Bollywood fans were captivated by Atlee’s action-thriller Jawan, which turned out to be one of Shah Rukh Khan’s biggest commercial successes. But among all the action, emotion, and double roles, one casting detail raised eyebrows — Deepika Padukone’s portrayal of Kaveri Amma, the mother of SRK’s character.
Recently, actress Riddhi Dogra, who also played a supporting role in the film, shared her honest thoughts on the character choices, particularly surrounding Deepika’s unconventional motherly portrayal. In an interview, she said, “Maybe they didn’t want to call her Shah Rukh Khan’s mother, so she became Kaveri Amma,” further adding that she herself “needs redemption” for her limited appearance in the film.
This statement has opened up larger conversations about age dynamics, female representation, and casting decisions in Bollywood.
🎬 Jawan: A Quick Recap
Before diving into Riddhi’s comments, it’s important to understand the narrative framework of Jawan:
- Shah Rukh Khan plays dual roles: both the father (Vikram Rathore) and the son (Azad).
- Deepika Padukone, in a special cameo, plays Kaveri Amma, the love interest of Vikram Rathore and mother of Azad.
- The film spans generations, intertwining themes of justice, revenge, and patriotism.
While the film received praise for its style and scale, the casting of Deepika in a maternal role to Shah Rukh Khan’s character — despite being his frequent romantic co-star — sparked curiosity.
🧾 Riddhi Dogra’s Take: A Candid Observation
In a candid and somewhat self-deprecating tone, Riddhi Dogra expressed her thoughts during a promotional conversation:
“I think the makers didn’t want to say that Deepika Padukone is playing Shah Rukh Khan’s mother. So she became Kaveri Amma instead. That way, they found a way to keep her mystique intact.”
She added humorously:
“I played Colonel’s wife and Kaveri Amma’s guardian. I don’t even know what I was doing there. I definitely need redemption.”
Riddhi’s comments weren’t meant to criticize the film but to highlight the subtleties of casting choices, especially when popular stars are involved.
👩🦳 Deepika as Kaveri Amma: A Role Wrapped in Ambiguity
Deepika’s portrayal of Kaveri Amma was intense, emotional, and well-received. However, the ambiguity of her character’s label left many fans puzzled:
- Why wasn’t she clearly called Azad’s mother in the movie?
- Why was she given the title of “Amma”, which is often used generically for a maternal figure?
- Was it to avoid attaching a “mother” tag to Deepika, who is still a leading lady in her prime?
These questions point toward Bollywood’s long-standing discomfort with aging female characters, especially when played by A-list actresses.
👵 Bollywood and Its Age Dilemma
The film industry has often been criticized for:
- Pairing older male actors with much younger female leads
- Avoiding mother roles for top heroines, fearing it will impact their desirability
- Casting young actresses in aged roles only when “necessary” or disguised
In Jawan, Deepika’s character aged significantly on screen. But her relationship to the lead was never called out directly in a typical “maa-beta” fashion.
Riddhi Dogra’s observation suggests that this could be a conscious directorial decision — to preserve Deepika’s star image while still letting her be part of a powerful, emotional arc.
🤔 “I Need Redemption”: Riddhi Reflects on Her Own Role
Riddhi Dogra, who played the wife of the villainous Colonel, had a brief appearance in Jawan. Despite being a strong performer, her role didn’t have much impact.
By saying, “I need redemption,” Riddhi showed:
- A willingness to critique her own screen time
- A desire for more meaningful character arcs
- A broader commentary on how secondary female roles are often underwritten, even in high-budget blockbusters
Her honesty struck a chord with fans who admire her work in OTT shows like The Married Woman, Asur, and Badtameez Dil.
🎭 The Deepika-SRK Pairing: Always Complicated
What made Jawan more complicated is that Deepika and SRK have shared screen space in:
- Chennai Express (romantic)
- Happy New Year (romantic)
- Pathaan (romantic action duo)
Suddenly turning that equation into mother-son — even if indirectly — required a major shift in audience perception.
The makers of Jawan possibly tried to retain her screen gravitas without making the label too literal, and Riddhi Dogra simply voiced what many viewers had already wondered.
🌍 Audience Reactions: Divided But Curious
Fans had mixed reactions on social media:
🗣️ “Deepika was amazing in that role, but yeah… calling her SRK’s mom felt weird.”
🗣️ “Why not just own the age arc? Women can play mothers and still be powerful!”
🗣️ “Riddhi Dogra said what needed to be said. Bollywood needs to evolve.”
Many praised Riddhi for speaking up, especially in an industry where honest critique from within is rare.
🔍 What This Conversation Reveals About Bollywood
Riddhi’s statements open a deeper discussion about:
- How female characters are typecast based on age or appearance
- Why actresses still face a “shelf life” stigma
- How A-listers are often shielded from character maturity to preserve box office appeal
It also brings into focus how the lens of motherhood in Bollywood is still loaded — even in modern cinema.
🎬 Looking Ahead: Will Bollywood Normalize Mature Roles for Women?
The tide is slowly changing, with films like:
- Mom (Sridevi)
- English Vinglish (Sridevi again)
- Raazi (Alia Bhatt playing a wife and spy)
- The Great Indian Kitchen, Darlings, and Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway
But we still see hesitation when mainstream actresses are asked to play mothers to stars they’ve previously romanced. Riddhi Dogra’s candid comments help keep this important conversation alive.
✅ Conclusion: Honesty, Humour, and the Need for More Realism
Riddhi Dogra’s refreshing honesty about her role in Jawan and the casting of Deepika Padukone is not just a funny anecdote — it’s a mirror to the deeper workings of Bollywood.
While Deepika delivered a memorable performance, the ambiguity surrounding her character title shows how the industry continues to struggle with female aging, star image, and realism.
As Bollywood evolves, one can hope that actresses like Riddhi, and conversations like these, will help pave the way for more honest, fearless storytelling — where mothers, daughters, and warriors can all exist in the same frame, without compromise.