In the world of Bollywood, we’ve seen plenty of dramatic mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationships on-screen, often filled with tension. But what about in real life? While the bond between these two roles is usually imagined as difficult, Bollywood has several strong, loving, and unique relationships between mothers-in-law and their daughters-in-law. These women have made their marks not only on the silver screen but also in their families. Let’s take a look at how Bollywood’s most influential mothers-in-law maintain their special bonds.
Sharmila Tagore: A Loving Mother-in-Law to Kareena Kapoor and Amrita Singh
Sharmila Tagore, the elegant veteran actress, is a mother-in-law twice over. First to Amrita Singh and now to Kareena Kapoor. Her bond with Kareena, who is married to her son Saif Ali Khan, is warm and nurturing. Sharmila has publicly expressed how Kareena is like a daughter to her, often mentioning how Kareena’s visits to Pataudi Palace brighten up the place. The two share a lovely relationship, breaking the traditional idea of a difficult mother-in-law and daughter-in-law dynamic.
But Sharmila’s relationship with Saif’s first wife, Amrita Singh, was also noteworthy. Although there were initial concerns, over time, they developed mutual respect. Even after Saif and Amrita’s divorce, Sharmila made efforts to maintain a cordial bond. Amrita and Saif’s daughter, Sara Ali Khan, has mentioned how her grandmother, Sharmila, still cares for her mother, a testament to Sharmila’s grace and wisdom.
Jaya Bachchan: The Strict Mother-in-Law with a Soft Side
Jaya Bachchan’s relationship with her daughter-in-law, Aishwarya Rai, has been a topic of discussion for years. Known for her strong personality, Jaya is often seen as a strict mother-in-law. While reports of disagreements between Aishwarya and Jaya have surfaced, Jaya has always spoken highly of her daughter-in-law. In an interview on Karan Johar’s show, Jaya mentioned that she deeply respects Aishwarya, appreciating how well she has adjusted to the family, despite her massive stardom.
However, Jaya has also made it clear that Aishwarya is her daughter-in-law, not her daughter, implying a formal yet respectful relationship. She openly admires how Aishwarya transitioned from being Miss World and a Bollywood icon to fitting seamlessly into the Bachchan household.
Dimple Kapadia: A Close Bond with Son-in-Law Akshay Kumar
Dimple Kapadia’s relationship with her son-in-law, Akshay Kumar, is often described as friendly and loving. Akshay, who is married to Dimple’s daughter Twinkle Khanna, shares a deep bond with his mother-in-law. Dimple once said in an interview that Akshay is more like a son to her than a son-in-law. She enjoys his playful and mischievous nature and values the fact that they never have a dull moment together. Akshay has also expressed his admiration for Dimple, often speaking about how much he respects her.
Hema Malini: A Mother-in-Law Who Embraces Her Sons-in-Law
Hema Malini, the Dream Girl of Bollywood, is another strong mother-in-law who maintains a beautiful bond with her sons-in-law. She has two daughters, Esha and Ahana, and after their marriages, Hema was overjoyed to welcome sons into the family. In an interview, she shared how people used to remind her that she had no sons, but now she proudly claims two sons through her daughters’ marriages. Despite Esha’s separation from her husband Bharat Takhtani, Hema’s love for her sons-in-law remains unchanged.
Salma and Helen Khan: The Progressive Mothers-in-Law
Salim Khan’s wives, Salma and Helen, are among Bollywood’s most progressive mothers-in-law. Known for their open-minded approach, they gave their daughters-in-law plenty of freedom and space. Malaika Arora, who was once married to Arbaaz Khan, and Seema Sajdeh, Sohail Khan’s former wife, both shared how Salma and Helen always supported them without judgment. Even after their respective divorces, the bond between Malaika, Seema, and their mothers-in-law remained respectful.
