Maa is a 2025 Indian mythological horror film directed by Vishal Furia and scripted by Saiwyn Quadras. Produced by Ajay Devgn’s Devgn Films in collaboration with Jio Studios, this film comes from the world of Shaitaan and marks a significant experiment in mainstream Bollywood by blending folklore, horror, and maternal drama. Kajol headlines the cast as Ambika, alongside Ronit Roy, Indraneil Sengupta, and newcomer Kherin Sharma. The film hit theatres theatrically on June 27, 2025, in multiple languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Bengali.
Maa: Plot
Ambika (Kajol) lives in Kolkata with her husband Shubhankar (Indraneil Sengupta) and daughter Shweta (Kherin Sharma). Upon her father-in-law’s death, the family is urged to visit Chandrapur, a remote ancestral village. Following Shubhankar’s unexpected death under mysterious circumstances, Ambika returns months later with Shweta to finalize the sale of the family home. But the village harbors a dark secret: a demonic curse tied to the legend of Goddess Kali and the blood demon Raktabija. When young girls, including Ambika’s daughter, begin disappearing, she confronts this supernatural evil, ultimately invoking the divine strength of Kali to save Shweta.
Maa: Performances
Kajol delivers a commanding performance as Ambika, carrying the weight of the film almost entirely on her shoulders. She convincingly portrays a mother grappling with profound grief and growing terror, transforming from a vulnerable, mourning widow into a fierce protector channeling divine strength. Her emotional range elevates many scenes, especially during her confrontations with the supernatural, where she balances fear with determination. Kherin Sharma, playing Shweta, brings authenticity and innocence to the screen, effectively capturing a child’s confusion and dread in the face of unexplainable horrors. Ronit Roy adds a sense of ambiguity and quiet menace, making his character a catalyst for much of the film’s suspense, while Indraneil Sengupta, despite limited screen time, lends warmth and emotional grounding to the family dynamic in the early parts of the story. The supporting cast, including Rupkatha Chakraborty, Jitin Gulati, and Gopal Singh, contribute credibly, though some performances come across as one-dimensional, never fully transcending the stock roles of the genre. Overall, it’s Kajol’s intense, layered portrayal that remains the standout, providing the film with its emotional core even when the script falters.
Maa: Analysis
Maa ambitiously weaves mythology, horror, and maternal drama into a single narrative, but it struggles to balance these elements cohesively. Director Vishal Furia crafts several visually atmospheric sequences particularly the scenes set in the ominous village and the ancestral mansion which successfully create a sense of dread. However, the film’s pacing is inconsistent; it spends too much time building up the backstory, which slows the momentum and risks losing the audience’s engagement early on.
The central premise, revolving around the legend of Goddess Kali and the bloodthirsty demon Raktabija, is both fresh and culturally resonant, offering a unique foundation for a horror story in the Indian mainstream. Yet, the screenplay often relies on predictable beats and familiar tropes, like sudden jump scares and repetitive dream sequences, which dilute the intended terror.
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Visually, the film is a mixed bag: while the cinematography captures striking, eerie frames, the CGI in key scenes especially involving the demon feels dated and unconvincing, pulling viewers out of the experience.
Furthermore, the emotional arc sometimes lacks subtlety, leaning into melodrama rather than letting the horror and maternal instinct unfold naturally. The climax delivers on the emotional core, but a final scene feels unnecessary and jarring.
Despite its intriguing premise and moments of gripping intensity, Maa ultimately fails to sustain suspense and cohesion across its runtime, resulting in a film that feels more like a missed opportunity than a compelling horror saga.
Maa: Verdict
Maa is an ambitious venture, forging a mythological horror path distinct from Bollywood’s typical fare. Kajol’s performance stands out, bagging the film’s emotional and narrative heft. The film delivers potent visuals and a concept that is rare in mainstream Indian cinema. However, uneven pacing, some weak CGI, predictable sequences, and inconsistent accents hold it back from being truly memorable. It’s watchable for Kajol’s fierceness and folklore-driven dramatics, but falls short of delivering sustained horror or cohesive storytelling.
Maa: Rating
Critics Rating: 2/5
Box Office Rating: 2.5/5
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