Dharna Durga dives into working on 'Maa Behen' with Madhuri Dixit and Triptii Dimri

Dharna Durga. Pic courtesy/Dharna Durga

Dharna Durga has spent years making audiences laugh with her relatable, slice-of-life comedy on social media, but Maa Behen marked a significant milestone in her career. In the Netflix film, she plays Sushma, a woman whose resilience and determination leave a lasting impression, sharing screen space with Madhuri Dixit Nene and Triptii Dimri.

For Durga, resilience is something she witnessed every day while growing up. Raised by her mother after losing her father, she says the greatest lesson she inherited was not through advice but through example. "The biggest lesson from my mother has been resilience. She has shown me, not through big speeches but through everyday life, that you keep going even when things are difficult. Watching her handle everything with so much strength shaped the way I look at work, family and responsibility. A lot of whatever courage I have comes from her."

That made playing Sushma in Maa Behen an especially meaningful experience. While she is quick to point out that her own life differs from her character's, she found herself relating deeply to Sushma's tenacity. "My personal journey is very different from Sushma's, but I understood her need to keep moving forward despite what life throws at her. When you grow up seeing strong women around you, resilience stops feeling like a big word and starts feeling like a way of life. That helped me connect with Sushma emotionally."

Looking back at her own journey from content creator to actor, Dharna believes her mother would be proud not because of the destination, but because she never stopped trying. "I think she would say she is proud that I didn't give up. She has seen the uncertainty, the self-doubt, the long hours and the constant pressure that come with this journey. So more than the fame or the film, I think she would be happiest about the fact that I stayed sincere and kept working."

Success has also allowed her to give back to the woman who made so many sacrifices for her. Interestingly, she says the greatest reward has little to do with expensive gifts. "Honestly, the most meaningful thing is not one big gift. It is the feeling that I can contribute, take some responsibility and give her a sense of comfort. After everything she has done for me, being able to make her life even slightly easier means a lot."

As someone who built a loyal audience online, Dharna has experienced both love and criticism in equal measure. She admits protecting her mental health remains an ongoing process. "I try to remind myself that the internet is not real life in its entirety. It is important to have a life outside the app, people who know you beyond your work, and moments where you are not performing for anyone. I am still learning, but I try not to let every comment become a verdict on who I am."

She believes the digital landscape has evolved, with audiences becoming more accepting of creators while also being more critical. "I think both things are happening at the same time. Audiences are definitely more accepting of digital talent now, but the scrutiny has also increased because everyone has an opinion instantly. The good part is that people are now judging performances more than just labels. If they like the work, they support you."

One of the most talked-about moments during the film's promotions sees Dharna's character hilariously "teaching" dance to Madhuri Dixit, even pointing out mistakes to one of Indian cinema's finest dancers. Off camera, however, it was a completely different story. "Honestly, the whole thing felt unreal. Imagine growing up watching Madhuri ma'am dance and then one day you are standing in front of her pretending to correct her. Internally, I was extremely nervous, but she made it so comfortable and fun that I could actually enjoy the madness of the scene."

She is also keen to dispel one common misconception about influencers. "People think it is easy or that it is just about posting videos. A lot of work goes into writing, performing, editing, understanding audiences and constantly dealing with feedback. Also, many creators are performers first. The medium may be social media, but the craft is still very real."

When asked what makes her most like Sushma in real life, Dharna smiles at the comparison. "Probably continuing to show up even when I was scared or unsure. Sushma has this ability to keep going despite everything happening around her. I relate to that in my own way. I may panic internally, but I usually still show up and do the work."

She laughs when imagining the one question her followers have never asked. "Maybe they would ask, ‘Are you actually as funny in real life?' And the honest answer is, not always. Sometimes I am funny, sometimes I am overthinking, and sometimes I just want to sit quietly and eat something. I am not a monolith. I am a thousand different things in a thousand different moments."