"Maja Ma" Offers a Complicated Blend of Social Issues in a Dramatic Comedy Film. "Maja Ma" is a complex exploration of various social problems wrapped in a comedy-drama package. It takes viewers on a rollercoaster ride, starting with a melancholic middle act and ending on a positive note, albeit with a few narrative hiccups along the way. In a nutshell, the film falls somewhere in between, neither exceptionally good nor outright bad. Anand Tiwari and Sumit Batheja made commendable efforts to address a plethora of societal issues within a two-hour timeframe, but the film's biggest challenge lies in its attempt to intertwine LGBTQIA+ issues with the themes of cancer and hyposexuality. This intricate script weaves a tangled web that even the talented cast struggles to unravel. However, the performances by Madhuri Dixit, Sheeba Chaddha, and Simone Singh leave an indelible mark on the audience.

Unraveling the Plot of "Maja Ma"

The film follows Tejas Patel (Ritwik Bhoumik), an individual living and working in the United States, who falls in love with Esha Hansraj (Barkha Singh), the only daughter of Bob (Rajit Kapoor) and Pam (Sheeba Chaddha) Hansraj. Bob Hansraj, a prominent U.S. politician running for Mayor of Houston, hails from a wealthy family. Tejas is understandably nervous when he first encounters the Hansrajs, prompting him to seek guidance from his mother, Pallavi Patel (Madhuri Dixit), who wishes him success. However, the situation takes an unexpected turn when Bob requests Tejas to undergo a lie detector test to ensure his intentions are pure.

Things become further complicated when Esha's parents visit Tejas's family. Pallavi's husband, Manohar Patel (Gajraj Rao), is an ordinary man who struggles to comprehend the intricacies of their society. He is the society's president and frequently clashes with a local troublemaker known as "Viral" who seeks to usurp his position. Pallavi and Manohar's daughter, Tara Patel (Srishti Shrivastava), actively engages in social work and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Sexual and Gender Studies, striving to advance the LGBTQIA+ cause.

A confrontation between Pallavi and Tara, leading to Pallavi's confession of being a lesbian, inadvertently recorded by a young neighbor, sets the stage for a series of unfortunate events. During a society festival, Viral exploits the recorded videos, editing them to sensationalize Pallavi's revelation in an attempt to gain favor for his presidential bid. The video's exposure results in the cancellation of Esha and Tejas's wedding, triggering familial discord within the Patel family.

Towards the film's conclusion, Pallavi takes a lie detector test, passing it to everyone's astonishment, indicating that she is not a lesbian. This revelation brings about reconciliation within the family. But does the lie detector test truly work? Let's dig deeper.

Unpacking the Ending of "Maja Ma": Pallavi's Lie Detector Test

In reality, Pallavi is a lesbian who has harbored deep feelings for Kanchan Adhia (Simone Singh) since childhood. However, societal norms at the time prevented them from pursuing their love openly. When Pallavi married Manohar, Kanchan believed that Pallavi did not reciprocate her feelings and subsequently married Manohar's cousin, Moolchand Adhia (Ninad Kamat). After discovering the video where Pallavi claims to be a lesbian, Kanchan confronts Pallavi, who reveals that she had sacrificed her own happiness to appease others.

When Pam Hansraj persistently questions Pallavi about her sexual orientation, Kanchan intervenes, informing Pam about Bob's inappropriate behavior toward both Pallavi and Kanchan. Pam realizes that Esha has found a loving husband in Tejas, and her own husband's behavior is questionable. Thanks to Kanchan's intervention, Pam experiences a change of heart.

On the day of the lie detector test, Pallavi decides to come clean and confidently answers various questions. However, it's the final question posed by Bob Hansraj, "Are you a lesbian?" that holds the most significance. Pallavi challenges Bob's interpretation of the term "lesbian" and asks for clarification regarding its meaning. Bob inquires whether she has engaged in sexual activity with a woman or had inappropriate contact with a woman, to which Pallavi responds in the negative. The lie detector registers her answers as truthful. Before Bob can ask whether she has ever kissed a woman, Pam intervenes, unwilling to witness Pallavi's discomfort. She confronts Bob, raising her own questions about their marriage. The test is consequently terminated.

The critical point here is that Bob asks the right question at the end, but Pam interrupts before Pallavi can respond. Pallavi and Kanchan had shared a kiss during their youth but had never engaged in any intimate or inappropriate conduct. Pallavi's honest and proud answers, coupled with Pam's intervention, enable her to pass the lie detector test.

Final Thoughts

While "Maja Ma" exhibits numerous facets that could have been streamlined for a more cohesive narrative, it retains its place within the realm of Indian drama. Despite its imperfections, the performances of Madhuri Dixit and Sheeba Chaddha shine through, ensuring that the film remains a one-time watch for those seeking a thought-provoking social comedy-drama.

Directed by Anand Tiwari, "Maja Ma" is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.