Kajol diving into horror with Maa? That’s the kind of bold move that gets you excited for a theater trip. Released on June 27, 2025, and backed by Ajay Devgn’s Devgn Films and Jio Studios, this mythological horror flick—part of the “Shaitaan Universe”—had big promises: a creepy village, a demonic curse, and a mother’s fierce love. Set in the haunting vibes of Chandarpur, West Bengal, Maa leans on Indian folklore and Kajol’s star power. But while she delivers a knockout performance, the movie itself feels like it’s stuck in second gear, with a predictable plot and scares that don’t quite land. Here’s the lowdown.
The Story: A Mom vs. a Mythological Demon
Maa kicks off with a grim scene: a Kali Puja in Chandarpur where a baby girl is sacrificed to a demon called Amsaja, tied to the ancient Raktabeej myth. Fast-forward 40 years, and we meet Ambika (Kajol), a Kolkata professor living a cozy life with her husband, Shuvankar (Indraneil Sengupta), and their daughter, Shweta (Kherin Sharma). Shuvankar’s from Chandarpur but has ditched the place to keep Shweta safe from its dark past. When his dad passes away, he’s pulled back to the village, and things take a tragic turn. Soon, Ambika and Shweta head to Chandarpur to sort out family matters, only to stumble into a creepy curse involving a demon that hunts young girls.
The story follows Ambika as she goes full-on mama bear, channeling Goddess Kali to protect Shweta. It’s got some heavy themes—think female infanticide and outdated traditions—but it’s the mother-daughter bond that’s meant to hit you in the feels.
The Good Stuff: Kajol’s Fire and a Creepy Vibe
Let’s talk about Kajol—she’s the reason to watch Maa. She’s absolutely electric as Ambika, swinging from soft and loving to fierce and unstoppable. Her big “Kali moment” in the climax? Chills. She pours everything into this role, making you root for her even when the script feels shaky. It’s classic Kajol: raw, intense, and impossible to look away from.
The movie looks great, too. Chandarpur’s old havelis, foggy forests, and vibrant Kali Puja scenes set a seriously eerie mood. The traditional dancers in white-and-red sarees add a cool cultural touch. The music’s a win, too—Amar Mohile’s score keeps things tense, and Usha Uthup’s Kali Shakti track is a banger that lifts the big moments. Ronit Roy’s solid as the shady village head, Joydev, and the younger actresses, Kherin Sharma and Roopkatha Chakraborty, do a decent job with what they’re given.
The Not-So-Good: Same Old Scares and a Slow Crawl
Here’s where Maa trips up—it’s just not that scary. The demon Amsaja sounds cool on paper, but the VFX make it look like something from a low-budget TV show. The jump scares? You’ve seen them a million times before. The film tries to tie into the Shaitaan universe with a random cameo, but it feels tacked on and throws off the vibe. The story follows a playbook you know by heart: cursed village, kid in danger, mom saves the day. No surprises there.
The pacing’s a drag, too. The first half moves like molasses, with side plots that go nowhere. The second half picks up, but it’s still messy, with repetitive scares and a script that can’t decide what it wants to be. The mother-daughter connection between Ambika and Shweta should be the heart of the film, but it feels flat, so the emotional punches don’t always land. Oh, and the way it portrays Bengali culture? It leans hard into stereotypes—think over-the-top accents and a giant Kali statue that’s more cartoonish than creepy.
The Bottom Line: Worth It for Kajol, But Don’t Expect Chills
Maa had everything going for it: Kajol in top form, a cool mix of mythology and horror, and some big ideas about women’s strength. But it plays it too safe, recycling old horror tricks and dragging its feet. Kajol’s performance and the film’s spooky visuals make it worth a watch if you’re a fan, but if you’re after a fresh, scary horror flick, you might leave feeling let down. Vishal Furia tries to balance heart and horror, but Maa doesn’t quite roar like it should.
Rating: ★★½ / 5
Watch It For: Kajol being a total badass and the cool mythological vibes.
Skip It If: You want a horror movie that’ll actually keep you up at night.