Roles that made Ratna Pathak Shah the most adored mother of Bollywood
David Craig Television, theatre and Bollywood, if there is one actress who has earned name and fame in all three zones of performing as an actress it is Ratna Pathak Shah. Though it is true that several actors and actresses have tried their hand at all the three spaces of performing but only a few have been as successful as Ratna Pathak Shah. Her performances in shows like Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, plays like The Misunderstanding, Dear Liar and films like Lipstick Under My Burkha, Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na and more have proved that she is a class-apart actress.
On her 63rd birthday today, we thought about looking back at some of her most memorable roles. Ratna Pathak Shah’s portrayal of a mother on the big screen has been loved by the audience, whether it is an over-protective one or an over-emotional one, this lady knows how to ace every character. Take a look at our top 5 picks when it comes to Ratna Pathak Shah nailing the role of a mother on the big screen…
Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na (2008)
In this Imran Khan and Genelia D’Souza starrer, Ratna Pathak Shah played Jai’s (Imran Khan) mother, Savitri, on the big screen. The story revolves around Jai and Aditi’s (Genelia D’Souza) friendship that builds into love without the two of them even realizing it. Savitri, played by Ratna is the role of a protective mother who refuses to let his son become like his warrior father. But, all her efforts go in vain when Imran decides to do all that she was scared about. Imran and Ratna’s bond in the film was wonderfully depicted and connected with the audience as it was raw and real.
Golmaal 3 (2010)
Trying her hand at comedy, Ratna Pathak Shah impressed one and all with her act as Geeta. She was Laxman (Shreyas Talpade) and Gopal’s (Ajay Devgn) mother in the film. Things take a hilarious turn when Geeta reunites with her college lover Pritam (Mithun Chakraborty) whose sons don’t gel well with Geeta’s sons. But the two are unaware of their rivalry. The way Ratna pulled this character and kept the story moving forward smoothly with her effortless acting was truly applause-worthy.
Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu (2012)
Ratna Pathak Shah played Rahul Kapoor’s (Imran Khan) mother in this film. Her character was of a fiercely dominating woman who refuses to move an inch when it comes to an argument and her image in the society. Ratna totally wowed the audience with her performance as it was strong and added the necessary conflict in the story as her son loses his job and is too fearful to tell his parents. Apart from Imran, Kareena Kapoor Khan also starred in this unusual love story.
Khoobsurat (2014)
Playing the character of Nirmala Devi Rathore in Khoobsurat, Ratna Pathak Shah came out as a total winner. She played Fawad Khan’s royal mother, who refuses to accept anything below perfection. She is seen as a woman of power and substance and is not too receptive to new people coming into the family, specially if they don’t belong to the royal family. Well, in this love story, between Fawad Khan and Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, she played a roadblock who decides to give his son a reality check when she sees that he is falling in love with a commoner.
Kapoor & Sons (2016)
Sunita Kapoor’s character will surely remain close to every person’s heart who has watched this film. Ratna Pathak Shah plays mother in the film who realises that she hasn’t been perfect all her life, she has made her mistakes when it comes to bringing up her children and has even hidden things from them that she shouldn’t have. The complexities of this character have been beautifully and realistically brought to life by Ratna in the film as she plays Sidharth Malhotra and Fawad Khan’s mother. Well, hats off to this woman for getting it right every single time.
