Maa Behen Review: If confidence alone could make a great film, the Madhuri Dixit-Triptii Dimri starrer would be a masterpiece

When Maa Behen first announced itself with its title and trailer, expectations were naturally high. The film stars Madhuri Dixit, Triptii Dimri, Ravi Kishan, and Dharna Durga. On paper, that’s an exciting lineup. Add Ravi Kishan’s post-Laapataa Ladies popularity and the curiosity around Madhuri’s return to a leading role, and the film seemed to have all the ingredients for an engaging watch.

Unfortunately, the film never quite comes together.

What frustrated me the most was how predictable the story became. And trust me, I am not someone who watches hundreds of films every year. Yet, midway through the narrative, it became obvious that the makers were heading towards a familiar “bechari naari” conclusion. And that’s exactly where the film lands.

The ending raises more questions than it answers. It almost feels as if the writers were desperately trying to build towards a viral moment or a dialogue that people would turn into memes. You know the kind: “Humare paas ek idea hai.” The problem is that a meme template alone cannot carry a climax. Without a strong idea behind it, the payoff simply falls flat.

The film opens by introducing Rekha, played by Madhuri Dixit, and gives us a glimpse into her backstory. Jaya and Sushma, played by Triptii Dimri and Dharna Durga, are introduced as well, but the film oddly chooses to withhold crucial information about them until much later. Their backstories arrive midway through the narrative, almost as if the editor suddenly remembered they needed character development.

The plot kicks into motion when Gupta Ji, played by Ravi Kishan, dies at Rekha’s house. A distraught Rekha calls her daughters for help, and what follows forms the central conflict of the film.

The biggest issue lies in the writing.

The story often feels incomplete and, at times, downright illogical. A good example is Paresh Rawal’s cameo. His appearance adds virtually nothing to the narrative. It feels forced and unnecessary, existing more for surprise value than storytelling.

The screenplay also struggles with pacing. At 2 hours and 7 minutes, the film feels much longer than it actually is. A tighter edit could have easily brought it down to around 90–95 minutes without losing anything important. In fact, shortening it might have helped hide some of the script’s weaknesses.

At several points, Maa Behen felt like a lighter and comic version of Triptii Dimri’s Bulbbul. While the two films are vastly different in terms of story and execution, some thematic similarities are hard to ignore.

And while we’re at it, a small request to filmmakers: please stop relying on nostalgia as a shortcut. Most attempts at cashing in on nostalgia fail because they confuse references with storytelling. Audiences don’t want reminders of better films. They want a good film in front of them.

If there’s one bright spot in Maa Behen, it’s Geetanjali Kulkarni as Mrs Gupta.

She is easily the best performer in the film. Every scene featuring her feels more alive, more believable, and more engaging. Whatever was asked of her, she delivers twice over. If you’ve been hearing praise for her performance, believe it. She is genuinely excellent.

In the end, Maa Behen has an interesting premise, a talented cast, and moments that hint at something better. Sadly, weak writing, uneven pacing, and an underwhelming payoff prevent it from becoming the film it could have been.