Richy-Rich Ram (Jeetendra) is advised by a fake astrologer, organized by his greedy cousin and wife, that he will meet and marry a woman whose name that will start with the letter "M." He meets Mamta and both fall in love, marry, and have a son later. Gulu Goli (Gulshan Grover) kills Mamta but her spirit will not leave earth. The ghost of Mamta (Jaya Pradha) finds out the plan and hopes to find a way to let Ram know. But how can she? No one can see or hear her. She can not touch any objects.
Jaya Pradha is Mamta, the "Maa" of the movie. In the movie, she's a tawaif dancer who marries a rich businessman. She has a good heart and strong, sassy personality. I know Jaya's been in other Indian cinema films like Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada and made her mark there. I've seen several of her Hindi films from the early 90s and love her. For some reason, I always felt she was underrated, underapreciated since when most people hear the name Jaya, they think of Jaya Bhadhuri Bachchan. Jaya Pradha is a very good actress and dancer. I hope more people get to see her films.
Jeetendra is the rich man who saves Mamta from her life. He's blinded by his kind heart in which he can not see how evil his cousin and cousin's wife are to him. I haven't seen a lot of Jeetendra's films but I think he's quite handsome. His son Tusshar Kapoor looks a bit like him but I think Jeetendra is better looking.
Shakti Kapoor & Aruna Irani - the troubled duo. Shakti is Murli and Aruna is Maya. Lots of M's, huh? Both are the married, greedy, irresponsible couple who takes Ram for granted. They want Ram's wealth at any cost.
Gulshan Grover is Gulu Goli, the villian who kills Mamta.
Sushma Sen is Heerabhai, Mamta's mother.
Brownie the Dog is Dobby, Mamta's dog.
For some reason Hmong people love this movie! The first time I've ever seen it was a dubbed Hmong version. I never knew the Hindi version. I went around looking for the Hindi version. I never exactly remember the whole storyline, just a bunch of scenes I saw growing up. It was several years ago when I finally found the title in Hindi. IMDB didn't have all of Jaya's films listed at that time.
Movie starts off with an old Jeetendra telling the story of a wonderful mother to his daughter-in-law, how powerful a mother's love can be.
My favorite scenes are with Dobby. Watching this movie all over again, now I know why I always wanted a lab. I actually want Dobby!!! I love that dog. I tried to make more caps of him but the picture quality wasn't too good since Dobby is a dark chocolate dog. Dobby taking care of the baby just put a smile to my face. It is really cheesy but I enjoy it. Dobby is the only person, oops, living object who knows Mamta's spirit is around.
Jaya dances really well in the "Barsaat Mein Jab Aayega" song. Plus more songs from the movie on YouTube. Sorry didn't make caps this time.
"Chanda Ne Di Chandni"
Ram and Mamta spend time together."Aaine Ke Sau Tukde"
Ram feels Mamta's presence but unsure who to believe. Did his wife just leave and abandon him and the baby? Or did something really bad happen to her?
I can not believe Maa was released in 1992. For some reason, I thought it came out in the late 80s. I don't know many people besides Hmong who enjoyed Maa a lot. Since I rewatched it, I just thought I'll share it.
Correction, someone anonymously commented me indicating that Maa was a hit in the 90s in India.
Agree with you that Jaya Prada was beautiful and grossly under-appreciated. She came to Bollywood in the 80s when most of the charismatic male stars were ageing and landed up doing a lot of forgettable movies with all of them, especially with an aging Jitendra. I think the only one of her movies I liked was Sargam (her Bollywood debut) which costarred Rishi Kapoor. Have you seen it?
ReplyDeleteHey bollyviewer. Dang, I haven't seen Sargam yet but did hear about it. I have to find it now. I do like her in Sharabi and have that movie.
ReplyDeleteO I havent seen Sharaabi. The songs were great but it was an ageing Big B! :-( Guess I should try that one for Jaya though.
ReplyDeletebollyviewer You're so funny! An aging AB. :) I'll put it on my next movie to review list.
ReplyDeleteNicki,
ReplyDeleteI've never seen anything with Jaya Prada in it. Thank you for bringing her to my attention!
Nida - Jaya Pradha is one underrated actress who I love. I hope you get to watch her films. I suggest Sharabi. I haven't seen Sargam but bollyviewer mentioned it.
ReplyDeleteI have decided I am a bad bad individual- I saw Maa and laughed through it, esp in the dog sheltered the kid songs [shameful I kno]. She DIDact well, I do agree, and Bollyviewer is rite- Sargam was probably the best of her lot :B
ReplyDeleteOMG shweta. I cry everytime I watch Maa. When it comes to children abuse, it saddens me. Plus I love that dog to death. Now I have to go get Dobby!!
ReplyDeleteI do have to check out Sargam.
Just a slight correction...Maa was a hit in India....in fact Thanedaar and Maa were two hits in Jeetendra and Jayaprada's career after a long long time in the 1990s....
ReplyDeleteAnonymous - thanks. I'll make that correction
ReplyDeleteThis goes on my to watch list, i'm a big fan of Jaya and Jeetendra, i so whnt to see this badly, i absolutely love your review
ReplyDeletebollywooddeewana - I think you'll like it if you are Jaya Pradha and Jeetendra fans. It's a cheesy movie worth watching. :)
ReplyDeletei love all song in this film & all carectors
ReplyDeleteI agree FAIZ
ReplyDeleteWell I haven't seen this movie completely. But after reading this review(I just clicked this page while surfing) I must watch this movie now. I saw one scene of the movie on youtube where that dog saves the child. And it was really touching. I will check if I can get this movie in any where.
ReplyDeleteAniruddha - Thanks for stopping by! I hope you get to watch it. Come back and let me know about your thoughts
ReplyDeletehi guys. jaya is simply marvellous.
ReplyDeletei love her so much. here are some of her hit movies: sargam ,sanjog, sharaabi, tohfa, akhree- raasta, ,majaal,aaj ka arjun, insaaf kaun karega,maa, dharti- putra, majboor, pyar ke do pal, haisiyat, kaamchor, dil e nadaan, main awara hoon, ghar ghar ki kahani, paraya ghar ...........
i have watched lots of her movies i think she is one of the most beautiful woman i have ever seen.
Thanks very much for the info..i was also looking for this movie...i agree jaya is gorgeous and very talented.
ReplyDeleteI agree will u friends. Jaya Prada was such a potential actress and stunning beauty and also a great dancer, but still under-rated due to some politics in bollywood (between the then south actress)but still gorgeous. I wish her best of luck for rest of life.
ReplyDelete