Stories centred on dysfunctional families and the women within them have increasingly found space in cinema. From the Hindi film Maa Behen to the critically acclaimed Marathi film Tighee, filmmakers are exploring the complexities of mother-daughter and sisterly relationships with greater depth and nuance.

Directed by Jeejivisha Kale, Tighee earned acclaim and won the Best Screenplay award at the New York Indian Film Festival, with writers Nikhil Mahajan and Prajakta Deshmukh being recognized for their work. The film stars actress-producer Nehha Pendse alongside Bharati Achrekar and Sonalee Kulkarni in pivotal roles.

Reflecting on the growing exploration of womanhood, relationships, resilience, and self-discovery in contemporary cinema, Nehha says, “For years, the right or leverage to be flawed was handed down to male characters, and that was accepted and even applauded. Women, on the other hand, were expected to carry the weight of morality and rationality while being the epitome of love and sacrifice. While those expectations still exist, very little thought was given to the fact that women, just like men, are layered individuals. They are human, constantly figuring things out, and they too can make mistakes. Tighee worked because all three women in the film were flawed, and women in the audience finally felt represented. We have realized that being put on a pedestal is a trap, and we are no longer willing to accept it, either in life or in the representation of women on screen.”

She further adds, “Life is complex, and so are the relationships we build. Many of these stories are shaped by women and their lived experiences. Marathi cinema has always embraced strong, women-centric narratives, and I believe it is important that more films are told from a woman’s perspective. These stories are relatable, meaningful, and deserve to be seen more often on screen.”

Speaking about Tighee being showcased at the prestigious festival, she says, “It still feels surreal. The response we received after the screening was truly overwhelming and deeply gratifying. Taking Tighee to an international audience has been a long-cherished dream, and watching the film resonate with people across cultures has been incredibly fulfilling.”