BY NAMITA DOGRA SUDAN*
Rating: ⭐⭐✨ (2.5 / 5 Stars)
The direct-to-digital crime comedy Maa Behen delivers an impressive showcase of female-led performances, yet it ultimately struggles under the weight of an uneven screenplay. Released globally on Netflix on June 4, 2026, this Suresh Triveni-directed dark comedy marks Madhuri Dixit’s return to the screen after nearly two years, following her prominent appearance in the 2024 horror-comedy blockbuster Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3.
The Brilliant Nirma Connection (Spoiler-Free)
Before diving into the plot, anyone who grew up with Indian television will immediately smile at the character names. The film beautifully pays homage to India’s most iconic, decades-old washing powder commercial. The jingle famously goes: “Hema, Rekha, Jaya aur Sushma… Sabki pasand Nirma!”
In the movie, we get Rekha (Madhuri Dixit), Jaya (Triptii Dimri), and Sushma (Dharna Durga). Throughout the entire runtime, you are left constantly wondering: where is Hema? The filmmakers brilliantly keep this playful pop-culture mystery alive until the very end. To avoid ruining the fun, we will leave that final delightful suspense to unfold naturally for you when you watch it.
Star Cast & Plot Overview
The film features an incredibly versatile ensemble cast starring Madhuri Dixit as Rekha, Triptii Dimri as Jaya, Dharna Durga as Sushma, Ravi Kishan as Gupta Ji, and Paresh Rawal in a special guest appearance.
Set in the heavily opinionated and judgment-filled “Adarsh Colony,” the story follows Rekha, a beautifully modern widow who is managing to live life entirely on her own terms. Chaos erupts when she unexpectedly discovers the dead body of her nosy, patriarchal neighbor, Gupta Ji, right on her kitchen floor. Panic-stricken, she slams the panic button and summons her two estranged daughters—Jaya, who is trapped in a suffocating marriage, and Sushma, an aspiring social media content creator. Together, this highly dysfunctional trio must hide the body, outsmart their snooping neighbors, and navigate a web of lies.
The Positives
Superb Lead Performances: Three brilliant leading ladies flawlessly represent different age groups with immense talent, individual grace, and fantastic screen presence.
Universal Feminist Themes: The story powerfully highlights how women, regardless of generation, continue to face the exact same suffocating stereotypes and societal judgment.
Flawless Characterization: Madhuri Dixit effortlessly embodies a gorgeous, independent young widow; Triptii Dimri perfectly captures the quiet agony of a suffocated housewife; and real-life Instagram sensation Dharna Durga brings authentic digital-age energy to her role.
Hit-and-Miss Dark Humor: While the comedy does not work everywhere, the dark humor lands beautifully in a few key scenes, especially when a panicked Madhuri breaks the tension in front of a dead body by asking her daughters, “Chai Banaye?”
The Negatives
Flawed Screenplay: Despite an exceptionally strong cast and meaningful story, the weak screenplay fails to support them and causes the film to drag.
Overbearing Banter: In multiple places the comedic timing misses the mark, particularly the constant, grating bickering between Jaya and Sushma that quickly overstays its welcome.
Weak Climax and Pay-off: The narrative fails to land an impactful punch at the end, leaving the final resolution feeling incredibly rushed and unearned.
Underdeveloped Characters: Sushma’s backstory feels hollow, while guest stars Paresh Rawal and Ravi Kishan are completely wasted in unnecessary or heavily sidelined subplots.
Final Verdict
Maa Behen is a commendable attempt to dissect a misogynistic society through dark comedy. Backed by excellent performances and a genius pop-culture premise, the movie has all the right ingredients but fails to hit the exact bull’s-eye that this phenomenal cast rightfully deserved. It remains a decent weekend watch for the acting alone, but it falls short of being a classic.
*Namita Dogra Sudan is the entertainment news editor and video news producer of NRIPulse.
