Sonali Kulkarni leads Neeru Sharma's family drama 'Like Maa'
Synopsis
Sonali Kulkarni steps into the lead role of Anjana — a homemaker navigating her relationship with a teenage daughter — in Neeru Sharma's 'Like Maa', a film that uses an upper-middle-class setting to examine how family expectations and social conditioning quietly reshape the bonds between mothers and children. The first poster dropped on 22 September.
Key Takeaways
Sonali Kulkarni has been cast as the lead in Neeru Sharma 's drama 'Like Maa' , announced on 22 September 2026 .
The film centres on homemaker Anjana and her relationship with her teenage daughter in an upper-middle-class setting.
Written, produced, and directed by Neeru Sharma , the film is produced under Niruvana Kreations by Rajiv Parashar .
The supporting cast includes Mehdi Khan , Mehaan Soni , Smita Inamdaar , and others.
Kulkarni is also set to appear in Srikanth Odela 's 'The Paradise' , starring Nani , releasing on 24 September .
Actress Sonali Kulkarni has been cast as the lead in filmmaker Neeru Sharma's upcoming drama 'Like Maa', with the makers unveiling the film's first poster on social media on Tuesday, 22 September. The announcement confirms Kulkarni's headlining role in what promises to be an emotionally grounded story centred on a mother-daughter relationship.
What the Film Is About
Set in an upper-middle-class neighbourhood, 'Like Maa' follows Anjana, a homemaker played by Sonali Kulkarni, whose evolving relationship with her teenage daughter forms the emotional backbone of the narrative. The film explores how family experiences, social expectations, and generational conditioning shape the bonds between loved ones — themes that resonate widely in contemporary Indian households.
What Sonali Kulkarni Said
Kulkarni spoke candidly about why the project drew her in. '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,' she said. She added, 'I was intrigued by the world she had created and felt it was a story worth being part of.'
Full Cast and Crew
Written, produced, and directed by Neeru Sharma, the film is backed by Rajiv Parashar under the banner Niruvana Kreations. The supporting cast includes Mehdi Khan, Mehaan Soni, Smita Inamdaar, Aishwarya Manohar, Hisha Joshi, Nandini Sharma, Komal Khimsaria, and Aayaz Khan, among others.
On the technical side, Aakash Sethi serves as Director of Photography, Sandeep Kurup heads the editing department, Kaushal Mahavir has composed the music, and Rucha Deogharkar is the Production Designer.
Sonali Kulkarni's Upcoming Projects
Beyond 'Like Maa', Kulkarni is also set to appear in a significant role in director Srikanth Odela's 'The Paradise', headlined by Nani. That film is scheduled for a theatrical release on 24 September, placing Kulkarni at the centre of two high-profile projects in close succession.
With the first poster now out, attention will turn to the release timeline and trailer for 'Like Maa' as the production moves toward its next phase.
Point of View
Realistic portrayals — signals that 'Like Maa' is positioning itself in the niche of intimate family dramas rather than mainstream commercial fare. Neeru Sharma taking on writing, direction, and production simultaneously is a significant creative bet; such triple roles can either deliver a singular vision or expose bandwidth gaps in execution. With Kulkarni simultaneously appearing in Nani's 'The Paradise', her visibility is peaking at a strategically important moment. Whether 'Like Maa' finds a theatrical or OTT berth will largely determine how wide that visibility translates.
NationPress
22 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sonali Kulkarni playing in 'Like Maa'?
Sonali Kulkarni plays Anjana, a homemaker whose relationship with her teenage daughter is the emotional core of the film. The character explores how family conditioning and social expectations shape close bonds.
Who is directing and producing 'Like Maa'?
'Like Maa' is written, produced, and directed by Neeru Sharma. The film is backed by Rajiv Parashar under the production banner Niruvana Kreations.
Who else is in the cast of 'Like Maa'?
The supporting cast includes Mehdi Khan, Mehaan Soni, Smita Inamdaar, Aishwarya Manohar, Hisha Joshi, Nandini Sharma, Komal Khimsaria, and Aayaz Khan, among others.
What other film is Sonali Kulkarni appearing in soon?
Kulkarni is set to appear in a significant role in Srikanth Odela's 'The Paradise', headlined by Nani and scheduled for theatrical release on 24 September 2026.
What is 'Like Maa' about?
'Like Maa' is a family drama set in an upper-middle-class neighbourhood, focusing on a homemaker named Anjana and her teenage daughter. It examines how family experiences, expectations, and social conditioning shape personal relationships.
