Director: Suresh Triveni
Rating: ***
Released yesterday, June 4, 2026, on Netflix, Maa Behen is a deliciously twisted black comedy thriller that takes a sharp, pulpy dig at the patriarchal gaze and neighborhood moral policing. Directed by Suresh Triveni (Tumhari Sulu, Jalsa), the film trades the usual "abla naari" (helpless woman) tropes for an unhinged, chaotic cover-up game that feels like Crew meets Andhadhun.
The Story & Script
The plot kicks off in the middle-class pockets of Adarsh Colony, where Rekha (Madhuri Dixit Nene), a fierce, independent widow, lives alone and works at a local liquor shop—a choice that makes her the ultimate target for neighborhood gossips. One night, a frantic Rekha calls her two estranged daughters: Jaya (Triptii Dimri), a exhausted housewife trapped in her own version of The Great Indian Kitchen, and Sushma (Dharna Durga), a content creator obsessed with internet fame.
The crisis? Gupta Ji (Ravi Kishan), a intrusive neighbor, lies dead on Rekha's living room floor after a self-defense altercation. The script, co-written by Triveni and Pooja Tolani, tracks the three women as they try to sneak the body out to a nearby canal. The catch? Gupta Ji’s family is hosting a massive, loud jagrata (all-night prayer vigil) right across the street, keeping the alley illuminated and alive until dawn.
Direction & Screenplay
Suresh Triveni excels at writing women who feel like human beings rather than flawless symbols of empowerment. The screenplay relies on situational ironies and small-town absurdities—like Rekha panicking that the murder is a divine curse because she accidentally ate an egg on a Monday.
However, the film fumbles its balance as a pure thriller. The pacing dips significantly in the second act, burdened by unnecessary subplots involving a nosy cop and former flame, Maheshwari (Arunoday Singh), whose scenes feel a bit disconnected from the core tension.
Performances
Madhuri Dixit Nene: Having an absolute blast, Madhuri sheds her typical ultra-glamorous avatar to play a chaotic, flawed, and defiant mother. Her comic timing remains incredibly sharp, and she grounds the eccentric beats of Rekha with great dignity.
Triptii Dimri: Triptii is the film’s anchor. Slipping effortlessly into the small-town skin of Jaya, she delivers the movie’s most impactful moment during a boiling-point monologue where she finally confronts her ungrateful husband (Shardul Bhardwaj).
Dharna Durga: Making a seamless transition from viral internet sketches to the silver screen, Dharna holds her own beautifully alongside two powerhouses. She infuses the film with a highly relatable, social-media-driven energy.
The Ensemble: Ravi Kishan is spectacular in his brief role, while Geetanjali Kulkarni turns in a wonderfully layered performance as the grieving, suspicious neighbour, Mrs. Gupta.
Music & Technical Craft
Visuals: The film features a high-contrast, vivid colour palette that perfectly complements its exaggerated, slightly surreal black-comedy tone.
Music: The background score tracks the ticking-clock panic well, but the soundtrack is a mixed bag. While the inclusion of a sensual "Dhak Dhak Reloaded" brings heavy nostalgia, the devotional track "Khol Pinjara" feels somewhat out of place given the high-stakes narrative.
Final Verdict
Maa Behen doesn't arrive carrying a heavy feminism handbook or a preachy lecture. Instead, it serves a highly entertaining, flawed, and unapologetic look at female solidarity when pushed to the absolute edge. While the narrative gears grind unevenly in the middle, the electric chemistry between Madhuri, Triptii, and Dharna makes this a chaotic ride worth streaming.
