Mother's Day 2025: Kareena Kapoor, Sonu Nigam And Janhvi Kapoor Open Up About Women Who Shaped Their Lives

Kareena Kapoor Khan on Babita

For Kareena Kapoor Khan, Mother's Day is a poignant reminder of the unwavering strength and grounding influence of her mother. Reflecting on her upbringing, Kareena shared how her mother instilled in her the value of independence. "I don’t really remember whether money was important growing up, but it was always important to get nice clothes," she chuckled, before adding a crucial lesson her mother imparted: "'When you become an actor have your money.' She has always told me to stand on my feet and that I can’t rely on my parents." This emphasis on self-reliance was a constant, even in her younger years. "Even in my teens it was about bare necessities, basics. That’s how mom was," Kareena explained.

The foundation of this practicality stemmed from her mother's own experiences. "She came from a humble background. My nana, Hari Shivdasani, was a character actor and my grandmother was English. She never really did a job. So, mom was very humble. Till today she keeps us in check," Kareena revealed, highlighting the enduring nature of her mother's down-to-earth approach.

Beyond financial independence, Kareena emphasized her mother's pivotal role as the central force in their lives. "She is a driving force in my life. She has been there all the time for me and Lolo (Karisma)," she affirmed. Using a powerful metaphor, Kareena described her mother's significance: "She's the sun behind everything when she rises, everyone in the house rises. If she falls, we also fall."

Kareena further elaborated on this indispensable presence, stating, "She is our backbone because that's just the way we been three women living together under one particular roof. And I can't imagine anything in life without her decisions, without her."

What Kareena deeply appreciates is her mother's evolving approach and unwavering support for their choices. "It's not like she gives her opinion and she will be like this is what I think. She is very clear like this is the life you have chosen, whatever you wish. I kind of love the fact that my parents have evolved with their children," Kareena expressed, a testament to the understanding and trust that defines their bond. This Mother's Day, for Kareena Kapoor Khan, is a celebration of a woman who is not just a mother, but a guiding star, a solid foundation, and a constant source of strength.

Drawing from her own experiences, Kareena offered a heartfelt message to fellow mothers on this special day. "My advice to mothers on Mother’s Day is that there is so much to talk about children’s safety and immunisation which I would want to do for children. I would do for Taimur and Jeh and I would want all mothers across India to do that."  

Sonu Nigam on Shobha Nigam

Recently singer Sonu Nigam has announced the establishment of the Shobha Nigam foundation in loving memory of his late mother, Shobha Nigam who hails from Garhwal. Joining him in this significant endeavour are his sister, Meenal Nigam and family friend Anusha Srinivasan. To further enshrine his mother's legacy, Nigam released a profoundly emotional music single titled "Maa," a while ago.

“Through this foundation, we aim to carry forward that same spirit of generosity and compassion that Mom embodied every single day of her life. We want to make a real difference in the lives of those who need it most, just like she always did."

Sonu reiterated that his mother always put others before herself, and her kindness knew no bounds. "Her heart was so big; she had room for everyone. She was a pillar of strength, not just for our family, but for so many others who crossed her path. You know, she had this incredible ability to make everyone feel seen and heard. That's the kind of impact we hope this foundation will have." He emphasized the personal significance of this tribute, saying, "This isn't just a foundation; it's a continuation of her love, her legacy. It's our way of keeping her spirit alive in the world."

Reflecting on his mother's incredible strength and determination, Sonu fondly reminsced, "So, my mother really worked hard as she was a fighter. She was more like my nana’s (maternal grandfather) son than daughter. She was as good in sports as much as in academics. She had a cupboard full of trophies and awards,’ he eminisces. In fact she was in Class 10 and give tuitions to students from higher classes. She would walk hours to go to music classes after school, come back and give tuitions. Her life wasn’t easy.”

Deeply moved by her resilience, Sonu emphasized, "She had a very tough life, there's no doubt about that. But she did everything with great integrity and self-respect. That's the kind of woman she was – unwavering, strong, and always dignified."

He concluded, "Her spirit was unbreakable, and she faced every challenge with incredible fortitude."

Janhvi Kapoor on Sridevi

Janhvi reflected on a cherished childhood game with her mother, the iconic Sridevi. "You know, Mom and I used to play this really exciting game. We would watch these Hollywood and South Indian films that would really excite us, and we would take a notebook and we would write the names of these characters, and we would call it playing 'producer-producer.' And who would we cast in these roles? I guess both of us got that from Dad."

Addressing the inevitable comparisons to her legendary mother, Janhvi acknowledged the weight of expectation. "Yes. In fact, she did not want me to act," she revealed. "She was very apprehensive of how people would compare my first film to her 300th film, and she said, ‘How are you going to deal with that pressure?’" Janhvi further shared her mother's concerns about the comfortable life she had provided. "[Mom] kept saying that she worked her whole life so we can have a comfortable one. She also added that I will be constantly scrutinised for having a comfortable life that she worked to give us, or perhaps never going to enjoy the comfort because of the rat race and to be on the hamster wheel."

Janhvi offers a candid perspective for being Sridevi’s daughter. "Yeah, it is kind of the same. It is important that one just does not live and die. Sometimes it feels like the outside world is different, and your world is completely different." Despite acknowledging her privileged background, she emphasized the necessity of personal dedication. "People say that I am lucky to come from a filmy background, but still I feel that if you do not make your films, your acting, and your career your whole life, you will not be able to survive."

Sharing a personal anecdote that highlighted her mother's deep affection and protectiveness, Janhvi recounted, "'Because I remember during Dhadak when I cut my hair, my mom yelled at me a lot, and she was like, ‘How could you? Do not cut your hair for any role.’ Every third or fourth day, she used to put oil in my hair and massage my head. She was very proud of my hair. So I will not cut my hair,’" the actor affirmed.