Acclaimed actress Sonali Kulkarni is set to headline filmmaker Neeru Sharma’s upcoming short film Like Maa, with the makers unveiling the film’s first poster. The 23-minute film brings together Kulkarni and Sharma for an intimate intergenerational drama that explores the emotional complexities of family relationships without giving away too much about its storyline.
Sonali Kulkarni’s casting is a significant element of the project. According to the makers, the actress came on board after connecting with the sensitivity of the subject and the layered nature of the central character. Her presence adds considerable weight to a story that revolves around motherhood, relationships and the impact of experiences carried from one generation to another.
Speaking about joining the project, Sonali Kulkarni says, “What immediately connected me to ‘Like Maa’ was the honesty and sensitivity of the story. Neeru has approached the subject in a very intimate way, and the character offered me an opportunity to explore emotions that are deeply human and relatable. I was intrigued by the world she had created and felt it was a story worth being part of.
Written, produced and directed by Neeru Sharma, Like Maa is set in an upper-middle-class neighbourhood, with homemaker Anjana at its centre. Played by Sonali Kulkarni, Anjana’s relationship with her teenage daughter forms the emotional backbone of the film.
The film examines the subtle ways in which family experiences, expectations and social conditioning shape relationships. Rather than relying on a conventional dramatic treatment, Sharma has chosen to tell the story through personal emotions and the dynamics within a family.
The unveiling of the first poster marks the beginning of the film’s promotional campaign. The poster introduces the world of Like Maa while keeping the focus on the human heart of the story — a story about love, fear, and the patterns we unknowingly pass on.
The supporting cast includes Mehdi Khan, Mehaan Soni, Smita Inamdaar, Aishwarya Manohar, Hisha Joshi, Nandini Sharma, Komal Khimsaria and Aayaz Khan.
The film is produced under Niruvana Kreations, with Rajiv Parashar as producer. Aakash Sethi is the Director of Photography, Sandeep Kurup is the editor, Kaushal Mahavir has composed the music and Rucha Deogharkar is the Production Designer.
With Sonali Kulkarni leading the cast and Neeru Sharma making her mark as writer, producer and director, Like Maa is now attracting attention with its first poster and the promise of a layered story about motherhood, relationships and the emotional inheritance between generations.#likemaa