08 May,2025 07:04 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
From left Raveena Tandon with Rasha Thadani, Babita Kapoor with Kareena and Karisma Kapoor and Ananya and Bhavana Pandey
Mothers, by nature, are known to worry about their children. No matter how old you get, a mother will always see her child as a baby - caring for them, supporting them, and standing by like a strong pillar. Many successful Bollywood actresses today credit their mothers for being this pillar of strength - guiding them through their careers and helping them juggle their multi-tasking lives.
Ahead of Mother's Day, we take a look at some of the most well-known mother-daughter duos in Bollywood and how these moms played the role of the perfect "momager":
It all began in the now-trending 70s era, when Rekha emerged as Bollywood's newest sensation. Her mother, Pushpavalli, played a dominant role in shaping her acting career. Rekha revealed in an interview that becoming a film star was never her personal aspiration, hinting that her stardom was perhaps a reflection of Pushpavalli's unfulfilled dreams - a redemptive attempt to live out her own Bollywood ambitions through her daughter.
Today, Rekha is one of the few celebrated artists from the 1970s, and much of her legendary status is credited to her mother's foresight and fierce ambition.
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Not many know that Neetu Kapoor started facing the camera as a child artist in the 1970s. But one person who always saw her as a gem was her mother, Rajee Singh. With unwavering support and ironclad belief, Rajee stood by Neetu through every stage of her journey - from her childhood roles to her transition into a young leading actress. She was the quiet force behind the rising star.
The queen of the 90s, Sridevi, delivered hit after hit, cementing her place among Bollywood's finest. Behind her glittering journey stood her beloved mother, Rajeshwari Yanger. Deeply involved and meticulously invested in every step of Sridevi's career, Rajeshwari played a pivotal role. Sridevi often obeyed her mother's wishes - even turning down films to take on a Malayalam movie simply because her mother wanted her to. This dedication speaks volumes about the deep bond they shared.
Karisma and Kareena Kapoor, daughters of former actor Babita Kapoor, have always credited their mother for the successful acting careers they enjoy today. As revealed in Babita's biography, she ended her own acting career after marrying Randhir Kapoor. Despite facing resistance from Randhir about their daughters entering the industry, Babita stood tall and unwavering. Like Kris Jenner, she backed her daughters single-handedly - from auditions to movie signings, becoming the ultimate momager.
In the 2000s, Hema Malini, Bollywood's original âDream Girl,' helped shape her daughter Esha Deol's career in the film industry. With her mother's guidance and warmth, showbiz never felt unfamiliar to Esha. She followed her mother's footsteps and wisdom, navigating the industry with grace and support.
Priyanka Chopra often speaks about her mother's pivotal role in building the global career she enjoys today. Dr. Madhu Chopra was the ultimate momager - scheduling meetings, handling finances, and representing her daughter across platforms. Priyanka often praises her mother's ability to balance work and family, saying it inspires her own journey as a mother today.
Sara Ali Khan shares an unbreakable bond with her mother, Amrita Singh - one that blends friendship with guidance. Sara has admitted that she made it through her early acting years solely because of her mother's belief in her. Amrita has been her rock - always present, always honest, and always supportive.
Netflix's The Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives gave us a peek into the personality behind Ananya Panday - her mother, Bhavana Pandey. Poised, witty, and wise, Bhavana has passed down her values and strength to Ananya. As a momager, she's been Ananya's constant source of moral and emotional support through the highs and lows of Bollywood stardom.
One of the newest power duos in Bollywood, Raveena Tandon and daughter Rasha Thadani share a warm, evolving bond. In a recent Filmfare interview, Rasha referred to her mother as her best friend. From school drama to career choices, Raveena has been there through it all - proving once again that behind every rising star is a mother cheering the loudest.
