In a world where empowerment is often recognised through positions, accolades, and public visibility, filmmaker Manish Chaubey’s upcoming documentary Mother of Many Hands looks in the other direction. The film focuses on a woman whose strength exists far away from public attention.
On International Women’s Day, when conversations across the world celebrate women leaders, entrepreneurs, and high achievers, Chaubey’s documentary turns toward another form of heroism. It reflects the quiet resilience of millions of women whose invisible labour quietly sustains families and cities.
Set in Hyderabad, the documentary traces the life of a young migrant mother who supports herself by working as a domestic helper while raising three children. Her journey carries the burdens of migration, responsibility, and personal loss, yet it is grounded in a clear and unwavering value – dignity.
The woman at the centre of the story moved from Maharashtra to Hyderabad after marrying for love. Like many young couples, she arrived with hope and the dream of building a secure future. Life, however, unfolded differently. Financial struggle soon became part of everyday life. Her husband now drives a cab to provide for the family while she works in multiple homes as a domestic worker. Together, they continue striving to create stability for their children.
The most painful chapter of her life arrived through a profound loss. A tragedy that altered her emotional world but did not weaken her resolve. What makes her journey striking is not only the hardship she faced but also the choices she made.
In circumstances where economic desperation can sometimes push people toward quick or unethical ways of earning, she deliberately chose the path of honest work. Cleaning houses, washing utensils, and enduring long working hours became her way of protecting her sense of dignity.
Behind the documentary is Manish Chaubey, an independent filmmaker and producer whose own life reflects the idea of reinvention. Originally from Uttarakhand and raised in Delhi, he began his professional life as a software engineer after graduating from Delhi University while actively participating in theatre and leading his college drama society.
His passion for storytelling eventually brought him to Mumbai to study filmmaking. There, he worked as an assistant director before joining the ABP Group as a camera person and reporter, experiences that sharpened his sensitivity toward real human narratives. He later moved into entertainment PR and artist management, working with prominent figures from the Indian film industry and gaining exposure to both the artistic and business sides of cinema. He is a member of the Western India Film & TV Producers’ Association (WIFPA), the Indian Film & Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA), and the Mumbai Indie Film Society.
In 2024, he co-founded Roohdaar Films & Entertainment with his partner Reeshma Radhakrrishnan. The name “Roohdaar,” inspired by the Urdu word meaning "soul" and by the iconic character portrayed by Irrfan Khan in the movie Haider, represents their shared commitment to emotionally powerful storytelling.
For Manish, the idea for this documentary emerged from closely observing the lives of workers who remain largely unseen.
“Stories like hers are all around us, yet they rarely become the focus of cinema,” he says. “What drew me to her was her quiet strength. She never considers herself extraordinary, but the decisions she makes every day show remarkable resilience.”
Mother of Many Hands follows an observational storytelling approach. Rather than relying on narration or dramatic commentary, the camera simply observes the rhythm of her everyday life – early mornings, household work, caring for her children, and the brief moments of fatigue and reflection in between.
Through these close observations, the film reveals the emotional and physical labour carried by domestic workers in urban India. Domestic workers represent one of the largest informal workforces in the country. Yet despite supporting millions of households, their lives are rarely visible in public narratives. By focusing on the journey of a single woman, the documentary attempts to restore dignity and visibility to a community that seldom appears on screen.
The title itself reflects the many responsibilities a mother carries. A mother’s hands cook, clean, comfort, earn, and protect. In homes where survival requires constant effort, those hands begin to feel like many hands.
Chaubey believes Women’s Day should also recognise the everyday resilience that often remains unnoticed. “We frequently celebrate women who break glass ceilings,” he says. “But there are millions of women quietly rebuilding their lives every day. Their strength deserves recognition as well.”
Through Mother of Many Hands, the filmmaker encourages audiences to look beyond headlines and recognise the unnoticed acts of courage that shape ordinary lives. This Women’s Day, the film offers a simple yet powerful reminder: sometimes the most powerful stories are the ones unfolding quietly before the world wakes up.
International Women’s Day often highlights visible achievements. Women who break barriers in politics, business, science, and the arts receive celebration and recognition. Yet another landscape of strength rarely becomes part of that public celebration. The millions of women who sustain families through silent labour do not raise their voices loudly. Mother of Many Hands belongs to that landscape.
