As Mother’s Day 2026 approaches, audiences across India are revisiting powerful mother-centric films that have dominated OTT platforms and cinema discussions in recent years.

From heartbreaking legal battles to emotional survival stories, Bollywood and regional cinema are seeing renewed interest in films that explore the depth of motherhood, sacrifice, and resilience.

Hindi cinema has delivered several hard-hitting stories where mothers stand at the center of the narrative.

Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway (Hindi)

Inspired by real-life events, the film follows a mother living in Norway whose children are taken away by child protective services. What follows is an intense legal and emotional battle as she fights a foreign system while dealing with personal struggles, including a strained marriage.

MOM (Hindi)

A gripping revenge thriller, the film stars a mother who takes justice into her own hands after her daughter is brutally assaulted. When the system fails her, she transforms into a relentless force seeking justice.

Mimi (Hindi, Netflix)

A light-hearted yet emotional drama, Mimi follows an aspiring actress who becomes a surrogate mother for a foreign couple. When she is abandoned, her life changes forever as she embraces unexpected motherhood and responsibility.

Beyond Bollywood, South Indian cinema has consistently delivered deeply emotional and realistic mother-driven stories that resonate across audiences.

Achuvinte Amma (Malayalam)

A heartfelt portrayal of the strong emotional bond between a single mother and her daughter, exploring love, pride, and reconciliation

Minnaminungu (Malayalam)

A powerful story of a struggling single mother juggling multiple jobs to support her child

Mummy & Me (Malayalam)

Explores a complex mother-daughter relationship shaped by generational differences and eventual understanding

Devaki (Kannada)

A gripping thriller about a single mother whose child goes missing, leading her into a dangerous investigation that exposes a child trafficking network

These films remain popular because they show motherhood in its most raw and powerful form, fear, strength, sacrifice, and unconditional love. Ahead of Mother’s Day, viewers are turning to these stories not just for entertainment, but for emotional connection and reflection.

Which Mother’s Day movie is your favourite?

Published: 08 May 2026, 04:22 pm IST

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