kum' and in 'Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na', Ratna Pathak Shah, played the widowed mother who is feisty yet cool with her son Imran Khan which was in complete contrast to her character in 'Khoobsurat' (2014) where she played the loving yet strict khandaani maa to Fawad Khan.
Amrita Singh had an adorable role in '2 States' where she adjusts with an abusive husband just for the sake of her only son but is loud and outspoken when it comes to dealing with her would-be bahu. The dimpled Kirron Kher has proved to be a true 21st century mom in the films that she has done as a lively mother on screen. While she was seen as the fearless mom in 'Devdas' dancing to music and joking around, she has mastered the art of being the loud, comical maa in films like 'Dostana', 'Khoobsurat' and 'Om Shanti Om' amongst others.