Mentalhood Hindi movie: Looking to watch the best parenting Hindi movie? Then, don't miss Karisma Kapoor's 'Mentalhood', which is a ALTBalaji-ZEE5 web series. Now, you can watch it on YouTube, which is what I did. Better still, read the comments of hundreds of moms who loved the film though it was trashed in online media reviews (secret: Yes, that's why I hugely distrust online media film reviews!)
This highly engaging web series features 'super cool' moms including Karisma Kapoor as 'Meira Sharma' who shifted to Mumbai from Kanpur, Sandhya Mridhul as 'AJO' or 'Anuja Joshi', the PTA head and dynamo, and the supremely talented Tilotama Shome. An icing on the cake is the handsome Dino Morea as 'Aakash'.
The series takes you through the different parenting styles that are prevalent in metro cities, particularly among elite families who tend to look down on anything 'middle class'. [READ: Are You On The Wrong Planet?]
If you've watched some of Shahrukh Khan's early interviews, you would notice the word he used to use most often was that he always identified himself as a middle class boy. While he's evolved into Badshah thereafter, the reality today is that most Indians would not like to be labelled as 'middle-class'; 'elite' is way cooler!
Mentalhood Hindi Movie: Highlights
Every mom in this series has her own distinct parenting style. What makes the movie commendable is how it strives to keep the conversations candid. There is also a careful balance to showcase the pros and cons of each parenting style.
For instance, AJO is highly short tempered, over protective and takes pleasure in distrusting her children to the point of checking their phones relentlessly and tearing their 'privacy' to shreds. Then you have the single mom who believes in alternative treatment and one cannot help worrying when her child has fever for three consecutive days but she is still determined that 'no chemicals will be administered to my child' and she doesn't take her daughter to a doctor despite everyone's advice.
As a level-headed, down-to-earth mom, Meira (starring Karisma Kapoor) is quick to realise that no mom is 'perfect' despite their best efforts. On her engaging 'secret' blog as 'Mental Mom', Meira chronicles the challenges that today's Indian moms face. She has friends whom she watches closely and she understands no one is perfect though they strive hard to be.
I like the way the film shows Meira her mistakes as a parent and the grace with which she accepts it and strives to improve herself.
A notable example is when she gets called out for gifting a 'toy kitchen set' for a little girl's party. Then she realises she had been unknowingly guilty of perpetuating the social norm that girls should play with kitchen sets. More importantly, she traces it to the fact that it has more to do with social conditioning from her own mother that is the root cause.
The 24X7 workaholic mom craves more time with her child whereas the stay-at-home mom is franctic with anxiety and panic attacks as every challenge is viewed as a question of her competence or failure.
Through her experiences which are shown in the movie, she dives deep into issues that are relevant such as the importance of knowing that child abuse is a reality that every parent has to be ready for; letting your child attend sleep over parties sounds cool but may not be in their best interest. Other issues that are dealt with considerable sensitivity include 'good touch-bad touch', setting boundaries for children who are bullies or who regularly misbehave, children who are adopted, etc.
The showstopper of 'Mentalhood' is Karisma Kapoor, who plays the role of a down-to-earth, warm and caring middle class Indian mom. Her natural acting skills are in full display as 'Meira' while she puts in her best efforts despite being mocked and scorned. Her chemistry with Sandhya Mridhul is easy going, warm and engaging. The duo make this a must-watch parenting film in Hindu. Most scenes are thought-provoking as it nudges us out of our biases and teaches us to stop using our children as pawns to control. She is easy on the eyes and a natural before the camera. It is a delight to watch her after a long time.
A note of appreciation for Dino Morea's poignant portrayal as a single parent; it is deeply touching as you see a vulnerable side to the urban Indian male bringing up kids singlehandedly.
Issues pertaining to gender resurface in a relevant way throughout this series even as it encourages parents to trust their children rather than control them all the time.
Honestly, when I watched this film, I found myself wishing this movie had been around when I was grappling with so many challenges as a working mom!
[READ: A WORKING MOM's LIFE - The Questions I've Been Asking Myself]
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