Suresh Triveni on casting Madhuri Dixit in Maa Behen: 'Wanted to see her in a comic avatar, and we chased it'

Suresh Triveni pivots from Subedaar to Netflix's Maa Behen a dark comedy starring Madhuri Dixit-Nene and Triptii Dimri. A dysfunctional family faces a murder scandal in this witty, ambitious film.

Madhuri Dixit in a still from Maa Behen

The action-drama Subedaar debuted on Amazon Prime Video today, but Suresh Triveni is already shifting the focus to his upcoming project, a dark comedy titled Maa Behen which is witty and clever. The next Netflix original is a conscious departure for the filmmaker, who is renowned for the dark, atmospheric tension of Jalsa (2022), towards a lighter, if twisted, narrative realm.

What is the central mystery and star-studded cast of Maa Behen?

At the heart of this change is the casting of Madhuri Dixit-Nene, who stars alongside Ravi Kishan, Tripti Dimri, and digital creator Dharna Durga. The film follows a dysfunctional family as they become embroiled in a local scandal following the discovery of a neighbour's body in their kitchen; the first teaser was released in February.

Gathering a cast of this calibre was, as Triveni freely acknowledges, an ambitious endeavour from the very beginning. The "Bhojpuri-esque" eccentricity of Maa Behen necessitated an exact blend of seasoned elegance with contemporary comic timing.

ALSO READ: Maa Behen announced: Madhuri Dixit, Triptii Dimri's comedy-drama film focuses on generational clashes

How did Suresh Triveni react to his first-choice stars accepting the dark script?

The ambitious casting was something Triveni conceded. The filmmaker was surprised to find that his first casting choice was open to the script's dark humour, considering the scope of the project.

He told Mid Day, "We wanted to have three terrific women, and we were clear from day one that we would approach Madhuri Ma'am for it. She readily agreed in the first narration. So did Triptii, Dharna, and Ravi Kishan. I was fortunate."

How do the character dynamics differ between Madhuri Dixit-Nene and Triptii Dimri?

Maa Behen features Dixit-Nene as the unrestrained and unfiltered mother, Rekha, a departure from her usual "diva" portrayals. Her mother's antics are in sharp contrast to those of her eldest daughter Jaya, played by Dimri, who is seen as reserved, grounded, and often in conflict with her mother.

Being an ardent admirer of the actor's career, Triveni believed that her humorous abilities had gone unfulfilled for some time. "As a viewer, I was dying to see how beautiful Madhuri ma’am is with comedy. We wanted to see her in that comic avatar, and we chased it," he explained.

What is it like for Suresh Triveni to collaborate with 90s icons back-to-back?

With Subedaar starring Anil Kapoor and Maa Behen starring Madhuri Dixit-Nene, the filmmaker is presently in a rare position to have collaborated with two of the most iconic stars of the 1990s in consecutive films. Working with industry veterans was an eye-opening experience, according to Triveni, who praised their focus and insistence on not resting on their past achievements alone.

"Why we call them the OGs is that they are not done yet. They are still learning. For example, we did at least 14 workshop sessions with the three leads together for Maa Behen. Madhuri ma’am showed up. She didn’t say, ‘Since I have done so much work, I don’t need it.’ She learnt the required dialect. These stars aren’t complacent at all," Triveni noted.

How does Maa Behen build on the existing chemistry between Madhuri Dixit-Nene and Triptii Dimri?

Dixit-Nene and Dimri reunite in Maa Behen after appearing together in the horror comedy Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 in 2024. Although they were part of a large cast in that film, Triveni's movie, set in a cramped, high-tension home, prominently features their chemistry.

The film is set to premiere later this year on Netflix. With Subedaar streaming on Prime Video and Maa Behen currently in post-production, Triveni's 2026 slate solidifies his status as a filmmaker who can deftly blend realistic depictions of everyday life with whimsical comedies.

Maa Behen FAQs:

Q: Who is in the cast of Maa Behen?

A: Maa Behen features a powerhouse ensemble led by Bollywood icon Madhuri Dixit-Nene, alongside Triptii Dimri and digital creator Dharna Durga. The cast also includes veteran actor Ravi Kishan and Shardul Bhardwaj. The project is directed by Suresh Triveni, known for his previous hits Jalsa and Tumhari Sulu.

Q: Where can I watch the movie Maa Behen?

A: Maa Behen is a Netflix Original film. It is expected to stream exclusively on Netflix later in 2026. The film's first teaser was unveiled in February 2026, and it is currently in the post-production phase.

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