Bollywood veteran Kajol steps into uncharted territory with Maa, a mythological-horror film directed by Vishal Furia and produced by Ajay Devgn. Released on June 27, 2025, in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Bengali, the film belongs to the expanding “Shaitaan Universe,” following hits like Shaitaan and Munjya. Here’s our full review.
Story & Themes
Set in a small village in West Bengal, Maa follows mother Ambika (Kajol) and her daughter Shweta (Kherin Sharma) as they return to their ancestral home, only to confront an ancient, gruesome curse targeting young girls. The plot blends mythology—with nods to Goddess Kali—and horror, using the mother-child relationship to drive emotional stakes.
Kajol’s Performance
Kajol delivers a power-packed performance, bringing unwavering intensity and maternal ferocity to the screen. Her emotional depth during confrontations with supernatural evil is compelling and cathartic. The role demanded constant high energy and emotional alertness—an experience Kajol herself describes as “very draining”.
Supporting Cast & Direction
Ronit Roy impresses as the brooding patriarch, while Indraneil Sengupta, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, and young Kherin Sharma deliver credible performances. Director Vishal Furia, who previously worked in horror (Chhorii), brings a measured balance of atmosphere and suspense, although the narrative treads familiar territory.
VFX & Cinematography
One of the strongest aspects of Maa is its visual design. The creature work—drawing comparisons to Vecna from Stranger Things – is both eerie and imaginative. The mythological symbolism—rituals and Goddess Kali imagery—adds a layer of cultural resonance.
Pacing & Screenplay
The first half unfolds slowly, establishing atmosphere and emotional tone. Though it builds tension, the pace may test patience. The second half gains urgency with tighter editing and meaningful scares, but the screenplay occasionally struggles to merge mythology and horror effectively.
Music & Sound
The haunting score by Harsh Upadhyay, Shiv Malhotra, and Rocky Khanna supports the film’s tone. Vocals by Shreya Ghoshal in the theme song add emotional warmth; fans have already called it “magic on loop”. The background effects help create tension in key moments.
Final Verdict
Maa is a decent-to-good film – a solid mytho-horror that relies heavily on Kajol’s emotional depth and strong visuals. While it may not fully redefine the genre, it offers an emotional experience grounded in maternal strength, layered with folklore and controlled-level scares.
- Pros: Kajol’s commanding performance, strong VFX, mythological themes.
- Cons: Slow pacing in parts, a screenplay that occasionally falters.
Fans of horror blended with Indian mythology will find Maa engaging. It’s not a hardcore fright-fest, but rather a spiritually and emotionally grounded thriller worth watching.
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