Mumbai: Filmmaker Neeru Sharma returns with her upcoming short film Like Maa, featuring acclaimed actress Sonali Kulkarni in the lead. The film’s trailer is now out, offering a glimpse into an emotionally layered story about motherhood, social conditioning and the often-unnoticed ways in which beliefs, fears and prejudices pass from one generation to another.
Set against the backdrop of an upper-middle-class neighbourhood in Meerut, Like Maa revolves around Anjana, a 36-year-old homemaker whose world is shaped by family responsibilities, daily routines and the pressure of maintaining social appearances. Her relationship with her teenage daughter forms the emotional centre of the 23-minute film.
The story explores a situation many families may recognise but rarely discuss openly: how social expectations can influence a parent’s response when a child faces a difficult situation. Through Anjana’s journey, Sharma examines the conflict between protecting a family’s image and understanding what a child genuinely needs from a parent.
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Oct 19, 2026Sharing her response to the trailer’s reception, Neeru Sharma says, “I’m overwhelmed by the response to the trailer. It’s heartening that people are appreciating not just the storytelling and cinematic quality, but also the relevance of the subject at a time when victim-blaming is alarmingly on the rise.”
One of the film’s central concerns is generational conditioning. Like Maa raises an uncomfortable yet important question: How much of our parents do we unknowingly become? Without turning the subject into a conventional confrontation, the narrative examines how ideas about shame, “proper behaviour” and sanskar can be inherited and repeated, even by those who may once have suffered because of similar expectations.
Sonali Kulkarni on the Emotional Depth of ‘Like Maa’
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Oct 19, 2026For Sonali Kulkarni, the film’s subject holds particular emotional significance. The actress says she was deeply touched by the sensitive theme Neeru Sharma chose for her first short film and appreciates the subtlety of her direction. She also credits Sharma’s openness to improvisations and suggestions for making the creative process rewarding.
Reflecting on her experience, Sonali says, “I am very happy with the way the film has come up and my character because there are many women around us who have not resolved their childhood traumas.”
The actress points out that emotional wounds from childhood can remain unresolved even as people move through different stages of life, including marriage and parenthood.
“They become elderly, they marry, they become mothers, they become even mothers-in-law, but their fears and traumas are unresolved still,” she observes.
Sonali believes the film’s message extends beyond women and could encourage both men and women to reflect on their own experiences, recognise their emotional burdens and begin a process of healing.
“So I am sure with Neeru’s film, many of us, not only women but men as well, are going to find a release. And I am very sure they are going to take a long, deep breath and meet their new selves,” she adds.
Her observations underline one of the film’s key themes: the importance of acknowledging unresolved childhood experiences and understanding how they can influence relationships, parenting and the way individuals respond to the next generation.
While the mother-daughter relationship drives the story, its concerns extend beyond one household. Parenting, the challenges faced by teenage girls, societal judgement and the expectations placed on women come together in a larger conversation about recognising and breaking patterns that have continued across generations.
Written, produced and directed by Neeru Sharma, Like Maa adopts an intimate, character-driven approach. Rather than relying on dramatic confrontations, the film explores quieter emotional conflicts within a household and the difficult process of self-realisation. Its focus on victim-blaming also brings attention to the importance of responding to a child’s distress with empathy rather than allowing social perceptions to dictate a parent’s actions.
Sonali Kulkarni leads the cast as Anjana, alongside Mehdi Khan, Mehaan Soni, Smita Inamdaar, Aishwarya Manohar, Hisha Joshi, Nandini Sharma, Komal Khimsaria and Aayaz Khan in supporting roles.
The film is produced under Niruvana Kreations, with Rajeev Parashar as producer. Aakash Sethi is the Director of Photography, Sandeep Kurup handles the editing, Kaushal Mahavir has composed the music, and Rucha Deogharkar is the Production Designer.
With Sonali Kulkarni at the centre of a story that examines motherhood, inherited beliefs and the impact of social conditioning, Like Maa seeks to open a wider conversation about parenting and accountability. At its heart lies a difficult question: can we recognise the patterns we have inherited and find the courage to change them before passing them on to the next generation?
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6QI4M7MO5s&feature=youtu.be
