Sonali Kulkarni Headlines Neeru Sharma’s Short Film ‘Like Maa’; First Poster Unveiled!
Acclaimed actress Sonali Kulkarni is set to headline filmmaker Neeru Sharma’s upcoming short film #LikeMaa, with the makers unveiling the project’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 of its narrative.
Sonali Kulkarni’s casting serves as a significant anchor for the project. According to the makers, the actress came on board after connecting deeply 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, family dynamics, and the impact of emotional experiences passed down from one generation to another.
Speaking about joining the project, Sonali Kulkarni shared: “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 neighborhood, with homemaker Anjana at its center. 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 personal relationships. Rather than relying on conventional dramatic tropes, Sharma tells the story through nuanced emotions and internal family dynamics.
The unveiling of the first poster marks the official beginning of the film’s promotional campaign. The poster offers a glimpse into the emotional world of Like Maa while keeping the focus firmly on the human heart of the story—a narrative examining love, fear, and the patterns unknowingly passed across generations.
The supporting cast includes Mehdi Khan, Mehaan Soni, Smita Inamdaar, Aishwarya Manohar, Hisha Joshi, Nandini Sharma, Komal Khimsaria, and Aayaz Khan.
Produced under the banner of Niruvana Kreations with Rajiv Parashar as producer, Like Maa features cinematography by Aakash Sethi, editing by Sandeep Kurup, an original score composed by Kaushal Mahavir, and production design by Rucha Deogharkar.
With Sonali Kulkarni leading the ensemble and Neeru Sharma crafting the story as writer, producer, and director, Like Maa sets out to deliver a layered exploration of motherhood and emotional inheritance.
By Keerti Kadam