Transcriptional regulator (PubMed:1346755). Acts as a coactivator, assisting one or more dedicated transcriptional activators of ANTC and BXC homeotic gene clusters (PubMed:1346755). Can counteract the repressive effect of Polycomb protein (PubMed:1346755). ATPase subunit of the Brahma complex, a multiprotein complex which is the equivalent of the yeast SWI/SNF complex and acts by remodeling the chromatin by catalyzing an ATP-dependent alteration in the structure of nucleosomal DNA (PubMed:1346755). This complex can both serve as a transcriptional coactivator or corepressor, depending on the context (PubMed:10809665). In type II neuroblast lineage, as part of the Brm remodeling complex, suppresses the formation of ectopic neuroblasts probably through interaction with erm and HDAC3 (PubMed:24618901). ATP + H2O = ADP + H(+) + phosphate Component of the Brahma complex, which is composed of brm, osa, mor, Snr1/Bap45, dalao/Bap111, Bap55, Bap60 and Act42A/Bap47 (PubMed:10601025, PubMed:10809665). Interacts with asf1 (PubMed:12381660). Associates with the brm-HDAC3-erm repressor complex, composed of brm, HDAC3 and erm (PubMed:24618901). Interacts with erm and HDAC3 (PubMed:24618901). Highest expression in unfertilized eggs and early embryos. RNAi-mediated knockdown in larval brains results in the formation of ectopic neuroblasts in type II neuroblast lineage. Simultaneous RNAi-mediated knockdown of HDAC3 or erm in type II neuroblasts results in a more severe phenotype of ectopic neuroblasts. 'Brahma' means 'fate' in India.