The bond between a mother and daughter is often described as one of the strongest relationships in life. Built on love, care and trust, it also carries expectations, fears and lessons passed down through generations. But what happens when unresolved emotional wounds quietly become part of that bond?
Filmmaker Neeru Sharma attempts to answer this question through her upcoming short film Like Maa, starring Sonali Kulkarni. The makers have released the trailer of the 23-minute film, offering a glimpse into an emotional story that explores parenting, social conditioning and the lasting impact of childhood trauma.
Set in an upper-middle-class neighbourhood in Meerut, Like Maa follows the journey of Anjana, a 36-year-old homemaker played by Sonali Kulkarni. As she struggles to understand the emotional needs of her teenage daughter, she also finds herself balancing family responsibilities and the pressure of maintaining the family’s social image.
The film highlights how societal expectations and the fear of losing respect can sometimes overshadow a child’s emotional well-being. Instead of encouraging open conversations, families often prioritise silence, making it difficult for young people to express their feelings.
For Sonali Kulkarni, the role carries a strong emotional message. The actress believes that childhood trauma does not simply disappear with age. Even after growing up, getting married or becoming a parent, many emotional scars remain hidden and continue to influence relationships. Through Like Maa, she hopes audiences recognise these unresolved experiences and understand the importance of healing before they affect the next generation.
Written, directed and produced by Neeru Sharma, the film raises an important question that many families rarely discuss: Do parents unknowingly repeat the same behaviours, beliefs and emotional patterns they experienced while growing up?
Rather than placing blame, Like Maa encourages self-reflection. It suggests that understanding one’s own emotional past is the first step towards breaking unhealthy cycles and creating a healthier environment for children. The story also sheds light on victim-blaming and how deeply rooted social conditioning can shape family dynamics without people even realising it.
Apart from Sonali Kulkarni, the film features Mehdi Khan, Mehan Soni, Smita Inamdar, Aishwarya Manohar, Hisha Joshi, Nandini Sharma, Komal Khimsaria and Ayaz Khan in supporting roles.
Produced under the banner of Nirvana Creations, Like Maa is produced by Rajiv Parashar. The film’s cinematography has been handled by Akash Sethi, while Sandeep Kurup serves as the editor. The music is composed by Kaushal Mahavir, and the production design is led by Rucha Devgharkar.
With its emotional storytelling and socially relevant theme, Like Maa aims to spark conversations about parenting, empathy and the invisible emotional baggage that can travel from one generation to another. More than just a mother-daughter story, the film reminds viewers that healing begins with awareness, and that understanding the past may be the key to building healthier relationships in the future.
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