Maa Behen

Maa Behen, bearing a title which cheekily wants to subvert that familiar invective prevalent in much of North India, in whose fictional town this film is set, gets lost in flabby, confused writing. So many ideas jostling for space, but so few landing: hard to believe that this comes from the director of Tumhari Sullu and Jalsa. Sadly, Maa Behen is not that film.

While the intent is admirable and the performances are uniformly strong, the screenplay often struggles to match the potential of its ideas. The film is at its strongest when it focuses on these three women and the evolving bond between them. Unfortunately, the screenplay does not always capitalise on the promise of its premise.

The film is quirky, fun, immersive, and hugely entertaining. On the whole, this Netflix and Abundantia Entertainment film is worth every bit of your time. It is absolutely a hysterical entertainer.

An entertaining crime-comedy that never turns into a pity party, Maa Behen has no interest in reforming society's self-appointed moral guardians. Instead, it offers women a far simpler solution: why care? Director Suresh Triveni uses humour layered with tragedy to hold up a mirror to a society that views women simply existing on their own with suspicion.

Three women and a body in the house. On paper, Maa Behen sounds like a recipe tailor-made for outrageous fun. But the film is far from being just another comic thriller, and that's where it earns a few brownie points.

A curate's egg of a film: good in parts and its intention to entertain, but not so solid in execution. Full marks to Triptii Dimri, Geetanjali Kulkarni, Madhuri Dixit, and Dharna Durga for their scintillating performances, though some parts are incoherent and uneven, and even seem forced.