Nirupa Roy
Amitabh Bachchan's most favourite mother onscreen has always been Nirupa Roy and after playing his mother in Deewar, a story about a sacrificing single mother and her two sons, Shashi Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan, this mother sure became the most popular mother of Bollywood. Her other films as Amitabh's mother were Amar Akbar Anthony, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Suhaag, Mard and Lal Badshah.
Nargis
The mother of all Bollywood mothers, of course, was Nargis in Mother India. In the film, she raised her two sons single-handedly while also working in the fields and fending off the evil intentions of the landowner.
Durga Khote
She essayed a wide variety of roles in a career span of over 50 years. Her portrayal of Jodhabai, the queen of Mughal Emperor Akbar, torn between duty towards her husband and love for her son Salim in film is most memorable.
Lalita Pawar
The most sought after, yet the most dreaded mother of all time in the industry was Lalita Pawar, who has the longest innings spanning from the silent era of 1920s to 1990s with more than 300 films to her credit. She played mother in films like Dahej, Thokar, Mr. And Mrs.1955, Khandaan, Shri 420, Pocket Maar, Nau Do Gyarah, Asha, Parwarish, Sujata, Guest House, Anari, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai, Sasural, Junglee, Hum Dono, Grihasti, Bluff Master, Sangam, Kohra, Khandaan and Love in Tokyo
Dina Pathak
One of the most powerful mothers onscreen, Dina Pathak has proved her talent in over 100 movies, more notable amongst them being, Satyakam, Sat Hindustani, Sacha Jhoota, Jal Bin Machli Nritya Bin Bijlee, Koshish, Avishkar, Charitraheen, Anari, Mausam, Chitchor, Dream Girl, Kitab, Gol Maal, Thodisi Bewafai, Umrao Jaan, Prem Rog, Arth, Arpan, Jhoothi, Aankhen, Sabse Bada Khilari, Yarana, Pardes, Mere Sapno Ki Rani, Tum Bin, Devdas (Bhuwans mother) and Pinjar.
Zohra Sehgal
The lady sure gave a wonderful performance as a mother of a 60-plus Amitabh Bachchan in Cheeni Kum.
Waheeda Rehman
She has played mother and grandmother roles in film like Om Jai Jagadish, Water, Rang De Basanti and Delhi 6.
Kamini Kaushal
She played a strong role as Bhagat Singh's mother in Manoj Kumars Shaheed (1965). The appreciation she received ensured that Kamini became a fixture as the mother figure in a string of 1970s Manoj Kumar starrers films like Poorab Pascham, Shor, Roti Kapda Aur Makan, Sanyasi and Dus Numbri.
Farida Jalal
Be it Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Dil To Pagal Hai or Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Farida has belted out one typical mother performances after another with a consistency that very few have displayed in the industry. She win the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.
Jaya Bachchan
She is one lady who has potrayed different kind of roles in her career but her motherly figure in her character makes her stand above the rest. She played mother in films like Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gum, Hazaar Chorasia Ki Maa, Kal Ho Na Ho, Fiza and Laga Chunari Mein Daag.