Mentalhood trailer: Karisma Kapoor and co struggle with parenting woes

Karisma Kapoor finally makes her digital debut with an ensemble drama, which is likely to see her cast in an avatar, which is a little different from her usual image on screen. The actress is part of the web-series, Mentalhood, set to stream on the OTT platform of ALT Balaji from 11 March. 

The trailer begins with the sight of Kapoor's Meira Sharma, a frazzled mother, battling her daily chores of getting her kids ready and up for school. In addition to managing her own career, Meira is a helicopter mother, keeping a close eye on raising her kids right to fit into an ultra-competitive world.

The other side of the coin is Shruti Seth's Diksha, who wants her son to interact with nature and be as carefree as herself. Similarly, Shilpa Shukla plays the ambitious working mother, burdened with the fear that her failures will impact her child. Tillotama Shome plays the subdued Preity, an urban housewife, totally dominated by her husband, struggling to keep the family together. The only standout is perhaps Dino Morea's Akaash Fernandes, a single dad raising his children in a complex world.  It raises the question of whether motherhood/parenthood is truly a blessing. 

The trailer is funny, complex, and has emotional depth that targets a different demographic than ALT Balaji's usual audience. The struggles of parenthood, while balancing the other pressures of life, looks to be a good subject. The series will also deal with the threats, confusion, and growing pangs of childhood, told through the perspective of hassled and confused parents, struggling to find an answer to these new problems. 

The series is written by Ritu Bhatia and directed by Karishma Kohli. It will also stream on the Zee5 digital platform.