Maa (2025) Movie: Kajol’s Divine Transformation in This Mythological Horror
Horror films in India have changed a lot lately. Directors now mix old stories with new ideas. Maa, directed by Vishal Furia and starring Kajol, tries this approach. Released on June 27, 2025, this Hindi horror movie brings together Ronit Roy, Indraneil Sengupta, Kherin Sharma, and Jitin Gulati.
The story shows a mother who becomes goddess Kali to fight evil forces. This marks Kajol’s comeback after three years away from films. With Vishal Furia directing, Maa promises a unique mix of motherly love and supernatural terror.
Plot and Story
The story follows Ambika (Kajol), who lives in Kolkata with her husband Shuvankar and daughter Shweta. Shuvankar comes from Chandarpur, West Bengal, but cut all ties with his village. When their past returns, Ambika must face ancient curses that threaten her daughter’s life.
What makes Maa different is its connection to Indian mythology. The film shows how far a mother will go to protect her child. This leads to a spiritual change where Ambika connects with goddess Kali.
The story mixes family drama, horror, and mythology. It deals with tradition versus modern life and the bond between mother and child. But sometimes it feels more like a TV show than a movie.
Acting Performance
Kajol’s return is the film’s biggest strength. Her role as Ambika shows her acting range perfectly. She moves from caring mother to fierce protector with ease. I found her performance powerful and memorable.
The supporting actors like Ronit Roy and Indraneil Sengupta do their jobs well. Kherin Sharma as the daughter gives a convincing performance. The family feels real, which helps the story work.
However, some actors seem limited by the script. Some characters feel like they’re just there to move the plot forward. The dialogue sometimes sounds unnatural.
Direction and Visuals
Vishal Furia’s direction creates a unique visual style for Maa. The camera work shows both normal family life and supernatural events well. The lighting and colors help set the mood, especially during transformation scenes.
The visual effects work fine for the story. The makeup and costumes for Kajol’s transformation into Kali look impressive. They honor the mythology while looking good on screen.
The film’s pacing has problems though. While it builds tension well, some parts drag on. This makes certain scenes feel unnecessary and slows down the story.
Music and Sound
The film’s sound helps create the supernatural atmosphere. The background music supports the scary scenes, though it sometimes gets too loud. The sound design uses traditional elements that fit the mythological story.
Maa doesn’t have typical Bollywood songs. Instead, it uses background music and sound effects to keep the horror mood. The audio work shines during transformation scenes.
What I Liked and Disliked
The film’s best part is its unique idea and Kajol’s acting. I liked how it mixes mythology with emotion. This gives the horror more depth than usual scary movies.
But the execution doesn’t match the ambitious concept. Despite having an interesting idea, it sometimes feels like a TV serial. The pacing problems and melodramatic moments hurt the overall impact.
The movie succeeds in creating real tension and emotional connection. I enjoyed the scenes between mother and daughter. The mythological elements are handled respectfully and look visually striking.
Critics and Audience Response
Critics gave Maa a 3.0/5 rating. They praised its unique approach but noted execution problems. Early overseas reviews called it a thrilling movie with 3.5 stars, saying it’s extremely well-made and engaging.
Other reviewers rated it 3.25/5, calling it a multi-genre experience that blends mythology, horror, action and emotion. Critics noted that despite pacing issues, it’s worth watching for its story and visuals.
The public had mixed reactions. Audiences liked Kajol’s return and the unique concept but criticized the execution and pacing. Social media praised the visuals and emotions while pointing out technical problems.
Final Thoughts
Maa tries to create something unique in Indian horror. It successfully mixes mythological elements with modern storytelling. While it doesn’t reach its full potential due to execution issues, the film offers enough good moments to make it watchable.
I think the film works best during emotional scenes between mother and daughter and the transformation sequences. However, it struggles with pacing and sometimes becomes too melodramatic.
Despite its flaws, Maa creates a different movie experience. It stands apart from regular horror films by offering a unique mix of emotion, mythology, and supernatural terror. While not perfect, it has enough merit for horror fans and those who enjoy mythology-driven stories.
Rating: 3/5
